Are you ready for God to take you to the maximum and highest level attainable? God desires to do above and beyond in your life…but it won’t happen automatically.
Did you know there’s a commitment required to experience God’s best? Commitment involves obedience, determination, focus, and discipline. Most Christians don’t realize it takes those virtues to excel in a life of faith.
It’s the commitments you make with your whole heart that open your life to more and more of God’s blessings. Stay committed. Even if it means enduring some hard times, stay committed.
Let me ask you this question, “Do you love God above all else?” Are there things He has blessed you with that you are now unwilling to give to Him?
Everyone who is willing to give all will always receive greater blessings in return. Mark chapter 10 records the conversation between Jesus and the rich young ruler. The rich young ruler was willing to obey the Commandments but was unwilling to give all his possessions and went away sad. Verses 28-30 say, “Then Peter began to say unto [Jesus], lo we have left all and have followed thee…[Jesus answered] there is no man that hath left…But he shall receive…an hundredfold.”
In this story, we see the rich young ruler walking away grieved at what Jesus told him to do because, in his mind, the cost seemed too high. He wasn’t willing to surrender his life fully and completely. Jesus reveals to His disciples that those who are willing to make this kind of commitment will eventually receive back far more than they were willing to give.
You could say that the theme of this story is THE GAIN OF GIVING YOUR ALL.
God never asks you to give so that you have less, He always asks you to give so that He can give you more.
Proverbs 11:24 in the Passion Translation says, “Generosity brings prosperity, but withholding brings poverty.”
Receiving God’s best requires a commitment. It seems that when you’re on the threshold of a major breakthrough, that’s when the devil tries his best to get you to back off and give up. He knows that if you stay focused, then it’s not likely that he’ll be able to stop what God wants to make happen in your life.
I made a commitment to my wife Carolyn nearly 57 years ago, and I have honored it. As a result, we have a great life together and I believe the best is yet to come! Similarly, I also made a commitment to God 54 years ago, and I have honored it as well. Believe me, my life is so much better. God has blessed me a hundredfold.
That doesn’t mean following God has always been easy. Staying committed involves enduring hardships at times, but in the long run, you’ll find that it’s worth it all. Following the Lord and obeying His Word is the most rewarding commitment that you’ll ever make.
Experiencing the highest level attainable belongs to committed believers.
Are you one of them?
Committed people pursue God with their whole heart, in the good times as well as in the bad times. Don’t let hard times distract you from pursuing God. There is a blessing for those who are committed to seeking God. Psalm 34:10 reveals, “…they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.” THE MESSAGE translation uses the phrase “God-Seekers.” I like that. God-Seekers shall have no want!
Obviously, he’s saying that this applies to those who seek Him continually and faithfully. It’s a lifestyle and not a one-time event. These are the kind of people who will experience the maximum and highest level attainable this year!
I hear the Holy Spirit saying to you today, “I’m calling for a fresh commitment – a new level of sincerity in your walk with Me this year.”
So many Christians today want God’s best, but they aren’t willing to do what it requires. Sadly, they lack commitment.
The world that we live in today, with all the chaos and uncertainty, has caused many believers to become somewhat lethargic in their walk with God. Many have a “half-hearted” commitment. Obviously, this will not produce the maximum and highest level attainable in their lives.
So, my question to you now is this, “Will the prophetic word that the Holy Spirit gave me for 2023 regarding the ‘maximum and highest level attainable’ happen to every Christian?” Not necessarily. Many haven’t made the kind of commitment that I’ve written about to you in this letter.
So, ask yourself this question and be completely honest, “Do I qualify?”
I want to give you two qualities of a committed God-seeker. As you develop these in your walk with God, you move to a higher level of blessing and God’s goodness.
First, is integrity. In other words, you don’t play “religious games”. Be sincere in seeking God. Do it out of your love for Him and your gratefulness to Him for being so good to you. Psalm 84:11 The Passion Translation says, “Those who walk along His paths with integrity will never lack one thing they need, for He provides it all.”
God is looking at your heart. He is not impressed or moved by insincere worship and service. Joshua once said to the people of God, “Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and in truth…” (Joshua 24:14).
The second quality of a committed God-seeker is passion. Here’s some good advice from the Apostle Paul, he says that you should be, “Fervent in spirit serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11). THE MESSAGE translation says, “Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame.” In our modern-day vernacular, we would say stay “on fire”.
When you’re “on fire” for God, and you’re excited about your walk with Him, then you’re also willing to do whatever He asks you to do. You’re willing to go wherever He asks you to go. You’re willing to give whatever He asks you to give. That’s passion! These are the kind of Christians who will experience the maximum and the highest level attainable!
Take a good look at your walk with the Lord today – have you drawn back from the original commitment that you made to Him? If so, then it’s time to “stir yourself up” again and get back on track so that you won’t miss out on what God desires to do for you this year!
I’m in your corner, rooting for you. I’m here to inspire you to stay committed to God with a heart of integrity and fervent passion. I’m here to help you stay focused and full of expectation for God’s goodness.
In fact, I want you to get my recent message, The Gain of Giving Your All. I know it will inspire your faith and strengthen your resolve. My team will send you this teaching resource when you give this month.
It’s time to experience the maximum and highest level attainable!
I’m praying for an extraordinary and overflowing abundance of God’s blessings in your life.
You can give securely and conveniently online, simply go to jsmiaustralia.org/offering or by calling +61 7 5576 5534, and be sure to check the relevant box to receive your CD or MP3.
Your best days are ahead. I’m standing in faith with you and hope to hear from you soon.
In Him,
Jerry Savelle
P.S. When it comes to following the Lord, you must do it, “…with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:37). Living a GOD FIRST LIFESTYLE will eventually produce the maximum in your life and cause you to walk into the highest level attainable.
