Take all of me

Earlier today on Bellshill Salvation Army Band’s Facebook page I shared some devotions. I’d like to share those devotions with you tonight.

Then Jesus addressed both the crowds and his disciples and said, “The religious scholars and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat as the authorized interpreters of the Law.  So listen and follow what they teach, but don’t do what they do, for they tell you one thing and do another.”

Matthew 23:1-3 (The Message)

In the above passage from St. Matthew’s gospel, Jesus highlights that some people talk as if they are His followers, but they don’t truly believe in Him, and so haven’t let Him enter their hearts – they know all the right things to say to make it sound like they believe, but their actions don’t mirror their words.

Sadly while I was reading these verses, I was reminded of a few people I’ve met in my life who have professed to be Christians, but their words and actions don’t reflect Christ. This in turn got me thinking about how others see me – Do my words and actions reflect Christ?

If our words and actions don’t reflect Christ, how can we expect others to want to know more about God? In fact I think it’s far more likely we would convince them to turn away from God entirely!

Don’t become someone who “talks the talk but doesn’t live The Word”. Instead, we must give every part of our life to God, that way our words and actions will reflect Christ and will encourage others to want to find out more about Christ because of our good example. When we ask God to take every part of our lives, then we will “talk the talk, and live The Word”.

Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.

Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne.


Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.