Press the arrow to listen to Third Day sing, “Cry Out to Jesus” while reading today’s devtion about God’s interest in you.

Scripture
You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. John 15:16

Observation
If we work too hard for the Lord we can twist things around the wrong way. In our workaholic state, we think, “This ministry is my idea and I have to convince the Lord to be interested enough to help me.” Our prayers turn into frantic attempts to flag down a supposedly disinterested God, while we worry if we will have what we need to finish the job.

Jesus would not have that attitude from his first disciples, nor from us. Instead, this is to be our attitude: this ministry is God’s plan and I am free to ask for whatever I need to get the job done.

Application
The Father is interested. That single thought can lubricate the rusty gears of our ministry and make all things possible. What I have planned today that leads into this week and the coming year is all of top priority to the Lord. He called me to do this with him; I did not appoint myself. Therefore, surprising resources are at the disposal of Him who stoops low and cups his ear to hear what I have to say.

Prayer
Father, today I want to pray like one who is being heard and not like one who is trying to get your attention. I find I like to hear others pray that way, and feel secure when they do. Today, I will pray with that same sense of anticipation. You are listening. Amen.

Press the arrow to listen to Casting Crowns sing Love Them Like Jesus while you read today’s devotion.

Scripture
Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. Matthew 4:19-20

Observation
What kind of bait will catch fishermen? With one sentence, Jesus managed to persuade small businessmen to shut up shop and trek with him. What kind of lure did he pull from his vest?

Jesus didn’t use the fly we’d expect. Something along the line of “follow-me-and-I’ll-make-you-the-best-you-that-you-can-be” I think would be very appealing. However, Jesus did not use any self-development pitch. He pulled a surprise from his fishin’ bag.

Jesus offered the disciples the secret of changing others. That was all it took; they were hooked. I’m left staggered by the simplicity and selflessness of the call of Jesus. The call to follow Christ isn’t about me, it’s about changing others through my life. Of course, I will be changed in the process, but improving my life is not what discipleship is about. The heart of discipling is to make a difference in the life of another human being for all eternity. If that doesn’t appeal to me, then I’m not worthy of Christ, yet why wouldn’t it be attractive?

Application
If I were to offer to the public an indelible writing surface, on which any message could be etched to endure for ages, many would be interested.
It would not weather like the Sphinx,
or burn like the library books of Alexandria,
or topple like tombstones,
or fade like pencil,
or bleed like ink,
or crash like a computer,
or erase like a memory stick,
or crack like a CD.
No graffiti artist can obscure it,
nor army can bomb it,
nor flood, storm or fire can remove its memory forever.
Whatever is written on this surface will make an author’s words immortal.

Where is a permanent surface like this to be found? It is on the human heart, of course. Any word spoken for Christ and received by a child of God will last forever. Any change in a human life for Christ will be taken to heaven for eternity. This is why becoming a follower of Christ is so alluring, for only Christ-followers can do works that last forever.

Prayer
Father, this sounds like a very good deal. I’ll follow you Jesus into to crowd; let’s get going. Amen.