Happy Summer!

Summer always reminds us of our dedication to God, family, and country. The season is kicked off with Memorial Day. The middle of summer is sparked with the Fourth of July holiday. The summer season ends with Labor/Patriot Day. Sprinkled throughout are reminders of devotion and loyalty. The daily devotional offered a terrific reminder of what it is to be truly devoted to God and His body of believers on June 24^th: “A believer is devoted to God in love.”

Paul writes, “Whatever we do, it is certainly not for our own profit, but because Christ’s love controls (compels) us now.” God is looking for volunteers, not conscripts. Law motivates conscripts while volunteers are motivated by love. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, enlistment centers all over America were jammed with boys too young to fight, men who had retired, and even the blind. One elderly man said to a recruitment officer, “I’d consider it my greatest privilege to die defending this country.”

Why do men and women do this? Duty? Yes, but something even greater emerges – devotion! Their hearts have been captured by a cause. Facing the loss of his freedom, his family, his ministry, and possibly his life, Martin Luther told the ecclesiastical powers of his day, “I will not recant. My conscience is captive to the Word of God!”

No one should ever have to beg and pressure you to teach a Sunday School class, work with young people, give to the cause of Christ, visit the sick, lonely and needy, or serve others. You should be begging for the opportunity. Paul said, “What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ … for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” (Philippians 3:7-8).

The long obedience in the same direction is a commitment to Jesus. Commitment to Christ is like signing your name on a blank check and saying, “Lord, You fill in the amount.” You’re not doing God a favor by serving Him; He’s honoring you by allowing you to serve and respond to Him. Our response to Jesus truly defines our long obedience in the same direction.

As believers, we are on a long obedience in the same direction. Please know that Karen and I pray for you everyday. I also want to wish you the happiest of summers. I encourage you to intentionally make memories that will last through eternity by loving on each other.

You know I love ya, Don