This blog is about the seventh chapter in the Bible study, Spiritual Warfare, written by Jack Kuhatschek.
Revelation 12:7-12
1. “Describe everything you can about the war that is fought in verses 7-9.” Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and the dragon and his angels fought back. He wasn’t strong enough, so they lost their place in heaven. He and his angels were hurled down to the earth.
2. “Notice the different titles used for Satan in verse 9. What can you learn about him and his tactics against you from each of these descriptions?” He is called the ancient serpent, which refers to Eve’s temptation in the garden. This shows that Satan plans to tempt us. He is also called the one who leads the whole world astray, which plainly shows his intentions to lead us astray.
3. “Verse 10 begins with a triumphant declaration of Satan’s defeat. What words or phrases in verse 10 emphasize God’s strength in contrast to Satan’s?” The phrase “authority of his Christ” is the one that sticks out the most to me. It shows that God has power over Satan.
4. “On the one hand, the devil is described as ‘the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night’ (v. 10). But in the next breath he is described as the one who ‘has been hurled down’ from heaven. How does ‘the blood of the Lamb’ overcome all of the devil’s accusations against us (v. 11)?” When Jesus died on the cross, we were forgiven of our sins. The “blood of the Lamb” washed away our sins and made us new. If our sins are washed away, they are gone, which means the devil’s accusations won’t hold. God’s love and forgiveness is bigger than any accusations against us.
5. “When you have felt assaulted by guilt or shame, how has it helped to realize that Christ’s blood was shed for you?” I used to be really hard on myself about everything. I always felt guilt and shame for things, even if they weren’t my fault. I have learned to accept God’s forgiveness and move on, though. I learned that when I spend my time feeling guilty and unworthy, I am wasting time that God wants me to do something else with. God forgave me, so who am I to say that I’m not forgiven? It may sound like the easy way out, but nothing about just moving on has been easy for me. I just know that God wants something better for me than guilt and shame.
6. “A second key to overcoming Satan is our ‘testimony’ (v. 11). How can sharing our faith with others—even in the face of opposition—enable us to overcome the devil?” When we share our testimony with others, we are not just telling them about an experience we had. We are also reminding ourselves of all the great things God has done. We are eyewitnesses to what God has done in our lives, and no one can deny that. We overcome Satan by sharing with others what God has done because in many cases, we bring more people into God’s family. Even when the people we share with aren’t receiving what we’ve said, we are reminded of our own testimony. I’m a lot more likely to be touched by something I wrote a long time ago than by something someone I’ve never met or hardly know has written. When I read my own words about the things God has done, I go back to that feeling I had when it first happened and my faith is constantly renewed. This is a great weapon against any attack of the devil.
7. “Verse 11 implies that if we love our lives too much, then we will be hesitant to testify about Christ in the face of opposition or threats. Why would this be true?” If we love our lives too much, we wouldn’t share about things that people would kill us for. In many cases, this means even our faith in God. In some lands, talking about Christ is punishable by death. Even in the United States, there are some people who will kill those that are Christians. I think there’s more to it, though. If we love our lives the way they are, we may be afraid of changes in our lives that could be brought on by testifying to Christ’s love in the face of opposition or threats. We may not day, but our situation may change and become unpleasant. We may lose friends, lose a job, or lose our freedom. Those are all parts of our lives that we tend to love too much. We need to love God above all else so we aren’t afraid to testify to what He has done in our lives.
8. “When Christians are martyred for their faith, it appears to the world that they have been defeated rather than victorious. (The same was true of the death of Jesus.) Yet how can their apparent defeat be seen as an ultimate victory?” Death may be the physical end of one person’s journey, but there is more. That person will be with God in heaven, and the work God started in them on earth isn’t finished. Sometimes the death of one person is just the beginning of a wonderful ministry on earth. When Jim Elliot and his friends were killed in Ecuador by the Auca tribe, it opened up the opportunity for the wives of the men to reach the tribe years later. If God can use our lives for His glory, surely He can use our deaths.
9. “Verse 12 concludes by saying that the devil ‘is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.’ Why should this statement keep us from being complacent about our struggle with Satan?” The closer we get to God, the more Satan is going to attack. As long as we are growing closer to God, Satan will be adding more power to his attacks against us. He has many demons at his disposal. In his fury, he will attack anyone that follows Christ. If we become complacent about our struggle with Satan, we will put our guard down and give Satan that foothold.
10. “How can John’s vision of the war in heaven encourage you in the midst of the spiritual battles you face?” Satan already lost in heaven and his time is short here. He loses. When we are on God’s side, we are on the winning side of this war. God equips us with the power to defeat the devil, and we will.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Hearing from God Each Morning (August 23)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today’s devotion is just a reminder that God is interested in me personally. He’s interested in what’s going on in my life, and He cares about me. I can take His Word, the Bible, as a personal letter from Him to me. Meyer writes that the Psalms are a great encouragement in times of trouble, especially when we keep in mind that they are true for our own lives.
I have always felt that the Psalms comfort me when I’m really upset, which is why they are probably my favorite part of the Bible. God loves me, protects me, and cares about what I go through. That is more than I could ever ask for, but He gave it all to me when I called on His name. How amazing is His love!!
Today’s devotion is just a reminder that God is interested in me personally. He’s interested in what’s going on in my life, and He cares about me. I can take His Word, the Bible, as a personal letter from Him to me. Meyer writes that the Psalms are a great encouragement in times of trouble, especially when we keep in mind that they are true for our own lives.
I have always felt that the Psalms comfort me when I’m really upset, which is why they are probably my favorite part of the Bible. God loves me, protects me, and cares about what I go through. That is more than I could ever ask for, but He gave it all to me when I called on His name. How amazing is His love!!
Hearing from God Each Morning (August 22)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today’s devotion convicted me even more about not dating right now. I have been praying about being single and cutting that out of my life for the time being. Today’s devotion talks about how God’s Word works on us, as an operation of sorts. Meyer writes, “Operations of any kind are never pleasant, but they are necessary at times to maintain good health.” I feel like God is really putting it on my heart to pledge to singleness for more than just the month I have pledged.
I feel I need to spend more time in prayer over this. Cutting out dating is such a huge thing in my life, and I know it will be hard for me. I can only do it with God’s help. I also need friends to hold me accountable for this. I shouldn’t be seeking a relationship at this time, but developing my relationship with God. If I’m not comfortable with singleness and having God alone, then I will not be fulfilled in even the best of relationships.
Today’s devotion convicted me even more about not dating right now. I have been praying about being single and cutting that out of my life for the time being. Today’s devotion talks about how God’s Word works on us, as an operation of sorts. Meyer writes, “Operations of any kind are never pleasant, but they are necessary at times to maintain good health.” I feel like God is really putting it on my heart to pledge to singleness for more than just the month I have pledged.
I feel I need to spend more time in prayer over this. Cutting out dating is such a huge thing in my life, and I know it will be hard for me. I can only do it with God’s help. I also need friends to hold me accountable for this. I shouldn’t be seeking a relationship at this time, but developing my relationship with God. If I’m not comfortable with singleness and having God alone, then I will not be fulfilled in even the best of relationships.
Hearing from God Each Morning (August 21)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today’s verse is Proverbs 19:21, which says, “Many plans are in a man’s mind, but it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand.”
Sometimes I make plans and then pray to God that they will work. I learned this in my most recent relationship. I know now that it was not what God wanted, and God made it fail miserably. I feel that it was God’s will that we would be separated by what seemed to be life, but I know to be God.
Relationships are a place where I haven’t been really listening to God’s voice, and I’ve felt really convicted of that lately. That’s why I’ve made a promise to God not to date, or look to date, until October. I know that is only a month and a half, but I’m taking baby steps. Maybe when October comes, I’ll be able to pledge another month of not dating. I know that I won’t enter into a relationship that I do not pray about before it starts. If the guy I am interested in (and is interested in me) does not understand or accept this, they are not putting God first, and that relationship is not of God, either.
It’s a long process, but I am learning to pray before making plans instead of making plans then praying that they work.
Today’s verse is Proverbs 19:21, which says, “Many plans are in a man’s mind, but it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand.”
Sometimes I make plans and then pray to God that they will work. I learned this in my most recent relationship. I know now that it was not what God wanted, and God made it fail miserably. I feel that it was God’s will that we would be separated by what seemed to be life, but I know to be God.
Relationships are a place where I haven’t been really listening to God’s voice, and I’ve felt really convicted of that lately. That’s why I’ve made a promise to God not to date, or look to date, until October. I know that is only a month and a half, but I’m taking baby steps. Maybe when October comes, I’ll be able to pledge another month of not dating. I know that I won’t enter into a relationship that I do not pray about before it starts. If the guy I am interested in (and is interested in me) does not understand or accept this, they are not putting God first, and that relationship is not of God, either.
It’s a long process, but I am learning to pray before making plans instead of making plans then praying that they work.
Hearing from God Each Morning (August 20)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today’s devotion talks about hearing God’s Word with spiritual ears, not fleshly ears. We need to look beyond the physical situations and into the spiritual truths throughout those situations.
Something that someone said at prayer group last night sticks out to me, and this devotion reminds me of it. She said that the physical things sometimes distract her or give her doubt about the spiritual things that she knows to be true. What she said, combined with today’s devotion, reminds me that we need to look beyond the physical world that we live in, and live in the spiritual world. We need to be so in tune with the Holy Spirit that the things of this world will cease to matter.
Today’s devotion talks about hearing God’s Word with spiritual ears, not fleshly ears. We need to look beyond the physical situations and into the spiritual truths throughout those situations.
Something that someone said at prayer group last night sticks out to me, and this devotion reminds me of it. She said that the physical things sometimes distract her or give her doubt about the spiritual things that she knows to be true. What she said, combined with today’s devotion, reminds me that we need to look beyond the physical world that we live in, and live in the spiritual world. We need to be so in tune with the Holy Spirit that the things of this world will cease to matter.
Hearing from God Each Morning (August 19)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today’s devotion was just reassurance that God is present in every step we take, and He will lead us. Proverbs 4:12 says, “When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.” God is watching over us, and we can go in peace throughout our day.
Today I am dealing with something a little bigger than just a normal day. I need to remember that God is watching over me and is there to help me with what I need to do today.
Today’s devotion was just reassurance that God is present in every step we take, and He will lead us. Proverbs 4:12 says, “When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.” God is watching over us, and we can go in peace throughout our day.
Today I am dealing with something a little bigger than just a normal day. I need to remember that God is watching over me and is there to help me with what I need to do today.
Philippians: Just Do It!
This blog is about pages 147-149 in the book The Smart Guide to the Bible: Paul and the Prison Epistles.
Philippians 1:15-18a says, “Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached;” (NKJV)
Paul didn’t care if people bad-mouthed him. All that mattered to Paul was that God’s Word was preached. Only God can truly know the motives of those who preach and spread the Word. Some may have obvious motives behind what they are doing, and some may have just lost touch with the original love that was in their ministry. And some, like Paul, preach with sincerity and love. It isn’t for us to judge. We should rejoice, no matter what, that the Word of God is being preached, and Jesus is being lifted up.
Sometimes we spend too much time worrying about “damage control,” trying to validate or disqualify the things that other people, churches, and ministries say. We fight and bicker over little details because we think that it is the right thing to do to present a “pure” Gospel to those that are not saved. But fighting over it is not the answer. When we fight over the little details, condemn, and call each other names, that is the image the world sees of the church. Many friends of mine that are unbelievers don’t believe or want to be a part of the church because of the fighting that goes on over stupid things. Jesus calls us to love each other, so why don’t we love each other completely? Why don’t we just forget our little differences and take the world by storm? Let’s rekindle the flame in our own hearts, and use that flame to set the hearts of the entire world on fire!
Philippians 1:15-18a says, “Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached;” (NKJV)
Paul didn’t care if people bad-mouthed him. All that mattered to Paul was that God’s Word was preached. Only God can truly know the motives of those who preach and spread the Word. Some may have obvious motives behind what they are doing, and some may have just lost touch with the original love that was in their ministry. And some, like Paul, preach with sincerity and love. It isn’t for us to judge. We should rejoice, no matter what, that the Word of God is being preached, and Jesus is being lifted up.
Sometimes we spend too much time worrying about “damage control,” trying to validate or disqualify the things that other people, churches, and ministries say. We fight and bicker over little details because we think that it is the right thing to do to present a “pure” Gospel to those that are not saved. But fighting over it is not the answer. When we fight over the little details, condemn, and call each other names, that is the image the world sees of the church. Many friends of mine that are unbelievers don’t believe or want to be a part of the church because of the fighting that goes on over stupid things. Jesus calls us to love each other, so why don’t we love each other completely? Why don’t we just forget our little differences and take the world by storm? Let’s rekindle the flame in our own hearts, and use that flame to set the hearts of the entire world on fire!
Philippians: My Chains Won't Strain My Faith
This blog is about pages 145-147 in the book The Smart Guide to the Bible: Paul and the Prison Epistles.
In Philippians 1:12-14, Paul writes that the things that have been happening to him have actually turned out for good. Even though he was in chains, he was able to witness to the guards, write letters, and “speak the word without fear.” Although he was most likely upset when he was first imprisoned because he couldn’t continue to preach, God eventually showed him that good could come from this situation. God can use any situation for good.
Billy Graham said, “When you bake a cake, you put in raw flour, baking powder, soda, bitter chocolate, shortening, etc., none of which taste very good in themselves, but which work together to make a delicious cake. And so with our sins and our mistakes—although they are not good in themselves, if we commit them in honest, simple faith to the Lord, He will work them out His own way and in His own time make something of them for our good and His glory.”
That really got me thinking. There are things that have happened to me and things I have done that are terrible. When they were happening, I thought, “This is the end. How can God use this?” But looking back, I have seen how God has already used them, and I can only imagine how He plans to use them yet.
Because of the painful experiences I’ve been though, I can relate to almost anyone! God has worked an amazing work in my life, as bad as those things were, and He can do that same work in anyone’s life.
I remember hearing a woman speak at a church I went to. She was talking about an addiction her husband had. She said that all she could see what death, but God was sitting there ready to show her new life. That always stuck with me. When we see death and an end, God sees new life and a great beginning. I know it’s hard to keep such a positive attitude when we’re in the middle of a situation, but sometime’s just changing to a heavenly perspective is all we need. Our God is bigger than any situation we will ever face!
In Philippians 1:12-14, Paul writes that the things that have been happening to him have actually turned out for good. Even though he was in chains, he was able to witness to the guards, write letters, and “speak the word without fear.” Although he was most likely upset when he was first imprisoned because he couldn’t continue to preach, God eventually showed him that good could come from this situation. God can use any situation for good.
Billy Graham said, “When you bake a cake, you put in raw flour, baking powder, soda, bitter chocolate, shortening, etc., none of which taste very good in themselves, but which work together to make a delicious cake. And so with our sins and our mistakes—although they are not good in themselves, if we commit them in honest, simple faith to the Lord, He will work them out His own way and in His own time make something of them for our good and His glory.”
That really got me thinking. There are things that have happened to me and things I have done that are terrible. When they were happening, I thought, “This is the end. How can God use this?” But looking back, I have seen how God has already used them, and I can only imagine how He plans to use them yet.
Because of the painful experiences I’ve been though, I can relate to almost anyone! God has worked an amazing work in my life, as bad as those things were, and He can do that same work in anyone’s life.
I remember hearing a woman speak at a church I went to. She was talking about an addiction her husband had. She said that all she could see what death, but God was sitting there ready to show her new life. That always stuck with me. When we see death and an end, God sees new life and a great beginning. I know it’s hard to keep such a positive attitude when we’re in the middle of a situation, but sometime’s just changing to a heavenly perspective is all we need. Our God is bigger than any situation we will ever face!
Hearing from God Each Morning (August 18)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today’s devotion is about waiting patiently on God for His promises, like Abraham did. Abraham had to wait many, many years for God to fulfill His promise of an heir, but he waited faithfully.
I am waiting on God for the salvation of a close friend. God has put it on my heart to pray constantly for him, and I will not stop until God gives me rest on the topic. In addition to praying for his salvation, I am constantly praying that God will give me the right words to tell him. Last night as I prayed, telling God all that happened and asked what I should do, I felt a gentle presence just tell me, “Love.” I don’t need to have the best theological arguments. I just need to love and live a life that is a reflection of God and His love.
Today’s devotion is about waiting patiently on God for His promises, like Abraham did. Abraham had to wait many, many years for God to fulfill His promise of an heir, but he waited faithfully.
I am waiting on God for the salvation of a close friend. God has put it on my heart to pray constantly for him, and I will not stop until God gives me rest on the topic. In addition to praying for his salvation, I am constantly praying that God will give me the right words to tell him. Last night as I prayed, telling God all that happened and asked what I should do, I felt a gentle presence just tell me, “Love.” I don’t need to have the best theological arguments. I just need to love and live a life that is a reflection of God and His love.
