Simply Devoted

"With what shall I come to the LORD and bow myself before the God on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, with yearling calves? Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, in ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:6-8

Listen to the desperation in his voice! How can I please the Lord? Will He be satisfied with thousands of rams? With ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I even present my firstborn? What does this sound like in your life? How can I please Him? If I read my Bible every morning and every night? If I teach Sunday School? Sing on the worship team? Wear skirts and never cut my hair? If I stand in the center of campus and preach from a box? If I give up my job and tote my family to a foreign country? To what extent must I go, in order to please this God?!

Micah lived in a time where God was seen as an unreachable God who watched us suffer in our iniquities, and will not be pleased. Today, although this is a different time with different teachings, there are still those moments in our life when we are found searching for that last bit of service or devotion that will finally make us right with God. I think you knew 3 things, when you read the previous paragraph. You will know that there is nothing wrong with any of those acts of devotion. At the same time, these things are not a checklist for closeness with the Lord. And yet you may also know that at some point in your life you have tried desperately to get right with the Lord through an act like one of these.

Micah's message is that closeness with the Lord is found when we do as He has asked. Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God. You will know which of the other, more superficial acts of devotion are necessary because it will be God's specific request to you, made in the quiet moments while you wait on Him.


For more insight, read Charles Swindoll's message.
http://www.insight.org/library/insight-for-today/keep-it-simple.html

My True Love

I have found my Jesus to be the happiest Love of my life. He never leaves my side, and best of all, He helps me become better than I am. When the worries of this world distract me, my Jesus will woo me back to Him with a beautiful sunrise or a starry night. He takes extra special attention to make those yellow flowers blossom on the side of the road just so that I will smile when I drive by. He hid my shoes so I would walk to the driveway with my shoes off and feel the grass between my toes- just because He knows how much I love that  He knows exactly what I love, want, like and need, and he spares no expense to delight me!

Like a lover, He gallantly surrenders His life to those who would try to steal mine, just so I would be saved. He sends me love notes and messages via those around me (and the Bible) so I won’t ever forget Him. He holds my hand when I’m lost and brings me close when I’m scared. When I am so distraught I am bewildered and do not know what to do, He gently calls my name, puts His arms around me and carries me to the place I belong.