BBD 08.07.02 Committed
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
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The Burning Bush Devotional
08.07.02
Committed
"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. And do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that
good and acceptable and perfect will of God." - Romans 12:1-2.
There are many committed people in this world but to what or to whom are
they committed? Apparently there are still some committed Marilyn Monroe
fans because some from as far away as Europe came to Los Angeles to remember
the 40th anniversary of Marilyn's death. Marilyn is believed to have died
from a drug overdose when only 36 years old during the height of her fame
and popularity. Some 250 committed fans arrived at a cemetery in Los
Angeles to share memories and to place flowers on her crypt. There were
other fans that were not quite as committed and did not attend the 40th
service but 17 presidents of Marilyn Monroe fan clubs were in attendance.
What are you committed to? Do you have a level of commitment as high as the
Marilyn Monroe fans for anything or anyone? If you do have that level of
commitment what is it that you are committed to? Hopefully you are
committed to your Lord Jesus at an even higher level than a Marilyn Monroe
fan. Hopefully your commitment to the Lord will be an eternal all-consuming
commitment.
What would it take for us to lose the level of commitment we have at this
point? If we were to be diagnosed with a terminal illness or if a friend or
relative were would that lower our level of commitment? If we were to
experience disastrous financial losses or difficulties would that cause us
to distance ourselves from our Lord? We experience the same thing to a
certain extent in marriage. Are we really committed to death do us part or
is there a point at which we will bail out?
Peter and others did reach a point where they bailed out prior to the
crucifixion of Jesus. At the Last Supper Jesus said to the disciples, "All
of you will be made to stumble (shall be offended) because of Me this
night.. Peter answered and said to Him 'Even if all are made to stumble
because of You, I will never be made to stumble.' Jesus said to him, '
Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will
deny Me three times (Matthew 26:31; 33-34).'" When they came to arrest
Jesus that night it is recorded, "Then all the disciples forsook Him and
fled (Matthew 26:56)."
I'm glad we know the rest of the story! In the Book of Acts we read how the
disciples who had lost their commitment had regained it. What made the
difference for them? The difference was that they had seen their Lord Jesus
put to death slowly and painfully and yet knew that He was alive. All Jesus
had told them was true! It was enough. They were committed and nothing
would ever, ever make them lose their commitment.
Today I would encourage you to renew your commitment to the Lord Jesus. No,
we did not walk with Him while he was here on Planet Earth in the flesh and
we did not see Him executed and then see Him live again. But we have the
testimony of many witnesses who did. By faith let us accept that Jesus has
suffered, died for our sins, and is alive today and that everything He said
is true.
(Because at least four were saved yesterday as a result of providing a way
for them to do that I am including the following again. There is only one
way to Heaven but that way is well marked and very clear. To receive Christ
as your Savior pray the following prayer (which is based on John 1:12; John
3:16; Romans 10:13; and Revelation 3:20) "Dear Lord Jesus, I believe you
died on the cross for my sins and rose again on the third day. Please
forgive me for the sins, the bad things I have done, I want to change and be
like You. Please help me to change, be my Lord and my Master and my Savior.
In your name Lord Jesus I ask You to come into my heart and save me. Amen."
Please remember that words alone will not save you and there is nothing
sacred about any certain prayer of salvation. Only if you truly mean it in
your heart will you be saved. If you do pray the prayer above and mean it
in your heart please send me an email at [email protected] and I will
send you additional helpful information.)
Copyright © 2002. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the
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