A Life Devoted to Christ

How often do you think about yourself or think selfish thoughts on a daily basis? It is more common than you think. Although it's hard to know exactly the percentage, research shows that we spend about 95% of our thoughts thinking about our own lives or having selfish thoughts. We tend to make decisions based off our desires, thoughts, best interests for ourselves, rather than the interests of others, or better yet, what points to Christ.

Lately, I have been convicted of this very thing. I want to live a life FULLY devoted to Christ in COMPLETE surrender. I want everything in my life to reflect Him. Even in the hardships of life, I am suppose to devote my life to Christ. It is all about Him and it is all for Him.

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Galatians 2:20

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,

do all to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

Romans 12:1

Like I said, I have been convicted of this specifically when it comes to hardships. As a lot of y'all know, my dad has been going through some serious health issues to the point of needing a liver transplant. He is very weak and very sick. This is something new for my family that we are walking through together. Although it is hard and difficult at times, the Lord is still good and faithful, which I am still learning.

In the hardships, often times we just want to dwell or sit in our sorrows rather than moving on. I am not trying to diminish hardships. There are a lot of hardships where it can be valid the emotions that follow. However, if we are focused on the hardships everyday, to the point where it is all about us or our circumstances, we have missed the mark.

Our entire life is suppose to be a representation of Christ: the way we think, the things we say, the way we act, etc. Everything should be for Him and point to Him.

 PRAYER TIP #14 – Live a Life Devoted Fully to Him

How do we begin to live a life devoted to Christ?:

• Love God and love others (And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:30-31)

• Seek Him in His Word (With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:10-11)

• Obey His Word (But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22)

• Seek Him in prayer (Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:12-13)

With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart,

that I might not sin against You.

Psalm 119:10-11

Prayer Points:

• God, forgive me when I am selfish in my thoughts and my actions.

• Father, help me to live a life surrendered to You whole-heartedly.

• God, I need Your guidance and wisdom to live my life as a representation of You.

Suggested Prayer - Pray these words in your heart or out loud:

Father, thank You for Your goodness and Your mercy even when there is difficulty and hardships in our lives. God, forgive me when I have missed the mark and haven't lived a life fully devoted to you. I ask that I am always reminded that my life is for You and about You. Father, help me to be diligent about loving You and others, seeking You in Your Word, obeying Your Word, and seeking You in prayer. Thank You again, Lord, for Your goodness and kindness in our lives. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

With Love,

Brooke Hartley