"Can You Be Counted in the Company of the Committed?"

To Commit: to put in trust or charge; entrust

Synonyms: dedicated, devoted, loyal, faithful, devout, involved

Committed.  What does it mean to you to be committed to something or to someone?  I did this lesson with my youth girls last Wednesday night and it was a real eye opener to where they felt they were in their relationship with God.  To me, being committed means being consistent or being there for someone.  There are several things each of us can be committed to, but tonight we're going to talk about the most important commitment you man make--your commitment to God.  There are five stages I've come up with that you can be in to define your commitment with God.  I challenge you to take just a minute and really take a look at which stage you might be in:

1. You've heard the stories; you know who He is, but you haven't committed yourself to Him.  You haven't accepted Him into your life, dedicated your life to Him or been baptized.
2. You've said you've accepted Him into your life and maybe you've even been baptized, but those professions of faith were not followed by a committed life to Him.
3. You're new to the Christian faith.  You've recently accepted God into your life, been baptized, and gradually learning what it means to be committed to God.
4. You've dedicated your life to God, been baptized, walked a straight line the best you could, tried to be consistent in your commitment to Him, but you've found yourself burnt out or maybe not caring anymore.
5. You've committed your life and all aspects of your life to God.  You have your ups and downs, but you're still going strong.

Now, my second challenge for you is to take another honest look at the stage you're in and write down why you're in that stage.  Is there something keeping you from being fully committed?  Or, how do you stay fully committed?  I'd love to hear feedback!

Here is some scripture I shared with the youth girls:
Luke 9:23-25
Romans 12:2
Galatians 1:10, 5:13, 5:16-25


In Christ,
Katie Jo :)

Nothing Less Than Encouragement

In a world that is full of criticism and judgment, it's easy for us to get sucked into that kind of mindset.  Especially when you are surrounded by it a good percentage of your days.  I know, because I've been there, fully submerged.  You get to the point where nothing is ever good enough and someone's efforts are not their best.  Thankfully, God opened my eyes to the judging part several years ago--yes, I still do it--and he has more recently opened my eyes to the criticism that was so easily coming from my mouth.  Both of these areas in my life have been, and still are, gradual works-in-progress.

When most people think of the words "Judgmental" and "criticism", they usually think of Christian attitudes towards other people from all walks of life and backgrounds.  It's sad to say, but recently I've seen/heard just as much judging and criticism coming form the mouths of Christians and directed towards other Christians: whether it be a Christian who has gotten off track of their walk with God, someone saying or doing "the wrong thing", or just not living up to that person's expectations.  Once again, I am guilty of doing this in the past and more than likely in the future as well!

During these situations we tend to bring up scripture and apply it to how we think the other person (who is doing the judging and criticism) should be acting.  The most used one, in my opinion:

{Do not judge, or you too will be judged."}

-Matthew 7:1

I would like to bring you several verses of scripture that I believe God led me to last night which shows ways of responding to the judgment and criticism you face:

Love

{Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with God's people who are in need.  Practice hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  Live in harmony with one another.  Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited.  Do not repay anyone evil for evil.  Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.  On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.}

-Romans 12:9-21

My question for you today, are you being an encourager or a discourager?  If you've been discouraged recently, SMILE, talk with God, read His word, and don't put your hopes in the people of things of this world; put your hope in our God who never fails!

[hope:] a strong and confident expectation that God is real, present, and working for my good, even when life spins out of control. (Becoming a Woman of Extraordinary Faith by Julie Clinton)

In Christ,

Katie