Spiritual Warfare - Defeating the Destroyer
This blog is about the sixth chapter in the Bible study, Spiritual Warfare, written by Jack Kuhatschek.
Mark 5:1-20
1. “What do we learn about the dark and destructive life of the man Jesus meets (vv. 1-5)?” He lived in the tombs. No one could subdue him; he could even break the chains they tried to put him in. He would cry out and cut himself with stones day and night.
2. “What do the man’s experiences teach us about the devil’s desires for each one of us?” The devil wants only bad things for us. He wants us to hurt ourselves and others.
3. “Why do you think the man speaks and acts as he does when he sees Jesus from a distance (vv. 6-8)?” The man was possessed by demons. The demons in him knew that Jesus had the authority to cast them out to the dry places God has prepared for them. They were so filled with fear that they would be cast out of this man.
4. “A Roman legion consisted of about six thousand soldiers. How does this help us to understand the pervasive nature of Satan’s control over this man (vv. 9-10)?” Satan didn’t just use one or two demons to attack this man. Satan has thousands of demons that he can use for just one person. Once he has a foothold on a person, he will spread out and overwhelm that person. He had so much control over this man. One demon is enough to possess a person, but this man had thousands of demons inside of him.
5. “Although we know nothing about the man’s life prior to his demon possession, what steps might lead an ordinary person to become increasingly controlled by evil?” I have seen a Christian friend God on her way down the road to demon possession. She doubted God on just one thing on her life. Before she knew it, it was controlling so much of her that she was having trouble sleeping and experiencing spiritual warfare during the nights. She was losing her faith, but her Christian friends were there to support her, and eventually she let God back into her life, and trusted Him with that situation. Had she not done that, Satan could have done so much more with her. Another person I knew actually was possessed by a demon. It started with him not trusting God to take care of his sister, who he wasn’t allowed to see. Over seven years it built up in him, and he became more and more possessed by demons. Although he believed in God and was a Christian, he fell away and became increasingly controlled by evil. He was violent. He killed animals and drank their blood. He cut himself and left the deepest and ugliest scars on his back. He abused people around him. One day he slammed a girl against the wall at school. Another day he got angry and hurt a friend while swimming. I could name several times I saw him hurt other people. If I went into the things he did to me, it would be so much more. He has vowed to kill his sister’s father. The evil he has done and the evil that the devil is going to use him to do is terrifying. But all it started with was not trusting God with taking care of his sister. But Satan used that to control his life. He’s going to need a huge breakthrough to turn back now. It breaks my heart to think about it. What scares me even more is that this could happen to anyone.
6. “The story of the pigs (vv. 11-13) is one of the strangest in all of Scripture. Why do you think both Jesus and the demons acted as they did?” I know the demons wanted to go into the pigs because going into the pigs was better than being sent to the dry places where they would be sent otherwise, but I really don’t know why Jesus acted as He did and cast them into the pigs. If I had to guess, I would say it was to demonstrate His power or to show the people nearby how many demons were in this one man.
7. “Describe the response of the people from the town when they see both the man and Jesus (vv. 14-17).” When they saw the man sitting there in his right man, and Jesus beside him, they were afraid. They were told about the pigs, as well, which added to the fear. “Why do they respond in fear rather than faith?” I think the fact that thousands of pigs threw themselves off a cliff might be the reason why. If I heard that Jesus cast out demons from the crazy man who ran around the tombs, and heard that they went into the pigs and the pigs threw themselves off the cliff, I think my first instinct would be fear. I also think that the people could have been upset at the loss of thousands of pigs. Pigs have some value, and if Jesus could cast demons out into the pigs, what else would He cast them into? Also, it’s not everyday that a man comes and casts thousands of demons out of a man that has been a disturbance for so long. When unusual things happen, people are usually more likely to be afraid than filled with faith. People don’t like things out of the ordinary, especially when they’re comfortable with their own little lives.
8. “Frequently in Mark’s Gospel Jesus tells people to follow him (see Mark 1:17; 2:14; 10:21). This man is eager to follow Jesus; why does Jesus send him home (vv. 18-20)?” Jesus was asked by the people to leave. This man is the only person that could witness and possibly get through to the people of this town. Jesus wanted him to stay and witness to them, instead of going to the places Jesus would be. Jesus had enough people with him and in other places to witness, but this man was the only hope for many people in this town.
9. “Who in your immediate or extended family does not know the Lord?” My sisters, my grandpa, my uncles, and my cousins. “What opportunities do you have to ‘tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you’ (v. 19)?” I usually see opportunities to share when it opens up in conversation. I posted my testimony online, which my aunt saw and read, but she believes the same things that I do. I think that now that I have a life separate from my family, I will see more and more opening to share with them the things I am learning. When I was living with them, all they saw was the worst in me, and not the things that God did in my life. I will have so many chances to share with them when I visit this Christmas.
Mark 5:1-20
1. “What do we learn about the dark and destructive life of the man Jesus meets (vv. 1-5)?” He lived in the tombs. No one could subdue him; he could even break the chains they tried to put him in. He would cry out and cut himself with stones day and night.
2. “What do the man’s experiences teach us about the devil’s desires for each one of us?” The devil wants only bad things for us. He wants us to hurt ourselves and others.
3. “Why do you think the man speaks and acts as he does when he sees Jesus from a distance (vv. 6-8)?” The man was possessed by demons. The demons in him knew that Jesus had the authority to cast them out to the dry places God has prepared for them. They were so filled with fear that they would be cast out of this man.
4. “A Roman legion consisted of about six thousand soldiers. How does this help us to understand the pervasive nature of Satan’s control over this man (vv. 9-10)?” Satan didn’t just use one or two demons to attack this man. Satan has thousands of demons that he can use for just one person. Once he has a foothold on a person, he will spread out and overwhelm that person. He had so much control over this man. One demon is enough to possess a person, but this man had thousands of demons inside of him.
5. “Although we know nothing about the man’s life prior to his demon possession, what steps might lead an ordinary person to become increasingly controlled by evil?” I have seen a Christian friend God on her way down the road to demon possession. She doubted God on just one thing on her life. Before she knew it, it was controlling so much of her that she was having trouble sleeping and experiencing spiritual warfare during the nights. She was losing her faith, but her Christian friends were there to support her, and eventually she let God back into her life, and trusted Him with that situation. Had she not done that, Satan could have done so much more with her. Another person I knew actually was possessed by a demon. It started with him not trusting God to take care of his sister, who he wasn’t allowed to see. Over seven years it built up in him, and he became more and more possessed by demons. Although he believed in God and was a Christian, he fell away and became increasingly controlled by evil. He was violent. He killed animals and drank their blood. He cut himself and left the deepest and ugliest scars on his back. He abused people around him. One day he slammed a girl against the wall at school. Another day he got angry and hurt a friend while swimming. I could name several times I saw him hurt other people. If I went into the things he did to me, it would be so much more. He has vowed to kill his sister’s father. The evil he has done and the evil that the devil is going to use him to do is terrifying. But all it started with was not trusting God with taking care of his sister. But Satan used that to control his life. He’s going to need a huge breakthrough to turn back now. It breaks my heart to think about it. What scares me even more is that this could happen to anyone.
6. “The story of the pigs (vv. 11-13) is one of the strangest in all of Scripture. Why do you think both Jesus and the demons acted as they did?” I know the demons wanted to go into the pigs because going into the pigs was better than being sent to the dry places where they would be sent otherwise, but I really don’t know why Jesus acted as He did and cast them into the pigs. If I had to guess, I would say it was to demonstrate His power or to show the people nearby how many demons were in this one man.
7. “Describe the response of the people from the town when they see both the man and Jesus (vv. 14-17).” When they saw the man sitting there in his right man, and Jesus beside him, they were afraid. They were told about the pigs, as well, which added to the fear. “Why do they respond in fear rather than faith?” I think the fact that thousands of pigs threw themselves off a cliff might be the reason why. If I heard that Jesus cast out demons from the crazy man who ran around the tombs, and heard that they went into the pigs and the pigs threw themselves off the cliff, I think my first instinct would be fear. I also think that the people could have been upset at the loss of thousands of pigs. Pigs have some value, and if Jesus could cast demons out into the pigs, what else would He cast them into? Also, it’s not everyday that a man comes and casts thousands of demons out of a man that has been a disturbance for so long. When unusual things happen, people are usually more likely to be afraid than filled with faith. People don’t like things out of the ordinary, especially when they’re comfortable with their own little lives.
8. “Frequently in Mark’s Gospel Jesus tells people to follow him (see Mark 1:17; 2:14; 10:21). This man is eager to follow Jesus; why does Jesus send him home (vv. 18-20)?” Jesus was asked by the people to leave. This man is the only person that could witness and possibly get through to the people of this town. Jesus wanted him to stay and witness to them, instead of going to the places Jesus would be. Jesus had enough people with him and in other places to witness, but this man was the only hope for many people in this town.
9. “Who in your immediate or extended family does not know the Lord?” My sisters, my grandpa, my uncles, and my cousins. “What opportunities do you have to ‘tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you’ (v. 19)?” I usually see opportunities to share when it opens up in conversation. I posted my testimony online, which my aunt saw and read, but she believes the same things that I do. I think that now that I have a life separate from my family, I will see more and more opening to share with them the things I am learning. When I was living with them, all they saw was the worst in me, and not the things that God did in my life. I will have so many chances to share with them when I visit this Christmas.
Hearing from God Each Morning (August 17)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
We are supposed to give God full custody of our hearts. He doesn’t want just part of us or most of us; He wants all of us. He wants every thought, emotion, word, and action. If we aren’t giving Him every portion of our life, we are not in the relationship He intends us to be in with Him.
There’s one part of my life I’ve been holding back; God knows what it is. I’ve been fighting inside and with God over it. I know it isn’t what God wants for me, but I do it anyway. I fight with Him, asking for chapter and verse where it says that I can’t, but that isn’t what God intends for me. He wants me to follow His voice instead of making excuses for the things I think and do. God’s Word helps lead us, but He speaks to us in other things as well, and ignoring Him is never what He wants for us.
As the church, we are Christ’s bride. And what bride doesn’t want to be the best she can be for her Husband?
We are supposed to give God full custody of our hearts. He doesn’t want just part of us or most of us; He wants all of us. He wants every thought, emotion, word, and action. If we aren’t giving Him every portion of our life, we are not in the relationship He intends us to be in with Him.
There’s one part of my life I’ve been holding back; God knows what it is. I’ve been fighting inside and with God over it. I know it isn’t what God wants for me, but I do it anyway. I fight with Him, asking for chapter and verse where it says that I can’t, but that isn’t what God intends for me. He wants me to follow His voice instead of making excuses for the things I think and do. God’s Word helps lead us, but He speaks to us in other things as well, and ignoring Him is never what He wants for us.
As the church, we are Christ’s bride. And what bride doesn’t want to be the best she can be for her Husband?
Hearing from God Each Morning (August 16)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today’s devotion is about seeking to hear God’s voice on every decision we make. If we seek Him and listen to Him on every part of our lives, we won’t end up in nearly as many messes as we would if we listened only to ourselves.
There are so many things I have gotten into that I should have asked God about and prayed about more. I like to believe that I seek His advice on everything, but there are still so many things that I see as “too small” for God’s advice, when in reality, nothing is ever too big or too small for God.
I tend to rush right into things without thinking, and that’s something God has been working on in me. I like to have plans and to know what I’m doing, but I make long term plans in a short amount of time, and when the plan starts to fail, I still fight to keep it going. I should have involved God in the planning instead of rushing right in and deciding what to do. God has been working on my patience, which is something I lack. He needs to hold me back sometimes, because I’m the type to rush ahead of things and watch them get messed up.
Today’s devotion is about seeking to hear God’s voice on every decision we make. If we seek Him and listen to Him on every part of our lives, we won’t end up in nearly as many messes as we would if we listened only to ourselves.
There are so many things I have gotten into that I should have asked God about and prayed about more. I like to believe that I seek His advice on everything, but there are still so many things that I see as “too small” for God’s advice, when in reality, nothing is ever too big or too small for God.
I tend to rush right into things without thinking, and that’s something God has been working on in me. I like to have plans and to know what I’m doing, but I make long term plans in a short amount of time, and when the plan starts to fail, I still fight to keep it going. I should have involved God in the planning instead of rushing right in and deciding what to do. God has been working on my patience, which is something I lack. He needs to hold me back sometimes, because I’m the type to rush ahead of things and watch them get messed up.
Hearing from God Each Morning (August 15)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
God is there to guide and comfort us in the hard times of life. He helps us get through them. He doesn’t want us to give up and stop trying; He wants us to trust Him and He will guide us through.
I’ve been through so many hard times, and God has brought me through all of them. He uses them to shape me into the woman He wants me to be. Because of the things I’ve been through, I can relate to almost anyone. He has given me such a great testimony to His love and what He can do with pain and hard times. No matter where we are, God is there to help us make it through to the other side.
God is there to guide and comfort us in the hard times of life. He helps us get through them. He doesn’t want us to give up and stop trying; He wants us to trust Him and He will guide us through.
I’ve been through so many hard times, and God has brought me through all of them. He uses them to shape me into the woman He wants me to be. Because of the things I’ve been through, I can relate to almost anyone. He has given me such a great testimony to His love and what He can do with pain and hard times. No matter where we are, God is there to help us make it through to the other side.
Hearing from God Each Morning (August 14)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today’s devotion talks about lending a hand to those less fortunate than us. Proverbs 21:13 says, “Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor will cry out himself and not be heard.” In other words, when we refuse to listen to and help those we see in need, God may be less inclined to reach out to us when we cry out.
No matter how low we get, there will always be someone lower than us (or even a higher person who has needs that match our abilities) that we can help out. God wants us to all help each other, no matter what our own circumstances are. I’ve recently felt God putting it on my heart to use some of my abilities to start a new ministry—one that I will be getting started in a couple of weeks when school starts. God gave me my abilities with the intent that I would use them to help others. How could I ever say no to Him?
Today’s devotion talks about lending a hand to those less fortunate than us. Proverbs 21:13 says, “Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor will cry out himself and not be heard.” In other words, when we refuse to listen to and help those we see in need, God may be less inclined to reach out to us when we cry out.
No matter how low we get, there will always be someone lower than us (or even a higher person who has needs that match our abilities) that we can help out. God wants us to all help each other, no matter what our own circumstances are. I’ve recently felt God putting it on my heart to use some of my abilities to start a new ministry—one that I will be getting started in a couple of weeks when school starts. God gave me my abilities with the intent that I would use them to help others. How could I ever say no to Him?
Hearing from God Each Morning (August 13)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
God has great plans for us, but we can’t live them out if we are being stubborn and not listening to Him. We need to stop and examine our actions, thoughts, and motives from time to time to make sure that what we are doing is what God wants or what we want.
I know that sometimes I’ll get so into a project that seems like a really good thing, but my heart isn’t in it because God wants me to do it. Sometimes I do things because I want people to think that I’m a great person. Even though what I’m doing is good, my motives aren’t exactly what God wants. God wants us to give glory to Him instead of taking all of the credit for ourselves. I can’t hear from God when I’m too busy tuning into the voices of those around me.
God has great plans for us, but we can’t live them out if we are being stubborn and not listening to Him. We need to stop and examine our actions, thoughts, and motives from time to time to make sure that what we are doing is what God wants or what we want.
I know that sometimes I’ll get so into a project that seems like a really good thing, but my heart isn’t in it because God wants me to do it. Sometimes I do things because I want people to think that I’m a great person. Even though what I’m doing is good, my motives aren’t exactly what God wants. God wants us to give glory to Him instead of taking all of the credit for ourselves. I can’t hear from God when I’m too busy tuning into the voices of those around me.
Hearing from God Each Morning (August 12)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
When God speaks to us, we are to recognize His voice above those that are there to deceive us. How do we know that what we hear is God’s voice? First of all, if what we feel like God is leading us to do is against His Word, we know it isn’t Him. We need to be led by God, not our emotions.
I’ve known people who say that God is leading them to do something that I just think, “Now, why would God do that?” As you grow closer to God, you’re given to discernment to recognize God’s voice above the others. You will know when God is speaking and when your own emotions are speaking louder than God’s voice. I need to stop listening to how I feel and tune in to God’s voice.
When God speaks to us, we are to recognize His voice above those that are there to deceive us. How do we know that what we hear is God’s voice? First of all, if what we feel like God is leading us to do is against His Word, we know it isn’t Him. We need to be led by God, not our emotions.
