Keep Praying Until
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6 NASB
I had to look up what the word supplication meant. There are a lot of words in the Bible that I am a little vague on the meanings, and this has always been one of them. Fortunately, I was able to read the commentary on the scripture as it broke it down into sections, and thus defined what supplication meant. I also read a few other translations and discovered they used petition instead. I have read this scripture countless times and I did not fully grasp the meaning of it until today. I have been uncertain about many aspects of my life lately. I have been praying for everybody and seeing God moving in their lives, answering question they have, and I have yet to see some of my own answered. I think it is because I did not know what supplication meant--at least fully. So after a much-needed talk today, I realized that I have not been continually petitioning God about my concerns, and I have instead been trying to figure them out on my own. I have come up with ideas and plans about the way ahead and yet I still lack peace about the right direction to follow.
And so I realized, if I do not have peace about it, then that means that I have not heard from God on it, which means I have not brought it to Him enough that it is a priority for Him to answer me. Or on the other hand, I could be so preoccupied with my plans, that I have not heard God's answer. At any rate, I realized that I have not petitioned God enough on the things that have been bothering me, and so I have allowed the enemy to plant his seeds of doubt, whether it be through a trusted friend and their 'well-intentioned' advice or simply my being lost in the clouds. The scripture above does not say sometimes or some things. But it tells to be anxious for nothing--in layman's terms do not worry about a single thing, not the weather, not the future, not the past, not your family or friends, your job, NOTHING. Then comes the but; I was once told that everything you say before a but is basically irrelevant--so your worries and concerns are irrelevant and meaningless in the face of continual prayer and petition. If you constantly bring and leave your concerns at the throne of God, then God has room to work on them. As long as you do not pick them back up again, God can move those mountains that you entrust to Him. It is like the parable of the unjust judge and the persistent widow in Luke 18:2-8--she kept coming and coming and coming until he got tired and saw to it that she got the justice she sought.
Keep getting on your knees, keep falling on your face before God and see what He will do!
And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge said; now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? "I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:6-8 NASB
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Daily Devotion #2
Help Our Unbelief
"But you haven't believed in me even though you have seen me." John 6:36 NLT
I think about the man whose son was possessed and got discouraged when the faith of the Disciples could not heal his son. In Mark 9:24 the story notes 'Immediately the boy's father cried out and said, "I do believe; help my unbelief."' Help my unbelief. Sometimes I experience blessings and I will thank God for them. Then the next challenge that arises, I immediately forget and sometimes I allow doubt to enter my mind. Among other things, the enemy has been attacking me in my faith and in believing the things God has told me. But as the Word says, Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ (Romans 10:17).
I'm sure you are familiar with the old saying, "Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear," right? I actually wrote a devotion about this before, and I realized that we are so conditioned to not believe what we hear. We instantly doubt. It took the man in Mark to actually bring his son to Jesus before he believed his son was healed--not only because he doubted, but the Disciples doubted as well. If we do not believe in our own confessions, we waste God's time asking Him to move on our behalf. We in turn negate our own faith and allow the perverted faith, or fear to rule in that situation.
The mobs and the Jews only believed in Jesus' miracles that they actually saw Him perform. Even sadder is the fact that many still doubted who He was, worse yet some accused Him of being demon-possessed! God wants us to believe in Him. Believe that once you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and asked for the forgiveness of your sins, that it was done. You instantly became the righteousness of God through your faith in what you professed to believe. Believing that God will do what He says is one thing, but believing that God will do what He says in your life is a whole different concept. Why? Because it forces you to activate your faith for yourself. It is easy to trust God for someone else. But when you have to wait patiently for God to move on your behalf, righting some wrong or restoring to you what you lost, it requires you to remember His Word and His promises and truly trust that they will produce a harvest in your life. It requires that you enact the kind of faith needed to move mountains...and according to Matthew 17:20 all that takes is mustard seed-sized faith!! 'And He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.' So maybe you have microscopic-sized faith, and it is time for you to tell God the same thing, 'help my unbelief' so that you can grow.
