Devotion to God

Devotion to God – Insights from God’s Word
But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. - 2 Corinthians 11:3

Devotion to God – Prayer of Sincerity
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am so grateful this morning for the processes of my life that have carried me through to the glorious redemption of Your Cross. I look at my life, and realize that Your Hand has been on my back all along, guiding me in Your ways. You have created in me a holy desperation for You. Knowing that I am incapable myself of understanding the deeper truths of my God, I have become reliant on the truth of Your Word and the power of Your Holy Spirit.

I see in me today a new creation, that even at this very moment, is being changed. I am desperate to hear from You before I step out of this place. I recognize my heart crying out in its commitment to lay down ego and selfish ambition, and pick up instead Your cross today and follow Your lead.

I pray this day for the vision of the watchtower that stands its guard over the place and people You have assigned. I pray I will be able to see with a renewed clarity of vision that keeps its eyes focused on the sacrifice of Your Cross, and moves out in defense of Your people. Recognizing that on my own I am helpless to accomplish anything, I desire to accomplish nothing unless it is an assignment I have received from You. I would rather be sidelined, than move out ahead or behind You. I would rather be silent and motionless, rather than choosing busyness over devotion.

Lord, I cry out this morning from this place of worship asking for Your help. As I sit in this quiet place with You as my guide and companion, I am filled with peace and joy. I so desperately desire that Your people would lay down all their attempts to run and hide from Your Presence, and realize instead how much of Your glory You have to share with them, if they will just spend time in Your Presence.

Jesus, we need You, the promise of Your Cross and the fellowship of Your Body. We don’t need to accomplish things for the sake of accomplishing, but rather we need to be with You on Your boat sailing across the seas that You calm -- going in the direction of Your choice. Most of all, we need You, and we need each other. Recognizing this morning that You are my greatest treasure, and Your people my reward, I seek to love as You love.

Protect us from any attempt by Satan to counterfeit Your truths with selfishness, ego, and pride. Protect us from living lives like the Pharisees of old who pontificated all day every day in order to puff themselves up. Remind us that it is all about You and what You are doing -- and help each person who prays this prayer to take their rightful place in Your mobilizing army of warriors.

There is much to be done, but help us to not forget that our personal relationship with You is the most important ingredient in any recipe You give us. Whatever You give us to do will reflect Your glory, and only as we reflect Your glory will darkness run and flee. I look to Your face on the Cross and see the love you manifested to the world, and I cry out asking for Your help, to have that same love myself -- the love You had for the Father and for Your people.

Purify my mind, soul, body, and spirit -- and allow me the privilege of serving in Your army -- moving as one with Your Body and moving only in the direction You are leading. To You be all the honor and glory!

Devotion to God – Making it Personal
Reflect: Devotion to God is the reason we were created. Unfortunately, we often mistake the busyness of activity for the purposes of God. The commandment to love God first, and then your neighbor as yourself, should be in our consciousness every day. The assignments we are given will result in the reflected glory of our King -- when these are His assignments. Don’t be like the Pharisees who publicly made a show of devotion serving their own selfish interest and completely missed the Messiah when He came. The simplicity of devotion to Christ is the key to freedom. It is an every day awareness of God at work all around you, and joining Him in that work -- not working on your own agenda. Pray and ask God to reveal His kingdom purposes for your life on this earth -- as it is in heaven.