With Heart & Soul

It's all yours. All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you. In the same way I was with Moses, I'll be with you. I won't give up on you; I won't leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Joshua 1:5-6 (MSG)

The hope that God gives us is something amazing to hold on to, talk about and be encouraged by. But the life he has called us to, blows that out of the water! God has called us to lead and be an example to the rest of the world. The easiest way for us to do this is for us to live it inside and outside of church.

There has been a constant theme in our youth group for the last several months, live for Christ outside of One Way. It's awesome to go to church on Sunday or Wednesday and lift your hands and worship God. It's a great thing to pray loud and smile and pray for a long time. But it means nothing if we do not show our faith outside of the church's four walls.

The part of the scripture that jumps out to me above is that it says "Give it everything you have, heart and soul." And as Christians I feel like that it is a call and command that we overlook.

When I first started dating my wife, I gave her my heart and soul. Every second I could talk to her, every moment I could spend with her, I did. In fact the first three months of dating I racked up a $350.00 phone bill (just on my end). I was crazy about her and wanted to know everything about her. I wanted to show her how I felt and I wanted to give her my best, everything I had.

How much more should we be passionate about Christ? The one relationship that determines our eternity. We should be passionate about our walk with God. We should be giving it our heart and soul. Do you spend every minute possible with God? Or at least talking to him?

So many times I feel that our answer is no. We are too busy for even God, we find ourselves caught up in everything else, but God.

My challenge for you is to give it a shot. This week, live up to your calling. Give it everything you have, heart and soul! And see what God may do in return, because when we get serious God pays attention and when God sees our faith put into action, I believe blessings begin to flow down from heaven, prayers are answered, peace that passes all understanding comes as we draw close to God.

Check out this worship video from Hillsong United "Take Heart"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAu07uo9SXk

Pastor Phil
www.onewaysm.org
573.434.3538
philipjkeller@hotmail.com
One Way Student Ministries