“All In”

It is an expression used in gambling, when a player is so confident in his or her position, that he or she puts everything at risk. Win and the payoff is the maximum possible, lose and be wiped out.

Jesus says in Luke 14:26, “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else: your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes even your own life; otherwise you cannot be my disciple.” NLT

In modern terms, Jesus says we must be “all in” if we want to follow him.

The first commandment God gave us through Moses in Exodus 20:3, “You must have no other gods but me.”

We must put all our hope, trust, confidence, and reverence in God. When we do He says in verse 6, “I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commandments.”

Dear Lord, how difficult it seems, but what peace it brings to be “all in” with you. Help us do so. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Since the early Christian Church, there have been differences of opinion on proper behavior for a Christian. Because most of the early Christians had been Jews then accepted Jesus as the Messiah, some still believed they were required to follow Jewish traditions for eating, days of the week to worship, and other behaviors.

Paul writes about this in Romans 14, and writes that it is up to each believer, based upon his dedicated study of scripture, Jesus’ and the apostles’ teaching, to determine what they believe is proper. The importance of the rules was not for judging others, but for managing themselves.

In Romans 14:23 Paul says, “But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.”

We have similar differences in the various denominations of Christian Churches today; Different days of worship, understandings on acceptable foods to eat, customs, acceptability of drinking alcohol, and other behaviors. We should remember Paul’s message, to use these rules to guide ourselves, and not to judge others.

Dear Lord, You made us and gave us a conscience and the ability to reason. Help us read and understand your word, and listen to our consciences so that we may live as you would have us, remembering that other Christians may have variations in their understanding, but we all still believe in You and Your saving grace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Just prior to Jesus being betrayed and arrested, he prayed that he might be spared from the suffering he knew was coming, but he ended his prayer, “..nevertheless not my will but thine, be done.” Luke 22:43

Proverbs 3:5,6 tell us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

If you are like me you try to figure out what you have to do to accomplish the things you want. We need to turn this around, and seek what God wants for us, and trust him to lead us there. We don’t have to figure it out, just submit, trust and follow.

Dear Lord, Thy will be done. Amen.

One of British Science Fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke’s three adages was, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” It is an interesting observation. I imagine a jet aircraft, cell phone, or microwave would look like magic to someone 100 years ago. I am sure in our lifetimes we will be amazed at technologies that are developed that will appear like magic to us.

What a fantastic time and opportunity God has created for us, and though it may be uncertain and possibly frightening, we do not have to fear, because we know as God tells us in John 1:1,3 “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…..All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

God created it all, and is master of all, we have nothing to fear when we trust in Him.

I get a chuckle from this story that you may also have heard;
Scientists decided that they had developed the technology to make living creatures from just the basic elements in dirt, so they told God they didn’t need him anymore and challenged God to a contest; Who could make life from dirt. God agreed to the challenge. As the Scientists reached down to pick up some dirt, God said, “wait a moment, create your own dirt”

Dear Lord, When we stop and look at the magnificence of nature around us, and within our bodies and minds, we cannot but be in awe of you. Help us not fear the amazing things you have given us,, or the abilities to develop new concepts and technologies, but use them for the good of each other. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

One of the questions that effects many Christians is “What is God calling me to do?”

Although the answer may come easy to some, it isn’t clear to all of us. I think sometimes we are looking for some type of significant supernatural revelation telling us what God wants us to do, but for most people the answer comes as a simple thought that may re-occur. “I should teach Sunday school,” or “I need to bring my family to church,” or “I should pray for that person.” These may not just be random thoughts, but are the quiet voice of God encouraging you to your calling.

Even if the call is not something dramatic like, “drop everything and go to Africa,” it still can be frightening to follow through. Keep this in mind. “The will of God will never lead you where the love of God will not support you.” God will take care of you if you step out in faith.

Paul writes in 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 “So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.”

Dear Lord, thank you for the prompts to act on your calling. Help us listen, hear, and act in faith knowing that you will be there supporting us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.’