I’ve known people who say that God is leading them to do something that I just think, “Now, why would God do that?” As you grow closer to God, you’re given to discernment to recognize God’s voice above the others. You will know when God is speaking and when your own emotions are speaking louder than God’s voice. I need to stop listening to how I feel and tune in to God’s voice.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Philippians: Abound More and More
This blog is about pages 144-145 in the book The Smart Guide to the Bible: Paul and the Prison Epistles.
In Philippians 1:9-11, Paul tells the Philippians what he was praying about when he prayed for them. He didn’t just tell them that they were in his prayers.
He prayed that their love would grow more and more. To abound in love is more than just saying “I love you” and having a feeling. It’s a love that wants the best for another person. Sometimes this is hard, but luckily we don’t have to do it alone. There are times when I say I love someone, and when I look closer I realize that it isn’t the love God wants me to have for them. He wants me to do what I can for them and put them before myself. He wants me to do what’s best for them instead of getting the good things I can get from them (although in good friendships, it’s all giving on both sides). This is something I’ve prayed for in my own life. I’ve noted bad attitudes towards people, including other Christians. I’ve been asking God to give me a love for them that could only come from Him. It’s made all the difference in some of the friendships I have.
Paul also prayed that the Philippians would stop and evaluate how they are going to act when faced with different situations. As Christians, we need to think about our actions and make sure that they are in God’s will and pleasing to Him. If they aren’t, we need to take a closer look and make those changes.
When we test and evaluate our actions, we will have sincerity or purity. We will be able to stand test and be found faultless, and every defilement will be filtered out. Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we are made pure. But when we think before we act and do things in the will of God, this makes us pure as well. There is forgiveness when we fail, but that doesn’t mean to keep living in our old way. Over time, God will guide our lives to help us to grow in purity.
Finally, Paul prayed that the Philippians would live in a way that makes it obvious that they are depending fully upon God. If God is living in us, we will exhibit His characteristics. In Galatians the fruit of the spirit is defined as: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Over time, we will develop this fruit and become more and more like God. And those that don’t believe will notice and desire the same thing we have in Christ.
We should not only pray for these things in our lives, but in the lives of our fellow Christians. When we tell someone we are praying for them, we should follow through and actually pray for them. Prayer is so important, and it does make a difference.
In Philippians 1:9-11, Paul tells the Philippians what he was praying about when he prayed for them. He didn’t just tell them that they were in his prayers.
He prayed that their love would grow more and more. To abound in love is more than just saying “I love you” and having a feeling. It’s a love that wants the best for another person. Sometimes this is hard, but luckily we don’t have to do it alone. There are times when I say I love someone, and when I look closer I realize that it isn’t the love God wants me to have for them. He wants me to do what I can for them and put them before myself. He wants me to do what’s best for them instead of getting the good things I can get from them (although in good friendships, it’s all giving on both sides). This is something I’ve prayed for in my own life. I’ve noted bad attitudes towards people, including other Christians. I’ve been asking God to give me a love for them that could only come from Him. It’s made all the difference in some of the friendships I have.
Paul also prayed that the Philippians would stop and evaluate how they are going to act when faced with different situations. As Christians, we need to think about our actions and make sure that they are in God’s will and pleasing to Him. If they aren’t, we need to take a closer look and make those changes.
When we test and evaluate our actions, we will have sincerity or purity. We will be able to stand test and be found faultless, and every defilement will be filtered out. Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we are made pure. But when we think before we act and do things in the will of God, this makes us pure as well. There is forgiveness when we fail, but that doesn’t mean to keep living in our old way. Over time, God will guide our lives to help us to grow in purity.
Finally, Paul prayed that the Philippians would live in a way that makes it obvious that they are depending fully upon God. If God is living in us, we will exhibit His characteristics. In Galatians the fruit of the spirit is defined as: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Over time, we will develop this fruit and become more and more like God. And those that don’t believe will notice and desire the same thing we have in Christ.
We should not only pray for these things in our lives, but in the lives of our fellow Christians. When we tell someone we are praying for them, we should follow through and actually pray for them. Prayer is so important, and it does make a difference.
Hearing from God Each Morning (August 11)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today’s devotion is about listening to God. In order to hear from Him, we need to be listening. Sometimes when we pray, we just do all the talking, when really we should be listening more than we should be talking. We should end our prayers (or even take breaks in our prayers) in a few minutes of silence to listen and hear from God.
This really strikes me. When I pray, it’s either a long list or a quick “Hey God, this is what’s up, Amen.” I forget that I should be listening for Him more than I should be filling up times with my own words.
I think it would be a good practice for me to have my quiet time with God. When I lived in Placerville, I went on daily walks that were more like my quiet time listening to God. I need to get back into that habit now that I live here. Not only is it good for my body, but it’s good for my soul because it’s time just chatting with God.
Today’s devotion is about listening to God. In order to hear from Him, we need to be listening. Sometimes when we pray, we just do all the talking, when really we should be listening more than we should be talking. We should end our prayers (or even take breaks in our prayers) in a few minutes of silence to listen and hear from God.
This really strikes me. When I pray, it’s either a long list or a quick “Hey God, this is what’s up, Amen.” I forget that I should be listening for Him more than I should be filling up times with my own words.
I think it would be a good practice for me to have my quiet time with God. When I lived in Placerville, I went on daily walks that were more like my quiet time listening to God. I need to get back into that habit now that I live here. Not only is it good for my body, but it’s good for my soul because it’s time just chatting with God.
Hearing from God Each Morning (August 10)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
In our world, people turn to psychics and mediums looking for answers that are supposed to come from God. The Bible tells us that consulting mediums is strictly forbidden (see Leviticus 20:6-7). Many people, including Christians, do this still.
God is supposed to be the only one we should be looking to for guidance. This doesn’t mean not to ask friends and pastors for advice; this means that when it comes down to it, God’s voice is the one that matters the most. His Spirit is the only spirit that we can trust to guide our lives and send them down the right path. If we are listening to any other voice, we are not living in His will.
In our world, people turn to psychics and mediums looking for answers that are supposed to come from God. The Bible tells us that consulting mediums is strictly forbidden (see Leviticus 20:6-7). Many people, including Christians, do this still.
God is supposed to be the only one we should be looking to for guidance. This doesn’t mean not to ask friends and pastors for advice; this means that when it comes down to it, God’s voice is the one that matters the most. His Spirit is the only spirit that we can trust to guide our lives and send them down the right path. If we are listening to any other voice, we are not living in His will.
Hearing from God Each Morning (August 9)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today’s devotion is about having the right attitudes in our heart. The thing that stuck out to me is the mention of bitterness and resentment. We aren’t supposed to have those in our lives. I’ve known that. But it’s still a constant struggle for me to forgive a couple of people who have hurt me. Yes, the hurt was deep, but so is the love of God. And if God lives in me, why am I still bitter?
I say I forgive. But when I think about what happened I still hurt, and then that hurt turns into bitterness (again). It’s like I have to keep forgiving these people over and over again. Only God can help me on this road, because I know I can’t do it on my own.
We’re supposed to guard our hearts. Things like bitterness and resentment only attack and harm our hearts. Letting bad attitudes infest our hearts can damage our whole spiritual life and cloud our communications with God. Guarding our hearts isn’t just about making sure we don’t get into dangerous situations with others. It’s about keeping us safe from our own sinful natures.
Today’s devotion is about having the right attitudes in our heart. The thing that stuck out to me is the mention of bitterness and resentment. We aren’t supposed to have those in our lives. I’ve known that. But it’s still a constant struggle for me to forgive a couple of people who have hurt me. Yes, the hurt was deep, but so is the love of God. And if God lives in me, why am I still bitter?
I say I forgive. But when I think about what happened I still hurt, and then that hurt turns into bitterness (again). It’s like I have to keep forgiving these people over and over again. Only God can help me on this road, because I know I can’t do it on my own.
We’re supposed to guard our hearts. Things like bitterness and resentment only attack and harm our hearts. Letting bad attitudes infest our hearts can damage our whole spiritual life and cloud our communications with God. Guarding our hearts isn’t just about making sure we don’t get into dangerous situations with others. It’s about keeping us safe from our own sinful natures.
Philippians: An Affectionate Reflection
This blog is about pages 143-144 in the book The Smart Guide to the Bible: Paul and the Prison Epistles.
In Philippians 1:7-8, Paul talks about his affections for the people of Philippi. He holds nothing back when talking about how much he cares for them. This is something a lot of people struggle with. We live in a society where expressing your feelings isn’t the “cool” thing to do, but that’s not what God wants. He wants us to express our love for each other. You never know when a friend is having a hard time and your words are what keeps them going. I know that in my life, when I’m struggling with something that no one knows about, it always helps me feel better when a friend tells me that they care for me, or tells me of a time that I really helped them out.
Paul may have had these strong affections for the people because some of them may have been in chains beside him before. Tough times can make the bonds between people stronger. Even though it’s tempting to leave when someone is going through a difficult time, the bond you have with that person can be so strengthened by sticking with them and seeing them through their situation. I know that the people I consider closest to me are the friends who have gone through some of the hardest times of my life with me. That bond with them is useless, though, if I don’t tell them how much they mean to me. God intends for us not only to be that good friend in times of need, but to tell our friends how much we care about them.
In Philippians 1:7-8, Paul talks about his affections for the people of Philippi. He holds nothing back when talking about how much he cares for them. This is something a lot of people struggle with. We live in a society where expressing your feelings isn’t the “cool” thing to do, but that’s not what God wants. He wants us to express our love for each other. You never know when a friend is having a hard time and your words are what keeps them going. I know that in my life, when I’m struggling with something that no one knows about, it always helps me feel better when a friend tells me that they care for me, or tells me of a time that I really helped them out.
Paul may have had these strong affections for the people because some of them may have been in chains beside him before. Tough times can make the bonds between people stronger. Even though it’s tempting to leave when someone is going through a difficult time, the bond you have with that person can be so strengthened by sticking with them and seeing them through their situation. I know that the people I consider closest to me are the friends who have gone through some of the hardest times of my life with me. That bond with them is useless, though, if I don’t tell them how much they mean to me. God intends for us not only to be that good friend in times of need, but to tell our friends how much we care about them.
Philippians: God Isn't Finished Yet
This blog is about pages 141-143 in the book The Smart Guide to the Bible: Paul and the Prison Epistles.
Philippians 1:6 says, “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (NKJV).
This verse shows us that we are not in control over our spiritual growth; God is. It says that He has begun a good work in us and that He will complete it. Sometimes I feel like I should be working harder to grow spiritually, but it isn’t up to me. We shouldn’t obey God just because we want to grow spiritually, but because we want to please Him. We need to trust that God is working in us because the last touches won’t be done until we reach heaven. If we try ourselves to reach perfection, we will be disappointed in the end. I really struggle with this because I like trying to do things myself. But really, I should be glad that only God can do this because then the fact that I can’t do it doesn’t make me any less of a person. But when I depend on God, I am perfect in Him.
The “work” that Paul is talking about is God making us into the likeness of Jesus. Things that happen in our lives are put there by God to shape us into the likeness of Jesus. We can’t be completely like Jesus as long as we are in our mortal bodies, but when we meet Him face to face in heaven, we will be made complete. Still, we need to grow closer to that, and the only way we can continue to grow is to allow God to grow that in our lives. Sure, on our own we can get so far, but with God’s work in our lives, we can grow even more than we could on our own. I’ve been experiencing a lot of this in my life these past few months. Before, I thought that it was my job to grow spiritually and to work to become more like Christ. It’s safe to say I wasn’t doing that great of a job. But recently I’ve been handing more and more over to God, and He has been making me grow faster than I would have ever imagined!
We will never stop growing. If we ever come to a place where we think we are done growing, then that is like telling God we don’t need His help. We will always need His help, and we will always be growing. A year ago, the place I am at now was my goal. I thought once I got here I would be done. But now I look back and know I’ve come a long way, but I also look forward and see that God has so much more He has to teach me and grown in me. I will never have that comfortable walk with God—no one that is truly doing God’s will in their lives will have a “comfortable” walk. God wants us to struggle and grow all of our lives. The only time when we will “arrive” at a place where we can stop growing is when we arrive in heaven and God completes the work He has started in us.
When we look at spiritual growth, we need to be careful to look at things long term instead of day to day. When we look at things day to day, there isn’t much growth and we can be discouraged. I know that I haven’t grown much since yesterday, but when I look at even a month ago, I see such great growth in my life. God has shown me a lot this past month. Sometimes there will be dry periods, and growth can’t be measured by month, but by year. When we look at our growth, we need to look long term so we aren’t discouraged by the lack of growth in the smaller periods of time. God’s timing is a little different than ours, and we need to remember that He will do things when He knows they are right for us.
Philippians 1:6 says, “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (NKJV).
This verse shows us that we are not in control over our spiritual growth; God is. It says that He has begun a good work in us and that He will complete it. Sometimes I feel like I should be working harder to grow spiritually, but it isn’t up to me. We shouldn’t obey God just because we want to grow spiritually, but because we want to please Him. We need to trust that God is working in us because the last touches won’t be done until we reach heaven. If we try ourselves to reach perfection, we will be disappointed in the end. I really struggle with this because I like trying to do things myself. But really, I should be glad that only God can do this because then the fact that I can’t do it doesn’t make me any less of a person. But when I depend on God, I am perfect in Him.
The “work” that Paul is talking about is God making us into the likeness of Jesus. Things that happen in our lives are put there by God to shape us into the likeness of Jesus. We can’t be completely like Jesus as long as we are in our mortal bodies, but when we meet Him face to face in heaven, we will be made complete. Still, we need to grow closer to that, and the only way we can continue to grow is to allow God to grow that in our lives. Sure, on our own we can get so far, but with God’s work in our lives, we can grow even more than we could on our own. I’ve been experiencing a lot of this in my life these past few months. Before, I thought that it was my job to grow spiritually and to work to become more like Christ. It’s safe to say I wasn’t doing that great of a job. But recently I’ve been handing more and more over to God, and He has been making me grow faster than I would have ever imagined!
We will never stop growing. If we ever come to a place where we think we are done growing, then that is like telling God we don’t need His help. We will always need His help, and we will always be growing. A year ago, the place I am at now was my goal. I thought once I got here I would be done. But now I look back and know I’ve come a long way, but I also look forward and see that God has so much more He has to teach me and grown in me. I will never have that comfortable walk with God—no one that is truly doing God’s will in their lives will have a “comfortable” walk. God wants us to struggle and grow all of our lives. The only time when we will “arrive” at a place where we can stop growing is when we arrive in heaven and God completes the work He has started in us.
When we look at spiritual growth, we need to be careful to look at things long term instead of day to day. When we look at things day to day, there isn’t much growth and we can be discouraged. I know that I haven’t grown much since yesterday, but when I look at even a month ago, I see such great growth in my life. God has shown me a lot this past month. Sometimes there will be dry periods, and growth can’t be measured by month, but by year. When we look at our growth, we need to look long term so we aren’t discouraged by the lack of growth in the smaller periods of time. God’s timing is a little different than ours, and we need to remember that He will do things when He knows they are right for us.
Hearing from God Each Morning (August 8)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today’s devotion talks about following God in faith, like Abraham did. Abraham followed God and left his home to go to a land that God had prepared for him. He didn’t know where God was leading Him, but He knew to follow God. He didn’t trouble himself with trying to know where he was going or what he would do. He just listened and followed.
I’m at a similar place in my life. I’m starting college but I don’t really have my whole life planned out like a lot of people. I feel like God is leading me one step at a time. If I make plans, I will just end up disappointed or discontented with the way things end up. God has a great plan for me and my life, but I need to obey and follow Him at each place in my life. It’s hard for me because I like to plan things out, but God wants to show me something so much better by having me live day to day. I have no reason to worry about where I will end up when God is the one leading me.
Today’s devotion talks about following God in faith, like Abraham did. Abraham followed God and left his home to go to a land that God had prepared for him. He didn’t know where God was leading Him, but He knew to follow God. He didn’t trouble himself with trying to know where he was going or what he would do. He just listened and followed.
I’m at a similar place in my life. I’m starting college but I don’t really have my whole life planned out like a lot of people. I feel like God is leading me one step at a time. If I make plans, I will just end up disappointed or discontented with the way things end up. God has a great plan for me and my life, but I need to obey and follow Him at each place in my life. It’s hard for me because I like to plan things out, but God wants to show me something so much better by having me live day to day. I have no reason to worry about where I will end up when God is the one leading me.
Spiritual Warfare - The War Within
This blog is about the fifth chapter in the Bible study, Spiritual Warfare, written by Jack Kuhatschek.
James 4:1-10
1. “What words in this passage reflect tension and conflict?” Fights, quarrels, battle, kill, covet, grieve, mourn, wail, and gloom.
