A Casual Heart Toward Holy Matters

 

“The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied from above.” PROVERBS 14:14

 

PONDER THIS

In the beginning of 2 Samuel 11, David had become casual about the things of God. He had been blessed so much—God had been so good to him, and David had enjoyed victory after victory—that he no longer had to fight. He could just sit back, coast, and take it easy. David had put off the armor, but the Bible warns that we are to endure difficulties as good soldiers of the Lord.

Many of us gave our hearts to the Lord Jesus as children. We meant business and our heart belongs to Him. But I wonder if there are not some of us who need to say, “Lord Jesus, I have gotten casual about this thing. I have taken for granted what I did as a child or as a young person. But now today, Lord Jesus, I present the most precious thing I have—my life, my soul, my all—to you anew and afresh like I have never ever done it before.”

In what ways have grown casual about your relationship with the Lord?

How is He calling you to respond?

PRACTICE THIS

Consider your life and relationship with Christ. Respond to Him with renewed commitment today.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Starting the Day the Right Way

“She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants.”

PROVERBS 31:15

 

PONDER THIS

She is getting up to have a quiet time with the Lord. And the Bible goes on to say, in verse 30, that she is one who fears the Lord. I cannot tell you the times that I have awakened to find my wife already awake, singing hymns to our Lord or walked in to find her on her knees studying and preparing her heart for the day. I think that’s the exact picture our Lord has here. You may think if you didn’t have the distractions or responsibilities of the modern world that you could do the same. While we have different responsibilities and distractions, we also have more luxuries than the people of this day described in Proverbs. These include washers and dryers, stoves and refrigerators, and we wouldn’t want to trade places for anything. But here is a woman of godly worship who is getting up early to have her quiet time with the Lord. The fact is, it was a priority for her. Is it for us?

How important is time in the Word and prayer to your daily routine?

What might change if you made this a higher priority?

PRACTICE THIS

Commit to regular time spent with the Lord each day this week. Take notice of how your life is impacted by this commitment.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

A Fully Committed Life

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

COLOSSIANS 3:2-3

 

PONDER THIS

Many of us talk about Jesus being our Savior but we fail to also confess Him as Lord. That means to take yourself off the throne of your life and put Jesus Christ there. Salvation is not just some intellectual belief that you tack on; it is committing everything to the Lord Jesus.

Imagine there’s been a wedding, and the newlyweds, Sue and Bill, are driving away from the celebration. Sue says to Bill, “It was a beautiful wedding. I just enjoyed it so much. Now, Bill, will you take me home?” He replies, “Sue, we can’t go home yet, the house is not ready.” Then Sue says, “I don't mean that home, I mean my home. I want you to take me back to my mother. I have accepted you as my husband, but I want to go back to normal. Don’t expect me to change the way I’ve been living. I hope to see you on weekends if it’s convenient. I’m glad that you’re committed to taking care of me. So, Bill, if I’m sick or need money or have any problems, you know I can call on you because, after all, I’ve taken you as my husband. But you need to take your hands off my life.” What kind of a marriage would that be? It’s the same kind of salvation some people think they have. It doesn’t work. Jesus’ lordship must change your life. Set your mind fully on Him because you are now hidden in Him.

Why is it easier to accept Jesus as Savior than as Lord? Are you sure you have accepted Him as both? Explain.

What are some ways Jesus’ lordship has changed your life? What are some things that have been slower to change?

PRACTICE THIS

Surrender to God the areas in which you have been hesitant to submit to His lordship.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Who Are You Committed To?

PRAY OVER THIS

The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits. Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.

Proverbs 16:1-3

 

PONDER THIS

Nehemiah was a man who committed his works to the Lord. Nehemiah 1:11 says, “O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant…; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”

Nehemiah, who had a prominent position in the king’s court, was about to risk his life to ask a favor of the king. Nehemiah was the king’s cupbearer. He’d come in and eat with the king, but before the king ate, the cupbearer would take a sip to confirm the drink was safe. Even with this elevated position in the world, Nehemiah cared more about the things of God.

Nehemiah committed his works to the Lord and was given the words to boldly ask the king to allow him to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls of the temple. He wasn’t content just to see the ruins and weep; he was committed to what the Lord called him to do. The king not only said yes, but also provided Nehemiah with supplies: “And the king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me” (Nehemiah 2:8).

What is something you have committed to the Lord?

Why is it important to commit to the Lord?

PRACTICE THIS

Write out plans you have for your life. Surrender them to God, committing to His desires over your own.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

At the Feet of Jesus

PRAY OVER THIS

“Then it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; and he will tell you what you should do.” Ruth 3:4

 

PONDER THIS

We should be careful not to misinterpret Ruth’s actions here. There was nothing improper, dirty, or impure. She was placing herself at Boaz’s feet under his protection. In Ruth 3:9 she requested that Boaz take her under his wing. She was saying, “I place myself under your protection; I am fully committed to you!”