And Jesus said to him, "'If You can?' All things are possible to him who believes." Mark 9:23 NASB
"But you haven't believed in me even though you have seen me." John 6:36 NLT
I think about the man whose son was possessed and got discouraged when the faith of the Disciples could not heal his son. In Mark 9:24 the story notes 'Immediately the boy's father cried out and said, "I do believe; help my unbelief."' Help my unbelief. Sometimes I experience blessings and I will thank God for them. Then the next challenge that arises, I immediately forget and sometimes I allow doubt to enter my mind. Among other things, the enemy has been attacking me in my faith and in believing the things God has told me. But as the Word says, Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ (Romans 10:17).
I'm sure you are familiar with the old saying, "Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear," right? I actually wrote a devotion about this before, and I realized that we are so conditioned to not believe what we hear. We instantly doubt. It took the man in Mark to actually bring his son to Jesus before he believed his son was healed--not only because he doubted, but the Disciples doubted as well. If we do not believe in our own confessions, we waste God's time asking Him to move on our behalf. We in turn negate our own faith and allow the perverted faith, or fear to rule in that situation.
The mobs and the Jews only believed in Jesus' miracles that they actually saw Him perform. Even sadder is the fact that many still doubted who He was, worse yet some accused Him of being demon-possessed! God wants us to believe in Him. Believe that once you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and asked for the forgiveness of your sins, that it was done. You instantly became the righteousness of God through your faith in what you professed to believe. Believing that God will do what He says is one thing, but believing that God will do what He says in your life is a whole different concept. Why? Because it forces you to activate your faith for yourself. It is easy to trust God for someone else. But when you have to wait patiently for God to move on your behalf, righting some wrong or restoring to you what you lost, it requires you to remember His Word and His promises and truly trust that they will produce a harvest in your life. It requires that you enact the kind of faith needed to move mountains...and according to Matthew 17:20 all that takes is mustard seed-sized faith!! 'And He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.' So maybe you have microscopic-sized faith, and it is time for you to tell God the same thing, 'help my unbelief' so that you can grow.
And Jesus said to him, "'If You can?' All things are possible to him who believes." Mark 9:23 NASB
Daily Devotion
God's Way
"I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord." 1 Corinthians 7:35 NIV
Although this scripture is from a passage that is in reference to behaviors of married and unmarried people, I think it is perfect for this topic. Way too often nowadays people just go about living their lives their way, not caring who gets hurt in the crossfire. They do not think about others, they do not think about the repercussions of their actions, and I highly doubt they consider God or His plan in the process.
I have been under a cloud of uncertainty lately. I have felt like in instances before, I have planned and planned and planned--with all going according to plan. Most of the goals I had set for myself as a child I have already accomplished; I graduated both college and graduate school before I was 23, I have a great job, I live on my own and I have been self-sufficient for many years now. Of course one of those goals I have yet to achieve, and I do not know when that will happen. But I realized today through talking to my mothers at work that much planning and goal-setting on my part is not a bad idea, but when one is seeking to live life according to God's will, we must acknowledge that those plans may very well never pan out. We must acknowledge that life will certainly throw its curve balls in the midst, but in the end, that God will make sure it works out according to our good (Rom. 8:28).
Looking at the scripture above in this particular context helps ease the discomfort I feel. Knowing that as long as I try and seek God for the right way to do whatever He wants from me, it will work out for my good. God will align the path and make it straight, removing any obstacles that will prevent me from doing what He wants. The key is that I must be willing. As a recovering control freak (well at least when it comes to my life, I've learned that I can't control anything someone else wants to do) I recognize that there are details God has not revealed to me yet and that my simple act of obedience with the steps He has given me will ensure that when the time is right, the next set will be revealed. God is so great that He looks ahead at the finished work, while we can only see what may lie ahead of us. Proverbs 16:9 says that "The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps." (NASB) So if we simply relinquish control to God, and just go along for the ride, things will go much smoothly. The difficulty for us lies in turning over the reigns and becoming a passenger for the trip. This is a difficult lesson for me, but I'm learning that it is much easier to just sit back and let God do God because I was not equipped with those skills.