2. “If James asked most people, ‘What causes fights and quarrels among you?’ they would respond, ‘It’s the other person’s fault!’ How does James challenge that idea?” He says that our fights are caused by our own desires. When we desire something and can’t have it, it starts a fight with whoever has it.
3. “The meaning of verse 2 is seen most clearly in the following translation: ‘You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you quarrel and fight’ (NRSV). Why would frustrated desires lead a person to be verbally or even physically violent?” Sometimes when we want something really badly, we are willing to do just about anything to get it. When we don’t get it, we become frustrated and are willing to do even more than we were before. If someone has the thing that we desire, we can be really terrible to that person in order to try to get it (or make sure they don’t have it). I hate to use this example, but it’s kind of like two girls fighting over a boy: The one that doesn’t have the guy is willing to say mean things about the other girl in order to make her lose the guy. And if that doesn’t work, it may even end up in physical violence. That’s just the way sometimes are when we have frustrated desires.
4. “James goes on to say, ‘You do not have, because you do not ask God’ (v. 2). When our desires are frustrated, why is prayer better than fighting?” Isn’t the answer to this question obvious? Prayer = good. Fighting = bad. Good is better than bad. But looking a little closer, prayer is better than fighting because when we’re fighting, we’re focused on ourselves. When we are praying, we tend to shift our focus onto God (even if we are still thinking of our wants while praying). When our focus on God, we tend to be more rational. God also will guide us in what we should do with those desires, which will be a lot more productive than fighting and quarreling.
5. “Sometimes even God won’t give us what we want (v. 3). Why is it important to examine our motives when we pray?” If our prayer requests and motives don’t match God’s will, we won’t receive what we’re asking for. If we examine our motives when we pray, we will not be setting ourselves up for disappointment. If we pray for things we know are not in God’s will, we will be disappointed and have frustrated desires when He doesn’t answer. But if we examine our motives and seek God’s will when we pray, we will be satisfied with His answers.
6. “When we pray with worldly motives, in what sense are we asking God to help us commit spiritual adultery (vv. 4-5)?” We can’t pray with worldly motives and godly motives. It just doesn’t work that way. We are either in God’s will or not in God’s will. If we’re praying for things with worldly motives, we are committing spiritual adultery, and becoming friends of the world instead of friends of God. God doesn’t share us with the world. It’s all or nothing.
7. “If you fight and argue a lot, or if you desire the wrong things for the wrong reasons, then James says you need God’s grace (v. 6). What steps do we need to take to receive that grace (vv. 6-10)?” First, we submit ourselves to God. Then we resist the devil. After that, we come near to God. Then we wash our hands and purify our hearts. Finally, we must humble ourselves before God, and He will lift us up. Why do you think God requires such a radical response? When a problem is as deep as ours, nothing short will help. It’s kind of like my vegan diet. If I were to go halfway and only cut back a little, my diet wouldn’t be pure and going halfway doesn’t really help me at all. I have to cut out all animal proteins and bad things in order to clean out my system. Only then will I start to feel completely better. It’s the same with our spiritual selves. We can’t go halfway, because we really won’t feel the change. Only something this radical can really change how we feel spiritually.
8. “Even though James has stressed that our own evil desires and motives are the true source of quarrels, he says in verse 7, ‘Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.’ Why do you think the devil loves to see us fight and quarrel?” When we are fighting and quarreling, we are not living in God’s will. The devil wants us to live outside of God’s will, and he will do whatever he can to stir up fights among us.
9. “When we resist the devil in the ways that James suggests (vv. 6-10), why will he flee from us?” The devil cannot be in the same place that God is. God is stronger and will make him leave. If we are living for God, it doesn’t mean that the devil won’t tempt us, but when we resist, he has to leave. God’s power in our lives will make him flee.
10. “Think of someone with whom you regularly fight and quarrel. How can James’s insights and commands help you live in greater peace with that person?” I need to stop focusing on my own desires and think more about what they want. When I fight with them, I need to ask God for guidance to resolve the issue without a big fight. A lot of the fights I have are so little, and over something that I really don’t care too much about. I need to learn to just back down and let the other person have what they desire. God will meet all of my needs.
James 4:1-10
1. “What words in this passage reflect tension and conflict?” Fights, quarrels, battle, kill, covet, grieve, mourn, wail, and gloom.
2. “If James asked most people, ‘What causes fights and quarrels among you?’ they would respond, ‘It’s the other person’s fault!’ How does James challenge that idea?” He says that our fights are caused by our own desires. When we desire something and can’t have it, it starts a fight with whoever has it.
3. “The meaning of verse 2 is seen most clearly in the following translation: ‘You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you quarrel and fight’ (NRSV). Why would frustrated desires lead a person to be verbally or even physically violent?” Sometimes when we want something really badly, we are willing to do just about anything to get it. When we don’t get it, we become frustrated and are willing to do even more than we were before. If someone has the thing that we desire, we can be really terrible to that person in order to try to get it (or make sure they don’t have it). I hate to use this example, but it’s kind of like two girls fighting over a boy: The one that doesn’t have the guy is willing to say mean things about the other girl in order to make her lose the guy. And if that doesn’t work, it may even end up in physical violence. That’s just the way sometimes are when we have frustrated desires.
4. “James goes on to say, ‘You do not have, because you do not ask God’ (v. 2). When our desires are frustrated, why is prayer better than fighting?” Isn’t the answer to this question obvious? Prayer = good. Fighting = bad. Good is better than bad. But looking a little closer, prayer is better than fighting because when we’re fighting, we’re focused on ourselves. When we are praying, we tend to shift our focus onto God (even if we are still thinking of our wants while praying). When our focus on God, we tend to be more rational. God also will guide us in what we should do with those desires, which will be a lot more productive than fighting and quarreling.
5. “Sometimes even God won’t give us what we want (v. 3). Why is it important to examine our motives when we pray?” If our prayer requests and motives don’t match God’s will, we won’t receive what we’re asking for. If we examine our motives when we pray, we will not be setting ourselves up for disappointment. If we pray for things we know are not in God’s will, we will be disappointed and have frustrated desires when He doesn’t answer. But if we examine our motives and seek God’s will when we pray, we will be satisfied with His answers.
6. “When we pray with worldly motives, in what sense are we asking God to help us commit spiritual adultery (vv. 4-5)?” We can’t pray with worldly motives and godly motives. It just doesn’t work that way. We are either in God’s will or not in God’s will. If we’re praying for things with worldly motives, we are committing spiritual adultery, and becoming friends of the world instead of friends of God. God doesn’t share us with the world. It’s all or nothing.
7. “If you fight and argue a lot, or if you desire the wrong things for the wrong reasons, then James says you need God’s grace (v. 6). What steps do we need to take to receive that grace (vv. 6-10)?” First, we submit ourselves to God. Then we resist the devil. After that, we come near to God. Then we wash our hands and purify our hearts. Finally, we must humble ourselves before God, and He will lift us up. Why do you think God requires such a radical response? When a problem is as deep as ours, nothing short will help. It’s kind of like my vegan diet. If I were to go halfway and only cut back a little, my diet wouldn’t be pure and going halfway doesn’t really help me at all. I have to cut out all animal proteins and bad things in order to clean out my system. Only then will I start to feel completely better. It’s the same with our spiritual selves. We can’t go halfway, because we really won’t feel the change. Only something this radical can really change how we feel spiritually.
8. “Even though James has stressed that our own evil desires and motives are the true source of quarrels, he says in verse 7, ‘Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.’ Why do you think the devil loves to see us fight and quarrel?” When we are fighting and quarreling, we are not living in God’s will. The devil wants us to live outside of God’s will, and he will do whatever he can to stir up fights among us.
9. “When we resist the devil in the ways that James suggests (vv. 6-10), why will he flee from us?” The devil cannot be in the same place that God is. God is stronger and will make him leave. If we are living for God, it doesn’t mean that the devil won’t tempt us, but when we resist, he has to leave. God’s power in our lives will make him flee.
10. “Think of someone with whom you regularly fight and quarrel. How can James’s insights and commands help you live in greater peace with that person?” I need to stop focusing on my own desires and think more about what they want. When I fight with them, I need to ask God for guidance to resolve the issue without a big fight. A lot of the fights I have are so little, and over something that I really don’t care too much about. I need to learn to just back down and let the other person have what they desire. God will meet all of my needs.
Philippians: Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
This blog is about pages 139-141 in the book The Smart Guide to the Bible: Paul and the Prison Epistles.
Philippians 1:3-5 says, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now” (NKJV).
Paul had received help from the Philippians on three occasions, and although he hadn’t seen them in ten years and was separated from them by eight hundred miles, he still had fond thoughts for them. He appreciated what they had done, and thanked God for what they did for him. In the same way, we should be thanking God for the things that have happened in our lives, even if they happened a long time ago. Sometimes it’s one little thing that happened years ago that means so much to us. I know that for me personally, there are things that happened so long ago that I still think about, and I need to praise God for those things again, even though I have many times before.
Years ago at camp, there was this boy I met. I think his name was Cory, but I honestly don’t remember. I just remember telling him about some of the things I had been through (and this was even before some of the “worse” things had happened to me), and he told me that he admired me so much. He said that other people who went through stuff like I have would be bitter and mean, but I’m not. He said that it’s great that I don’t blame God or act bitter towards other people. Even though that was in middle school (I think I was only 12 or 13 when he told me this!), it still sticks with me to this day. I feel that even though it was a little thing and he probably doesn’t remember me, I should continue to thank God for him. And not only that, but I should pray for him and his needs, although I have no idea what they are.
I could tell so many stories about people God has brought into my life at just the right time. At every hard place in my life, God has brought someone to come along side of me. Although some of those people were only there for a season and life went on, I still should praise God for the support I got from them, and if possible, tell them how much that support or those few words of encouragement meant to me.
The other thing in this verse is that Paul said that he made his requests for the Philippians with joy. We should pray with joy because we know God answers prayer. Although sometimes we may be praying for someone who is unsaved or in a tough situation and we may be tempted to be glum about it, we should pray with joy. We can rest assured that God answers our prayers, even if He doesn’t answer them in the way that we think is best. God knows what is best for the people we pray for, and He will take care of them. We also need to remember to tell people that we are praying for them. I know that in my life, when someone tells me that they are praying for me, that is one of the best encouragements they could give me. When this encourages me so much, why wouldn’t I tell someone when I am doing the same for them?
The last thing is that we should live a life that people thank God for. When people think of me, I want them to thank God for me. I don’t want them to praise God for me for my own good and ego, but because I want to have made that sort of impact on their life that they would remember me when they pray. Living this type of life isn’t easy, but by putting God and others before me, this lifestyle will come naturally and I will impact those around me.
Philippians 1:3-5 says, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now” (NKJV).
Paul had received help from the Philippians on three occasions, and although he hadn’t seen them in ten years and was separated from them by eight hundred miles, he still had fond thoughts for them. He appreciated what they had done, and thanked God for what they did for him. In the same way, we should be thanking God for the things that have happened in our lives, even if they happened a long time ago. Sometimes it’s one little thing that happened years ago that means so much to us. I know that for me personally, there are things that happened so long ago that I still think about, and I need to praise God for those things again, even though I have many times before.
Years ago at camp, there was this boy I met. I think his name was Cory, but I honestly don’t remember. I just remember telling him about some of the things I had been through (and this was even before some of the “worse” things had happened to me), and he told me that he admired me so much. He said that other people who went through stuff like I have would be bitter and mean, but I’m not. He said that it’s great that I don’t blame God or act bitter towards other people. Even though that was in middle school (I think I was only 12 or 13 when he told me this!), it still sticks with me to this day. I feel that even though it was a little thing and he probably doesn’t remember me, I should continue to thank God for him. And not only that, but I should pray for him and his needs, although I have no idea what they are.
I could tell so many stories about people God has brought into my life at just the right time. At every hard place in my life, God has brought someone to come along side of me. Although some of those people were only there for a season and life went on, I still should praise God for the support I got from them, and if possible, tell them how much that support or those few words of encouragement meant to me.
The other thing in this verse is that Paul said that he made his requests for the Philippians with joy. We should pray with joy because we know God answers prayer. Although sometimes we may be praying for someone who is unsaved or in a tough situation and we may be tempted to be glum about it, we should pray with joy. We can rest assured that God answers our prayers, even if He doesn’t answer them in the way that we think is best. God knows what is best for the people we pray for, and He will take care of them. We also need to remember to tell people that we are praying for them. I know that in my life, when someone tells me that they are praying for me, that is one of the best encouragements they could give me. When this encourages me so much, why wouldn’t I tell someone when I am doing the same for them?
The last thing is that we should live a life that people thank God for. When people think of me, I want them to thank God for me. I don’t want them to praise God for me for my own good and ego, but because I want to have made that sort of impact on their life that they would remember me when they pray. Living this type of life isn’t easy, but by putting God and others before me, this lifestyle will come naturally and I will impact those around me.
Hearing from God Each Morning (August 7)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
As Christians, we aren’t supposed to know all of the answers on our own. God wants us to roll our problems off of ourselves and onto Him. He wants us to stop worrying about everything and trust Him with every little part of our lives. It takes a long time to learn to trust God with everything. I’m getting better at it every day, but there are still parts of my life I struggle with. It isn’t that I don’t trust God, but more than I forget that God cares about something so little. I need to learn how to give the little things over to God, too.
As Christians, we aren’t supposed to know all of the answers on our own. God wants us to roll our problems off of ourselves and onto Him. He wants us to stop worrying about everything and trust Him with every little part of our lives. It takes a long time to learn to trust God with everything. I’m getting better at it every day, but there are still parts of my life I struggle with. It isn’t that I don’t trust God, but more than I forget that God cares about something so little. I need to learn how to give the little things over to God, too.
Philippians: How Are You?
This blog is about pages 138-139 in the book The Smart Guide to the Bible: Paul and the Prison Epistles.
In Philippians 1:1-2, Paul calls himself and Timothy “bondservants of Jesus Christ.” There are many characteristics of a servant or slave that can be applied to Christians. This book has a list, with Scriptures to back up each point. I want to explore these more and apply them to not only Christians, but my life specifically.
The first point is that an Old Testament servant or slave was the property of his or her owner. Romans 6:12-14 says, “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” These verses tell us that Christians cannot be owned by anyone else except God. Sin can’t own us. We can’t own ourselves. Only God owns us. For me, this is comforting. I have felt myself a slave to sin before, and it’s the worst feeling in the world. But now that God has redeemed me and owns me, I am not a slave to anything or anyone but Him. And unlike sin, God is a gracious master that loves and cares for me.
The second point is that an Old Testament servant or slave obeys his or her master. Romans 6:16 says, “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?” As Christians, our obedience shows our servanthood to Christ. If we are not obeying Him, we cannot call ourselves His slaves or bondservants.
The third point is that an Old Testament servant or slave is purchased. 1 Corinthians 6:20 says, “you were bought at a price.” God paid for us with the blood of Christ on the cross. Jesus died for our sins, and because of that, we are freed from sin and become servants to God. The fact that we were paid for with such a high price reminds me that God loves and values me. He could have just had me, but He was willing to pay a high price for me, His servant.
The fourth point is that an Old Testament servant or slave can gain freedom after six years of service. Romans 6:12 says, “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.” We are given free will. Serving Christ is a choice of the will and is a commitment lasting forever. We are free to turn to God or turn away from Him. He does not force us to follow Him. To me, this has always been so hard to understand. I forget where I heard it, but I have often heard that you can’t have love without freedom. It’s true. If we were forced to obey God, there would be no love from us to Him. We would be like robots. But when we do things right and obey Him when we have the choice to do otherwise, it is an expression of love from us to God. Yes, sometimes we do it out of obligation, but it gets to a point in our Christian walks that we aren’t doing things because we have to, but because we love God and want to please Him.
The fifth point is that an Old Testament servant or slave was the lowest in society. Matthew 20:26-28 says, “Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” This means that in God’s kingdom, slavery to Christ indicates greatness. When we serve Christ, this makes us great in His kingdom. Even though the world may see us as lowly, that is not how God sees us.
The sixth point is that what an Old Testament servant or slave did was out of love for his or her master. Matthew 24:46 says, “It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.” This shows that servanthood brings happiness. When we serve God in the way He intends, we will be happy. Even if the things He asks us to do seem like big sacrifices at the time, in the end the blessings that come out of that will be so much greater. And even if the blessings are not earthly or tangible things, just knowing that what we did pleases God should be reward enough. I know that when I finally do something that God has put on my heart, I feel this warmth inside that I can’t describe. It’s as if God is whispering to my heart, “Well done, beautiful daughter.” God is happy with those who do His will.
