Week Five Devotional: Magnificent Obsession
Read
Chapter Eight (Profile of the Obsessed)
Listen to Secret of Your Heart (lyrics below)
Reflect
In Chapter Eight, Francis describes what being obsessed (to have the mind excessively preoccupied with a single emotion or topic) looks like when we are obsessed with the Kingdom of God. He describes them as lovers, risk takers, friends of all, crazy ones, humble, servers, givers, sojourners, the engrossed, unguarded ones, the rooted, the dedicated, and sacrificers. The Bible calls us to be consumed with Christ and to faithfully live out His Word, and not to hold back.
Go through the list above. Which of the words above accurately describe you right now? Which ones do not?
Of the words that do not describe you, pick three, then re-write these descriptions as commitments in your own words of how you would like to live. E.g., If you find that you are not much of a “giver”, you can re-write this description as a resolution e.g., “I want to be known as a giver, not a taker. I want to genuinely think that others matter as much as I do, and to be particularly aware of those who are poor- around me and around the world.”
Realign
Colossians 1:9-11 | And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy…
Take time to pray through this apostolic prayer, asking God to help you to be more obsessed with Him and His Kingdom; thanking Him for the areas that you are already living as obsessed with His Kingdom, and asking Him for grace in the areas that you are not so that you are empowered to walk in a manner worthy of Him.
Respond
“People who are obsessed with Jesus live lives that connect them with the poor in some way or another.”
Luke 14:12-14 | He said also to the man who had invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbours, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
It is one thing to love people who could and would love you in return. It is an entirely different thing to love those who cannot or will not return that love. It is to these ones, and the ones who would hate us, that Jesus tells us to love and do good.
Take a moment to consider the people in the various spheres of your life: family, friends, colleagues, ministry. “Who are your enemies? Or, who are the people you avoid or the ones who avoid you? Who are the people who have hurt you or hurt your friends or hurt your kids? Are you willing to do good to these people? To reach out to them?”
Pray through this ‘list’ of people and ask the Lord for ways that you can do good to them.
As RiverLife turns 30, how can we as a church be a blessing to communities who cannot or will not love us in return? Prayerfully discuss this with your cell or ministry communities and commit to one way you can demonstrate God’s goodness this year. E.g., volunteer in RiverLife Cares and reach out to the residents; going to serve the poor or other communities that require us to step out of our comfort zone, etc.
SECRET OF YOUR HEART
Words and Music | Benjamin Ang
VERSE 1
Oh where could I start?
I’m in wonder of Your heart
Where Your love meets me here
There’s nothing to fear
I hear You calling me near
VERSE 2
Where could I begin?
I have tasted and I’ve seen
You hide Yourself from the wise
But welcome the child
Lord, here I wait by Your side
PRE-CHORUS 1
And oh, You’re captivating my soul
Each mystery You leave
Leaves me aching for more
CHORUS
Just to know
Just to lean in close
Every word
Every trace of Your heart
I’d spend forever to chase every part
Of Your mystery
Of Your history
I’d give all I have
Every breath that departs
If You’d let me in on the secret of Your heart
VERSE 3
I cast my crowns aside
My soul has set its sights
On the One I desire
Lord purify my heart
‘til it shines with the fire in Your eyes
PRE-CHORUS 2
Because oh, Lord only You satisfy
I want to chase You
For all of my life