"You can make many plans, but the LORD's purpose will prevail." Proverbs 19:21 NLT
"I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord." 1 Corinthians 7:35 NIV
Although this scripture is from a passage that is in reference to behaviors of married and unmarried people, I think it is perfect for this topic. Way too often nowadays people just go about living their lives their way, not caring who gets hurt in the crossfire. They do not think about others, they do not think about the repercussions of their actions, and I highly doubt they consider God or His plan in the process.
I have been under a cloud of uncertainty lately. I have felt like in instances before, I have planned and planned and planned--with all going according to plan. Most of the goals I had set for myself as a child I have already accomplished; I graduated both college and graduate school before I was 23, I have a great job, I live on my own and I have been self-sufficient for many years now. Of course one of those goals I have yet to achieve, and I do not know when that will happen. But I realized today through talking to my mothers at work that much planning and goal-setting on my part is not a bad idea, but when one is seeking to live life according to God's will, we must acknowledge that those plans may very well never pan out. We must acknowledge that life will certainly throw its curve balls in the midst, but in the end, that God will make sure it works out according to our good (Rom. 8:28).
Looking at the scripture above in this particular context helps ease the discomfort I feel. Knowing that as long as I try and seek God for the right way to do whatever He wants from me, it will work out for my good. God will align the path and make it straight, removing any obstacles that will prevent me from doing what He wants. The key is that I must be willing. As a recovering control freak (well at least when it comes to my life, I've learned that I can't control anything someone else wants to do) I recognize that there are details God has not revealed to me yet and that my simple act of obedience with the steps He has given me will ensure that when the time is right, the next set will be revealed. God is so great that He looks ahead at the finished work, while we can only see what may lie ahead of us. Proverbs 16:9 says that "The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps." (NASB) So if we simply relinquish control to God, and just go along for the ride, things will go much smoothly. The difficulty for us lies in turning over the reigns and becoming a passenger for the trip. This is a difficult lesson for me, but I'm learning that it is much easier to just sit back and let God do God because I was not equipped with those skills.
"You can make many plans, but the LORD's purpose will prevail." Proverbs 19:21 NLT
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Daily Devotion
Looking for Love
"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39 NASB
When God made man, He created him as a complete being--that is complete in himself and having a direct line of communication with God. God did observe that it was not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18) and out of the man God created woman. After man's fall in Genesis 3, God made it so among other things that woman would be desirous of her husband, with him ruling over her. Never at any point throughout this process does God say that mankind should look to themselves for love, or to others to gain love. I do believe that was a product of sin invading the earth, that warped pride and self-love would elevate us as gods alongside or above God. How can God--being that He is love (1 John 4:8,16) even want us to do such a thing, as He created us for Himself--so that He could love us and we love Him!
I've noticed in reflection on my own past relationships and the relationships of those close to me, that we all have a seemingly innate desire to be in a love relationship with another person. This reminds me of the country song 'Lookin' For Love' by Johnny Lee which says the following in the chorus:
"I was lookin' for love in all the wrong places
Lookin' for love in too many places
Searchin' her eyes, lookin' for traces
Of what I'm dreamin' of
Hoping to find a friend and a lover
I'll bless the day I discover,
You - lookin' for love."
As a woman, I have searched for love in romantic relationships to much disappointment. It was not until recently after much self-evaluation and personal introspection that I understood that I cannot find love without Love, that is, I cannot find love without God. If I do not know God and understand what great feats He performed and the painstaking measures He underwent in order to ensure my eternity is spent with Him, then I cannot love. If I do not know that God Himself stepped off His throne to perform the perfect act, the only act worthy enough to clean my slate of the sin that He so hates, then I cannot love. If I could not grasp the real life examples He provided me with to understand and know His love, then I in essence of the fact, cannot love. It is my belief that is why there are so many teenage pregnancies, because in a society rampant with skewed views of what love truly is, the only way to get that need fulfilled is through bringing another child into the world that will love you unconditionally in spite.
