EXODUS 36:1-5
Those who had a willing heart were asked to give, and there ended up being more than enough- even too much! Something inside stirred them to give generously and to give all that they had.
2 SAMUEL 11:1-15
David, a "man after God's own heart," was still human, with very human propensities. But let's look at Uriah. He ate and drank with David, and he had every right to go in to his wife. What kept him from doing so? He was dedicated to the Lord and to his army. He withheld from the needs of his own flesh to serve God.
What motivated those in these stories to do what most would not do? A desire to serve with their whole heart!
MARK 12:30
What would you need to do to be able to say, in the end, that you served God with your whole heart? Have you done what you could?
Our 100% should not be compared to someone else's- giving everything you have may look very different from someone else giving their all.
Why do we serve God? God help us not to serve out of fear- fear of others' opinions, our parents, our pastor. We should have a respect and reverence for God, but we should serve out of love and a genuine inward stirring, not obligation.
What would having a John 3:16 experience look like? God sent His son and showed us what love is- an ACTION!
DISCUSSION:
How do you come to the place where you're willing to give everything to serve? What can you do that will help you truly love to love God?
-self-discipline/pushing through discomfort
-understanding and accepting how much God loves us
-cultivating relationship with God by daily devotions
-focus less on people and enjoy everything that God has created, spend time in nature enjoying what He made and focus less on the doom and gloom of the world
-finding tools that help you understand the full story of the Bible and make you excited to learn more
-fully forsaking and giving up the world
The world should be small and far away and God should be magnified.
