Devoted

'Devote' is a strong word. It comes from 'de' = down and 'votum' = vow. So to be 'devoted' to something means to be dedicated to it by a vow. A powerful analogy. And Christian devotionals are intended to help us spend time with Jesus every day, and learn more of who he is. Devotionals are not daily horoscopes, though. Sometimes we get so caught up in getting our fix of Christian encouragement that we miss the point - that 'devotion' is an act towards the person of Jesus.

Five of the ten New Testament uses of the word 'proskartereo' for 'devoted' are about prayer (Acts 1:14, Acts 2:42, Acts 6:4, Romans 12:12, Colossians 4:2). Being devoted requires action. Devotion makes patterns in our lives out of our love for God, returning him to first place in our lives, thanking him for his generosity to us.

In the Bible, God asked Abraham to choose who he was more 'devoted' to - his son Isaac or God - to make sure he kept the right focus. (God did spare Isaac's life, but the reminder was a big challenge to Abraham, and is to us, too). We need to keep looking to Jesus.



So what now? Devotion means total commitment. How can you give devote more attention and time to Jesus? As you focus more on him, he'll reveal his devotion to you.





— SCRIPTURE —

'Let me find life by walking with you.' Psalm 119:37 CEV
— SOULFOOD —

Gen 2:7-25, 1 Cor 15:39-55