April 1st, 2025
If you’re a believer, have you ever really stopped to consider why you chose to give your life to Lord? If you’re not a believer, have you ever wondered why people become Christians? This week, I’ve been thinking about why differently than I have before.
God promises all kinds of good things in His Word for those who give Him their lives. There are immense benefits to serving the Lord!
The first of these promises I want to talk about is protection. I recently asked a group of children what the word “safe” meant to them and their answers were fascinating. Many of them told me what they saw rather than describing what it meant. Some talked about being rescued from something, but most described a place or a person. They said things like “my house,” or “home with my family.” Safety is not just a state of being, but a place. Many live in fear of judgment or death, which is a justified fear for those who have not been washed in the blood of Jesus. However, the Word of God says that Jesus destroyed the fear of death when He died on the cross. If we are washed in His blood and live for Him, we are eternally secure. He Himself is a place of refuge. Proverbs 18:12 says,
“The name of Jehovah is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”
Psalm 91:1-2 says,
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
God is our place of safety, and He promises us protection! He also promises us freedom. When I asked the children about this one, many of them shared imagery of the American flag and other patriotic symbols, because our nation is itself a symbol of freedom. It was founded on the right to life and liberty. Freedom is the heart of God and true freedom is found only in Him.
John 8:36 says,
“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
2 Corinthians 3:17 says,
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
The next promise I want to talk about is strength. When I asked about strength, most of the children talked about muscles (understandably), but one little girl quoted Philippians 4:13 which says,
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Isaiah 41:10 says,
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Strength and victory are a promise of the Lord!
The final promise I want to talk about is blessings – which can be spiritual or material. From beginning to end, the Word of God promises blessings for those who serve Him. When I asked the children, they covered every base. They talked about their families, their church, their homes, food, and every provision. Every good and perfect gift is from God. Every good thing we have comes from His hand. One little girl shared Jeremiah 29:11 which says,
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Psalm 37:4 says,
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Blessing is a promise of God, as are all of these things and more. God desires to protect, provide, and strengthen. The Word of God says He waits to be gracious to His people (Isaiah 30:18).
However, if we follow God in order to receive any one of these things, we will not stay faithful to Him. The Israelite people in the wilderness are a good example. God sent Moses and brought the people out of Egypt, out of slavery, with signs and wonders. They saw the ten plagues as God delivered them from oppression. They saw God part the Red Sea and destroy their enemies (Exodus 6-14). He miraculously provided water and food in the wilderness (even as they grumbled continually at every turn). They saw His glory on Mount Sinai. However, when it came time for them to enter the promised land, they doubted Him and demanded to be taken back to Egypt – back to slavery (Numbers 14). Why? It’s because they were following God for what He had given them. The moment Moses was on the mountain too long, they built a golden calf and worshipped it (Exodus 32). Their hearts were turned by whatever they thought would give them what they wanted – provision, protection, freedom, pleasure.
The Israelites followed God out of Egypt to escape what they were under. They wanted what He offered, however, when it came down to it, they trusted in the things He provided, not the Lord Himself.
There is only one motivation that will keep us following the Lord, and it is love. If we don’t fall in love with the Lord and with His presence, then our devotion will be hollow. If you follow God for what He offers or even to escape what you came from, the enemy will deceive you into believing you can find it somewhere else.
Last week, we talked about how Joshua and Caleb chose to believe God in the face of giants because they knew who God was. The Bible says they had a “different spirit.” Joshua had fallen in love with the presence of God. Exodus 33:11 says,
“The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.”
He had a love and passion for God that filled Him with faith when it came time for battle. It’s love for God that will set you apart and it’s the only thing that will keep you following Jesus. Matthew 24:12 says that in the last days, “wickedness will be increased and the love of many will grow cold.” Burning love is the only motivation that will genuinely keep our hearts on fire for Jesus. The only way to live for God faithfully is to fall fully in love with Him.
Deuteronomy 10:12 says,
“What does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul?”
Jesus said the most important commandment is to:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matt.
22:37)
This week, I encourage you to fall in love with Jesus. It’s what you were made for! Believe Him for every promise we talked about today – He loves to bless His people. However, do not let those things motivate your heart, or you will be swayed in these last days. If you will seek Him and His kingdom first, He will provide everything else (Matthew 6:33). Let your love burn brightly. Ask Him to fill you with hunger for His presence. Ask Him to ignite you with passion for His Word. Spent time with Him like you never have before. You were made to love Him!
