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 submitting to spiritual authority. She says that so many in the church want to leave the church when they are corrected by the pastor or another spiritual leader.
That was me a few years ago. The pastor of my church didn’t want anyone under the age of 18 to talk to a certain young man in the church, since he was having legal troubles and his probation wouldn’t allow him to be alone with someone under that age. The rule was made to protect him from getting in trouble, but I saw it as forbidding a friendship that had already developed between this young man and me. I was crushed. I even remember telling my friend Caleb, “My church is the biggest obstacle in my faith right now.” He told me to change churches.
I’m glad I didn’t. I learned to accept and submit to those rules, and years later I learned that it was the best way to handle the situation. By refusing to submit to spiritual authority (I often went behind the pastor’s back and spoke to this friend), I was hardening my heart towards that pastor and not getting as much out of the sermons, if anything. During that time, my faith was weakened. I was so bitter towards the pastor that nothing I “learned” at church stuck except the bitterness.
Sometimes it doesn’t make sense to us, but we should submit to the spiritual authority of those that lead our church. Unless, of course, it is one of those rare cases that what they are saying does not come from God or His Word. We are supposed to follow God above all else, and as long as what the spiritual leaders say lines up with God’s Word, we should submit to them as well.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Hearing from God Each Morning (July 14)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today’s devotion is about saying “yes” to God and following wherever He may lead, even if it is not where we want to go, and even if we aren’t shown all of the steps.
That is where I am right now. I am following God, and some people don’t understand why I don’t have a full plan for college and after college. But for me, it’s simple: I’m following God one step at a time. The fact I state it so plainly doesn’t mean I think it’s easy at all. In fact, it’s probably one of the hardest things for me. I like to know the entire plan, but God is revealing His plan for my life one step at a time.
Despite this struggle, I am choosing to say “yes” to Him. He will take care of me.
Today’s devotion is about saying “yes” to God and following wherever He may lead, even if it is not where we want to go, and even if we aren’t shown all of the steps.
That is where I am right now. I am following God, and some people don’t understand why I don’t have a full plan for college and after college. But for me, it’s simple: I’m following God one step at a time. The fact I state it so plainly doesn’t mean I think it’s easy at all. In fact, it’s probably one of the hardest things for me. I like to know the entire plan, but God is revealing His plan for my life one step at a time.
Despite this struggle, I am choosing to say “yes” to Him. He will take care of me.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Hearing from God Each Morning (July 13)
This blog is about today’s devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today’s devotion used the same verse (Ephesians 4:31) that my lesson from a Bible study I went to last night used. It talks about casting off all bitterness (along with indignation, wrath, resentment, quarrelling and slander, along with all other malice). The emphasis of this devotion is casting off bitterness, which is the one that got me last night, too.
Sometimes I am bitter without really realizing it. Today’s devotion tells us not to be bitter towards God, because He doesn’t control what people do to us, and He’s the best friend we could have. If we’re bitter toward Him because of things that happen to us, we’re putting a wall up in that friendship, and we can’t hear His voice as clearly.
But my thoughts to a little further than just saying bitterness towards God hinder our relationship with Him. I believe if we have bitterness against anyone it hinders our relationship with God, and blocks His voice from our hearts. And right now, I’m really struggling with that. I’m bitter over a situation that happened between my best friend and me less than a week ago. I try to tell myself the reason we haven’t talked is we just haven’t had time or we have nothing to talk about, but the truth is, I’m usually the one to initiate conversation and I’ve had no desire to talk to him this past week, because inside I’m still really hurt. I fear it has started to turn to bitterness. In fact, just yesterday I was in my (old) room crying and thinking about how much I don’t want to move right now because I don’t want to see him.
It’s something I really need to hand up to God, because only God can erase those feelings from my heart. I can’t do it on my own, because on my own I want to stay bitter and mean and see him get what he deserves. But Christ living in me wants me to forgive and restore that friendship completely.
Today’s devotion used the same verse (Ephesians 4:31) that my lesson from a Bible study I went to last night used. It talks about casting off all bitterness (along with indignation, wrath, resentment, quarrelling and slander, along with all other malice). The emphasis of this devotion is casting off bitterness, which is the one that got me last night, too.
Sometimes I am bitter without really realizing it. Today’s devotion tells us not to be bitter towards God, because He doesn’t control what people do to us, and He’s the best friend we could have. If we’re bitter toward Him because of things that happen to us, we’re putting a wall up in that friendship, and we can’t hear His voice as clearly.