Question: Can you have an intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ if you’re not fully committed to Him? The answer is no. Is Christ Lord? I must ask myself every one of these questions. Have I placed myself at the feet of my Redeemer? The most sacred place on Earth is not in the pew, not at the altar, not behind the pulpit, not some temple somewhere. The most sacred place on Earth is at the feet of Jesus when you are fully committed to Him.

What does it mean to place yourself at the feet of Jesus?

How do you need to further commit yourself to Him today?

PRACTICE THIS

Take time in prayer today to posture yourself at the feet of Jesus. Consider changing your physical posture to display this act of humility by kneeling if you are able.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Are You Determined to Go with Jesus?

PRAY OVER THIS

“When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her.” Ruth 1:18

 

PONDER THIS

Have you ever gone out to dinner at night, and you and your spouse get in the car and say, “Well, let’s go out to a restaurant”? “Where do you want to go?” “I don’t know, where do you want to go?” And you begin to talk this way while you’re driving the car, and you turn this way and that way and all around town.

Last night I was invited to some friends’ house for dinner; it was a wonderful meal. When Joyce and I got in the car, we didn’t have to drive all over town. No, we didn’t have to decide at every corner we came to, because we knew where we were going. When you make a big choice, a lot of little choices are automatically made. In the same way, when you are set on following Jesus, you don’t have to weigh every decision along the way. You go in the direction He has called you. Ruth was determined to go with Naomi. A few big decisions take care of a lot of little decisions.

How have you experienced the reality that the big decisions of your life take care of the little decisions?

Where might some of your “little” decisions be out of line with your commitment to follow Jesus?

PRACTICE THIS

Make a list of little decisions you face today. Consider the way your big decision to follow Christ should impact these.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

How to Start Your Day

PRAY OVER THIS

“She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants.” Proverbs 31:15

 

PONDER THIS

She is getting up to have a quiet time with the Lord. And the Bible goes on to say, in verse 30, that she is one who fears the Lord. I cannot tell you the times that I have awakened to find my wife already awake singing hymns to our Lord or walked in to find her on her knees studying and preparing her heart for the day. I think that’s the exact picture our Lord has here. You may think if you didn’t have the distractions or responsibilities of the modern world that you could do the same. While we have different responsibilities and distractions, we also have more luxuries than the people of this day. These include washers and dryers and stoves and refrigerators, and we wouldn’t want to trade places for anything. But here is a woman of godly worship, who is getting up early to have her quiet time with the Lord. The fact is, it was a priority for her. Is it for us?

How important is time in the Word and prayer to your daily routine?

What might change if you made this a higher priority?

PRACTICE THIS

Commit to regular time spent with the Lord each day this week. Take notice of how your life is impacted by this commitment.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Are You Prioritizing Your Relationships?

PRAY OVER THIS

“And He answered and said to them, ‘Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning “made them male and female,” and said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh”?’” Matthew 19:4-5

 

PONDER THIS

The highest relationship in human relationships is not parent-child. The highest relationship is husband and wife. God says we are one flesh. We leave father and mother, but we cleave unto our mate. This is God’s plan for us. Parents are not the supreme commitment. Now, you’re to honor your parents, and if your parents are old and feeble and in need, it’s your responsibility to take care of them. The Bible says if you don’t do it, you’re worse than a nonbeliever. But your parents are not your supreme commitment, and your children are not your supreme commitment, according to the Bible. Mate to mate is higher than parent to child or child to parent.

Based on today’s text, is there anything you need to do to re-prioritize the relationships in your life?

What are some ways you have seen others wrongly prioritize the relationships in their lives? How does each relationship get what it needs when all are prioritized rightly?

PRACTICE THIS

If you are married, prayerfully reflect on the ways you might prioritize your relationships rightly. If you are single, take time to pray for the relationships in your church.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

How to Be Fully Committed

PRAY OVER THIS

And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:27

 

READ THIS

It costs to serve Jesus Christ; we must be prepared to pay the price every day, every step of the way. Many will try to water down the gospel in an attempt to gain more followers, but Jesus is not looking for easy followers; He wants fully committed disciples.

Jesus wants disciples who will worship at any cost. He must come before personal relationships and reputations. His disciples must prioritize Him over their families and loved ones, and even before themselves. He must come before personal realization. The decision to follow Jesus was the last independent decision any Christian ever made; our lives now belong to Jesus.

CONSIDER THIS

What has it cost you to follow Jesus?

What might Jesus be calling you to give up today to follow Him more closely?

DO THIS

Ask the Lord to bring to mind anything that is prohibiting you from fully committing to Him. Consider the steps you need to take to move toward full commitment in light of this.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers