We made a commitment in our Adult Sunday School class a few weeks back. This “commitment” or “promise” came out of our discussion in class that day about how we have a hard time opening our Bible. We have a hard time getting into a routine. We have a hard time wanting to read it. We asked one another, “Do you have a Bible devotion time?” Only a few answered, yes. Then one of our class members, Myra, told a story about her sister who had a desire in her heart to want to read her Bible more. She read it every single day. Why? We asked. She told us her sister wanted to read more because she wanted to have a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. She wanted the relationship. She desired it. Her heart wanted to know the heart of Christ.

Our commitment in class that Sunday was to pledge to read one or more (maybe even 7!) of the Psalms in one week. Everyone came back to our class to share what was learned. Do you think people followed through with their commitment? The overwhelming majority was yes. They did. Some couldn’t get ENOUGH of the psalms. They were hooked! Ron said he could see why the psalms would be a great place to start in reading the Bible because they have to do with where we are in our daily lives—our laments, our joys, our struggles. You can find one that will speak to your life. Which were your favorites? I asked the class. Everyone had a different answer. Psalm 7. Psalm 40. Psalm 130. Psalm 119.

Psalm 139—

O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.

2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.

Psalm 139 was a good reminder that God knows us—wherever we may be. The same goes with our commitment to Christ’s church. The Lord knows where you are at. What we discovered in our commitment to one week of reading Psalms was this. We found God there. Written in the Word of God, well, He was speaking to us. We were finding God in a place that was beyond Sunday worship. We were finding God alone, in a quiet place at home and together in our class. This is what making a commitment has the ability to do. Commitment yields something. It holds us accountable. It enables us to grow spiritually. It encourages us to develop a deeper faith. We will celebrate our Commitment Sunday on Valentine’s Day February 14^th. We will celebrate our commitment to Jesus Christ. We will promise to give of our selves, our time, and our possessions. Why? We ask. God has the ability to transform our little bit into so much more. We commit to Christ and His church because we seek a deeper relationship with Him. We gather together in worship to make this promise in the form a “promise” card—to keep us accountable of giving of ourselves in Christian love so that our church can grow in faith and reach out to the stranger, the outcast, and the widow

in Christian love so that our church can grow in faith and reach out to the stranger, the outcast, and the widow.

   We ended class that day with Betty Lou praying the 23^rd Psalm.  With her voice reading the words penned by King David, we were able to envision—the staff pulling us in when we wander, sitting at a table with our enemies, the Lord anointing our head with oil. We learned in class that our little commitment yielded great results.  How much more will God yield in our commitment to Jesus Christ?  I have to believe it will be so much more as you promise to give of yourself to His Church.  Join us February 14^th as our give our good gifts—our promise back to Jesus Christ on our Commitment Sunday with the focus, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me in.”  Christ has welcomed all of us into the fellowship of His family so that we can go out and do the same.  Together we will give thanks for this blessed opportunity.  We will have a dinner together with meat and drinks provided.  Please be sure to bring your place settings and a side dish or dessert to share.

All praise be to God,

Pastor Emily