LOVER OF MY SOUL
Teaching Goal: To connect deeper with God
Devoting ourselves wholeheartedly to God involves a beautiful tapestry of loyalty, dedication, and unwavering commitment to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. But how can we attain such a transformative state of being? Within this chapter, we will explore the profound simplicity of making God our ultimate priority. By embracing His Word wholeheartedly, we discover that true devotion brings happiness, stability, and a path illuminated by His presence, allowing us to fully savor His goodness.
Reflecting on my own life, there was a time when I was a loose cannon, indulging in various sinful and selfish pursuits. However, amidst the chaos, a pivotal moment occurred that changed my life’s course. It took place at an airport bookstore while I was en route to a client meeting. God’s call resonated within me, saying, “From this moment forward, devour my Word until I grant you permission to read other books.” At that time, I was obsessed with criminal serial killer stories, reading up about the reports of the victims’ autopsies and what led these criminals to commit these horrific crimes. My mind was cluttered with these dark and disturbing stories, and in that moment, I understood that God was asking me to set them aside. As I obediently followed this divine instruction, my life gradually underwent restoration and transformation. What had once seemed like an insurmountable mess became a testament to God’s enduring goodness.
Through surrendering ourselves completely, we enable His divine hand to rebuild our lives, step by intentional step. Emerging from a rebellious state, where even the mention of God’s name triggered resistance, I now find myself unable to cease sharing His Word and testifying to His goodness.
In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally] with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being. In Him was life [and the power to bestow life], and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it].
John 1:1-5 AMP
As we delve into this chapter, let us uncover the essence of wholehearted devotion and embrace the gentle yet profound workings of God’s grace. May our journey together lead us to a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be devoted, finding peace in the simplicity of surrender and the richness of divine favor.
We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.”
Acts of the Apostles 15:11 NLT
Tune in to Jackie Hill Perry’s insightful video titled “The Secret to Surrender” for a brief yet impactful message.
In our journey of faith, our devotion goes beyond mere outward actions and rituals; it encompasses our thoughts, desires, and motives. To explore this concept further, let us delve into the Scriptures and discover how we can develop a genuine and unwavering devotion to our Creator.
1. Loving God with All Your Heart
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:5 NIVI will show my love to those who passionately love me. For they will search and search continually until they find me.
Proverbs 8:17 TPT
When we make God’s Word our priority, we simultaneously prioritize our relationship with Jesus, as John 1:1 teaches us that the Word is Christ. By allowing God’s Words to transform our old ways of thinking, our lives align with His perfect will and plan. True devotion to God starts with wholeheartedly loving His Word, which becomes our ultimate authority for our thoughts and actions.
For practical guidance on delving into the depths of God’s Word and experiencing His voice in your life, I recommend watching the compelling video “Priscilla Shirer: Learn to Hear from God through His Word! | Praise on TBN.” This insightful resource provides valuable tips to help you cultivate a stronger connection with God and gain a deeper understanding of His teachings.
2. Seeking God with All Your Heart
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 NIVSeek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
Isaiah 55:6-7 NIV
Genuine devotion entails actively and purposefully seeking for a more profound connection with God. It demands deliberate actions and a genuine longing to intimately understand Him. When we earnestly and wholeheartedly seek Him, God assures us that we will discover Him. Our pursuit of God should exhibit unwavering dedication, persistence, and consistency. Moreover, it implies that during times of adversity and challenges, we resist becoming consumed by worries and fears that erode our faith. Instead, we turn to God for guidance on how to navigate each situation in a manner that aligns with His will and brings honor to His name.
If you find it challenging to maintain a consistent prayer life in your earnest pursuit to seek God or if you’ve recently neglected seeking the Lord and desire to revive your prayer habits, the following scriptural principles will ensure that you never overlook prayer again. Now is the time to rekindle your passion for prayer and I highly suggest watching the anointed teaching titled “How to RESTART Your Prayer Life & Never Miss Prayer Again” presented by David Diga Hernandez.
3. Surrendering Your Will to God
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIVStart with God —the first step in learning is bowing down to God ; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.
Proverbs 1:7 MSG
Wholehearted devotion requires surrendering our will and trusting in God’s wisdom and guidance. It means acknowledging that His ways are higher than ours and that His plans are perfect. Surrendering to God involves letting go of our desires and aligning our lives with His purpose. As we submit to Him completely, He promises to lead us on the path of righteousness.
To unlock the realm of the supernatural, to walk in the mighty power of God, and to witness the visible manifestation of the fruits of the Spirit in your life, there is one pivotal key: surrendering to the Holy Spirit. But what does it truly mean to surrender to the Holy Spirit? Explore this profound spiritual principle in a transformative video titled, “What Does it ACTUALLY Mean to Surrender to the Holy Spirit?” presented by David Diga Hernandez.
4. Serving God and Others
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23-24 NIVAnd then what happened? Well, when Israel tried to be right with God on her own, pursuing her own self-interest, she didn’t succeed. The chosen ones of God were those who let God pursue his interest in them, and as a result received his stamp of legitimacy…
Romans 11:7-10 MSG
Being completely devoted to God entails serving Him with excellence in all areas of our lives. Whether it is our vocation, relationships, or ministries, we should wholeheartedly offer our best for His glory. When we serve others with unwavering devotion to God, our actions become a genuine reflection of His love and grace. I was previously perplexed by the scripture in Matthew 22:14 that states, “Many are called, but few are chosen.” However, my understanding transformed when I came across Romans 11:7-10 in the MSG translation. In this passage, it is clarified that the chosen ones are those who allow God to pursue His interest in them. And His interest lies in those considered the least among us.