But my thoughts to a little further than just saying bitterness towards God hinder our relationship with Him. I believe if we have bitterness against anyone it hinders our relationship with God, and blocks His voice from our hearts. And right now, I’m really struggling with that. I’m bitter over a situation that happened between my best friend and me less than a week ago. I try to tell myself the reason we haven’t talked is we just haven’t had time or we have nothing to talk about, but the truth is, I’m usually the one to initiate conversation and I’ve had no desire to talk to him this past week, because inside I’m still really hurt. I fear it has started to turn to bitterness. In fact, just yesterday I was in my (old) room crying and thinking about how much I don’t want to move right now because I don’t want to see him.
It’s something I really need to hand up to God, because only God can erase those feelings from my heart. I can’t do it on my own, because on my own I want to stay bitter and mean and see him get what he deserves. But Christ living in me wants me to forgive and restore that friendship completely.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Hearing from God Each Morning (July 12)
This blog is about today's devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today's devotion was about not hardening our hearts by turning off our feelings. Sometimes when we've been hurt a lot in our lives, we harder our hearts in order to protect ourselves from being hurt again. But when we tear down those walls, we can really hear God's voice. God created us to have feelings, and if we try our best to block out those feelings, are we really living the way God intended us to live?
For a while I had turned off my feelings (or at least tried to) to escape all of the pain I was feeling. I put up walls and locked myself away from everyone else. In my mind, it was justified. I've been through so many types of pain in my life, so my reaction wasn't exactly unusual.
But I felt God working on me, telling me to open my heart again. It was not an instant thing, and a couple months later, I'm still working on it. When I cry (which is a lot this past few weeks), I try to remember that it isn't showing weakness when you cry, it's showing that we're human. Don't ever be afraid to cry or hurt; but don't stay there. God wants to show you the good He can do in any situation.
Today's devotion was about not hardening our hearts by turning off our feelings. Sometimes when we've been hurt a lot in our lives, we harder our hearts in order to protect ourselves from being hurt again. But when we tear down those walls, we can really hear God's voice. God created us to have feelings, and if we try our best to block out those feelings, are we really living the way God intended us to live?
For a while I had turned off my feelings (or at least tried to) to escape all of the pain I was feeling. I put up walls and locked myself away from everyone else. In my mind, it was justified. I've been through so many types of pain in my life, so my reaction wasn't exactly unusual.
But I felt God working on me, telling me to open my heart again. It was not an instant thing, and a couple months later, I'm still working on it. When I cry (which is a lot this past few weeks), I try to remember that it isn't showing weakness when you cry, it's showing that we're human. Don't ever be afraid to cry or hurt; but don't stay there. God wants to show you the good He can do in any situation.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Hearing from God Each Morning (July 11)
This blog is about today's devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today's devotion was about not taking a worldly view on things and being desensitized to the suffering in this world. Watching too much graphic television or learning to think about tragedies in the matter-of-fact ways that the news portrays them are not what God wants from us. He wants us to feel for the suffering of others in this world and pray for them.
Back in January when the earthquake in Haiti happened, everyone on the news and everyone in my church kept going on and on about how terrible it was. I was wrapped up in my own world and didn't feel anything about it. I even remember praying to feel something because I hated not feeling anything for all of these people.
It's easier for me to feel for individuals than it is for me to feel for whole nations, and I know that isn't what God wants for me to feel. I'm not as desensitized as I was back then, but I still need to work on it.
Today's devotion was about not taking a worldly view on things and being desensitized to the suffering in this world. Watching too much graphic television or learning to think about tragedies in the matter-of-fact ways that the news portrays them are not what God wants from us. He wants us to feel for the suffering of others in this world and pray for them.
Back in January when the earthquake in Haiti happened, everyone on the news and everyone in my church kept going on and on about how terrible it was. I was wrapped up in my own world and didn't feel anything about it. I even remember praying to feel something because I hated not feeling anything for all of these people.
It's easier for me to feel for individuals than it is for me to feel for whole nations, and I know that isn't what God wants for me to feel. I'm not as desensitized as I was back then, but I still need to work on it.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Hearing from God Each Morning (July 10)
This blog is about today's devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today's devotion was about praising God, even when it's a sacrifice to praise God because of hard times.
I feel like God has been working on me a lot with that lately. He's been pointing out little things for me to praise Him for: a beautiful display of clouds, a butterfly, or something else of His creation. I try to remember to praise Him every chance I get for those things that make me smile, because I know that my praise is pleasing to Him.
A lot of people think that if you're in a bad situation, there is nothing to praise God for, and all of your prayers should be, "Help me, God," but I don't think that's right. I think that God puts someone in our lives that we can praise Him for every day. It's one of those things where it depends how you look at it. You can look at your situation and say, "Well, my dad is in jail because he does drugs, so my life is not good at all. I wish I had a family like the Smiths over there." Or you could look at it and say, "Even though my dad made a mistake, I still have my mom, who works so hard for us kids." I think a big problem a lot of us have (me included) is that when we get into a bad situation, the bad just consumes our minds. But God wants us to look for things to praise Him for.
Today's devotion was about praising God, even when it's a sacrifice to praise God because of hard times.
I feel like God has been working on me a lot with that lately. He's been pointing out little things for me to praise Him for: a beautiful display of clouds, a butterfly, or something else of His creation. I try to remember to praise Him every chance I get for those things that make me smile, because I know that my praise is pleasing to Him.
A lot of people think that if you're in a bad situation, there is nothing to praise God for, and all of your prayers should be, "Help me, God," but I don't think that's right. I think that God puts someone in our lives that we can praise Him for every day. It's one of those things where it depends how you look at it. You can look at your situation and say, "Well, my dad is in jail because he does drugs, so my life is not good at all. I wish I had a family like the Smiths over there." Or you could look at it and say, "Even though my dad made a mistake, I still have my mom, who works so hard for us kids." I think a big problem a lot of us have (me included) is that when we get into a bad situation, the bad just consumes our minds. But God wants us to look for things to praise Him for.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Beautiful Skies
On June 28 I was sitting on a bench on the MVNU campus, knitting and waiting for the others in my prayer group to arrive. I didn't get much knitting done, however, because I was so distracted and amazed by the skies I looked up at.
When the rest of the group began to arrive, I was smiling up at the sky, admiring it.
And I make a point of looking up at the sky at least once during the day. I consider every sunset, every display of clouds, and even the plain blue (or gray!) skies a painting that God has made for us to look up at and admire. Even today, as I was driving home from running some errands, I looked up at the beautiful clouds on the horizon and I just had to shout, "Thank you, Lord!" I began to laugh at myself, but I know that God was laughing with me.
I make it a point to thank God for the beautiful things I see, when I see them. I wonder if He creates each display of clouds with me in mind? Does He think, "I hope my daughter looks up and thanks Me for this today"? I like to believe He does. Because He is my Heavenly Father, and that's where I get my creativity from. And I like seeing His work!
When the rest of the group began to arrive, I was smiling up at the sky, admiring it.
And I make a point of looking up at the sky at least once during the day. I consider every sunset, every display of clouds, and even the plain blue (or gray!) skies a painting that God has made for us to look up at and admire. Even today, as I was driving home from running some errands, I looked up at the beautiful clouds on the horizon and I just had to shout, "Thank you, Lord!" I began to laugh at myself, but I know that God was laughing with me.
I make it a point to thank God for the beautiful things I see, when I see them. I wonder if He creates each display of clouds with me in mind? Does He think, "I hope my daughter looks up and thanks Me for this today"? I like to believe He does. Because He is my Heavenly Father, and that's where I get my creativity from. And I like seeing His work!
Hearing from God Each Morning (July 9)
This blog is about today's devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today's devotion is about being willing to mature in Christ and in that relationship with Him. When we grow in maturity in God, we are more in tune with His will, and we will follow where He leads us.
Not long ago, I had put God in a box of what I expected God to be like. I thought, "God will only do this, or speak like this, or heal this." But the thing is, God is not limited by what we think of Him. When I took my trip to Ohio, I really learned that you can't limit your view of God, because God has no limit to what He can--and will--do.
When we grow in our relationship with Him, we will learn more about Him, and we will be able to discern what is His voice and what is not His voice. Just yesterday I was talking to a friend and he said, "I keep praying and praying and I don't know why God won't answer me on something this important." I felt sad because I've been there. The thing is, God is answering and we just need to listen for Him. Sometimes the answer is "no," sometimes it is "slow," and other times it is "go." As we grow in Christ, we will get better at hearing those answers--and acting upon them!
Today's devotion is about being willing to mature in Christ and in that relationship with Him. When we grow in maturity in God, we are more in tune with His will, and we will follow where He leads us.
Not long ago, I had put God in a box of what I expected God to be like. I thought, "God will only do this, or speak like this, or heal this." But the thing is, God is not limited by what we think of Him. When I took my trip to Ohio, I really learned that you can't limit your view of God, because God has no limit to what He can--and will--do.
When we grow in our relationship with Him, we will learn more about Him, and we will be able to discern what is His voice and what is not His voice. Just yesterday I was talking to a friend and he said, "I keep praying and praying and I don't know why God won't answer me on something this important." I felt sad because I've been there. The thing is, God is answering and we just need to listen for Him. Sometimes the answer is "no," sometimes it is "slow," and other times it is "go." As we grow in Christ, we will get better at hearing those answers--and acting upon them!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Confession
I have a confession to make. It is about my lack of faith in a situation a couple of weeks ago. It has been on my mind a lot lately.
