PRAYING THRU THE 10/40 WINDOW: Iran & Burkina. Father, we turn our hearts toward You, asking for Your mercies to be made new and your faithfulness seen in these nations. Lord, open the blinded eyes. Heal the sinsick souls. Release those bound by false religion. We pray for Truth to prevail in these lands. Protect the persecuted and give them the grace to stand unwavering in the face of hatred, in Jesus' name, amen.

"He is the Author of the new creation; the Way, the Truth, and the Life; the Prophet, Priest, and King of regenerate humanity. He is Immanuel, God with us; the Eternal Word become flesh; very God and very man in one undivided person, the Saviour of the world." (Philip Schaff)

FREEDOM: “It’s not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. Those who have known freedom and then lost it have never known it again.” Ronald Reagan

When Jesus left this earth, He opened His heart and gave us a glimpse of what was most important to Him … it was and still is His will that none should perish but all come to the saving knowledge of our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Our purpose in ministry is aligned with the Great Commission to “go into all the world and make disciples of all nations” using every opportunity and every means possible. http://ping.fm/u5A6c

PRAYING THRU THE 10/40 WINDOW: Niger & Kyrgyzstan. Lord, as we focus on these two nations today, we pray for eyes to be opened and hearts receptive to Your Word. Send laborers into these fields with a declaration of Truth, for Your Word says it is Truth that will set them free. We pray the lost will be saved, the bound will be freed, and the oppressed will find peace in the precious name of Jesus. Amen!

Jesus' last words serve as a reminder of why He came, why He called us, and why He empowered us with His Holy Spirit. His work on earth—His sinless life, atoning sacrifice, and victorious resurrection—wasn’t about anything other than building His Kingdom through us, His church. This is the lifeblood of Heart of God International Ministries ... fulfilling the Great Commission. http://ping.fm/xMXxU

Normally, things don't bother me. It takes a lot to stir me up to the point of reacting. However, something that really challenges my peace is to get behind a driver who is discourteous or simply doesn't pay attention to what he or she is doing.

We live in the country and the roads aren't flat and, in many cases, they're anything but straight. A driver not staying in his lane but straddling the center line, leaving no room for oncoming traffic, is not only discourteous but unsafe. I'm sure you've encountered similar drivers who, for any number of reasons, shouldn't be on the road.

I began to think about these center-line drivers not too long ago and realized that my issue with such drivers has a spiritual basis … either drive on one side of the road or the other—driving down the middle is not only unacceptable but mortally dangerous. The fact is, Jesus made reference to this very same problem:

"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:15-16)

According to this scripture, living (or driving) on the "center line" just won't get it. It's either hot or cold … one side of the road or the other. He wants us to make our choice and live within the boundaries of that choice. It's either one way or the other; the "in-between," in fact, is abominable or spewable…totally unacceptable to Him and spiritually dangerous for us.

Everywhere we go we see people who are not committed to anything. It is almost an epidemic. People will not (for various reasons) commit to much at all. Not to their families—look at divorce rates. Not to their employers (or employees)—look at the jobless rates. Not to their commitment to raise their children—look at how many children are raised by daycares, video games and television. And, certainly not to God Himself. In essence, people find it hard to make any type of true, lasting commitment.

Commitment is the vehicle by which we live our Christian life. Commitment is not half-way or "center-line." It's not lukewarm. Commitment is giving of oneself wholly and completely to God and His service, not sometimes, or every once in a while. Commitment is all; it's jumping in with both feet with nothing held back. Commitment is being a Christian in every area of our lives, not just on Sunday, not just when we're with other Christians, not just when we feel like it. Commitment is being a Christian ALL the time. Commitment is choosing a "lane" and sticking to it by exercising caution, diligence, and restraint. Commitment is a life of discipline.

The lukewarm, non-committed Christian is, in God's own words, not pleasing to Him at all. An abomination . . . spewable.

If you're not a committed Christian, sold out and giving ALL of yourself to the Lord and to His service, please take time today to search your heart. Confess your sins of lukewarmness and make a commitment, a REAL and lasting commitment to serve Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And, for safety's sake, drive on the right side of the road!

Our God is worthy of all we can give, and so much more. He deserves our total commitment in every area of our lives.

Father, thank you, Lord, for showing me what is important to You. Father, please help me to be "hot" at all times, not compromising, and always committed. Lord, I love you and truly desire to serve You all the days of my life in a manner that is pleasing to You regardless of what it costs me personally and always for your glory, Amen.

© Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

PRAYING THRU THE 10/40 WINDOW: Guinea & Thailand. Lord, as we lift these countries to You, we are reminded of Your love toward all & Your desire that none should perish. Send laborers into these fields with a message of repentance & salvation. Send Your Word & heal the sinsick, protect those who endure persecution for Your sake. Expose political corruption, provide for the poor & reveal Your Truth in Jesus name amen.

"All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God." (Ps 86:9-10)

PRAYING THRU THE 10/40 WINDOW: Bhutan & Saudi Arabia. Lord, millions of people in these nations, yet less than 1% claims to know the Truth. We grieve with You over the lost, the deceived, the blind. Send those who will respond to Your commission to "Go into all the world". Protect the persecuted. Expose corruption. Draw every wayward heart to true repentance and salvation in Christ. Amen!