Are You 'All In?'

In the Book of Judges, chapters 19 & 20 the Israelites went up against the Benjaminites. In the 1st 2 battles, the Israelites lost -- even though the leaders had prayed before each battle.

Before the 3rd battle, all, not just some, of the Israelites went up to pray. That's when God gave the Benjaminites over to the Israelites. They won that 3rd battle in such a way that there was not a 4th.

 

More often than not, I believe most of us probably are on the other end of the scale from, "All in." Have you given yourself over to God yet? Truly? He's waiting. Keep in mind, though, that while He is an amazingly patient God, none of us is promised tomorrow.

We so often treat God like He's Santa Claus -- asking, asking, asking. Rather than giving just to get, why not try simply giving, today? Give yourself over fully to God. I believe you'll be amazed at what you get in return, when you're not asking.

Make the choice. Go "All In" today. There's no better time.

 

The Crux Of It

Why, still today, do people not want to believe in the miracles Jesus performed, if nothing else?

Scripture answers this question quite clearly below. Immediately after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, here's what the Holy Bible says happened. John 11:45-48 (MSG) says:

 

"That was a turnaround for many of the Jews who were with Mary. They saw what Jesus did, and believed in him. But some went back to the Pharisees and told on Jesus. The high priests and Pharisees called a meeting of the Jewish ruling body. 'What do we do now?” they asked. “This man keeps on doing things, creating God-signs. If we let him go on, pretty soon everyone will be believing in him and the Romans will come and remove what little power and privilege we still have.'”

 

They admitted Jesus was doing things that could only be from God. "God signs." Yet they feared losing the "power and privilege" they had and desired.

They wanted their power more than they wanted God.

And that's the exact same problem we have this very day. We want our autonomy, our "self" -this and self-that. We want what we want, and we don't like being told what to do or what we should not do.

Most of us are, essentially, 3-year-olds emotionally.

In fact, it's likely you reacted negatively against that statement upon reading it just now. And so we continue to rebel against God.

God is your Father, He is your Daddy -- whether you rebel against Him or not. One day, we will all stand before him and be held accountable for our actions.

Consider making the wise choice today, rather than the typical, emotion-based choice that leads us to rebellion -- just as it did with the religious leaders of Jesus' day.

 

Willfully Choosing Rejection

You know, it just doesn’t get much clearer than this…

John 12:47-50 (MSG) says:

 

“If anyone hears what I am saying and doesn’t take it seriously, I don’t reject him. I didn’t come to reject the world; I came to save the world. But you need to know that whoever puts me off, refusing to take in what I’m saying, is willfully choosing rejection. The Word, the Word-made-flesh that I have spoken and that I am, that Word and no other is the last word. I’m not making any of this up on my own. The Father who sent me gave me orders, told me what to say and how to say it. And I know exactly what his command produces: real and eternal life. That’s all I have to say. What the Father told me, I tell you.”

 

And yet, as the Holy Bible says, some still will simply not get it, will not have their eyes opened to it. They will remain in darkness, with hardened hearts.

 

A Praise & A Prayer

Thank You, Lord, for letting us know you, those of us that already do. Thank you for those whose eyes you have yet to fully open, as well. Glorify yourself through our lives, Lord, please? Use us to bless others. We thank You for Jesus, and it’s in His name we praise you and pray to you, Father. Amen.