Choose Life: Life Journal and Daily Devotions

(Just recently, Pastor Doug took a few days to "recalibrate"his heart by going to the mountains and relating to the Lord. One of the practices that helps him to recalibrate are the daily devotions he engages in using the Life Journal system, through which you read through the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice in a year. One of the things that he picked back up during this time was journaling from that scripture. This is a section from his journal that he wrote in while away. In it you will find wisdom from his journey, as well of that from his "mentors" the saints of the Bible. His mentor in today's writing is the life of Solomon.)

Whole Hearted Devotion

SCRIPTURE

"For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of his father David had been." 1 Kings 11:4

OBSERVATION

There is only one covenant that truly is the highest priority, the one that God makes us a part of. Solomon, as the scripture records, held fast to the women he married out of love and political expediency, rather than holding fast to God. This is an issue of priority, love and purity of heart. As Jesus said, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness." There is no second.

APPLICATION

We cannot be laze-faire about single hearted devotion, for where our treasure is, there our heart will be as well. So, I must approach my heart with a ruthless dedication to trim anything that is vying for position in my affection back to the very heart, so that my life would exhibit the purity of heart which is to will one thing - to know Him.

God don't just want our devotions, He wants our whole hearted devotion. If I make room for Him first, there will be enough room for everything else that I need or have a stewardship over that He joyfully gives to me. If I am to "hold fast" to something, then it must be my great love, God Himself. He is the "big rock" of the illustration of making room in life. If I take care of the big rock first, there is room for everything else. So He must be first, and there is no second.

PRAYER

Papa,

Where I have not been attentive to Your ways, help me to trim back to the heart, back to You and Your ways. I want to give You and You alone, whole hearted devotion. I will seek You and You alone.

In Jesus' name,

Amen

(For more about the Life Journal and how to start a lifestyle of devotion, stay close to our website which will have a page dedicated to it and look for special training times over the summer!)

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