The seventh point is that an Old Testament servant or slave may or may not be promoted. Matthew 25:21 says, “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” As Christians, faithful service is guaranteed to bring greater opportunities. As we learn to listen to God in the small things, He will bring bigger and bigger things for us. I’ve seen this a lot in my own life. God started by giving me little things to do or say. As I listened to Him and learned to act on His calling, He started to give me bigger things. A year ago, if I looked at the things God has been doing and asking me to do, I would have been so afraid. God doesn’t give us the big things right away because He knows that we would be so overwhelmed. He starts small and “promotes” us when we obediently follow His voice.
The final point is that an Old Testament servant or slave can only be judged by his or her master. Romans 14:4 says, “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” As Christians, God is the only judge we answer to. I praise Him for this, because if I were judged by anyone else, I would fail. Sure, there are some people who think I’m a pretty good girl, but they all find fault with me at some point (and are not nearly as forgiving as God). God forgives me of my sins of which I’ve repented, and so I am alright with His judgment of me. He is good.
In Philippians 1:1-2, Paul calls himself and Timothy “bondservants of Jesus Christ.” There are many characteristics of a servant or slave that can be applied to Christians. This book has a list, with Scriptures to back up each point. I want to explore these more and apply them to not only Christians, but my life specifically.
The first point is that an Old Testament servant or slave was the property of his or her owner. Romans 6:12-14 says, “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” These verses tell us that Christians cannot be owned by anyone else except God. Sin can’t own us. We can’t own ourselves. Only God owns us. For me, this is comforting. I have felt myself a slave to sin before, and it’s the worst feeling in the world. But now that God has redeemed me and owns me, I am not a slave to anything or anyone but Him. And unlike sin, God is a gracious master that loves and cares for me.
The second point is that an Old Testament servant or slave obeys his or her master. Romans 6:16 says, “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?” As Christians, our obedience shows our servanthood to Christ. If we are not obeying Him, we cannot call ourselves His slaves or bondservants.
The third point is that an Old Testament servant or slave is purchased. 1 Corinthians 6:20 says, “you were bought at a price.” God paid for us with the blood of Christ on the cross. Jesus died for our sins, and because of that, we are freed from sin and become servants to God. The fact that we were paid for with such a high price reminds me that God loves and values me. He could have just had me, but He was willing to pay a high price for me, His servant.
The fourth point is that an Old Testament servant or slave can gain freedom after six years of service. Romans 6:12 says, “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.” We are given free will. Serving Christ is a choice of the will and is a commitment lasting forever. We are free to turn to God or turn away from Him. He does not force us to follow Him. To me, this has always been so hard to understand. I forget where I heard it, but I have often heard that you can’t have love without freedom. It’s true. If we were forced to obey God, there would be no love from us to Him. We would be like robots. But when we do things right and obey Him when we have the choice to do otherwise, it is an expression of love from us to God. Yes, sometimes we do it out of obligation, but it gets to a point in our Christian walks that we aren’t doing things because we have to, but because we love God and want to please Him.
The fifth point is that an Old Testament servant or slave was the lowest in society. Matthew 20:26-28 says, “Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” This means that in God’s kingdom, slavery to Christ indicates greatness. When we serve Christ, this makes us great in His kingdom. Even though the world may see us as lowly, that is not how God sees us.
The sixth point is that what an Old Testament servant or slave did was out of love for his or her master. Matthew 24:46 says, “It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.” This shows that servanthood brings happiness. When we serve God in the way He intends, we will be happy. Even if the things He asks us to do seem like big sacrifices at the time, in the end the blessings that come out of that will be so much greater. And even if the blessings are not earthly or tangible things, just knowing that what we did pleases God should be reward enough. I know that when I finally do something that God has put on my heart, I feel this warmth inside that I can’t describe. It’s as if God is whispering to my heart, “Well done, beautiful daughter.” God is happy with those who do His will.
The seventh point is that an Old Testament servant or slave may or may not be promoted. Matthew 25:21 says, “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” As Christians, faithful service is guaranteed to bring greater opportunities. As we learn to listen to God in the small things, He will bring bigger and bigger things for us. I’ve seen this a lot in my own life. God started by giving me little things to do or say. As I listened to Him and learned to act on His calling, He started to give me bigger things. A year ago, if I looked at the things God has been doing and asking me to do, I would have been so afraid. God doesn’t give us the big things right away because He knows that we would be so overwhelmed. He starts small and “promotes” us when we obediently follow His voice.
The final point is that an Old Testament servant or slave can only be judged by his or her master. Romans 14:4 says, “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” As Christians, God is the only judge we answer to. I praise Him for this, because if I were judged by anyone else, I would fail. Sure, there are some people who think I’m a pretty good girl, but they all find fault with me at some point (and are not nearly as forgiving as God). God forgives me of my sins of which I’ve repented, and so I am alright with His judgment of me. He is good.
Hearing from God Each Morning (August 6)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today’s devotion talks about not quenching the Holy Spirit by complaining. We are to wait patiently for God to fulfill His promises. Grumbling and complaining do not show patience, but praising God and being thankful in all situations does. When we complain, we cloud up our spiritual receivers, and this can keep us from hearing what God has for us.
Sometimes we need to focus more on the Word of God than how we feel. Feelings are important, but they aren’t everything. Instead of focusing on the negative (even if the situation is really bad), we need to be focusing on God’s blessings in our lives.
I know that this has been a life-changing shift in attitudes in my life. I’ve been through some really tough things: hazing at school, an “almost” eating disorder, depression & cutting, verbal & emotional abuse at home, my mom moving out, a mentor’s death, an abusive relationship, sexual abuse, my dad’s arrest, and a couple of long distance moves. For a long while I felt that my complaining and whining was justified. I figured that I had the right to complain a little now and then (all though my “now and then” was almost daily).
But when I started praising God, even in these situations, I started hearing from Him so much more because I was focused on Him instead of me and my problems. When you put things into the right perspective (a heavenly one), any problem that you might be facing here on earth seems so much smaller. When you look at the ways God blesses you, the problems are blown out of the water.
Sometimes I forget this, even now. A problem will sneak up out of nowhere and I will be so upset that I’ll forget how small it is compared to my God. But every time this happens, it doesn’t last as long as the time before. And one day, anything can happen and my first reaction will be to turn to God and praise Him for the things I still have. God is shaping me into the young woman He wants me to be. I’m not there yet and I will not make it there until I meet Him face to face in heaven. Oh what a day that will be!!
Today’s devotion talks about not quenching the Holy Spirit by complaining. We are to wait patiently for God to fulfill His promises. Grumbling and complaining do not show patience, but praising God and being thankful in all situations does. When we complain, we cloud up our spiritual receivers, and this can keep us from hearing what God has for us.
Sometimes we need to focus more on the Word of God than how we feel. Feelings are important, but they aren’t everything. Instead of focusing on the negative (even if the situation is really bad), we need to be focusing on God’s blessings in our lives.
I know that this has been a life-changing shift in attitudes in my life. I’ve been through some really tough things: hazing at school, an “almost” eating disorder, depression & cutting, verbal & emotional abuse at home, my mom moving out, a mentor’s death, an abusive relationship, sexual abuse, my dad’s arrest, and a couple of long distance moves. For a long while I felt that my complaining and whining was justified. I figured that I had the right to complain a little now and then (all though my “now and then” was almost daily).
But when I started praising God, even in these situations, I started hearing from Him so much more because I was focused on Him instead of me and my problems. When you put things into the right perspective (a heavenly one), any problem that you might be facing here on earth seems so much smaller. When you look at the ways God blesses you, the problems are blown out of the water.
Sometimes I forget this, even now. A problem will sneak up out of nowhere and I will be so upset that I’ll forget how small it is compared to my God. But every time this happens, it doesn’t last as long as the time before. And one day, anything can happen and my first reaction will be to turn to God and praise Him for the things I still have. God is shaping me into the young woman He wants me to be. I’m not there yet and I will not make it there until I meet Him face to face in heaven. Oh what a day that will be!!
Hearing from God Each Morning (August 5)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Sometimes our hearts don’t match up with our actions. We want to do what is right because we have Jesus in our hearts, but we are human and we fail. We aren’t supposed to let that discourage us. Yes, we make mistakes and that is bad, but God sees our hearts. He sees that we want to do right, and as long as we are willing to change and do what is right, all is okay. God forgives us from things we did in the past, so there is no use dwelling on it. We move on and move forward.
I’m hard on myself a lot. I’ve recently been changing that, however. I’ve realized that I waste so much time dwelling on what I’ve done (and even blaming myself for that which is not my fault) that I’m not living up to my full potential through God. God wants me to do things, but I have held myself back because I have felt that I am not worthy of doing those things. It’s a slow process, but I’m learning to put the past in the past where it belongs.
Sometimes our hearts don’t match up with our actions. We want to do what is right because we have Jesus in our hearts, but we are human and we fail. We aren’t supposed to let that discourage us. Yes, we make mistakes and that is bad, but God sees our hearts. He sees that we want to do right, and as long as we are willing to change and do what is right, all is okay. God forgives us from things we did in the past, so there is no use dwelling on it. We move on and move forward.
I’m hard on myself a lot. I’ve recently been changing that, however. I’ve realized that I waste so much time dwelling on what I’ve done (and even blaming myself for that which is not my fault) that I’m not living up to my full potential through God. God wants me to do things, but I have held myself back because I have felt that I am not worthy of doing those things. It’s a slow process, but I’m learning to put the past in the past where it belongs.
Philippians: The Problem of Philippians
This blog is about pages 137-138 in the book The Smart Guide to the Bible: Paul and the Prison Epistles.
Since I am using the “Smart Guide to the Bible: Paul and the Prison Epistles” for my studies on Philippians, these first several blogs have been background about Philippians. This section talks about how many scholars believe that Philippians is the combination of two letters, since in verse 3:2 Paul begins on a completely different topic, even though he seemed to be drawing to a close in his letter. They don’t argue, however, that this letter is authentic.
The thing that gets to me is why there are so many arguments over things like this. It doesn’t make a difference to me whether Paul was struck with a new thought or if this was really a combination of two letters written by him. I know that to a lot of people it matters, but I believe that this letter (or these letters) was inspired by God. Who am I to start or continue another argument in the church over something as trivial as this? Doesn’t Paul write in Philippians that we should, as believers in Christ, become united? Although it is nice to know what people believe about the background of this letter, some information doesn’t really help with the understanding of it. Some information just seems to lead to more arguments.
Since I am using the “Smart Guide to the Bible: Paul and the Prison Epistles” for my studies on Philippians, these first several blogs have been background about Philippians. This section talks about how many scholars believe that Philippians is the combination of two letters, since in verse 3:2 Paul begins on a completely different topic, even though he seemed to be drawing to a close in his letter. They don’t argue, however, that this letter is authentic.
The thing that gets to me is why there are so many arguments over things like this. It doesn’t make a difference to me whether Paul was struck with a new thought or if this was really a combination of two letters written by him. I know that to a lot of people it matters, but I believe that this letter (or these letters) was inspired by God. Who am I to start or continue another argument in the church over something as trivial as this? Doesn’t Paul write in Philippians that we should, as believers in Christ, become united? Although it is nice to know what people believe about the background of this letter, some information doesn’t really help with the understanding of it. Some information just seems to lead to more arguments.
Hearing from God Each Morning (August 4)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
In today’s devotion, Meyer talks about how if we really love God, we will try our best to follow His commands. In order to be effective followers of God, we must listen to God and do what He says.
This hits me hard. I messed up and made a mistake minutes before I opened up to do my devotions. I did something sinful that only God knows about, and it pains me to read this. But Meyer says at the end of today’s devotion, “Don’t waste time and energy feeling guilty, because in Christ we can always have a new beginning.” I made a mistake, but God forgives me and I have a chance to start new. Obedience is a process, and I am not immune to it. I make mistakes on a daily basis, but God forgives us whenever we ask Him.
In today’s devotion, Meyer talks about how if we really love God, we will try our best to follow His commands. In order to be effective followers of God, we must listen to God and do what He says.
This hits me hard. I messed up and made a mistake minutes before I opened up to do my devotions. I did something sinful that only God knows about, and it pains me to read this. But Meyer says at the end of today’s devotion, “Don’t waste time and energy feeling guilty, because in Christ we can always have a new beginning.” I made a mistake, but God forgives me and I have a chance to start new. Obedience is a process, and I am not immune to it. I make mistakes on a daily basis, but God forgives us whenever we ask Him.
Spiritual Warfare - The Armor of God
This blog is about the fourth chapter in the Bible study, Spiritual Warfare, written by Jack Kuhatschek.
Ephesians 6:10-20
1. “As you read this passage, what battlefield images come to mind?” I know it may seem odd, but an image of a weak person, like me, surrounded by almost a force field comes to mind. This person in standing in the middle of a huge battle and all of these forces are against her, but she is protected. In a lot of ways, that is what is going on. Satan is using all of his resources to attack me, but I am protected by God. Even though I am weak, He isn’t.
2. “Why must we rely on God’s power if we are to be victorious against our spiritual enemies (vv. 10-11)?” We can’t do it alone. Satan is a lot stronger than us when we rely on our own power. He can easily beat any one of us. But with God on our side, Satan is completely powerless. He will always lose, but only when we rely on God’s power.
3. “Throughout Paul’s life he was opposed, flogged, stoned and imprisoned by various human enemies. Why then does he claim that our struggle is ‘not against flesh and blood’ (v. 12)?” Although a lot of physical things happen to us as believers, the real fight isn’t about the physical things. There are spiritual things behind these physical events. The real fight is for our souls, but we are still in the flesh, and so although things are happening physically, the struggle isn’t against flesh and blood. It is against Satan. The flesh and blood is just the battleground, in a way.
4. “Paul identifies our true enemies as ‘the devil’ (v. 11) and the demonic rulers, authorities, powers and spiritual forces of this dark age (v. 12). What evidence do you see of these hostile forces in your life or the lives of Christians you know?” I have personally been attacked by demons before. I know that there are dark forces out there and that the devil was real. When I was fifteen, a dark “shadow” used to come into my room and watch me. The feel of the air was so dark and I would get scared and cry. But when I prayed to God to make it go away, it always went away. That’s why I know it wasn’t just a shadow cast on the wall (Besides, how does a shadow get on the ceiling when there is NO light in the room?) or my imagination. I’ve also known someone who claimed to be possessed by a demon, and I honestly believe that they were. There is no other way to explain some of the things they did and said. I know that there are dark forces in this world and they are so real.
5. “Why do you think Paul states three times that we must stand our ground, do everything to stand and stand firm (vv. 13-14)?” Back then when people were in battle, if they were not standing, they were dead or dying. Either way, they were losing or had already lost the fight. If we stand our ground, Satan can’t make any progress. If we back down, he will use that to beat us. If we don’t stand our ground, it shows a lack of faith in our God, Who is stronger than Satan.
6. “Why are both truth and righteousness essential components of our armor (v. 14; see also Isaiah 11:5 and 59:17)?” Truth is described as the belt. Back in the day this was written, the belt secured the breastplate and back piece, and held the scabbard and sword. In the same sort of way, the truth holds together everything in our spiritual armor. If we didn’t know that all of this was based on truth, we wouldn’t be able to trust our armor, and it would be useless. We need the truth in order to protect ourselves from Satan’s attacks. Righteousness is described as a breastplate. This really stood out to me because a breastplate covers and protects your heart. If you live righteously, and accept the righteousness God gives you to cover your past sins, then there is no guilt that Satan can use to attack your heart. I know in my life that when I feel guilty about something I’ve done and it consumes me, Satan uses that to attack me. We need the righteousness God gives us in order to protect our hearts.
7. “How can the gospel message that you have peace with God (v. 15) give you strength to stand against spiritual opponents?” The stakes in this spiritual battle are our souls. If we know we have peace with God, then Satan has nothing to use against us. He wants to convince us that God doesn’t accept us, and that we shouldn’t follow and obey Him, but when we know that we have peace with God, that all falls apart.
8. “Faith (v. 16) refers to both what we believe and who we believe in. How can our faith act like a shield against all of the evil one’s flaming arrows?” When we have faith in God and what we know He does and will do for us, we are shielded from all of Satan’s attacks.
9. “What flaming arrows has the devil aimed at you recently?” I made a huge mistake back in May. Satan has used that and tried to use that many times to get to me. He has tried to convince me that I am worthless. I know that I am not, because God has made me clean. Also, he has been aiming arrows of doubt at me, but I know that God’s will for my life is already written, and that what God wants to happen will happen. I will not be left out or thrown away. God loves me and will take care of me as He always has. Lastly, the devil has been aiming arrows of bad health at me. He has attacked my body so much lately and some days I can hardly handle the pain. As I sat down and decided to do this blog instead of knit some more, my body (which was fine all day) was filled with so much pain that I had to lie down for a minute and pray to God to take away the pain. I believed that God would take away that pain, and He did. “In what ways do you need to exercise faith in God’s protection and promises?” Sometimes I focus so much on just getting by that I forget that God intends for us to have life and to have it abundantly. I know He protects me, but sometimes I forget about His other promises. I need to remember and have faith in His promises in my day to day life.