“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”
Matthew 25:31-46 NLT
In a captivating video titled “Kingdom of God #6 | Seek First the Kingdom | Matthew 6:33,” Marian Jordan Ellis engages in insightful interviews with four inspiring women who are actively serving in various capacities within the Kingdom of God. The aim of this video is to provide illuminating examples and ignite a deep desire within you to take meaningful action for God and serve others.
Wholehearted devotion to God is not a one-time event but a lifelong commitment. It encompasses loving God with all our being, seeking Him with persistence, delighting in His Word, surrendering our will to His, and serving Him and others with excellence. As we cultivate this devotion, we draw closer to God and experience the fullness of His presence and blessings in our lives. May we strive to be wholeheartedly devoted to our Heavenly Father each day, allowing Him to transform us into His
Engagement Challenge
Join us in this engaging challenge to deepen your spiritual journey and grow closer to God. Choose one or more of the following points that resonate with you, and share your insights and plans with us:
1. Loving God with All Your Heart:
Discover how to cultivate a deeper love for God and invite Him into every aspect of your life. Also, reflect on what you can let go of to make room for greater love.
2. Seeking God with All Your Heart:
Explore ways to actively seek God’s presence, wisdom, and guidance in your daily life. What commitment can you make this week to strengthen your connection with Him?
3.Surrendering Your Will to God:
Identify the desires or things you need to surrender to align with God’s plan for your life. Learn how to let go of control and trust in His divine purpose.
4. Serving God and Others:
Discover practical ways to serve God and those around you with compassion, kindness, and selflessness. Consider the impact you can make in your community and Church.
This challenge is an opportunity for personal reflection and a chance to build a community of faith-driven individuals.
Stay committed throughout the week by actively applying your chosen point to your life. Be intentional in your actions and seek ways to strengthen your devotion to God.
At the end of the week, take time to reflect on your experience. Share your reflections with us, highlighting any changes, challenges, or blessings you encountered during this journey.
We eagerly anticipate reading your responses and witnessing the transformative impact this engagement challenge will have on your faith journey.
May you find strength, guidance, and peace as you navigate worldly distractions, remaining devoted to God and growing steadfast in your faith.
Worship Challenge
For the next 7 days, commit to giving your whole heart, mind, and soul to God. Start each day with prayer, meditate on His Word, worship Him with passion, serve others selflessly, and surrender your desires to His will. Let go of distractions and focus on deepening your relationship with God. Are you ready to be wholeheartedly devoted to Him?
The Extra Mile Challenge
We have carefully curated three powerful sermons that we highly recommend for you to listen to. These sermons have the potential to deeply touch your heart and soul, urging you to prioritize God above all else and live a life fully devoted to Him. Our earnest prayer is that the Holy Spirit will kindle a vibrant, Kingdom-centered life within you as you actively seek to cultivate a deeper relationship with God and place His sacred Word at the forefront. Amidst the busyness of life, it is crucial that we rekindle our initial passion and love for Jesus Christ. While the final sermon incorporates worship, if you prefer to delve into the Word, we suggest starting with “Devotion to Jesus – Part 1 | Michael Koulianos | Sunday Morning Service,” beginning at 1 hour, 30 minutes, and 0 seconds.
Meditation Challenge
Welcome to the Wholly Devoted Meditation Challenge!
Duration: 7 days
Objective: To encourage you to live a life wholeheartedly devoted to Jesus Christ.
Instructions:
Find a quiet and peaceful place where you can sit comfortably without distractions.
Begin by watching the recommended video below.
Take a few deep breaths, inhaling slowly and exhaling fully, allowing yourself to relax and be present in the moment.
Engage in thoughtful contemplation of the impactful messages presented in the video, urging you to place Jesus Christ at the forefront of every facet of your life. Make a conscious effort to prioritize Jesus above all else, seeking Him daily as your ultimate focal point.
Each day, spend 10-15 minutes in quiet contemplation, focusing on the following themes:
Day 1: Surrender
Surrender all aspects of your life to Jesus Christ, allowing Him to guide and direct your path.
Meditate on the freedom and peace that comes from relinquishing control and trusting in His plan for your life.
Day 2: Gratitude
Reflect on the blessings and grace that Jesus has bestowed upon you.
Express gratitude for His love, forgiveness, and the abundant life He offers.
Day 3: Purpose
Consider your life’s purpose and how it aligns with God’s will.
Pray for clarity and guidance in fulfilling your purpose, seeking to make a positive impact for His glory.
Day 4: Intimacy
Cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus by spending time in prayer and studying His Word.
Reflect on the intimacy and closeness you desire to have with Him, and commit to nurturing that relationship.
Day 5: Obedience
Reflect on areas of your life where you may need to align your actions with God’s commandments.
Pray for strength and a willingness to obey His teachings, even when it’s challenging.
Day 6: Compassion
Meditate on Jesus’ example of compassion and love for others.
Consider ways in which you can demonstrate His love to those around you, extending kindness, forgiveness, and generosity.
Day 7: Renewal
Reflect on the transformation that occurs when we live wholeheartedly devoted to Jesus.
Pray for a renewed mind, heart, and spirit, allowing His presence to transform you from the inside out.
Closing:
Take a few moments to express gratitude to Jesus for leading you through this challenge and guiding you towards a life wholly devoted to Him. Carry the lessons learned and the devotion cultivated into your daily life, living as a witness to His love and grace.
May this meditation challenge deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ and inspire you to live wholeheartedly devoted to Him.