When I went to church with Aaron, I saw a painting. It really grabbed my attention. It was of the woman with the bleeding problem reaching out to Jesus' robe to be healed.
I felt a burning in my chest, and the whisper of the Holy Spirit, "Touch it, Faith. You'll be healed." Even Aaron told me to touch it. But the closer I got, the more I tried to stay "logical," and the more I wanted to run away from it. When Aaron told me to touch it, I said, "No!" and then walked away quickly. By then it was time to go, and we left.
But ever since, I've thought, "If I had touched it and had that faith, I would have been healed." God wanted to heal me by having me listen to His voice, reach out in faith, and touch His robe. But I ignored His voice.
And my health problem is getting worse.
When I go back to Ohio, I will probably go to church with Aaron again. If I feel the tug of the Holy Spirit again, I will not ignore Him again. God will give me a second chance.
When I went to church with Aaron, I saw a painting. It really grabbed my attention. It was of the woman with the bleeding problem reaching out to Jesus' robe to be healed.
I felt a burning in my chest, and the whisper of the Holy Spirit, "Touch it, Faith. You'll be healed." Even Aaron told me to touch it. But the closer I got, the more I tried to stay "logical," and the more I wanted to run away from it. When Aaron told me to touch it, I said, "No!" and then walked away quickly. By then it was time to go, and we left.
But ever since, I've thought, "If I had touched it and had that faith, I would have been healed." God wanted to heal me by having me listen to His voice, reach out in faith, and touch His robe. But I ignored His voice.
And my health problem is getting worse.
When I go back to Ohio, I will probably go to church with Aaron again. If I feel the tug of the Holy Spirit again, I will not ignore Him again. God will give me a second chance.
Hearing from God Each Morning (July 8)
This blog is about today's devotion in the book Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.
Today's devotion talks about eliminating anything in our schedules that does not bear good fruit. When we feel over-burdened by things that we feel we have to do, they are either not what God wants from us or we are trying too hard to do them on our own power.
This devotion was just what I needed to read right now. I woke up tired because this past week has been the longest for me. All the days are blurring together, and each day feels like three or four days. For those that don't know, my dad was recently sent to jail. He bailed out, but my mom doesn't really want the kids with him (and the kids don't want to be around him). So I'm making sure all the kids are looked after while getting ready to move (I move across the country in 14 days). I'm not even close to ready to go. And in addition to that, I have tons of stuff to do for my college--stuff my dad is supposed to help with, but in his current state, probably won't be able to help me with.
A couple of days ago (I think?), I was talking to the pastor at my church, along with the secretary (who is the mother of a girl I have been close to since I was seven), and the pastor asked how I was really doing. I thought for a second, and realized I actually was doing really well. I told him, "I'm doing alright. Yes, this is hard, but God's here. I was at the end of my rope days ago. Now any energy I get is from God. Any smile is from God. Any sleep I manage to get is a blessing from God. So even though all of this is going on, God is still pouring His blessings on me."
That's a feeling I really needed to be reminded of. This is why I do my devotions in the morning. When I wake up and think how little sleep I got and how much I have to do, it can be too much. But I need to remember that God is here with me, holding my hand and leading me where I need to go.
Today's devotion talks about eliminating anything in our schedules that does not bear good fruit. When we feel over-burdened by things that we feel we have to do, they are either not what God wants from us or we are trying too hard to do them on our own power.
This devotion was just what I needed to read right now. I woke up tired because this past week has been the longest for me. All the days are blurring together, and each day feels like three or four days. For those that don't know, my dad was recently sent to jail. He bailed out, but my mom doesn't really want the kids with him (and the kids don't want to be around him). So I'm making sure all the kids are looked after while getting ready to move (I move across the country in 14 days). I'm not even close to ready to go. And in addition to that, I have tons of stuff to do for my college--stuff my dad is supposed to help with, but in his current state, probably won't be able to help me with.
A couple of days ago (I think?), I was talking to the pastor at my church, along with the secretary (who is the mother of a girl I have been close to since I was seven), and the pastor asked how I was really doing. I thought for a second, and realized I actually was doing really well. I told him, "I'm doing alright. Yes, this is hard, but God's here. I was at the end of my rope days ago. Now any energy I get is from God. Any smile is from God. Any sleep I manage to get is a blessing from God. So even though all of this is going on, God is still pouring His blessings on me."
That's a feeling I really needed to be reminded of. This is why I do my devotions in the morning. When I wake up and think how little sleep I got and how much I have to do, it can be too much. But I need to remember that God is here with me, holding my hand and leading me where I need to go.
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