10. “The ‘sword of the Spirit’ (v. 17) is our only offensive weapon. Why do we need both the Spirit of God and the Word of God to defeat that devil?” We need the Spirit of God because words alone are not enough to defeat the devil. Knowledge of God’s Word does not impress the devil, because he himself knows God’s Word. What he doesn’t have, however, is the Spirit of God. We have that Spirit in us, and the Spirit is stronger than the devil will ever be. However, we cannot just have the Spirit of God, because we would know nothing about the Spirit of God without the Word of God, which guides us and tells us what we need to know about Him. That is why both are essential to build our “sword of the Spirit.”
11. “Although prayer (vv. 18-20) isn’t listed as one of the pieces of our armor, how is prayer a vital component of your spiritual warfare?” Without prayer, none of the armor would be possible. We cannot say that we are depending on God for our protection if we are not even talking to Him! Prayer is our connection with God, and without it, we are just setting ourselves up to get defeated by the enemy. You wouldn’t go into battle without asking the commander in chief what the plan was! In the same way, we shouldn’t go into a spiritual battle without asking God for guidance and protection.
This blog has been intense to write for me. There has been a lot of spiritual warfare in this room, and even in my body. Satan did not want me to do this study. But I will not let his wishes stop me from doing what God wants me to do. I will not let his wishes stop me from learning what God wants me to learn.
Ephesians 6:10-20
1. “As you read this passage, what battlefield images come to mind?” I know it may seem odd, but an image of a weak person, like me, surrounded by almost a force field comes to mind. This person in standing in the middle of a huge battle and all of these forces are against her, but she is protected. In a lot of ways, that is what is going on. Satan is using all of his resources to attack me, but I am protected by God. Even though I am weak, He isn’t.
2. “Why must we rely on God’s power if we are to be victorious against our spiritual enemies (vv. 10-11)?” We can’t do it alone. Satan is a lot stronger than us when we rely on our own power. He can easily beat any one of us. But with God on our side, Satan is completely powerless. He will always lose, but only when we rely on God’s power.
3. “Throughout Paul’s life he was opposed, flogged, stoned and imprisoned by various human enemies. Why then does he claim that our struggle is ‘not against flesh and blood’ (v. 12)?” Although a lot of physical things happen to us as believers, the real fight isn’t about the physical things. There are spiritual things behind these physical events. The real fight is for our souls, but we are still in the flesh, and so although things are happening physically, the struggle isn’t against flesh and blood. It is against Satan. The flesh and blood is just the battleground, in a way.
4. “Paul identifies our true enemies as ‘the devil’ (v. 11) and the demonic rulers, authorities, powers and spiritual forces of this dark age (v. 12). What evidence do you see of these hostile forces in your life or the lives of Christians you know?” I have personally been attacked by demons before. I know that there are dark forces out there and that the devil was real. When I was fifteen, a dark “shadow” used to come into my room and watch me. The feel of the air was so dark and I would get scared and cry. But when I prayed to God to make it go away, it always went away. That’s why I know it wasn’t just a shadow cast on the wall (Besides, how does a shadow get on the ceiling when there is NO light in the room?) or my imagination. I’ve also known someone who claimed to be possessed by a demon, and I honestly believe that they were. There is no other way to explain some of the things they did and said. I know that there are dark forces in this world and they are so real.
5. “Why do you think Paul states three times that we must stand our ground, do everything to stand and stand firm (vv. 13-14)?” Back then when people were in battle, if they were not standing, they were dead or dying. Either way, they were losing or had already lost the fight. If we stand our ground, Satan can’t make any progress. If we back down, he will use that to beat us. If we don’t stand our ground, it shows a lack of faith in our God, Who is stronger than Satan.
6. “Why are both truth and righteousness essential components of our armor (v. 14; see also Isaiah 11:5 and 59:17)?” Truth is described as the belt. Back in the day this was written, the belt secured the breastplate and back piece, and held the scabbard and sword. In the same sort of way, the truth holds together everything in our spiritual armor. If we didn’t know that all of this was based on truth, we wouldn’t be able to trust our armor, and it would be useless. We need the truth in order to protect ourselves from Satan’s attacks. Righteousness is described as a breastplate. This really stood out to me because a breastplate covers and protects your heart. If you live righteously, and accept the righteousness God gives you to cover your past sins, then there is no guilt that Satan can use to attack your heart. I know in my life that when I feel guilty about something I’ve done and it consumes me, Satan uses that to attack me. We need the righteousness God gives us in order to protect our hearts.
7. “How can the gospel message that you have peace with God (v. 15) give you strength to stand against spiritual opponents?” The stakes in this spiritual battle are our souls. If we know we have peace with God, then Satan has nothing to use against us. He wants to convince us that God doesn’t accept us, and that we shouldn’t follow and obey Him, but when we know that we have peace with God, that all falls apart.
8. “Faith (v. 16) refers to both what we believe and who we believe in. How can our faith act like a shield against all of the evil one’s flaming arrows?” When we have faith in God and what we know He does and will do for us, we are shielded from all of Satan’s attacks.
9. “What flaming arrows has the devil aimed at you recently?” I made a huge mistake back in May. Satan has used that and tried to use that many times to get to me. He has tried to convince me that I am worthless. I know that I am not, because God has made me clean. Also, he has been aiming arrows of doubt at me, but I know that God’s will for my life is already written, and that what God wants to happen will happen. I will not be left out or thrown away. God loves me and will take care of me as He always has. Lastly, the devil has been aiming arrows of bad health at me. He has attacked my body so much lately and some days I can hardly handle the pain. As I sat down and decided to do this blog instead of knit some more, my body (which was fine all day) was filled with so much pain that I had to lie down for a minute and pray to God to take away the pain. I believed that God would take away that pain, and He did. “In what ways do you need to exercise faith in God’s protection and promises?” Sometimes I focus so much on just getting by that I forget that God intends for us to have life and to have it abundantly. I know He protects me, but sometimes I forget about His other promises. I need to remember and have faith in His promises in my day to day life.
10. “The ‘sword of the Spirit’ (v. 17) is our only offensive weapon. Why do we need both the Spirit of God and the Word of God to defeat that devil?” We need the Spirit of God because words alone are not enough to defeat the devil. Knowledge of God’s Word does not impress the devil, because he himself knows God’s Word. What he doesn’t have, however, is the Spirit of God. We have that Spirit in us, and the Spirit is stronger than the devil will ever be. However, we cannot just have the Spirit of God, because we would know nothing about the Spirit of God without the Word of God, which guides us and tells us what we need to know about Him. That is why both are essential to build our “sword of the Spirit.”
11. “Although prayer (vv. 18-20) isn’t listed as one of the pieces of our armor, how is prayer a vital component of your spiritual warfare?” Without prayer, none of the armor would be possible. We cannot say that we are depending on God for our protection if we are not even talking to Him! Prayer is our connection with God, and without it, we are just setting ourselves up to get defeated by the enemy. You wouldn’t go into battle without asking the commander in chief what the plan was! In the same way, we shouldn’t go into a spiritual battle without asking God for guidance and protection.
This blog has been intense to write for me. There has been a lot of spiritual warfare in this room, and even in my body. Satan did not want me to do this study. But I will not let his wishes stop me from doing what God wants me to do. I will not let his wishes stop me from learning what God wants me to learn.
Philippians: The Atmosphere in Philippi
This blog is about pages 136-137 in the book The Smart Guide to the Bible: Paul and the Prison Epistles.
Paul had four reasons for writing to the church in Philippi:
“1. Express his gratitude for the financial support from the Philippians sent with Epaphroditus. (4:10, 15-18)
2. Encourage the Philippians to live in joy regardless of their circumstances. (1:12-26; 4:4-9)
3. Influence those who are in disagreement to become united. (2:2-4; 4:2-3)
4. Correct the wrong teachings of legalism. (3:1-19)”
This means that the church was helping Paul financially, and although they were doing really well in a lot of ways, they were having problems with disunity and falling back on dependency on the law instead of the mercy that God offers. They were also struggling with being joyful in the middle of difficult situations, and Paul wanted to send them encouragement.
What amazes me is that while Paul wrote this, he was in jail. He was going through his own difficulties, and he was demonstrating this joy that can be obtained in all situations. I really admire that. It takes a great man to encourage people going through their own problems when his own problems are huge.
Paul had four reasons for writing to the church in Philippi:
“1. Express his gratitude for the financial support from the Philippians sent with Epaphroditus. (4:10, 15-18)
2. Encourage the Philippians to live in joy regardless of their circumstances. (1:12-26; 4:4-9)
3. Influence those who are in disagreement to become united. (2:2-4; 4:2-3)
4. Correct the wrong teachings of legalism. (3:1-19)”
This means that the church was helping Paul financially, and although they were doing really well in a lot of ways, they were having problems with disunity and falling back on dependency on the law instead of the mercy that God offers. They were also struggling with being joyful in the middle of difficult situations, and Paul wanted to send them encouragement.
What amazes me is that while Paul wrote this, he was in jail. He was going through his own difficulties, and he was demonstrating this joy that can be obtained in all situations. I really admire that. It takes a great man to encourage people going through their own problems when his own problems are huge.
Philippians: Let's Get Started
This blog is about pages 135-136 in the book The Smart Guide to the Bible: Paul and the Prison Epistles.
When Paul went to Philippi ten years before this book was written, his first three converts were from different levels of society. Lydia was a seller of purple (and extremely expensive dye), and was among the rich. The jailer that Paul converted when God used an earthquake to remove Paul’s chains was among the working, middle class of society. And the demented Greek slave girl that was used by her owners to tell fortunes was among the lowest of society.
The fact that these people were from all levels of society really gets to me. It shows that God and the Good News are not just for those that are poor and needy or for those that are rich. They are for all that can hear about them. Every person around the world needs God just as much as the next person. These very different converts in Philippi demonstrate that.
When Paul went to Philippi ten years before this book was written, his first three converts were from different levels of society. Lydia was a seller of purple (and extremely expensive dye), and was among the rich. The jailer that Paul converted when God used an earthquake to remove Paul’s chains was among the working, middle class of society. And the demented Greek slave girl that was used by her owners to tell fortunes was among the lowest of society.
The fact that these people were from all levels of society really gets to me. It shows that God and the Good News are not just for those that are poor and needy or for those that are rich. They are for all that can hear about them. Every person around the world needs God just as much as the next person. These very different converts in Philippi demonstrate that.
Hearing from God Each Morning (August 3)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today’s devotion tells us that God has a lot He wants to tell us, and we can learn from Him and grow closer to Him every day. We need to approach our devotion time with Him as something we want to do, a pleasure, than a duty that we must carry out every day.
I’ll admit, for me it’s hard to get started on my devotions sometimes. I just don’t feel into it, or the thought of cracking open a book and reading just bores me. Other times I can hardly wait until I do devotions because I know there is a lot God wants to show me in His Word. Either way, most of the time when I start my devotions, I get sucked into them. I enjoy being in God’s Word and learning from Him so much. During times when I am not doing as long of devotions I start to feel so lonely and I miss the time I spent with God.
Right now I’m tired and stressed. I could just go do a million things today that really don’t need to be done, or I could spend more time with God. It’s always good to spend a lot of time with God, but today I feel like it is extremely important that I spend more time with God in prayer and devotions.
Today’s devotion tells us that God has a lot He wants to tell us, and we can learn from Him and grow closer to Him every day. We need to approach our devotion time with Him as something we want to do, a pleasure, than a duty that we must carry out every day.
I’ll admit, for me it’s hard to get started on my devotions sometimes. I just don’t feel into it, or the thought of cracking open a book and reading just bores me. Other times I can hardly wait until I do devotions because I know there is a lot God wants to show me in His Word. Either way, most of the time when I start my devotions, I get sucked into them. I enjoy being in God’s Word and learning from Him so much. During times when I am not doing as long of devotions I start to feel so lonely and I miss the time I spent with God.
Right now I’m tired and stressed. I could just go do a million things today that really don’t need to be done, or I could spend more time with God. It’s always good to spend a lot of time with God, but today I feel like it is extremely important that I spend more time with God in prayer and devotions.
Hearing from God Each Morning (August 2)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
God doesn’t just want us to be obedient to Him in the big things, but in the small things as well. He wants us to follow Him wholeheartedly, and not just when we want to impress Him or get ourselves out of trouble. When we obey Him in the small things, it shows Him that we are capable to follow His lead on the bigger things.
What is really getting to me lately is what I say. I’ve been thinking a lot more about the words that come out of my mouth. Things I wouldn’t give a second thought to saying before I think about and hold back now. God calls us to not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, and I’ve let a lot of it come out of my mouth before. I still do, because I’m not perfect. But now I don’t just say things and never think of them again. When I slip up, I notice now. I notice and repent of that, because if I can’t control the tiny things like the words out of my mouth, how am I supposed to do the bigger things God has planned for my life? The small things mean way more than people would like to think.
I believe that the little things in life are what make the character of a person. Most people would react the same and “correct” way in a lot of big situations. Ask anyone if they would give up their life for their best friend and most of them would say that they would. But when you watch the little details of peoples’ lives, that is where their true character is found. The way a person lives their day-to-day life means so much more than one big great decision. Anyone can make one really important decision right once. But can everyone make lots of little right decisions on a daily basis? No. The great news is, when we accept Jesus into our heart and the Holy Spirit comes into our lives, we aren’t alone in making those decisions. We have help. I’m ever grateful for this, because without God in my life, I know I wouldn’t be the person I am right now. This is not me. This is God living in me.
I know I got really off topic in this blog, but it really started a whole chain of thoughts that I felt I really needed to write down.
God doesn’t just want us to be obedient to Him in the big things, but in the small things as well. He wants us to follow Him wholeheartedly, and not just when we want to impress Him or get ourselves out of trouble. When we obey Him in the small things, it shows Him that we are capable to follow His lead on the bigger things.
What is really getting to me lately is what I say. I’ve been thinking a lot more about the words that come out of my mouth. Things I wouldn’t give a second thought to saying before I think about and hold back now. God calls us to not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, and I’ve let a lot of it come out of my mouth before. I still do, because I’m not perfect. But now I don’t just say things and never think of them again. When I slip up, I notice now. I notice and repent of that, because if I can’t control the tiny things like the words out of my mouth, how am I supposed to do the bigger things God has planned for my life? The small things mean way more than people would like to think.
I believe that the little things in life are what make the character of a person. Most people would react the same and “correct” way in a lot of big situations. Ask anyone if they would give up their life for their best friend and most of them would say that they would. But when you watch the little details of peoples’ lives, that is where their true character is found. The way a person lives their day-to-day life means so much more than one big great decision. Anyone can make one really important decision right once. But can everyone make lots of little right decisions on a daily basis? No. The great news is, when we accept Jesus into our heart and the Holy Spirit comes into our lives, we aren’t alone in making those decisions. We have help. I’m ever grateful for this, because without God in my life, I know I wouldn’t be the person I am right now. This is not me. This is God living in me.
I know I got really off topic in this blog, but it really started a whole chain of thoughts that I felt I really needed to write down.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Hearing from God Each Morning (August 1)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today’s devotion is something that I have had on my mind a lot this past couple of days. Meyer talks about how we pray specific prayers to God asking Him what we should do in certain situations, such as, “God, do you want me to take this job or wait for another?” The thing is, God wants to help us and guide us in these decisions, but He also wants us to live in His general will. If we are not doing the things He tells us to do in His Word (and doing those we are NOT supposed to do), then we are not living in His will for us, and it is harder for us to hear from Him.
There are things I need to eliminate in my life in order to better hear from God. He is leading me places and I need to be as in tune with Him and His will as possible, or I may miss what He is trying to show me. I need to learn to do what He has already told me to do as I wait for Him to tell me what I need to do next.
Today’s devotion is something that I have had on my mind a lot this past couple of days. Meyer talks about how we pray specific prayers to God asking Him what we should do in certain situations, such as, “God, do you want me to take this job or wait for another?” The thing is, God wants to help us and guide us in these decisions, but He also wants us to live in His general will. If we are not doing the things He tells us to do in His Word (and doing those we are NOT supposed to do), then we are not living in His will for us, and it is harder for us to hear from Him.
There are things I need to eliminate in my life in order to better hear from God. He is leading me places and I need to be as in tune with Him and His will as possible, or I may miss what He is trying to show me. I need to learn to do what He has already told me to do as I wait for Him to tell me what I need to do next.
