All in Daily Devotional

How do we pursue righteousness, and live lives of true faith? Do we seek excitement, advancement, or greatness, and prayerfully ask God for these things in the same breath in which we are asking Him for a deeper belief and faith? If a preacher is serving in a small church filled with God fearing families, does he plead in prayer to become the pastor of a megachurch and have a television show that bears his name? Well, these things can be devastating distractions to his faith and the downfall of salvation for many. Instead, he should desire that Jesus lead him and his congregation towards sainthood, not towards fame, notoriety, or wealth. All of the world’s treasure and glory is of little consequence to God, and should likewise be to us as well.

Are we quietly preparing ourselves for those things that the Lord would have us do? How about for His return? We can be so busy doing things for God in these days and times that we can often forget to plan and prepare ourselves for the Lord’s return. We can find ourselves treating this world as if it were our destination, but this is only a shipyard in which we are being faired, and prepared to sail.

How intimate are we with Jesus? Is our relationship close enough, and deep enough, that we don’t keep secrets, and that we can do the grossest of natural things in front of Him without embarrassment? Can we sit under a tree for hours and tell Him our wildest dreams or confide in Him our darkest thoughts? I encourage each of us to not have a lukewarm relationship with Jesus, and to become more than simple acquaintances in our faith by allowing Him to abide in us, as we abide in Him.

What are the works and miracles that we do in the name of Jesus? Are they greater than those done by Jesus Himself, or are we a disappointment to ourselves, and God? To get at the root of this feeling we must explore our belief, understanding, and ability to pray effectively. When Jesus asked for the cup to be taken from Him in the Garden of Gethsemane do we think He was disappointed when it wasn’t?

Are we praying for God to call us to perform some great task for His kingdom? Do we have a desire to do wonderful things for our Holy Father? Sometimes we take it upon ourselves to determine what that task might be. Brothers and Sisters, let’s stop trying to determine for ourselves how God can best use us, and pray instead that He shows us what He already has prepared for us to do, and that is to spread the gospel.

Do we walk with God, or are we still yearning to walk with Him? How close is our relationship, or in its absence, how desperately do we seek His presence? In our desire for salvation and eternal life do we place these goals above simply loving God? If so, do we realize that without that love there will never be a quiet stroll through the garden, or a conversation spent speaking without having to utter a word?

Are we studying and memorizing scripture, and reading Biblically based literature, with the thought that this will make us wise and righteous or give us some increased standing with God? Well my friends, only one thing will work to perfect us in the eyes of God, and that is having the faith and obedience of a child. I would rather do this one small thing perfectly than to pursue a thousand wise and scholarly things while missing the mark of holiness entirely.