That was a harsh reality for me. To think I spent lots of time in meaningless relationships in pursuit of the ever elusive love brings many not so pleasant memories to my mind, when instead all I had to do was devote that same effort to pursuing God. See God is a jealous God, and as a friend of mine said and I paraphrase, anything can become a god or idol, even pursuit of love--not God, but the feeling. As I look at my life and the lives of my closest friends, and how that pursuit of love has affected all of our lives in not all positive ways, I wondered what is it that we must do in order to find that true love we seek. The only thing that comes to mind are those same steps associated with modern dating--meet God and rather, He will meet you where you are, spend time with God--date God: find quiet time where it is just you and Him, study His word, talk to Him and listen when He speaks to you, and show/tell God you love Him by thanking Him with your life and actions, and more importantly, simply being obedient to Him and His call.
When we search for everything God is in a human, we only temporarily patch the hole in our hearts. In fact, we sometimes make it bigger, leaving a larger void in our hearts caused by the damage of bad relationships. Until we go to God, the true source of love, and really get to know Him, we will never feel fulfilled. So I have decided a while back now to abort my search for love since according to Proverbs, my he should find me. Knowing who God is, the very structure of His character and being, we cannot expect to satisfy that longing without God. So turn to Love to learn to love, and in turn find love.
"The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love." 1 John 4:8 NASB
"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39 NASB
When God made man, He created him as a complete being--that is complete in himself and having a direct line of communication with God. God did observe that it was not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18) and out of the man God created woman. After man's fall in Genesis 3, God made it so among other things that woman would be desirous of her husband, with him ruling over her. Never at any point throughout this process does God say that mankind should look to themselves for love, or to others to gain love. I do believe that was a product of sin invading the earth, that warped pride and self-love would elevate us as gods alongside or above God. How can God--being that He is love (1 John 4:8,16) even want us to do such a thing, as He created us for Himself--so that He could love us and we love Him!
I've noticed in reflection on my own past relationships and the relationships of those close to me, that we all have a seemingly innate desire to be in a love relationship with another person. This reminds me of the country song 'Lookin' For Love' by Johnny Lee which says the following in the chorus:
"I was lookin' for love in all the wrong places
Lookin' for love in too many places
Searchin' her eyes, lookin' for traces
Of what I'm dreamin' of
Hoping to find a friend and a lover
I'll bless the day I discover,
You - lookin' for love."
As a woman, I have searched for love in romantic relationships to much disappointment. It was not until recently after much self-evaluation and personal introspection that I understood that I cannot find love without Love, that is, I cannot find love without God. If I do not know God and understand what great feats He performed and the painstaking measures He underwent in order to ensure my eternity is spent with Him, then I cannot love. If I do not know that God Himself stepped off His throne to perform the perfect act, the only act worthy enough to clean my slate of the sin that He so hates, then I cannot love. If I could not grasp the real life examples He provided me with to understand and know His love, then I in essence of the fact, cannot love. It is my belief that is why there are so many teenage pregnancies, because in a society rampant with skewed views of what love truly is, the only way to get that need fulfilled is through bringing another child into the world that will love you unconditionally in spite.
That was a harsh reality for me. To think I spent lots of time in meaningless relationships in pursuit of the ever elusive love brings many not so pleasant memories to my mind, when instead all I had to do was devote that same effort to pursuing God. See God is a jealous God, and as a friend of mine said and I paraphrase, anything can become a god or idol, even pursuit of love--not God, but the feeling. As I look at my life and the lives of my closest friends, and how that pursuit of love has affected all of our lives in not all positive ways, I wondered what is it that we must do in order to find that true love we seek. The only thing that comes to mind are those same steps associated with modern dating--meet God and rather, He will meet you where you are, spend time with God--date God: find quiet time where it is just you and Him, study His word, talk to Him and listen when He speaks to you, and show/tell God you love Him by thanking Him with your life and actions, and more importantly, simply being obedient to Him and His call.