Hearing from God Each Morning (July 31)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
In today’s devotion, Meyer talks about being obedient to God. When we are obedient to God, He will add the knowledge and wisdom we need. We cannot have that if we are not listening to Him and doing what He tells us to do.
God may ask me to do big things or to do small things, but whatever He asks me to do, I need to do. When I refuse to do any thing that He asks me to do, that is disobedience, and I am not in the center of His will for me. I need to surrender to Him daily, and even every moment of every day. When I feel Him tugging at my heart, I need to open it and listen to what He has to say.
In today’s devotion, Meyer talks about being obedient to God. When we are obedient to God, He will add the knowledge and wisdom we need. We cannot have that if we are not listening to Him and doing what He tells us to do.
God may ask me to do big things or to do small things, but whatever He asks me to do, I need to do. When I refuse to do any thing that He asks me to do, that is disobedience, and I am not in the center of His will for me. I need to surrender to Him daily, and even every moment of every day. When I feel Him tugging at my heart, I need to open it and listen to what He has to say.
Wooster Church of the Nazarene
Tonight I went to Wooster Church of the Nazarene for a worship and prayer time. It was truly amazing!
Within minutes of entering the doors to the sanctuary, I could feel the Holy Spirit’s presence so strong in the room. By the time we found our seats, my right hand began to shake. It continued to shake as I began to worship God. For those that know me, I am not the type to do much moving or anything during a church service. I have always felt that there is a certain way to act during church, or in any public place. But tonight I felt the Holy Spirit leading me to leave all of that behind. So hands held high, I made my way to the front of the church where they had cleared a place for dancing and praying. I began to dance, the whole while my hand was shaking.
This whole time, I was praying with a boldness I had never prayed with before. I was crying out to God, begging Him to give me the power to interpret tongues, since we have so many people in our prayer group that speak in tongues, but no one who can interpret. I cried out to God and said, “God, You are speaking through these people but we do not know what they are saying. God, help me to know what they are saying. We need to know what you are saying. Give me this power, God. Please, God.” The songs seemed to hit me hard, too. It seemed like they were all about hearing God’s voice and saying the things that He says and doing the things that He does. As my hand was shaking and I could feel the Holy Spirit’s presence, I knew that what I prayed for would be answered if I continued to pray earnestly.
After a short while, I fell to my knees, then onto my stomach where I laid facedown and prayed. I prayed, “God, Jacob wrestled You all night to get Your blessing, and I will lay here on my stomach praying all night if that’s what it takes for You to give me this gift that the group needs. We are incomplete without it, and we need it to be completely effective. I will not leave until you bless me!” I prayed words like these over and over, along with saying, “God, I believe, help my unbelief. Give me more faith. I need more faith. You said that faith the size of a mustard seed could move mountains, and I have that much faith. But I need even more faith, God.” All the while I was on the ground crying and praying to God.
I told God I would not move from that place until I knew He had blessed me. Even when I started to feel a lot of pain in my body from staying in that position, I did not sit up. I did not stand. When people around me were all dancing and clapping and praising God, I stayed on my stomach amidst it all and cried out to God. I told God, “God, I don’t want to be here like this. I want to be up dancing and praising you with everyone else. But it’s Your will that I get this, so I will stay here and suffer this pain until you bless me. I will look like a fool on the ground waiting for You, but this is where You want me.”
Soon, the music calmed down again, and I felt my body get really cold. Then, I was covered in water. I felt as if I was in the middle of a river, with the cold water rushing around me. The speaker began to talk about the Living Water. I knew that the Holy Spirit’s presence was surrounding me, and I felt overwhelmed. My body was shaking uncontrollably, something that I had been a little skeptical about when I first started viewing IHOP (When the Spirit hits someone, sometimes their body jerks and shakes in uncontrollable ways. This was something I was uncomfortable with.). But as I was there, I kept praying, “God, okay, I believe. I’m sorry I ever doubted that this was You. I’m sorry I kept thinking that You had to be a certain way. Help me to break down all of these walls.”
After a while, my body began to hurt so badly that I wondered if I could get up if I tried. I began to cry out to God, “God, I’m weak! I’m weak! Help me! Fill me with Your Spirit because I am not strong enough to do anything! Give me Your Spirit so that I can interpret tongues. You can use me, God!” My body was fighting the pain, but then the verse Exodus 14:14 came to mind: “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” So for the next several minutes, I held as still as I could, facedown on the ground. I continued to pray to God.
After a little while longer, I began to sing softly a few lines from a song, “If You can use anything, Lord, You can use me. If You can use anything, Lord, You can use me. Take my hands, Lord, and my feet, everything, Lord, speak through me. If You can use anything, Lord, You can use me.”
Then, finally, a little after that I felt at peace, even though God had not affirmed that I would get the gift in the way that I thought (or any way at all at this point). I sat up and continued to pray a little more. I prayed more for the gift to interpret tongues, then got up and went to my seat, where I began to cry. After Elizabeth and I went to the restroom, we came back and I had this feeling that I needed to check my phone. I got a text from my friend with a Bible verse in it. I scrolled down and all I saw was “Corinthians 12:9-10,” and I just assumed she meant 1 Corinthians. So I turned in the Bible to that passage, which speaks about spiritual gifts, and says, “to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking different kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.” As I read this, I began to laugh out loud. I showed Aaron the passage and explained what I had been praying for, then showed him the text. That’s when I noticed that when I scrolled up, there was actually a 2 in front of Corinthians. God kept me from seeing it the first time!
But Aaron said to look at the other passage, since it could also have something for me concerning my prayers for the night. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” When I read this, I was even more amazed. This passage talked about how my weakness is covered by God’s strength, which is something that I spent a lot of the time praying about.
I was content to keep this as my affirmation that God was giving me the power to interpret tongues. But as we were walking out of the sanctuary, a woman came and stopped me and said, “God wanted me to talk to you and tell you that you were given a key tonight. I don’t know if that means anything to you; it doesn’t make much sense to me.” My eyes got wide and I hugged the woman and thanked her. I told her it meant so much to me, and it does. God has given me the spiritual gift to interpret tongues. So after three hours of praying facedown on the floor, I now know that God has given me that gift. I will not waste what He has given me!
Within minutes of entering the doors to the sanctuary, I could feel the Holy Spirit’s presence so strong in the room. By the time we found our seats, my right hand began to shake. It continued to shake as I began to worship God. For those that know me, I am not the type to do much moving or anything during a church service. I have always felt that there is a certain way to act during church, or in any public place. But tonight I felt the Holy Spirit leading me to leave all of that behind. So hands held high, I made my way to the front of the church where they had cleared a place for dancing and praying. I began to dance, the whole while my hand was shaking.
This whole time, I was praying with a boldness I had never prayed with before. I was crying out to God, begging Him to give me the power to interpret tongues, since we have so many people in our prayer group that speak in tongues, but no one who can interpret. I cried out to God and said, “God, You are speaking through these people but we do not know what they are saying. God, help me to know what they are saying. We need to know what you are saying. Give me this power, God. Please, God.” The songs seemed to hit me hard, too. It seemed like they were all about hearing God’s voice and saying the things that He says and doing the things that He does. As my hand was shaking and I could feel the Holy Spirit’s presence, I knew that what I prayed for would be answered if I continued to pray earnestly.
After a short while, I fell to my knees, then onto my stomach where I laid facedown and prayed. I prayed, “God, Jacob wrestled You all night to get Your blessing, and I will lay here on my stomach praying all night if that’s what it takes for You to give me this gift that the group needs. We are incomplete without it, and we need it to be completely effective. I will not leave until you bless me!” I prayed words like these over and over, along with saying, “God, I believe, help my unbelief. Give me more faith. I need more faith. You said that faith the size of a mustard seed could move mountains, and I have that much faith. But I need even more faith, God.” All the while I was on the ground crying and praying to God.
I told God I would not move from that place until I knew He had blessed me. Even when I started to feel a lot of pain in my body from staying in that position, I did not sit up. I did not stand. When people around me were all dancing and clapping and praising God, I stayed on my stomach amidst it all and cried out to God. I told God, “God, I don’t want to be here like this. I want to be up dancing and praising you with everyone else. But it’s Your will that I get this, so I will stay here and suffer this pain until you bless me. I will look like a fool on the ground waiting for You, but this is where You want me.”
Soon, the music calmed down again, and I felt my body get really cold. Then, I was covered in water. I felt as if I was in the middle of a river, with the cold water rushing around me. The speaker began to talk about the Living Water. I knew that the Holy Spirit’s presence was surrounding me, and I felt overwhelmed. My body was shaking uncontrollably, something that I had been a little skeptical about when I first started viewing IHOP (When the Spirit hits someone, sometimes their body jerks and shakes in uncontrollable ways. This was something I was uncomfortable with.). But as I was there, I kept praying, “God, okay, I believe. I’m sorry I ever doubted that this was You. I’m sorry I kept thinking that You had to be a certain way. Help me to break down all of these walls.”
After a while, my body began to hurt so badly that I wondered if I could get up if I tried. I began to cry out to God, “God, I’m weak! I’m weak! Help me! Fill me with Your Spirit because I am not strong enough to do anything! Give me Your Spirit so that I can interpret tongues. You can use me, God!” My body was fighting the pain, but then the verse Exodus 14:14 came to mind: “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” So for the next several minutes, I held as still as I could, facedown on the ground. I continued to pray to God.
After a little while longer, I began to sing softly a few lines from a song, “If You can use anything, Lord, You can use me. If You can use anything, Lord, You can use me. Take my hands, Lord, and my feet, everything, Lord, speak through me. If You can use anything, Lord, You can use me.”
Then, finally, a little after that I felt at peace, even though God had not affirmed that I would get the gift in the way that I thought (or any way at all at this point). I sat up and continued to pray a little more. I prayed more for the gift to interpret tongues, then got up and went to my seat, where I began to cry. After Elizabeth and I went to the restroom, we came back and I had this feeling that I needed to check my phone. I got a text from my friend with a Bible verse in it. I scrolled down and all I saw was “Corinthians 12:9-10,” and I just assumed she meant 1 Corinthians. So I turned in the Bible to that passage, which speaks about spiritual gifts, and says, “to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking different kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.” As I read this, I began to laugh out loud. I showed Aaron the passage and explained what I had been praying for, then showed him the text. That’s when I noticed that when I scrolled up, there was actually a 2 in front of Corinthians. God kept me from seeing it the first time!
But Aaron said to look at the other passage, since it could also have something for me concerning my prayers for the night. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” When I read this, I was even more amazed. This passage talked about how my weakness is covered by God’s strength, which is something that I spent a lot of the time praying about.
I was content to keep this as my affirmation that God was giving me the power to interpret tongues. But as we were walking out of the sanctuary, a woman came and stopped me and said, “God wanted me to talk to you and tell you that you were given a key tonight. I don’t know if that means anything to you; it doesn’t make much sense to me.” My eyes got wide and I hugged the woman and thanked her. I told her it meant so much to me, and it does. God has given me the spiritual gift to interpret tongues. So after three hours of praying facedown on the floor, I now know that God has given me that gift. I will not waste what He has given me!
Hearing from God Each Morning (July 30)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today’s devotion was about taking time to spend with God, and letting everything else (even working for God through church or ministry) come second to our relationship with Him. We need to build our schedules around Him, instead of trying to work Him into them.
I feel like I am not getting enough time with God, even though I am doing church activities and going to prayer group. I still need my time one-on-one with God in the mornings and at night. For me, it takes a little more effort to get started, but once my time with God starts, I get sucked in and I can easily spend time in His Word. I just need to be more disciplined about spending that time with Him. He has a lot to tell me, and I need to really tune in and listen.
Today’s devotion was about taking time to spend with God, and letting everything else (even working for God through church or ministry) come second to our relationship with Him. We need to build our schedules around Him, instead of trying to work Him into them.
I feel like I am not getting enough time with God, even though I am doing church activities and going to prayer group. I still need my time one-on-one with God in the mornings and at night. For me, it takes a little more effort to get started, but once my time with God starts, I get sucked in and I can easily spend time in His Word. I just need to be more disciplined about spending that time with Him. He has a lot to tell me, and I need to really tune in and listen.
Restoration and Carrie Faith
Tonight was another very powerful night at prayer group. As we shared prayer requests, I shared what was on my heart concerning my family and my health, and I began to cry. I left the room to go to the bathroom so I could be alone to cry. As I walked, the pain that God had healed from my leg came back. It hurt until I turned around and went back and sat down to listen. God wanted me in that room for every minute of what He was going to do that night.
One of the first things we prayed for was for the restoration of God’s chosen people. We prayed that they would find their way back to God. And although we prayed for the people of Jerusalem and Israel, the Nazarene church was on my heart. I have felt convicted by God that I should be helping to restore the Nazarene church to how He wants His church to be. I have had friends of other denominations telling me not to stay so set on the Nazarene church for my missions later in life, but I feel like I need to stay and fix what is broken, even within my church. I also need to fix what is broken within me. I’m still not so comfortable with the things I’m learning and seeing. I’m not used to dancing in church and multiple people praying out loud. But this is what God wants us to be. He wants a community of believers living without all of the walls we build up. I feel like my church has those walls and ceremonies in a lot of ways. In a lot of ways, though, they are on the right track, though. But we can all improve and draw closer to God.
Then the prayer time got a lot more personal. Before I really knew it, several people had their hands on me and they were praying over me. They prayed for my family and the situation at home, but they also prayed for a spiritual mother and father for me. They also prayed for strength and healing: emotional, spiritual, and physical strength and healing. The whole time, I was soaked in tears. My head was resting in my lap and I was sobbing. Tears soaked my face and legs. The pain in my body was so sharp and it was very bothersome. Then people were praying for me to have more faith. And I do need more faith. I still struggle with some of the things I’m learning, and I still have a hard time asking God for things because I feel like asking is not my right (which I know deep down that I am a child of God and I have every right to ask for healing, but I still struggle with the idea that God would actually heal me.), and it just isn’t my personality to ask people for things. The whole time, I could just feel God saying to my soul over and over, “Carrie Faith, carry faith. Carrie Faith, carry faith.” My name means so much. Not just my middle name, but my first name as well. I am supposed to carry faith. My faith will change the world. God can use even the littlest faith to change the world.
I feel like after this time of prayer and fellowship, I will be able to rest peacefully for the first time in a week. Reconnecting with God’s people in such a spiritual way is good for the soul!
One of the first things we prayed for was for the restoration of God’s chosen people. We prayed that they would find their way back to God. And although we prayed for the people of Jerusalem and Israel, the Nazarene church was on my heart. I have felt convicted by God that I should be helping to restore the Nazarene church to how He wants His church to be. I have had friends of other denominations telling me not to stay so set on the Nazarene church for my missions later in life, but I feel like I need to stay and fix what is broken, even within my church. I also need to fix what is broken within me. I’m still not so comfortable with the things I’m learning and seeing. I’m not used to dancing in church and multiple people praying out loud. But this is what God wants us to be. He wants a community of believers living without all of the walls we build up. I feel like my church has those walls and ceremonies in a lot of ways. In a lot of ways, though, they are on the right track, though. But we can all improve and draw closer to God.
Then the prayer time got a lot more personal. Before I really knew it, several people had their hands on me and they were praying over me. They prayed for my family and the situation at home, but they also prayed for a spiritual mother and father for me. They also prayed for strength and healing: emotional, spiritual, and physical strength and healing. The whole time, I was soaked in tears. My head was resting in my lap and I was sobbing. Tears soaked my face and legs. The pain in my body was so sharp and it was very bothersome. Then people were praying for me to have more faith. And I do need more faith. I still struggle with some of the things I’m learning, and I still have a hard time asking God for things because I feel like asking is not my right (which I know deep down that I am a child of God and I have every right to ask for healing, but I still struggle with the idea that God would actually heal me.), and it just isn’t my personality to ask people for things. The whole time, I could just feel God saying to my soul over and over, “Carrie Faith, carry faith. Carrie Faith, carry faith.” My name means so much. Not just my middle name, but my first name as well. I am supposed to carry faith. My faith will change the world. God can use even the littlest faith to change the world.
I feel like after this time of prayer and fellowship, I will be able to rest peacefully for the first time in a week. Reconnecting with God’s people in such a spiritual way is good for the soul!
Hearing from God Each Morning (July 29)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today’s devotion talks about how we want God to speak to us, but a lot of the time we don’t expect Him to speak to us. I know that is very true with so many churches these days. And maybe part of it is that we’re afraid what we might hear, but I think most of it is that we don’t have enough faith that we actually will hear from Him. All too often we think that God speaking to people was a thing of the Old Testament. But God speaks to us today, too. We just need to clean out our receivers, because they are so filled with static. We get this tunnel vision and say that God can only speak to us in certain ways when He can speak to us through so many sources! We only need to listen!
