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INSTRUCTIONS
1. Read the devotional.
2. Answer the reflection questions.
3. Read + Engage in the “Devoted Practices.”

DEVOTIONAL

Begin by taking a few minutes to read Mark 14.

For someone familiar with the story of Jesus the words betrayed, deserted, denied are a clear reference to the betrayal of Christ by Judas Iscariot, the disciples who deserted Jesus and fled during his arrest, and the terrible moment that Peter denied Jesus three times.

Jesus was betrayed, deserted, and denied in the hours of his greatest need by those who were his closest followers and friends — they were the most devoted! We tend to think what Judas did was the worst act of the three, but truthfully all three of them cut really deep. So let’s attempt to define the difference between these three words. Author Marcos Torres describes the three as follows (paraphrased): 

• Betrayed. This seems to be intentional. Those who betray Jesus, like Judas, often do so intentionally. They purposefully and consciously turn their back on Jesus or away from the things of God.

• Deserted. This seems to be negligent. Most people who desert/abandon Jesus don't do so because they hate him or have anything against him. Most of the time the abandonment is due to negligence more than intentionality. They neglect their relationship with Jesus and one day they wake up and realize that they are far away from him. Sadly, many never wake up.

• Denied. This seems to be pride. Many Christians, like Peter, think they would never deny Jesus. But the story of Peter shows us that we should never get prideful in our spiritual walk - we must stay humble. When crisis comes many deny Jesus in a heartbeat to save themselves.

Hmmm. 
So when we reject someone it can be an intentional act, negligent act, or prideful act. 

In his book “Beautiful Resistance” Jon Tyson writes,“We will not drift into devotion or glide into godliness.”

As we consider these three words I also want to consider the concept of drift.

Things
d r i f t
all 👏 the 👏 time 👏 ! 

For example, you may have started your year with new goals and resolutions to change your life. You were certain this was the year! Woo-hoo, new year, new me! But as the year has progressed your goal to exercise 5 days a week has drifted to 2 or 3 days a week…maybe. Or perhaps your spiritual resolution to have a quiet time everyday has drifted to only happening occasionally. 

Drift happens.

Our values drift and before we know it we are no longer doing what we said was important to us. Our disciplines drift and glide between important to non-existent.
Drift happens so easily…
public opinion drifts, 
the price of gas drifts,
even our taste in music can drift out of nowhere. 

However, you will not accidentally drift into devotion. You will not wake up next week and be surprised by your all of the sudden devotion to Christ and think, “Whoa, where did that come from?” 

A life that is fully devoted happens on purpose. It’s a series of intentional choices to devote yourself to the ways of Jesus and to live…
- Declaring gratefully that God is worthy of it all!
- Resting in his promises & trusting that God has you.
- Listening and following the voice of God.
- Celebrating and finding hope in God’s goodness that keeps on getting better. 

Not to mention the intentionality it requires to embody things like Hiding God’s Word In Your Heart and practicing a life of Contending Over Consuming. 

So, we don’t drift into devotion.
But we do drift into complacency, consuming, distraction, busyness, and undisciplined living. Hebrews 2:1 says, We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

I would add we can drift into
betrayal, deserting, and denying. 

Without really meaning to, we can drift into intentionally betraying things that God has called us to be. We can drift though accidental negligence and wake up feeling far from God deserting the passion we once had. We can easily drift through acts of pride that aim to self-protect how others think of us and as a result we minimize Christ and deny His position in our life. 

So what do we do? 
We must begin with being honest about drift. Do your actions, choices, time, and values represent a life that is fully devoted to Christ? Or have you drifted? Maybe you are wondering, “How do I know if I’ve drifted?”

Here are three application questions to help you. 

1. Are you intentionally turning away from the things of Jesus? How? (Since you’re doing this devotional chances are you aren’t doing this, but honestly consider if you’re making intentional choices to avoid things God has called you to do or are you willingly disobeying God). These are the ways we can betray Jesus.

2. Are you being negligent in your faith and practices? Where? (This often looks like being distracted in your values, sloppy in your devotion, recurring sin, reducing how you serve, less generosity, or disinterested in the mission of God). These are the ways we can desert Jesus.

3. Are you being spiritually prideful? How? (This can be being self-protective of what others think of you, hiding your faith from others, or even thinking of yourself more highly than you ought — remember when Peter said, “Lord I would never deny you!”). These are the ways we can deny Jesus.

Most of us would consider the disciples as the best of the best when it comes to being fully devoted followers of Jesus. So if they betrayed, deserted, and denied Christ any of us can do the same and most of us will. Typically we’ll drift our way there.

