...it's all Jesus’

When we declare that we are committed to a person, project or thing we are simply saying we would do everything to make sure that the goal is achieved. The Bible says God loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son to save it. God created this world and He was not going to sit idly by and watch the enemy turn His beautiful creation into a desolate waste. As His children redeemed from the waste of darkness, it behoves on us to live a life that is worthy. He had promised that since He did not spare His Son but gave Him to us to redeem us from the life of sin, He will together with Him freely give us all we need to live a life that is worthy, full of dignity and honor in a depraved and dark world. Thus, He tells us in Colossians 3:17a  (AMP) - "And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person..." No compartmentalized heart or life where Jesus Christ is just one slice of the pie. No, it must ALL be Jesus, no matter where we find ourselves or say. The reason there is so much struggle with well intentioned children of God is that they believe Jesus Christ should have one part of their heart while they divide the rest amongst their many commitments. No wonder, there is so much struggle and confusion in such lives. Friend, with Christ, it is everything or nothing! We must learn and imitate His way of doing  and saying things. It's His business, not yours. It's His house, His car, His body, His money, His relationship, His problem, His children. Paul understood this and declared that he is a bond servant of Christ. You may ask: how can this be? There's only one way to live the Jesus ‘way’! We must live with intensity and focus in everything we do. Just as we read in the Scriptures, "Whatever you do work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men" - Colossians 3:23 . When you pray, pray with all your heart. When you work, work with all your heart. You study, you listen, you play, you worship, you goof off, do ALL with all your heart. When we know at the back of our minds that all is being done and said to the glory and honor of His name, there will be no room for willful and deliberate sins. It's all too easy to slowly, unintentionally move Jesus Christ from the center to the margins of our lives. You miss one day being with Him in His Word, pretty soon you've gone weeks, maybe months with little exclusive time with the Lord. Once this happens, something must occupy the central place of your life, it is never left idle. What John Calvin called the "idol-making machine" in our hearts makes something or someone else - even something good - the "sun" around which your life now revolves. This idol replaces Jesus Christ as the governing passion of your life: it directs the action and words. What once was warm is cold and hard; what once was a passion becomes a profession. What used to be love is now just ‘crankin' it out." Friend don’t be deceived, to enjoy His Presence, you must be "all in." All control surrendered, hanging on to nothing. Be sure of this, that He who died for you would never do you wrong, because He gave everything He had for you on the cross. Maybe you've never begun a relationship with Him, and you're interested in exploring that. Pick up your Bible today and start reading from the Book of John am sure you'll be encouraged, and I know you will find Jesus Christ the One who is so worthy of us being "all in" with. God bless you