To be committed means to trust, surrender, bring forth, to do, to pledge, to bind and seek.

Here's three steps to help you become and stay committed to God first and then to whatever it may be that He has called you to.

Step 1: PURPOSE (aim, determination, intention)    

2 Timothy 1:12-14 ~ For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day. (13) Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.  (14) That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

~ We must have unshakable trust in God; we must be able to suffer without shame.  Paul is confident that God trusts him; he knew that God would keep his deposit, his life and his eternal rewards of his ministry.  God does not forget a life that is committed in being faithful in serving Him in all areas.  Our first step is knowing the purpose for our life, we cant be committed if we dont have a clue as to whom and for what reason.  Our purpose in on earth is to fulfill the promises of the Father.

Step 2: VALUE (standards, importance, desirability

Matthew 6:25 ~ Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.  Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

~Life is man's greatest concern, all that a man has will he give for his life.  We must refer our life and well being to God and He will do the rest.  Dont worry about food or raiment for God will sustain you when you are committed.  Our life meant so much to God that He allowed His only Son to die for us.  We value the wrong things.  Stop being anxious for tomorrow or the future, we must first be victorious and value the things of God today.  I encourage you to value the things of God more than the things of man.

Step 3: BENEFITS (advantage, help)            &nb sp;     

Psalm 55:22 ~ Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Proverbs 16:3 ~ Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.

~The third step to being committed is knowing that commitment comes with benefits.  The Lord is a true friend and is forever around and we can trust that He will lift our heavy burden.  Being committed to God turns His face in our direction, it gets His attention.

~I encourage all who reads to stay committed to whatever it is that God has called you to.  It get's hard at times but I found out as a Co-Pastor for 5 years that it's well worth it and yes it does has it's benefits, especially when God chooses you to be a part of someone's life being changed for His glory.

Blessings, Lady Sutton