Don’t drift through life! 
Things don’t go well when we drift. 
Instead, get up every day and
choose to live fully devoted.

He is worthy of all of your heart, mind, soul, and strength! In John 10:10 Jesus said, “I have come to give life and give it to the full,” so go after that life everyday!  2 Chronicles 16:9 says, For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. In other words, God sees you and will give you all you need every step of the way! 

A fully devoted life is a better life. 

As we conclude this Fully Devoted series, be encouraged and finish strong this week! In addition to the scripture practices this week, you have the opportunity to contend through fasting. No matter if you’ve fasted before or not, we encourage you to be intentional and dedicate yourself to a period of fasting. First of all, fasting is designed to shift our focus from our bodies to our spirits and from our flesh to our Father. Pastor Jentezen Franklin says, “Whenever you begin a fast, remember, if it doesn’t mean anything to you, it won’t mean anything to God. Without being combined with prayer and the Word, fasting is little more than dieting.” This is an opportunity for you make a choice to be intentional and to fast as an act of worship and devotion to your Heavenly Father. 

Allow God to use your devotion in ways you never saw coming because God really will change
e v e r y t h i n g
about
e v e r y t h i n g.

Grace and peace. 

________________________

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Write your answers in a journal (paper or digital).

1. Honestly reflect through the 3 application questions from the devotional (above).
We can easily drift spiritually to places we don’t want to be so take the time to be honest about yourself through the questions.

2. What are 3 things you can do this week to be intentional about your devotion to Christ?
Sometimes it’s a simple as getting practical and choosing how you’re going to be faithfully and lovingly devoted to the Lord. Think of three things and do them. (This is a practical concept you can can continue to do, So regularly ask yourself, “What are a few ways I can be intentional about my devotion this week?”)

3. Optional: Worship with the song “Yes You Are” by Stephen Thorne (click to watch)

4. Optional: Watch or listen to the sermon “Betrayed, Deserted, Denied” (click to watch) (from 3/28/21)

___________________

DEVOTED PRACTICES
Practices & patterns of a life devoted to Jesus. 

1. HIDE THE WORD IN YOUR HEART -
The Practice of Scripture Memory
One of the most powerful practices of a devoted life is scripture memorization.

• This Week’s Memory Verse:
  2 CHRONICLES 16:9 (NIV)
  “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

  Scripture Memory Graphics (backgrounds)
  Click to download graphics you can save to your phone or computer.
  
  Scripture Memory Tips
  Click for helpful ways to memorize. 

• DEVOTED+ — Bible Reading Plan
  Want more of God’s word in your life?
  Click for the Devoted+ Reading Plan of the Gospel of Luke.

_________________________________

2. CONTENDING OVER CONSUMING
The Practice of Fasting & Prayer

WEEK 5 - FOOD FAST (24 Hours)

1. What Is It? — A food fast is considered a biblical and spiritual discipline that Jesus himself practiced and taught his disciples to do. You are encouraged to choose a 24hr period this week to do a full food fast. If you want to do a longer fast that is up to you! A good way to consider the 24hr period is start at 7pm and end at 7pm the following day. A traditional fast abstains from all food, but make sure you take in plenty of water. Many also choose to take in some juices while fasting.

2. Why Do It? — When we fast, if forces us to seek God and lean into Him for help and comfort. God meets us powerfully during times we are desperate for Him. Often when people fast they feel God’s nearness (Phil 4:4-7) and are more able to hear the voice of God (John 10:27). Spiritual Fasting is designed to shift our focus from our bodies to our spirits and from our flesh to our Father. Spiritual fasting is not for our gain or purposes like a cleansing or weight loss — fasting should be an act of devoted worship (Rom 12:1).

3. How Do I Prepare? — Plan ahead and choose when and how you’ll do your 24 Hour time frame (or longer). Drink plenty of water ahead of time and during the fast (this is important!). Scriptures teach us to not tell others when you fast (Matt 6:16-18), so only tell whoever is necessary while fasting. If you plan to go longer than 24hrs make sure you do a web search to learn best practices for fasting and consider your personal health conditions.

4. DEVOTED+
What a run we’ve been on together! Be encouraged, because this is the type of run that you can do and not grow weary (Gal 6:9)! God is pleased with you, He loves you. Enjoy this final week of Devoted+.

If you’re doing Devoted+ then you’ll be doing: 1. One Hour Prayer 2. Continuing to Deny 1 Food Item through the week 3. All Media Fast

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