Moments with my First Love [UNDER REVISION]

MOMENT 14: Devote yourself to Devotion

Have you heard the word devotion?
When you are in a relationship, you are committed to your partner.
Since we have a relationship with Jesus, we also have a commitment with Him. Commitment is not a thing done because of obligation or responsibility, it is done out of love.

Devotion is a commitment as a Christian. It is our moment of conversation with our loving God.

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away.

And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.

All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. -Acts 1:12-14

This scenario in the passage took place after the disciples encountered Jesus and saw Him ascended in heaven. What does it mean when disciple saw Jesus' ascension? The ascension of Jesus proves that His Kingdom is in heaven, that He is above all, that we are not equal to Him and He is rightful to be over anyone else.

Once we begin to understand that Jesus is Lord above all, we will have this initiative and passion to devote ourself as a disciple of Christ.

In verse 12 (Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away), it happened during a sabbath's day journey away ---it was not yet Sunday.

But in verse 13, it shown that the disciples went up to the upper room. That means that even before Sabbath, the disciples were seeking for Jesus.

Disciples is a term means a student or follower; one who follows Jesus and His teachings.

What was the purpose of mentioning each names of the disciples? They are the ones who met Jesus face to face, followed Him in His ministry and believed taht He is the Messiah (Savior) even everyone was against Him.

As a Disciple of Jesus Christ:
1. We are expected to devote ourselves to devotion.

Devotion is the moment of reading the Word of God, seeking His revelation to you for ecah day. Our devotion is Jesus! Because Jesus is the Word itself.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. -John 1:1

Do you know? God desires to be part of our everyday lives.

As a Christian and a follower of Jesus, it is imperative that we should have our daily quality time or devotion with the Lord. Devotion doesn't end with having written down what God has revealed in you in a devotional notebook.

God wants us to be having an undying devotion-a kind of devotion that is not limited to a single hour or day in our lives but is a daily lifestyle, having the Word of God manifest in our character everyday.

"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." Joshua 1:8

We do our devotions in order to have a more intimate relationship with God. The Father desires our daily worship, and He is delighted when we spend time meditating on His Word. God wants us to know Him better. As we come to know Him in these life lessons, it will better equip and enable us to become more like Him.

2. We are expected to devote ourselves with other disciples.

We must be devoted to Christ with one accord with other disciples. Like a basketball player you cannot be officialy identified as a basketball player if you are not part of a team. Same with being a disciple of Christ, you cannot be identified if you are not with other disciple.

The moment that you placed your faith in Christ, He becomes your Father, and you become his child.

We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: "'You are my son; today I have become your father.' -Acts 13:32-33

Other believers, on the other hand, become your brothers and sisters and the church became your spiritual family.

God's family is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. -1 Timothy 3:15

3. Your devotion as prayer.

Prayer allows you to talk to God and allow God to talk to you together with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus has set an example to show us how important a prayer is.

Mark 1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Devotion is the best time that I have in a day because it is the moment where I talk to the One who loves me the most.

Shalom!
Glory to God alone! :)