Devotionals from my Bible app: Pursue What Matters Most (Romans 12:1)

Note before sharing the devotional: I deliberately stepped away from the blog in late-July, after having spent the previous year posting on most days, due to needing to focus on other things. As much as this blog is both something to honor God with as well as have a space to process things from as Biblical a perspective as possible, it isn’t the be-all, end-all to my faith or relationship with Jesus or even service to Him. It is a vehicle through which I can spread the Gospel, all while knowing that it is not and cannot be the only method to do so. 

Changes occur slowly, even if some aspects occur quickly. My love (now wife) and I married over the summer, went on our honeymoon, and began moving into our apartment soon thereafter. These are big changes. However, not everything changes all at once. Lately I’ve had some new opportunities begin to knock on my door, one of which I’ve already said yes to (upon prayer and reflection, the sense I got was that it was up to me), and another two which I’m still praying on. Sometimes, though, to say hello to new opportunities means saying goodbye to present ones, and while I’ve not done anything of the sort just yet, a recent incident has affected me enough to make me examine one such opportunity closely enough to consider whether the Lord may be nudging me to move away from it. I don’t know, and I dare not speak one way or another before it is time.

In terms of when I blog and how often I blog, it remains a touch-and-go process. I have several posts lined up to run over the next week, as they will show different things that I believe God has used to speak to me that I wish to share with you as well. All the same, I do not know what will come next once these posts run. Posting will continue to occur on an ad-hoc basis.

For now, though, I do need the Lord and His Word more than ever. I will say that I’ve been struggling in my faith more than ever in certain areas, and many of the messages that I have been hearing have not really been effective at ministering to me. As such, I must find other believers who still preach the same Gospel but approach it in such a way that will help build me up in ways that I’ve not been able to be reached.

I would consider the verse from today’s devotional as one that should be a top-25 verse for all believers, along with the verse that follows after:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1, NKJV

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2, NKJV

Similarly, along the lines of praying for a simpler faith, I find devotionals like these with a simple step-by-step process to be very helpful (illustrated in further depth below) for getting me to do what really matters – in this case, putting God first:

1. Give thanks
2. Spend 5 minutes in silence
3. Remember Whose you are
4. Meditate on God’s Word
5. Focus on what is excellent

 

Pursue What Matters Most

In the book of Romans, Paul begs Christians to give their entire lives over to God because God sacrificed everything for them. Jesus gave up His life so that we could experience His unending love and grace. We cheapen His gifts if we refuse to align our lives with the way Jesus lived.  

But we give our lives to God by making Him the one thing we pursue above anything else.

So here are 5 steps you can practice—right now—to help you put God first.

1. Give thanks

“We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. We recount your wondrous deeds.” Psalms 75:1 ESV

 

Right now, take a moment to thank God for what He’s already done for you. Reflect on His faithfulness, and recount the stories you have seen and heard of His wonderful power. 

 

2. Spend 5 minutes in silence

“Abide in me, and I in you.” John 15:4 ESV

 

Abiding in Jesus starts with stillness. So right now, pause, take a deep breath, and give anything concerning you over to God. Spend 5 minutes centering your heart on the One who matters most.

 

3. Remember Whose you are

“You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV

 

God loves you. The price He paid for you cost Him everything. So remind yourself of Whose you are, and reflect on some of the things God says about you. 

 

4. Meditate on God’s Word

“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.” Psalms 119:97 ESV

 

One of the best ways to find out how Jesus wants you to live is by spending time in Scripture. As you do, ask God to speak to you through His Word about what His will is. 

 

5. Focus on what is excellent

“…If there is any excellence … think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 ESV

 

You have been given the mind of Christ. If you’re not sure what you should think about, try asking yourself: What is praiseworthy? What thoughts and actions would honor God?

Make a list of whatever comes to mind, and pursue those things.

By practicing these steps every day, you can create habits that will help you pursue intimacy with God every day, and put Him first above everything else.

Prayer: God, I surrender my life to You. You can have it all – every thought, behavior, action, and desire. I want You to be glorified through me. So here I am, Lord. I surrender my life to You. Take all that I am, and use it for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.