...willingness to serve someone or a cause. Involves mental and physical loyalties to that person or purpose. A commitment to Jesus Christ means that you are willing to trust him with your life and that you will consciously look to him for guidance and direction. A commitment is not to be taken lightly, especially where your relationship with god is concerned.

Read about a young man who learned this lesson the hard way in Matthew 19:16-22 .

Is anything preventing you from a complete commitment to Jesus? If so we should do whatever is necessary to eliminate the obstacle and restore our commitment. Is anything hindering your total commitment to Jesus? If so why does that commitment have more influence on you than a commitment to Jesus?

More verses to study
Psalm 37:5 - commit everything you do to God
Acts 14:23-26 - The commitment of Paul and Barnabas
I Timothy 3:1-5, 13-18 - Commitment expected of church pastors and deacons
II Timothy 2:15 - How to show commitment to God

...a feeling of anxiety about, or interest in, someone else. Having concern shows that you care enough about someone to have that person on your mind and to act on his or her behalf.

Read about Samuel showing concern for the Israelites when they demanded a king in I Samuel 8:6-22.

What are some ways to remember that you're not the only person whose opinions matter? In what ways might you begin to show concern for others?

More verses to study
Jonah 4:10-11 - Jonah's lack of concern for Nineveh
Matthew 6:31-34 - Jesus' instructions about concern
Luke 2:41-50 - Jesus' parents' concern over his disappearance
John 10:11-16 - The Good Shepherd's concern for his sheep.

...a strong belief in or desire to uphold a moral standard. Your personal convictions are the things you hold to be right or wrong. They mold your thoughts and actions.

Conviction may also be regret you feel after committing a sin. Just as a guilty person is convicted for his crime, we too, can feel conviction when we get out of fellowship with God. Conviction is more than guilt. It is a feeling God places within us to lead us to repent and bring us back into a good relationship with Him.

Read about Shadrach, Meshack, and Abed-nego in Daniel 3.

How do you live according to your convictions? Do you ever ignore your convictions in order to please or impress someone else? If so how can you stand firm in your convictions in the future?

More verses to study
Genesis 3:6-12 Adam and Eve
Psalm 51 - King David
Luke 5:1-11 - Peter

...a complete commitment to something or someone. Your whole heart is in what you're doing when you are dedicated. Setting apart of something or someone for a special purpose also involves dedication.

Read about Paul's dedication in II Corinthians 11:23-33

What would it take for you to come close to Paul's level of dedication in your Christian beliefs? How can you become more dedicated to spreading the word about what you believe?

More verses to study
Leviticus 27:16-18, 22-28 - Laws about dedication
Ezra 8:16-22 - Dedication of rebuilt temple
Luke 2:25, 36, 37 - Simeon's and Anna's dedication to God
John 10:22 - Jesus celebrates dedication

...the condition of something or someone that is set apart as sacred, consecrated or dedicated. God and Jesus are Holy because they are pure, loving, and without sin. People may become holy (set apart) as they are used for God's purposes. Christians are called to be holy because they should willingly set themselves apart from the world to be used of God.

In Romans 12:1 Paul challenges us to let our bodies be holy to God. We are to be living sacrifices. Our challenge is to live each day making every decision as if it were the very thing God would want us to do.

How often do you give up what you want to do in order to do what God wants? Perhaps you need to work on being being a living sacrifice rather than a reluctant sacrifice. Then you will be able to say that you are living a holy life for God.

More verses to study
Exodus 3:5 - Moses stands on holy ground
Exodus 20:8-11 - The Sabbath should be holy
Isaiah 6:1-8 - Isaiah's encounter with a holy God
Amos 4:2 - God makes promises based on his holiness
Habakkuk 2:20 - Wherever God is located is a holy place
Zechariah 14:20-21 - When Jesus returns, many common things will become holy.

...doing what you're instructed to do. We are commanded to be obedient to God in every way, which makes sense if we really believe that he knows what is best for us. Obedience shows our faith because we trust that God can teach and protect us no matter what we experience.

Read Jonah to find out how Jonah learned obedience the hard way.

After reading the book of Jonah what do you notice about the consequences of disobedience? What about the rewards of obedience? When you're tempted to disobey try to remember what happened to Jonah. Try to remember a time when your obedience prevented trouble.

More verses to study
Genesis 6:17, 7:5 - Noah obeys God's instructions
II Kings 5:1-15 - Naaman reluctantly obeys a strange healing procedure
II Kings 23:25 - Josiah, the obedient King
II Chronicles 14:1-5 - Asa's obedience brings peace
Haggai 1:12-15 - Zerubbabel obeys Haggai's message
Romans 6:16-18 - Obedience is a choice
Ephesians 6:1-3 - Obedience to parents is essential and promises long life

...sense of feeling at rest even during hard situations. The Bible's definition is one of wholeness and completeness. Peacefulness is the assurance that God hasn't forsaken you.

Read about Peter's peacefulness in Matthew 14:22-33. How did Peter learn to keep his eyes on Jesus? What was the outcome of him taking his eyes off Jesus?

What prevents you from having peace? What would happen if you learned to keep your thoughts focused on Jesus?

More verses to study
Numbers 6:26 - God is the source of peace
Luke 8:22-25 - another example of Jesus bringing peace during a storm
Galations 5:22-23 - Peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit
Philippians 4:7 - God's peace is too wonderful to understand

...words or actions that give honor to someone. God is the only One who truly deserves our praise.

Read Deborah's song of praise to God in Judges 4 and 5.

What can you praise God for today? Make praise a more regular part of your spiritual life.

More verses to study
I Chronicles 16:1-4 - David's praise for return of the Ark of God
Psalms 113-118 - Wonderful praise
Hebrews 13:15 - Offering a sacrifice of praise