(f)ND

Jonathan Edwards

2008-12-30T11:23:00.003-05:00

Right now I am reading a book called The Life and Diary of David Brainerd (http://www.amazon.com/Life-Diary-David-Brainerd/dp/0801009766). Since Jonathan Edwards edited the book, they added a small biography of his life at the beginning of the work. Yesterday, while I was reading his biography, I was struck by two words that carried on throughout the life of Jonathan Edwards. These are they:

Duty
Death

Jonathan Edwards was very certain that his life was meant to be lived out dutifully. He sought to judge every action he undertook to that standard; he wanted to make sure he fulfilled the duties God had laid before him in life.

Edwards was also very aware of death. Reading through his seventy resolutions, I was amazed at how many times he brought himself to remember the frailty of life. He sought to act in a way that would please God if he were to die at the next moment.

One of his diary entries struck out at me. On the 22 of February, many years ago, he wrote the following:

"I observe, that there are some evil habits which do increase and grow
stronger, even in some good people, as they grow older; habits that much
obscure the beauty of Christianity; some things which are according to their
natural temper, which, in some measure, prevails when they are young in
Christ, and, the evil disposition having an unobserved control, the habit at
last grows very strong, and commonly regulates the practice until death. By
this means, old Christians are very commonly, in some respects, more
unreasonable than those who are young. I am afraid of contracting such
habits, particularly of grudging to give, and to do, and of procrastinating."

When I read the three things that he was afraid of being liable to do, I had to agree. Those are struggles for me as well. I love to give, but when it becomes a sacrifice; an act of faith to give, I often wain and a battle in my heart begins. I am so often lazy with my time. I procrastinate in the simple duties surrounding my life, and the large ones surrounding my future.

God doesn't want that for us. He wants us to be dedicated to Him.

I need to cut down everything in my way that holds me back from running to Him. I need to realize how fleeting my life is. I need to realize my duty. I need to give, do, and be diligent.

If Not Dedicated=Faithless

2008-12-29T10:20:00.005-05:00

In order to be dedicated, we need to be faithful.

Malachi 2:16
"...So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless."

We need to watch out. Our sin is so deceptive. If we leave it alone, it will grow up and choke our growth and passion for Christ. We need to guard our hearts. No affair is secret when God is the one being sinned against. When we dedicate our hearts to things of this world, we are having an affair with the world, and leaving God out of the picture.
Today, seek to be faithful and dedicated to God. In every situation choose life over death. Choose love over wrath. Choose to be faithful.

Theme Introduction

2008-12-28T23:13:00.001-05:00

Below are the two verses from the Bible (ESV) that inspired me, if you will, to start this blog in efforts to fight for dedication throughout our lives as a pleasing offering to God.

"When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not
evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is
that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he
accept you or show you favor? says the LORD* of hosts.
And now entreat the favor of God, that he may be
gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, will he
show favor to any of you? says the LORD or hosts."
Malachi 1:8-9
*LORD refers to the name of God as opposed to the title.
Through these verses I was reminded of the short time we have on earth. What are the stats? Wagering you live a relatively "normal" life, you will live up to seventy-five, maybe even eighty.
Now in all your years of life, how many times have you failed in doing something as simple as going to bed on time? How much more then, in bigger issues, have you failed to "do the right thing"? I know I am a culprit of these failures. That is why I want to start this blog as a way to explore the truths of dedication.

I want to be dedicated in following after God with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. I want to entreat the favor of God, so that he may be gracious.
Who's with me?