Mars Hill Fellowship

>>Daily Theme |  Commitment
 
>>Memory Scripture |  Romans 12:1-2
 
>>Read | 1 Kings 18:16-46
 
>>Devotional Reading  |
 
One of the most adverse effects of our recent technological advancements is information overload. Our brains are not able to effectively process the magnitude of information that we encounter digitally and online.  A side effect of information overload is commitment overload - with a vast amount of information to process, we quickly make commitments without evaluating the nature of the commitment, jumping from one item to the next.
 
Commitment in activities is reflective of a larger commitment issue: our spiritual commitments.  Just as our brains were not designed to effectively process the abundance of information, our souls were not designed to be committed to multiple gods.  Fasting introduces the opportunity to become aware of our spiritual/social/financial commitments that have been mis-placed and an opportunity to make adjustments to our life rhythms.  Ultimately, we are to serve God with our whole heart and everything else becomes a subordinate responsibility.
 
To receive the benefit of commitment overhaul, you still have to make one important commitment:  To trust God through the process and allow him to speak to every area in your life.  When we try to withhold areas of our lives from God, we assume that we know God’s best design.  God doesn’t just want to give us mini-tests of obedience; He wants a full-heart commitment and relationship.
 
The Old Testament prophet Elijah understood that importance of an undivided heart and commitment overload.  On Mount Carmel, he proclaimed to the people, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”  Because of the people’s fascination, they had allowed themselves to commit to other gods, while still proclaiming that they worshipped the Lord as God.  While in 2011, we may not commit to worshipping at the altar of Baal; we may worship at the altar of identity, freedom, success, money, sex, or other ideals.
 
Yesterday, our focus on worshipping freed us to see God as the true and living God.  Today, our focus on commitment allows God to use this time to audit our priorities and to share with us the things that we need to change.  This transformation process only happens when we allow God to renew our minds, our hearts and our soul and to be released from commitment to the patterns of this world.
 
>>Respond |
 
Write down your major areas of commitments in 2010 and upcoming in 2011.  You can look at your day planner or online calendar to get a sense of these areas.  You can include both responsibilities (family, job) and dreams (building a house, getting a car).  Initially, write all of these commitments without auditing the perceived value or benefit of them.  After you have written down your major commitments, begin asking the Lord to show you more about the areas of commitment in your life.
 
>>Reflect |  Journal or pray through these questions
*Adapted from Experiencing God by Claude King.

1. What has God revealed to you about Himself?
2. What has God revealed to you about His purposes?
3. What has God revealed to you about His ways?
4. What has God revealed to you about yourself?
5. What has God revealed to you about your priorities?
6. What has God revealed to you about your relationship with Him?
7. What guidance has God revealed to you about your circumstances?
8. What adjustments is God asking you to make (start doing _______, stop doing ___________, continue doing ___________).
9. What can you thank God for today?
10. What further steps of obedience do you know God wants you to take?

 
 
>>Next Steps  |
 
Pray
I will pray about  __________________ consistently, asking for ability, guidance, and discipline to listen + obey by God’s strength
 
Ask
I will ask the Holy Spirit to help me to ____________________
 
thanksgiving
I will thank God for ____________________
 
obedience
I will start ______________________