Intentional faith

They devoted themselves

Acts 2:42-47

After the conning of the Spirit at Pentecost there are some key verses that speak of how the first Christians lived their life in relationship to God and each other. 

These simple words - they devoted themselves

This speaks of personal responsibility in their faith. They did not need others to "follow them up" as we westerners so often seem to think others should do. 

No, they took responsibility themselves and were intentional in devoting themselves to their relationship with God and with others in faith communities and temple worship. 

Later the writer to Hebrews tells his readers to not stop gathering together as some have done. (Hebrews 10:23-25) Why? Because when we choose not to gather we become subject to the schemes of the devil and our own ways of thinking that lead us astray and away from God's best for our lives.

There is an enemy of our soul and he prowls around trying to pick us off any which way he can, causing us to fill our lives or 'devote ourselves' to less than God's best and sometimes into things that are completely destructive. 

We get into patterns of behaviours and relationships that are unhealthy. We fill our lives with things that seem good to us but in fact are unhealthy for us as our families. 

I encourage you, whatever commitments you have, (and many of these are good and right) be they work, study or family, to always take time to "devote yourselves" to relationship with God and with one another and you encourage others to join with you on the journey. 

Read Acts 2:42-47 and Hebrews 10:23-25

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper ), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
Acts of the Apostles 2:42‭-‬47 NLT

http://bible.com/116/act.2.42-47.NLT

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Hebrews 10:23‭-‬25 NLT

http://bible.com/116/heb.10.23-25.NLT

A couple of questions.
Be brutally honest with yourself as you challenge yourself. 

What are you really devoting your time and energy to? 

What changes can you  make right now to begin to devote yourself to God and to relationship in community with others?