"All In"

 Reflections4Life™ July 25, 2021

“All In”

“Just then he looked up and saw the rich people dropping offerings in the collection plate. Then he saw a poor widow put in two pennies. He said, “The plain truth is that this widow has given by far the largest offering today. All these others made offerings that they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all!” Luke 21:1-4

Scripture Contemplation: Genesis 13:14-17; Deuteronomy 19:8-10; Matthew 6:30-33; Ephesians 5:25-28…

There are many of us that must ask ourselves the question: Are we all in? Are we all in when it comes to serving God? Or, is God and our relationship just delegated to a one-day weekend, with an occasional appearance throughout the week if things are hard? You don’t have to answer that just yet. Let it sit with you as you read today’s Reflections. Allow it to marinate. To get deep into your soul and the recesses of your heart.

I pray today’s Reflections will bring comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration. I declare and decree that it brings peace and revelation to your heart, mind, and soul. If there is one thing I know for certain, two things I know for sure is that God desires our attention and He yearns for intimacy with us; to have our undivided attention. I implore you to make this week about turning up the notch in your intimate relationship with the Father. Spend some time with the Father. Not asking for anything yet becoming reacquainted with His heart.

I don’t know how many times I have failed at being all in. Probably too many to count. I am not ashamed to admit that. Do I feel bad about it? Yes. Because I know what God has done in my life. I know from experience the power and miracles that take place when you are all in. Yet, there have been times when I have not been all in. Why? I can only say that I had been in a state of rebellion. That, the trials and tests that I was facing had gripped my heart and mind so tightly, that instead of running to God, I ran away and hid. I openly admit I was angry with God.

Have you ever been angry with the Father? It’s okay to admit it. (Whispering) God already knows. Perhaps something you asked for was not granted. Maybe you prayed for healing in a loved one and didn’t see it the way you thought it should manifest. Maybe you have been waiting a long time for a promise to be fulfilled and have grown weary in your waiting and have begun to doubt the word, the promises of God. It could be a number of things. But whatever it may be, you have found yourself less connected to the Father. Spending less time in His presence or in prayer. In fact, your prayer life has become stagnate, and nearly non-existent. You are no longer all in. You are barely half in!

The Father desires all of us. He wants all of our hearts. He doesn’t desire a part-time, weekend-only, sometimes on holidays, kind of relationship. No. He wants to be a part of our lives in every way, every day. He doesn’t want our money as though that would pay for our lack of communication. He doesn’t desire from us anything that we can give just anyone or anyone who makes a big show about how much they can give in tithes and offering. It is also not about rituals or habits. It is not quantity over quality. He will accept the quality of one sincere prayer made once a week, over a slew of prayers prayed every day that is not from the heart, and are done for show, or for only asking God for what you want. He is not Santa Claus. He is not a barterer. He is God. Our heavenly Father who has loved us before we were even a thought in our mother’s hearts.

When you are all in with God, it is reflected in your praise, worship, and prayers. It is reflective in your communications and social engagements with those on this earth. Time, space, place, people, environment—none of that affects our relationship with God when we are totally sold out to Christ. When all of our heart is all in and invested in our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Once again, it is not how many times you pray a day, but the worth of the prayer that is going forth.

God knows our hearts. He knows every nuance, every flutter, and every thought. He understands who we are and what we need. He created us, knowing us before we were even in our mother’s wombs. God gave to us His all. His very best. And all He asks us in return is to give Him our all. All of our heart, mind, and soul.

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. You are either all in or all out. There is no in-between when it comes to serving God. He will not manifest blessings in the manner that He desires to if you have yet to trust Him with all your heart and soul. Trust Him to be God. The same God who gave His only Son for our salvation. The same God who has gifted you faith already in you, so that you can trust Him. Do not hold back any longer, Beloved. You have everything to gain and absolutely nothing to lose when it comes to a relationship with our heavenly Father. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing.

©2021. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.