Why Am I Here? To Be All In.
OPENING PRAYER:
Jesus, help us be willing to hear from you today.
“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” Mark 8:34-37 (NIV)
REFLECT:
Following Christ is a big commitment. It is not a casual thing. It is not just a date on the weekends, it is a constant relationship.
Being “all in” with Christ means living against the grain of society day in and day out. It means making time to learn and grow and allow ourselves to be challenged and to be vulnerable. It means encouraging others and holding them accountable. It means speaking out and welcoming in. It means loving and serving and offering the best of what we are and what we have to others. It means approaching each day as a chance to grow in relationship with Christ and with the creation around us.
APPLY:
How do we live out that commitment with the theme of Monday’s verse (Micah 6:8) on a daily basis?
- Foster a right relationship with God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
o Commit to learn more, Study the word of God, spend time in prayer.
- Foster a right relationship within the community of our congregations.
o Know, recognize, and use your spiritual gifts, be in community with others, know and encourage your leaders, hold them accountable, put your faith to work.
- Foster a right relationship with the world around us.
o Actively seek ways to serve others, speak out against injustice, make sure you are giving your best and not just your “leftovers.”
- Foster a right relationship in your family.
o Love and serve, talk openly about what you are learning and how you are challenged, get your family involved in acting out your faith, speak truth.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Jesus, help us be fully committed to our relationship with you and show us the way to live out your example.
WORSHIP: