Dedication

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Ezra 6:16 A Time To Celebration

Then the people of Israel–the priests, the Levites and the rest of the exiles–celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy. Ezra 6:16

People all over the world love to celebrate special events. It is very common for there to be some type of celebration when a building project is completed. This can be with just a simple house all the way up to some large commercial structure. There is a high level of excitement due to the hard work and difficulties often needed to be overcome to bring the construction to a completion.

Once the temple was rebuilt all the Israelites and exiles celebrated the dedication of the rebuilt house of God with great joy.

The level of celebration of the completion of a building will vary depending on the value and importance of the building. The higher the value and importance, the greater the celebration will be. Some buildings will bring about a national level of celebration. However, the celebration is always for something that is temporary. No physical building will last forever.

Believers are to always be in the process of building a temple that will last for eternity. That temple is making new disciples–new believers and followers of Jesus.

Every time a person chooses to turn away from his old sinful past, repent and believe in the saving work of Jesus upon the cross, there is a new temple built for God. The new believer becomes a dwelling place for God that is dedicated to Him. This occurs due to the hard work of prayer and being a witness to someone by other believers.

As soon as one becomes a believer, all heaven rejoices. It is a time for great celebration for all believers with the dedication of a new temple for God.

You most likely have times or events that you like to celebrate, some on a regular basis, some on a one time only basis. One time to always remember and celebrate is when you became a believer, when God gave you a new life and began to dwell in you.

Other times that are equally important is when you hear of another person choosing to believe in Jesus and be saved. Think of the great joy there is in knowing someone will no longer be condemned and heading to hell but is now a fellow brother/sister in the family of God–a new temple of God.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will make disciples for Jesus; that you will celebrate when one becomes a follower of Jesus; that you be a temple for God to dwell in; and that you will know the joy of the salvation God has given you.

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1 Kings 8:61 Fully Committed

And may your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time. 1 Kings 8:61

Being fully committed to something means that one will do whatever it takes to complete the task. Very often people are not fully committed to something. Their mind wanders and are desiring something different, wishing to be somewhere different or doing something different.

The difference between a good sports player and one who is great is their level of commitment. One will do whatever it takes, while the other stops short and is distracted.

Right after Solomon finished building the temple and dedicating it, he prayed that the people would have their hearts fully committed to God and to obey all of God’s commands.

Everyone has many things that are going on in their life at any given moment. Everything pulls their attention and commitments different directions. There are jobs, friends, family, spouses, cleaning, repairs, bills, health issues, travel, children, and much more all needing some attention.

One thing that all of these have in common are that they need some attention from the person. In the process of giving attention to all of these things, often some things are ignored or forgotten and placed on the side.

God and His commands are often one of the first things that people put on the side in all of their busyness, and not just on Sundays.

Believers need to have a heart that is fully committed to the Lord and obeying His commands no matter what comes their way. God has the perfect plan for every believer, so their first focus must always be towards God and obeying Him, then trusting God for anything else needed.

Hearts must be fully committed to God.

You have many things that strive to call your attention. While many of these things are important, God and His commands are the most important.

God is committed to you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He is committed to leading and guiding you on the best path possible.

Do not allow the cares of this world turn you away from God and His commands but drive you closer to Him. Do not be a half-hearted believer, but fully committed to loving God, obeying God and living by His standards with all of your heart, mind, soul and strength.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will obey all of God’s commands; that your heart will be fully committed to God; and that you will put God first in all that you think, say or do every day of your life.

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Joshua 24:16 Easy Made Promises

Then the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord to serve other gods!” Joshua 24:16

Promises are something that are easy to make, but more difficult to keep. Everyday people make many different promises in hundreds of different ways and then in a very short time break those promises.

Often promises are made in the hype and excitement of the moment, when everything is looking perfect with no difficulties. The more people involved, the easier they are to make. Then later, when difficulties arise, the promises are forgotten and broken out of convenience.

After conquering the land, Joshua reminds the Israelites of all that God had done and that he will still serve God. Then he challenges the people to serve God. The people promise to never forsake God and serve false gods.

In church settings or large group settings of groups of believers, it is common for challenges to serve God to be made. It is built up with excitement of choosing to serve God with one’s whole life and a push for commitment. Nearly everyone is quick to dedicate themselves to God.

Just like the Israelites, however, after leaving the church and meeting, people are back in the world and forget all about God. Focus is taken off of God and back on self, serving other gods of this world, pride, selfishness, alcohol, porn, money, and many other things.

The world will put pressure on the believer to forsake God and follow their false gods. Promises of pleasure and ease are made that will only bring about death and misery.

True believers will keep their focus upon God and remember their promises to serve Him alone. When temptation arises to cause them to forsake God, they will resist the devil and flee the temptation, rather than give in to it. They will not take their promise lightly.

Have you made a commitment to serve God and Him alone in your life? Do not allow the things and cares of this world distract you so that you forsake God and begin to serve the false, dead gods of this world.

Commit your whole life to God and seek His strength to fulfill that promise. God will give you everything you need to serve Him with all of your life. Trust in Him alone as you keep your promise to serve Him.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will commit your life to serving God alone; that God will give you strength to resist serving other false gods; and that God will fill you with His Holy Spirit to guide and direct your steps.

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Leviticus 6:13 Keep The Fire Burning

The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out. Leviticus 6:13

While physical forest fires and fires burning buildings are given every attempt to stop, there are some fires that must be kept burning. Some of these required fires are for providing heat or to run some required equipment.

Along with various physical fires, there are fires in the soul, mind and heart. People get fired up about various issues, both for the positive and for the negative. Some of these need to be kept going to accomplish something good for all people.

God said the fire for the burnt offerings must be kept burning and never go out.

The burnt offering in the Old Testament was an offering symbolizing the dedication to God. Whatever was offered was completely burnt up, giving it to God with no takebacks. It was to symbolize the person dedicating his life to God.

After Jesus rose from the dead, physical sacrifices on physical altars were no longer required, but there was the sacrifice of self. One needs to dedicate his life completely to God, being on fire for God and His mission.

Many people, when they first become believers, are excited and on fire for God. They are going around telling everyone about Jesus, praying and reading the Bible. Later they let that fire die down and they stop witnessing, praying and reading the Bible. There is no longer any excitement to be a follower of Jesus.

God had sent His Holy Spirit to be in the believer to keep him on fire for God. The Holy Spirit gives strength, power, comfort and helps to keep sin out of the life to the believer, all things that a physical fire can do in the natural realm.

Believers must keep that fire burning constantly and never let it go out.

God wants a spiritual fire in your life, one that will not go out and keep you as a light in this dark world. Think back to the day you first chose to believe in Jesus. Think about how excited you were. That was God’s fire in you.

Feed that fire daily with the word of God–the Bible, communication with God–prayer and doing the work of God. The more you do these things, the hotter the fire will be and the more the world will see Jesus in and through you.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will be on fire for God’s purpose on this earth; that you will be filled with the Holy Spirit strengthening you and keeping you on fire; and that you will feed the fire of God on a daily basis to keep it burning.

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Isaiah 54:5 Who Are You Married To?

Wedding rings

For you Maker is your husband–the Lord Almighty is his name–the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. Isaiah 54:5 

The view on what marriage is varies from person to person all over the world. Many see marriage as just something convenient for the moment. People go into marriage for selfish and temporary reasons.

Marriage is supposed to be the dedication of a man and woman to each other for the rest of their life. They are to focus on each other and no one else.

The real focus of what marriage is supposed to be is found in the dedication to each other. It is putting the other person before one’s own self. People will be dedicated to someone or something. Often they are dedicated to things.

Isaiah reminds the people that God is their husband. The people are married to God. He is to be their focus.

This concept of being married to God has never changed. The book of Revelation finishes with a prophecy of Jesus returning for His bride.

Believers are to be married to God–focused and dedicated to God and God alone. There is to be no adultery with false gods–anything other than God Himself.

Too often believers become like the world in casting aside their marriage. The call for a divorce or live in adultery. They give their hearts and lives over to someone or something other than God. They forsake their first love, their husband.

This adultery can happen when a believer allows sin and sinful habits into his life as he refuses to listen to the Holy Spirit.

The good news is that God does not call for a divorce, as men do. He keeps calling His bride to be with Him. He is in it for eternity, with an eternal love for His bride, the believer–the church.

When you chose to follow Jesus, you became a part of the bride of Christ. He is your Maker and God of all and now is your husband.

Dedicate all of your love and focus upon Him. God is the perfect husband I that He will lead and guide you perfectly in every area of your life. He will never fail you as human husbands may.

While doing this, do not allow yourself to fall into adultery and seek or lust after other husbands–stepping into sin or turning to false gods. Remain loyal to God alone, your husband.

I pray today that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that you will be dedicated to God alone; that your life will be a one of marriage dedication to God; and that you will know His love and protection for you.