What God Wants From ME?
“Love the Lord Your God with all your heart, With all your soul, and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)
I didn’t have to choose this verse-it chose me! It’s a verse many of us have already memorized, but one worth retaining for a lifetime, and one that speaks volumes.You may know that Deuteronomy is most known for giving us the Ten Commandments, and this particular verse comes as a summation of all those commandments-
- we easily allow our time to fill up with everything but God. [NO OTHER GODS]
- there is no question that the majority of believers today “tip” rather than tithe. [NO IDOLS]
- we call ourselves Christians but live how we want-with God as a hashtag#[DON’T MISUSE GOD’S NAME]
- seven days fly by and we give God an hour-long appointment. [SABBATH REST]
- we neglect those we love the most. [HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER]
- there is devaluation of life in many forms, hatred rather than brokenness. [DO NOT MURDER]
- we have unfaithfulness in our heart and mind. [ADULTERY]
- we are selfish rather than selfless. How much have we taken from others by refusing to give? [DO NOT STEAL]
- we criticize, gossip, or use our words to tear down rather than build up. [FALSE WITNESS]
- life becomes a rat race to “get ahead”, and our desires line up more closely to the world’s rather than God’s. [DO NOT COVET]
page 2
When we commit to love someone, what we are saying in reality is, “I trust you with my heart”; when we give our heart to God, we’re supposed to be saying the same thing.
To love Him with all of my heart, all of my soul, and with all of my strength-
I must trust Him and His plan for me. I must be honest about my relationship with Him, and I must choose to obey out of love for Him.
For those who see The Bible as only a book of rules or a history book with stories of the past that have nothing to do with today-I challenge you to read it-with an open heart and mind saying, “God, if you’re in here, and if you will reveal yourself to me today-I will listen”. More often than not, the reason we miss God is because we are looking for answers or quick fixes. What He truly desires is for you just to seek HIM.
May God bless you today in a special way… I leave you with this verse:
“The precepts of The Lord are right,
Making the heart glad;
The commandment of The Lord
Is radiant,
Making the eyes light up.”
Psalm 19:8
Post a comment here and/or join me the Forum . A safe place where our Dr. A and other minister’s wives are the only people who can see what you write.
Vickie is the wife of Dr. Doug Munton, Pastor of First Baptist Church, O’Fallon, Illinois. Vickie writes about herself: “I am a stay-at-home pastor’s wife whose children are are grown: Three of them married and one headed to college. I am Nana to THREE beautiful grandchildren! I am passionate about my faith and my family and am praying for direction as my life goes through this season of change. God has blessed me with an incredible husband (30 + years!) who has been my best friend since high school.”
A good message! I like your breakdown of the 10 commandments!
God’s blessings on you!
Sadly too many of us serve in churches where the Ten Commandments are followed just the way you described. Following a little or just enough to think they’re okay has led to a self-righteous satisfaction with little desire to minister to others. This is the situation with our current church. Please pray for us as we seek direction for whether it is time to move or not.
Ouch! I didn’t realize I was breaking so many commandments! I am now more aware that the meanings of these commandments are more than just what I see, I need to think more about actions and thoughts and pray for forgiveness and to not repeat.
I appreciate the way you touch the hearts of minister’s wives with encouragement. My husband and I pastored full-time for 42 wonderful years. Now that we have been retired for almost 12 years, I like to say that God has “recycled” us and blessed us with the privilege of serving as Interim’s in churches. we are now in our 7th church, and the times of service has lasted from 6 months to 2 years. Our prayer is that God will continue to allow us to serve Him in this capacity until He calls us Home. But as His servants, we never get to the place where we need to be reminded of those subtle ways in which we might be breaking one of His commandments. Thanks for the insight!
Thanks, girls… this really was a cry to resist complacency. I don’t ever want to be accused of being “lazy” about my faith–too much is at stake!
Let’s commit to being the example our churches need to see and pray for revival in our land.
Lynn–praying for you as you seek God’s direction! <3