When we search for everything God is in a human, we only temporarily patch the hole in our hearts. In fact, we sometimes make it bigger, leaving a larger void in our hearts caused by the damage of bad relationships. Until we go to God, the true source of love, and really get to know Him, we will never feel fulfilled. So I have decided a while back now to abort my search for love since according to Proverbs, my he should find me. Knowing who God is, the very structure of His character and being, we cannot expect to satisfy that longing without God. So turn to Love to learn to love, and in turn find love.
"The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love." 1 John 4:8 NASB
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Daily Devotion #2
Just What Other Men Have Met
"God called you to endure suffering because Christ suffered for you. He left you an example so that you could follow in his footsteps." 1 Peter 2:21 GWT
I read my favorite poems all week and recited them to myself in the midst of the things that happened. The title is taken from "See It Through", a poem penned by Edgar Albert Guest, and as I read it, I stopped at that line. Just What Other Men Have Met...what does that mean to me, at this point in my life? When I learned this poem, it reassured me that I could endure the obstacles I was facing, and that I was not the only person to go through that--in fact, there were people I could turn to and cry on. As I know think on a broader scale--no person is exactly alike another person--even down to your look (even with twins). God gave us the distinction of being unique creatures, but He also gave us the blessing of having His wisdom recorded for all to read. The Bible tells in many different verses of how we are to share in Christ's sufferings so that we can aspire to be more like Him.
Difficulties in life are a sure thing--in fact I don't know anywhere in the Bible that says that life will be a cake walk. In fact, in1 Peter 4:12-13 it says: "Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad--for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world."(NLT) We are to not be surprised! All of the early disciples and apostles endured the same, if not worse, ordeals--Stephen was stoned and became one of the first martyrs in Acts, and countless other acts. Even Paul, who was named Saul at the time, participated in bringing suffering upon all Christians during the early persecutions. I have the favor of seeing the Underground City in Cappadocia, Turkey, where many early Christians lived underground to survive.
What a blessing I just realized we have! Even though there are others before us that went through the same difficulties we face in life--hatred, envy, and jealousy, financial strains, illness, death, and loss--we can rejoice that there is certain glory awaiting us at the end. Like the poem says we must hold our heads high to the finish; why, you say? Well the promise is that we will share in Christ's glory. 1 Peter 1:6 says "You are extremely happy about these things, even though you have to suffer different kinds of trouble for a little while now. The purpose of these troubles is to test your faith as fire tests how genuine gold is. Your faith is more precious than gold, and by passing the test, it gives praise, glory, and honor to God. This will happen when Jesus Christ appears again." The promise of Christ returning, and by believing and trusting in Him, we will see Him again, and live forever. I don't know about you, but that is something to shout about! God promises to get us through whatever circumstances we may face and we will see Him in the end! So now, you must just tell yourself you can make it, or even look to the people in the Bible or in real life that have gone through and are still here pushing forward. Remember what the ultimate reward is that awaits you!
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." James 1:2-4 NLT
see also: 1 Peter 4:1, Acts 14:22, 2 Timothy 2:12, Philippians 3:10, 1 John 2:6, 2 Corinthians 1:5, and Romans 8:15
"God called you to endure suffering because Christ suffered for you. He left you an example so that you could follow in his footsteps." 1 Peter 2:21 GWT
I read my favorite poems all week and recited them to myself in the midst of the things that happened. The title is taken from "See It Through", a poem penned by Edgar Albert Guest, and as I read it, I stopped at that line. Just What Other Men Have Met...what does that mean to me, at this point in my life? When I learned this poem, it reassured me that I could endure the obstacles I was facing, and that I was not the only person to go through that--in fact, there were people I could turn to and cry on. As I know think on a broader scale--no person is exactly alike another person--even down to your look (even with twins). God gave us the distinction of being unique creatures, but He also gave us the blessing of having His wisdom recorded for all to read. The Bible tells in many different verses of how we are to share in Christ's sufferings so that we can aspire to be more like Him.