Today’s devotion talks about how we want God to speak to us, but a lot of the time we don’t expect Him to speak to us. I know that is very true with so many churches these days. And maybe part of it is that we’re afraid what we might hear, but I think most of it is that we don’t have enough faith that we actually will hear from Him. All too often we think that God speaking to people was a thing of the Old Testament. But God speaks to us today, too. We just need to clean out our receivers, because they are so filled with static. We get this tunnel vision and say that God can only speak to us in certain ways when He can speak to us through so many sources! We only need to listen!
Hearing from God Each Morning (July 28)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today’s devotion talks about waiting expectantly and joyfully for our prayers to be answered. I know that for my personally, this is hard sometimes. Sometimes I want an answer to prayer immediately when God intends that I wait days, months, and sometimes even years. And I’m not supposed to just wait. I’m supposed to wait joyfully, and expecting good results, because our God is good. He wants what is good for us. When we pray and wait for an answer, if we just think, “Oh, God will never give me this,” our prayers are pointless. We shouldn’t ask for things we don’t expect to get, and we shouldn’t expect not to get the things we ask for.
A lot of times I’m afraid of getting my hopes up when I pray, but part of trusting God is trusting that He will answer your prayers and do good things for you. God wants to bless us, but He also wants us to wait patiently and joyfully on Him and His timing.
Today’s devotion talks about waiting expectantly and joyfully for our prayers to be answered. I know that for my personally, this is hard sometimes. Sometimes I want an answer to prayer immediately when God intends that I wait days, months, and sometimes even years. And I’m not supposed to just wait. I’m supposed to wait joyfully, and expecting good results, because our God is good. He wants what is good for us. When we pray and wait for an answer, if we just think, “Oh, God will never give me this,” our prayers are pointless. We shouldn’t ask for things we don’t expect to get, and we shouldn’t expect not to get the things we ask for.
A lot of times I’m afraid of getting my hopes up when I pray, but part of trusting God is trusting that He will answer your prayers and do good things for you. God wants to bless us, but He also wants us to wait patiently and joyfully on Him and His timing.
Hearing from God Each Morning (July 27)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today’s devotion came at a perfect time. Today I had a hard talk with a close friend about something someone did to betray me a couple months ago. Just talking about it hurt, and I have had a hard time trusting people because of it.
But today’s verse says to become like little children in order to be able to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3). Children are described as trusting, lowly, loving, and forgiving. To become like children, we need to be these things.
This doesn’t mean we need to trust everyone we meet, but we do need to trust God. Also, we shouldn’t let one or two bad experiences get in our way of trusting people. It’s my personal belief that you should trust a person until they give you a reason not to, and even then, be open to forgiveness and giving them your trust again. In a lot of ways, that’s what children do. They trust, and when they get hurt, they forgive.
A friend of mine says that even with all that I’ve been through, I have an innocence about me. I believe that any innocence I seem to have is from God: He has given me the power to forgive and trust again, even after what I have gone through. In a lot of ways, God has made me like a child again. If He hadn’t, I’m not sure how I would be able to cope with the things I went through. It’s great to know that God can heal all wounds—even the ones on our hearts!
Today’s devotion came at a perfect time. Today I had a hard talk with a close friend about something someone did to betray me a couple months ago. Just talking about it hurt, and I have had a hard time trusting people because of it.
But today’s verse says to become like little children in order to be able to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3). Children are described as trusting, lowly, loving, and forgiving. To become like children, we need to be these things.
This doesn’t mean we need to trust everyone we meet, but we do need to trust God. Also, we shouldn’t let one or two bad experiences get in our way of trusting people. It’s my personal belief that you should trust a person until they give you a reason not to, and even then, be open to forgiveness and giving them your trust again. In a lot of ways, that’s what children do. They trust, and when they get hurt, they forgive.
A friend of mine says that even with all that I’ve been through, I have an innocence about me. I believe that any innocence I seem to have is from God: He has given me the power to forgive and trust again, even after what I have gone through. In a lot of ways, God has made me like a child again. If He hadn’t, I’m not sure how I would be able to cope with the things I went through. It’s great to know that God can heal all wounds—even the ones on our hearts!
Hearing from God Each Morning (July 26)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
This devotion talks about praying with respectful persistence to God. When Jacob wrestled with God, he said, “I will not let You go unless You declare a blessing upon me.” He knew it was God’s will to bless him, and he knew that he had to persist to receive this blessing, and because of his persistence, God blessed him.
That doesn’t mean, however, that everything we pray for persistently will happen. Only those things that are in God’s will are going to happen. When God gives us our “prayer assignments,” He wants us to pray for them persistently until they are answered.
I have felt God putting it on my heart to pray for a friend of mine, and I will not lose hope, even when it seems like this prayer will never be answered. Actually, that isn’t quite accurate. I know this prayer will be answered and it really isn’t that far out there of a thing to happen, but sometimes it is so frustratingly close to being answered… and then it doesn’t happen. But as I am persistent in my prayers, God will answer me. I praise Him for the prayers that have yet to be answered!
This devotion talks about praying with respectful persistence to God. When Jacob wrestled with God, he said, “I will not let You go unless You declare a blessing upon me.” He knew it was God’s will to bless him, and he knew that he had to persist to receive this blessing, and because of his persistence, God blessed him.
That doesn’t mean, however, that everything we pray for persistently will happen. Only those things that are in God’s will are going to happen. When God gives us our “prayer assignments,” He wants us to pray for them persistently until they are answered.
I have felt God putting it on my heart to pray for a friend of mine, and I will not lose hope, even when it seems like this prayer will never be answered. Actually, that isn’t quite accurate. I know this prayer will be answered and it really isn’t that far out there of a thing to happen, but sometimes it is so frustratingly close to being answered… and then it doesn’t happen. But as I am persistent in my prayers, God will answer me. I praise Him for the prayers that have yet to be answered!
Holiness
It seems as if God is working on something in me. He is re-teaching me about holiness and righteousness, since I have become confused in my learning of this.
I grew up thinking that God forgives our sins, but we need to try our best not to sin. We need to in a way earn our holiness and achieve “perfection.” We can’t slip and fall if we’re really Christians, and maybe we just didn’t get it when we slip and fall again. That was a great stumbling block for me in my walk. I thought that my sins after being saved were worse than my sins before being saved, and that maybe I was never really saved because of what I did.
But that isn’t it. Even as Christians, we fall short when we do things on our own. Yesterday’s devotion was talking about how God makes us righteous and pure, and He does. He has made me pure, His “white rose,” and it has nothing to do with what I have done, but all to do with what He did on the cross. My view of myself has been so warped, and I am (slowly) learning how to love myself and see myself as God sees me.
But this holiness issue has two sides in my heart. And today God worked on how I view other people. I admit that there is a pride that was building up in my heart, and today God told me that it needs to come down. He doesn’t just make me holy and pure, but He makes others holy and pure. And just because some people have only recently become holy and pure doesn’t mean that they aren’t as holy and pure as those who have been made holy and pure for a longer time. God makes us all equal in Him, and we should not measure ourselves by the spirituality of another believer, or even those that do not believe.
The reason this has been so huge to me is because of my calling. I have felt God calling me to ministry for years, and because of that, I have been very careful of who I date or who I like, since I have to think of not only myself, but my future ministry. This person needs to be supportive and helpful to that ministry, or it is better than I am not with them. But it was getting to the point that I was comparing myself to people too much, seeing them as not good enough, and that is not what God wants from me. He wants me to love all of His children, and wait for the one He will bring to me. I should not be so worried about finding someone, because I’m not supposed to find someone. I’m supposed to wait on God.
I’ll admit, none of this is easy. I struggle with the second half even more than I struggled with the first half. But the best part is that I don’t have to do this on my own strength. God gives me the strength to do His will.
I grew up thinking that God forgives our sins, but we need to try our best not to sin. We need to in a way earn our holiness and achieve “perfection.” We can’t slip and fall if we’re really Christians, and maybe we just didn’t get it when we slip and fall again. That was a great stumbling block for me in my walk. I thought that my sins after being saved were worse than my sins before being saved, and that maybe I was never really saved because of what I did.
But that isn’t it. Even as Christians, we fall short when we do things on our own. Yesterday’s devotion was talking about how God makes us righteous and pure, and He does. He has made me pure, His “white rose,” and it has nothing to do with what I have done, but all to do with what He did on the cross. My view of myself has been so warped, and I am (slowly) learning how to love myself and see myself as God sees me.
But this holiness issue has two sides in my heart. And today God worked on how I view other people. I admit that there is a pride that was building up in my heart, and today God told me that it needs to come down. He doesn’t just make me holy and pure, but He makes others holy and pure. And just because some people have only recently become holy and pure doesn’t mean that they aren’t as holy and pure as those who have been made holy and pure for a longer time. God makes us all equal in Him, and we should not measure ourselves by the spirituality of another believer, or even those that do not believe.
The reason this has been so huge to me is because of my calling. I have felt God calling me to ministry for years, and because of that, I have been very careful of who I date or who I like, since I have to think of not only myself, but my future ministry. This person needs to be supportive and helpful to that ministry, or it is better than I am not with them. But it was getting to the point that I was comparing myself to people too much, seeing them as not good enough, and that is not what God wants from me. He wants me to love all of His children, and wait for the one He will bring to me. I should not be so worried about finding someone, because I’m not supposed to find someone. I’m supposed to wait on God.
I’ll admit, none of this is easy. I struggle with the second half even more than I struggled with the first half. But the best part is that I don’t have to do this on my own strength. God gives me the strength to do His will.
Hearing from God Each Morning (July 25)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today’s devotion talks about prayer assignments. Sometimes God puts in on our hearts to pray for someone or something for an extended period of time (sometimes even years). When God puts it on our hearts to pray for someone, He will also put the will and energy in us to pray for them. Sometimes we may even pray for this person without consciously doing so; we just start praying and they come to mind and we pray for them along with everything else.
I have a person like that in my life. I pray for that person often, and I feel like God has really put it on my heart to pray for him until the prayer is answered. It may be years, or even life, but I know that God wants me to pray for him, so I will.
Today’s devotion talks about prayer assignments. Sometimes God puts in on our hearts to pray for someone or something for an extended period of time (sometimes even years). When God puts it on our hearts to pray for someone, He will also put the will and energy in us to pray for them. Sometimes we may even pray for this person without consciously doing so; we just start praying and they come to mind and we pray for them along with everything else.
I have a person like that in my life. I pray for that person often, and I feel like God has really put it on my heart to pray for him until the prayer is answered. It may be years, or even life, but I know that God wants me to pray for him, so I will.
Introduction to Philippians
I have recently felt God leading me to do a more in depth study of the book of Philippians. Last week, two people I hardly know both gave me the verse Philippians 4:6 because they felt God wanted them to tell me. Then I noticed a friend posted on Facebook that everyone should read Philippians. Last Sunday morning I was talking to another friend who ended the conversation by saying he was going to go read Philippians before church. Then at church the pastor had a verse from Philippians in the sermon notes. After that, my Sunday school lesson was from Philippians 2. Then when Sunday’s devotion on my blog mentioned Philippians, I knew God was telling me something. Several other times during the week, Philippians has come up. So I bought the “Smart Guide to the Bible: Paul and the Prison Epistles”, and I plan to use that as a study guide for Philippians.
The following blog posts will be my thoughts on different parts of Philippians. I will probably be doing a lot more of these. Enjoy!
The following blog posts will be my thoughts on different parts of Philippians. I will probably be doing a lot more of these. Enjoy!
Hearing from God Each Morning (July 24)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today Meyer talks about how we can’t be more righteous than God makes us. We need to stop trying to do things on our own accord and learn to accept the righteousness that God gives us. Over time, our deeds will be better, but not because we are doing something, but because God is doing something in our hearts and through us. We need to learn to love ourselves because God created us in His own hand.
That’s something I used to struggle with more than anything. I used to hate myself for all of the mistakes I made… and even some things that were out of my control. Only recently have I begun to learn to love myself. I’ve learned to just put what I’ve done behind me and to see myself as pure (the “white rose”), which is how God sees me.
Sometimes, though, I forget. I’m human. I lay in bed and I’m half asleep and I’ll think about the past couple of years and start to feel that poison set in and Satan whisper in my ear that I’m not good enough. I’m often reminded of the mistakes I’ve made, and they are many. But when that starts to happen, I take myself back into God’s Word, which tells me who I am in Christ. It’s not what I have done, but what He did on the cross.
O praise Him!
Today Meyer talks about how we can’t be more righteous than God makes us. We need to stop trying to do things on our own accord and learn to accept the righteousness that God gives us. Over time, our deeds will be better, but not because we are doing something, but because God is doing something in our hearts and through us. We need to learn to love ourselves because God created us in His own hand.
That’s something I used to struggle with more than anything. I used to hate myself for all of the mistakes I made… and even some things that were out of my control. Only recently have I begun to learn to love myself. I’ve learned to just put what I’ve done behind me and to see myself as pure (the “white rose”), which is how God sees me.
Sometimes, though, I forget. I’m human. I lay in bed and I’m half asleep and I’ll think about the past couple of years and start to feel that poison set in and Satan whisper in my ear that I’m not good enough. I’m often reminded of the mistakes I’ve made, and they are many. But when that starts to happen, I take myself back into God’s Word, which tells me who I am in Christ. It’s not what I have done, but what He did on the cross.
O praise Him!
Hearing from God Each Morning (July 23)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today’s devotion is about keeping God first in your life and making sure nothing is put above Him. Sometimes we say that God is number one but inside there are things that take His place: money, friends, family, achievements, and sometimes even the church. But none of these things will always be there for us; they all fail. Even the most loyal and wonderful friend will let you down. You have to keep God number one; He will never let you down.
I have a friend that I’ve looked up to for a long time now, especially this past four months or so, since I’ve seen him really grow up. And I’ll admit that at times I went to him instead of God with problems. Then recently he said something that was really hurtful to me, and I felt so let down by that. But that’s what I needed to realize that I have been wrong the whole time. Instead of going to my friend with my problems, I should go to God (Who can actually help with them). Although my friend usually redirected my path and told me to pray about it, I should have been going to God first, then talking to my friend about it.
But God shouldn’t be number one just because He is always there. As we mature on our spiritual walks, we will find that after a while we are following God because of who He is, and not what He gives us. When we become completely focused on God, all other things aren’t as important to us anymore. Things that used to be huge become so small.
I’ll close with a line from a David Crowder Band song that states it all so well: “And all of a sudden I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by Glory.”
Today’s devotion is about keeping God first in your life and making sure nothing is put above Him. Sometimes we say that God is number one but inside there are things that take His place: money, friends, family, achievements, and sometimes even the church. But none of these things will always be there for us; they all fail. Even the most loyal and wonderful friend will let you down. You have to keep God number one; He will never let you down.
I have a friend that I’ve looked up to for a long time now, especially this past four months or so, since I’ve seen him really grow up. And I’ll admit that at times I went to him instead of God with problems. Then recently he said something that was really hurtful to me, and I felt so let down by that. But that’s what I needed to realize that I have been wrong the whole time. Instead of going to my friend with my problems, I should go to God (Who can actually help with them). Although my friend usually redirected my path and told me to pray about it, I should have been going to God first, then talking to my friend about it.
But God shouldn’t be number one just because He is always there. As we mature on our spiritual walks, we will find that after a while we are following God because of who He is, and not what He gives us. When we become completely focused on God, all other things aren’t as important to us anymore. Things that used to be huge become so small.
I’ll close with a line from a David Crowder Band song that states it all so well: “And all of a sudden I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by Glory.”
Hearing from God Each Morning (July 22)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today’s devotion was about approaching God’s throne with boldness. This is something that I often forget to do. I feel unworthy of whatever it is I ask, or I’m hesitant to ask because I wonder if it’s really God’s will to give me what I ask for.
Lately that thing I ask for is healing. I wonder if it is what God wants for me, and my hesitancy results in weak prayers with no expectation of answers. It’s sad and not what God wants for me. He wants me to approach His throne with boldness and ask Him for what I need, fully expecting results.
Unfortunately, I still struggle with that concept. I need to remind myself of the promises God gives us in His Word. As I remember these promises, I will be empowered in my prayers.
Today’s devotion was about approaching God’s throne with boldness. This is something that I often forget to do. I feel unworthy of whatever it is I ask, or I’m hesitant to ask because I wonder if it’s really God’s will to give me what I ask for.
Lately that thing I ask for is healing. I wonder if it is what God wants for me, and my hesitancy results in weak prayers with no expectation of answers. It’s sad and not what God wants for me. He wants me to approach His throne with boldness and ask Him for what I need, fully expecting results.
Unfortunately, I still struggle with that concept. I need to remind myself of the promises God gives us in His Word. As I remember these promises, I will be empowered in my prayers.
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