Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
When we accept Christ into our heart and life, we all think our lives are going to change immediately. When we adopt the false idea that salvation will make our lives easier, we are in for a shock. We must work for the gifts the father gives us. He's not just going to make everything perfect for us without us putting out the effort to get to know him.
1 Corinthians 6:20 You were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.
God gave up his only son for us. So why wouldn't he want us to make sacrifices for him? Living for God may be difficult, but it's not without joy. We will face times where we want to please people and try to win their approval, but at what cost? Are we looking for approval of humans or of God? You will lose people around you or in your circle when you start living for God. We cannot serve ourselves and God. When we accept Christ into our lives, it's like getting a new boss and you're putting him in charge of your life.
2 Timothy 2:21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the master and prepared to do any good work.
Our new boss will have a path for each one of us. We must pray and ask Dad what it is and we must want to do it. It may not be easy or it may be something you think you can't do, but run after it with your whole heart and trust in the Lord and he will make it happen! Ask God to fill you with the holy spirit and to be your guide. We must give him the control!
John 12:26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My father will honor the one who serves me.
Living for God will change your life! You will have ups and downs. You will have trials and struggles. Don't quit or give up! God will allow these tests even when we don't understand why to strengthen our faith. If you run after him and give him everything, he will show you the way, bless you, give you grace, and give you his strength!! He loves you with all his heart and will never quit on you.
1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.