Difficulties in life are a sure thing--in fact I don't know anywhere in the Bible that says that life will be a cake walk. In fact, in1 Peter 4:12-13 it says: "Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad--for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world."(NLT) We are to not be surprised! All of the early disciples and apostles endured the same, if not worse, ordeals--Stephen was stoned and became one of the first martyrs in Acts, and countless other acts. Even Paul, who was named Saul at the time, participated in bringing suffering upon all Christians during the early persecutions. I have the favor of seeing the Underground City in Cappadocia, Turkey, where many early Christians lived underground to survive.
What a blessing I just realized we have! Even though there are others before us that went through the same difficulties we face in life--hatred, envy, and jealousy, financial strains, illness, death, and loss--we can rejoice that there is certain glory awaiting us at the end. Like the poem says we must hold our heads high to the finish; why, you say? Well the promise is that we will share in Christ's glory. 1 Peter 1:6 says "You are extremely happy about these things, even though you have to suffer different kinds of trouble for a little while now. The purpose of these troubles is to test your faith as fire tests how genuine gold is. Your faith is more precious than gold, and by passing the test, it gives praise, glory, and honor to God. This will happen when Jesus Christ appears again." The promise of Christ returning, and by believing and trusting in Him, we will see Him again, and live forever. I don't know about you, but that is something to shout about! God promises to get us through whatever circumstances we may face and we will see Him in the end! So now, you must just tell yourself you can make it, or even look to the people in the Bible or in real life that have gone through and are still here pushing forward. Remember what the ultimate reward is that awaits you!
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." James 1:2-4 NLT
see also: 1 Peter 4:1, Acts 14:22, 2 Timothy 2:12, Philippians 3:10, 1 John 2:6, 2 Corinthians 1:5, and Romans 8:15
Daily Devotion
Love 'em Anyway
For this, "YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET," and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." Romans 13:9 NASB
I realized a harsh truth about myself this week. The word family has relatively no meaning to me. It does not excite me or invoke warm fuzzies for me. And that really hurt my heart. I do not distinguish my family from a person off the street and it is because of how a vast majority of my hurts and heartaches mostly stemmed from things caused by them. I pray that God delivers me from my hurt and pain and how I view my family. I wish that I had that exciting feeling associated with them, but I do not. Instead, I have adopted an extended, surrogate family comprised of friends and loved ones that God has blessed me with. But still the hole in my heart cries out for me to reconcile with them...what do I do then?
And God kept speaking to me this week, as thing after thing occurred to make me remember how I did not have the love I should have for my family. Even if they hurt me or use me, I should love them anyway. Even if they do not call me or I do not call them, I should love them anyway. Even if the only time I hear from them is when they need something, I should love them anyway. Even if they are the very ones to inflict hurt and strife into my life, I should love them anyway. I should love them as I love myself. But I asked God why and how and what? Why should I love people that do not love me? How can I should them love when I refuse to allow myself to share the same breathing room as them? What should I do to overcome the way I feel? And then several times this week, I saw devotions and was drawn to scriptures referencing Christ's act on the cross. Do we really know what happened when Jesus died for us on the cross--do we understand the punishment that was revoked, the condemnation that no longer exists, and eternal peace in which we share?
Walking in love is not an easy process. You must be willing to overlook the wrongs of others, especially your family. Sometimes the enemy tries to attack us most in life through injustices and injuries caused by those that are closest to us. I now realize that God has been pulling on my heart strings all week long about forgiveness, in some way or form. You may be saved by having accepted Christ as your personal Lord and Savior--but are you forgiven? Have you forgiven others as God instructs us to do time and time again? Are you living up to par with the scripture above--loving God, and loving your neighbors (and family) as yourself? For us to truly understand the monumental gift Christ gave us when He died on the cross, we have to be willing to set aside even the most painful things. In essence, like He did, we must love 'em anyway.
