THE BRIGHT SIDE: Love God WHOLEHEARTEDLY!

THE BRIGHT SIDE: Love God WHOLEHEARTEDLY!
Brad Reiches
Dec 20 2006 09:33PM

The GodThoughts Newsletter* & Annual Report

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Thursday, December 21, 2006
GodThoughtsWired!

The GodThoughts ANNUAL REPORT for 2006 is now available (see above).

The Purpose Driven Life, by Dr. Rick Warren has become a global influence.  It's impact transcends the Church community as a significant portion of both the secular and the religious communities have embraced it.  Indeed, The Purpose Driven Life has become one of the best selling non-fiction books in the history of the universe, second only to the Bible.  As such, the next several GTW! entries will be devoted to an examintion of that which is helping to shape the perception of Christianity around the world.  This week:  "The Bright Side of...The Purpose Driven Life."

THE BRIGHT SIDE OF..
"The Purpose Driven Life"

PART 3:  God Smiles When We Love Him Wholeheartedly

"I have found David the son of Jesse,
a man after My own heart, who will do all My will."
Acts 13:22

I just wish Warren had emphasized this aspect of the Christian walk a little bit more because the "wholehearted" element of Christianity reigns supreme throughout the entire Bible.  David was "a man after God's own heart" because he was willing to do ALL of God's will (see Acts 13:22).  Caleb entered the promised land because he followed the Lord, God "fully" (see above).  Noah, Joseph, and Abraham, to name a few, all became significant players in the word of God precisely because they were willing to follow God with all their hearts (note:  This does not mean that they were perfect, just perfectly willing).

"I followed the Lord my God fully...
because you have followed the Lord my God fully...
because he followed the Lord God of Israel fully."
Joshua 14:8-9, 14

Warren proclaims, "delayed obedience is really disobedience...partial obedience is disobedience."  Bravo, Dr. Warren!  He says that "obedience unlocks understanding."  Indeed, this is critical information for all believers and "would be" disciples of the Lord, Jesus Christ.  Not only does obedience increase our understanding, but sin takes it away.  "Harlotry, wine, and new wine (sin), takes away the understanding" (see Hosea 4:11, 14).

The Bible tells us that the Lord is a jealous God (see Exodus 34:14).  He requires a lifestyle of worship that is completely sold out to Him.  No, we don't have to be perfect, that's why Christ died, but we do have to be perfectly willing.