God promises all kinds of good things in His Word for those who give Him their lives. There are immense benefits to serving the Lord!
The first of these promises I want to talk about is protection. I recently asked a group of children what the word “safe” meant to them and their answers were fascinating. Many of them told me what they saw rather than describing what it meant. Some talked about being rescued from something, but most described a place or a person. They said things like “my house,” or “home with my family.” Safety is not just a state of being, but a place. Many live in fear of judgment or death, which is a justified fear for those who have not been washed in the blood of Jesus. However, the Word of God says that Jesus destroyed the fear of death when He died on the cross. If we are washed in His blood and live for Him, we are eternally secure. He Himself is a place of refuge. Proverbs 18:12 says,
“The name of Jehovah is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”
Psalm 91:1-2 says,
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
God is our place of safety, and He promises us protection! He also promises us freedom. When I asked the children about this one, many of them shared imagery of the American flag and other patriotic symbols, because our nation is itself a symbol of freedom. It was founded on the right to life and liberty. Freedom is the heart of God and true freedom is found only in Him.
John 8:36 says,
“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
2 Corinthians 3:17 says,
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
The next promise I want to talk about is strength. When I asked about strength, most of the children talked about muscles (understandably), but one little girl quoted Philippians 4:13 which says,
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Isaiah 41:10 says,
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Strength and victory are a promise of the Lord!
The final promise I want to talk about is blessings – which can be spiritual or material. From beginning to end, the Word of God promises blessings for those who serve Him. When I asked the children, they covered every base. They talked about their families, their church, their homes, food, and every provision. Every good and perfect gift is from God. Every good thing we have comes from His hand. One little girl shared Jeremiah 29:11 which says,
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Psalm 37:4 says,
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Blessing is a promise of God, as are all of these things and more. God desires to protect, provide, and strengthen. The Word of God says He waits to be gracious to His people (Isaiah 30:18).
However, if we follow God in order to receive any one of these things, we will not stay faithful to Him. The Israelite people in the wilderness are a good example. God sent Moses and brought the people out of Egypt, out of slavery, with signs and wonders. They saw the ten plagues as God delivered them from oppression. They saw God part the Red Sea and destroy their enemies (Exodus 6-14). He miraculously provided water and food in the wilderness (even as they grumbled continually at every turn). They saw His glory on Mount Sinai. However, when it came time for them to enter the promised land, they doubted Him and demanded to be taken back to Egypt – back to slavery (Numbers 14). Why? It’s because they were following God for what He had given them. The moment Moses was on the mountain too long, they built a golden calf and worshipped it (Exodus 32). Their hearts were turned by whatever they thought would give them what they wanted – provision, protection, freedom, pleasure.
The Israelites followed God out of Egypt to escape what they were under. They wanted what He offered, however, when it came down to it, they trusted in the things He provided, not the Lord Himself.
There is only one motivation that will keep us following the Lord, and it is love. If we don’t fall in love with the Lord and with His presence, then our devotion will be hollow. If you follow God for what He offers or even to escape what you came from, the enemy will deceive you into believing you can find it somewhere else.
Last week, we talked about how Joshua and Caleb chose to believe God in the face of giants because they knew who God was. The Bible says they had a “different spirit.” Joshua had fallen in love with the presence of God. Exodus 33:11 says,
“The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.”
He had a love and passion for God that filled Him with faith when it came time for battle. It’s love for God that will set you apart and it’s the only thing that will keep you following Jesus. Matthew 24:12 says that in the last days, “wickedness will be increased and the love of many will grow cold.” Burning love is the only motivation that will genuinely keep our hearts on fire for Jesus. The only way to live for God faithfully is to fall fully in love with Him.
Deuteronomy 10:12 says,
“What does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul?”
Jesus said the most important commandment is to:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matt.
22:37)
This week, I encourage you to fall in love with Jesus. It’s what you were made for! Believe Him for every promise we talked about today – He loves to bless His people. However, do not let those things motivate your heart, or you will be swayed in these last days. If you will seek Him and His kingdom first, He will provide everything else (Matthew 6:33). Let your love burn brightly. Ask Him to fill you with hunger for His presence. Ask Him to ignite you with passion for His Word. Spent time with Him like you never have before. You were made to love Him!
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