"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" Matthew 5:44 KJV
For this, "YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET," and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." Romans 13:9 NASB
I realized a harsh truth about myself this week. The word family has relatively no meaning to me. It does not excite me or invoke warm fuzzies for me. And that really hurt my heart. I do not distinguish my family from a person off the street and it is because of how a vast majority of my hurts and heartaches mostly stemmed from things caused by them. I pray that God delivers me from my hurt and pain and how I view my family. I wish that I had that exciting feeling associated with them, but I do not. Instead, I have adopted an extended, surrogate family comprised of friends and loved ones that God has blessed me with. But still the hole in my heart cries out for me to reconcile with them...what do I do then?
And God kept speaking to me this week, as thing after thing occurred to make me remember how I did not have the love I should have for my family. Even if they hurt me or use me, I should love them anyway. Even if they do not call me or I do not call them, I should love them anyway. Even if the only time I hear from them is when they need something, I should love them anyway. Even if they are the very ones to inflict hurt and strife into my life, I should love them anyway. I should love them as I love myself. But I asked God why and how and what? Why should I love people that do not love me? How can I should them love when I refuse to allow myself to share the same breathing room as them? What should I do to overcome the way I feel? And then several times this week, I saw devotions and was drawn to scriptures referencing Christ's act on the cross. Do we really know what happened when Jesus died for us on the cross--do we understand the punishment that was revoked, the condemnation that no longer exists, and eternal peace in which we share?
Walking in love is not an easy process. You must be willing to overlook the wrongs of others, especially your family. Sometimes the enemy tries to attack us most in life through injustices and injuries caused by those that are closest to us. I now realize that God has been pulling on my heart strings all week long about forgiveness, in some way or form. You may be saved by having accepted Christ as your personal Lord and Savior--but are you forgiven? Have you forgiven others as God instructs us to do time and time again? Are you living up to par with the scripture above--loving God, and loving your neighbors (and family) as yourself? For us to truly understand the monumental gift Christ gave us when He died on the cross, we have to be willing to set aside even the most painful things. In essence, like He did, we must love 'em anyway.
"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" Matthew 5:44 KJV
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Daily Devotion
If It Wasn't For God...Where Would You Be?
"He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area." Job 1:3 NLT
"So the LORD blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning. For now he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 teams of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys." Job 42:12 NLT
Good evening everybody!! I'm sure many of you may have just watched that UCONN-Butler game...not me! LOL, I woke up from my pollen-induced nap about two hours ago and did some reading. Anyway, I wrote this title on February 15th. And its funny to me how sometimes God has me to wait before I write things, but this seems no more perfect for today than the day I wrote the title down. I was talking with one of my best friends yesterday and her brother, and we all were reflecting on where our lives have gone in the last three years.
Life sure has not been too kind with some of the cards I have been dealt, but God!! I looked back over my life so far and looked at the things I have endured. It has not been pretty but by God's grace and favor, I have survived. Lets do a brief recap: May 2008 I was fortune to graduate from college and graduate school at the same time in spite of having been stricken by kidney disease in February of 2006. I graduated Magna Cum Laude and Summa Cum Laude, might I add--but God!! On my 23rd birthday, I was afflicted with some issues stemming from my medicines, and pretty much for the rest of 2008 it was downhill health-wise, resulting in my kidney function falling enough that I was officially diagnosed with end-stage renal disease--at 23!! But God, because I still went to work everyday in spite of having no energy at all. January 2009 I had my kidney transplant--avoiding dialysis and death because my kidney function had fallen so low that had anything happened to me, I could have possibly died without dialysis. I was favored by God to have a miraculous surgery and recovery, healing quickly with little or no issues. Now, that's not to say that the devil was not busy...I had to have my thyroid checked and I am still dealing with things related to that now. But God!!! September 2009 I lost one of my closest friends when my cousin died unexpectedly. I had a difficult relationship and December 31, 2009 left my family with the pain that my dad was told that he had 2 months left to live. 2010 was the year from hell in every area of my life and I thought I would never come back from the pain of losing my dad. My cousin that passed in 2009--well, her fiance' ended up dying tragically in August--2 weeks before the anniversary of her death. But God!! God saw fit to allow all of these things in my life...and I am sure He allowed trying circumstances in your life as well.
When I look at the two scriptures above, I am reminded that God restored Job. God gave him more than he had before. He restored Job's health, his family, and his wealth. God promises many times throughout the Word to restore us and give us back what we lost. We cannot get the people we lose to death back, per se, but He can heal our hearts that we remember the best about them. We may lose our wealth temporarily, but God is a great God, because He promises to give us back what we lose. He promises to heal us as well. I think about where I would be without God, without His hand on my life, and the first thing that comes to mind is that I would not be here. I would have given up and died--unfulfilled. I can only cry out in bliss because God saw fit to save me and still keeps His hand on my life. He blessed Isaac continually in a land where he was not wanted...in the midst of opposition. He blessed the latter half of Job's life more than the beginning...don't you see the pattern??? But God!!
"When Isaac planted his crops that year, he harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the LORD blessed him." Genesis 26:12 NLT
Good evening everybody!! I'm sure many of you may have just watched that UCONN-Butler game...not me! LOL, I woke up from my pollen-induced nap about two hours ago and did some reading. Anyway, I wrote this title on February 15th. And its funny to me how sometimes God has me to wait before I write things, but this seems no more perfect for today than the day I wrote the title down. I was talking with one of my best friends yesterday and her brother, and we all were reflecting on where our lives have gone in the last three years.
Life sure has not been too kind with some of the cards I have been dealt, but God!! I looked back over my life so far and looked at the things I have endured. It has not been pretty but by God's grace and favor, I have survived. Lets do a brief recap: May 2008 I was fortune to graduate from college and graduate school at the same time in spite of having been stricken by kidney disease in February of 2006. I graduated Magna Cum Laude and Summa Cum Laude, might I add--but God!! On my 23rd birthday, I was afflicted with some issues stemming from my medicines, and pretty much for the rest of 2008 it was downhill health-wise, resulting in my kidney function falling enough that I was officially diagnosed with end-stage renal disease--at 23!! But God, because I still went to work everyday in spite of having no energy at all. January 2009 I had my kidney transplant--avoiding dialysis and death because my kidney function had fallen so low that had anything happened to me, I could have possibly died without dialysis. I was favored by God to have a miraculous surgery and recovery, healing quickly with little or no issues. Now, that's not to say that the devil was not busy...I had to have my thyroid checked and I am still dealing with things related to that now. But God!!! September 2009 I lost one of my closest friends when my cousin died unexpectedly. I had a difficult relationship and December 31, 2009 left my family with the pain that my dad was told that he had 2 months left to live. 2010 was the year from hell in every area of my life and I thought I would never come back from the pain of losing my dad. My cousin that passed in 2009--well, her fiance' ended up dying tragically in August--2 weeks before the anniversary of her death. But God!! God saw fit to allow all of these things in my life...and I am sure He allowed trying circumstances in your life as well.
When I look at the two scriptures above, I am reminded that God restored Job. God gave him more than he had before. He restored Job's health, his family, and his wealth. God promises many times throughout the Word to restore us and give us back what we lost. We cannot get the people we lose to death back, per se, but He can heal our hearts that we remember the best about them. We may lose our wealth temporarily, but God is a great God, because He promises to give us back what we lose. He promises to heal us as well. I think about where I would be without God, without His hand on my life, and the first thing that comes to mind is that I would not be here. I would have given up and died--unfulfilled. I can only cry out in bliss because God saw fit to save me and still keeps His hand on my life. He blessed Isaac continually in a land where he was not wanted...in the midst of opposition. He blessed the latter half of Job's life more than the beginning...don't you see the pattern??? But God!!
"When Isaac planted his crops that year, he harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the LORD blessed him." Genesis 26:12 NLT
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