First off, I am really sorry for not updating in the past few days. Our internet was down on Saturday, and Sunday was full of the usual church craziness (Church of the King, you rock!). Add the Superbowl to the mix and having family in town, and now you understand why I have failed to write.
Okay, so starting where we left off. Day 3.
How many times have you been disappointed? How many times have you been let down, or hurt? Can you count them with your fingers, or do you have to use your toes too? Is it more than that? Yeah, me too. And this disappointment and/or hurt can seriously rob us. BIG TIME.
When you pray, and God doesn't answer the way you want, or He says "not yet", what is your response back to Him? Is it, Thank You Father, for always listening and answering in a way that better glorifies Your name, or is it Fine, God? I hope it's not the second one! But it can be sometimes.
We can be so consumed by what we want, that we don't think that maybe He has a better plan. We forget Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
When we don't receive what we want when we want it, as fallen sinners we can become bitter. My pastor, Steve Robinson, talked about this yesterday. See, bitterness is a fruit of the Enemy. Just like Eve was tempted by the fruit of the Enemy in the garden, we can become tempted by fruit today. When things don't go our way, we tend to bite (and savor) the fruit of bitterness. Yuck! This turns us from God, by questions that can't be answered at the time. Yes, just like Eve. (Genesis 3:1)
But, there is a better way. Instead of eating that nasty fruit that can rot out our spiritual longing for God, we can eat the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit our King lived to demonstrate.
"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!" -Galatians 5:22-23
So, instead of using circumstances or sin to turn from God, use it to run to Him. When someone wrongs you, show them love. When the Enemy reminds you of your past, be joyful in the Savior. When you have the option to be hasty, be patient. When you have the opportunity to do excess, practice self control.
Kick the Enemy further under your feet! Thank Jesus for His redemption.
We are commanded to be joyful, always. Because:
"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love.No power in the sky above or in the earth below--indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." -Romans 8:38-39
So, whether we are facing death, financial stress, school work that is piling up, the doubt and disapproval of others, whatever it is....we must be JOYFUL.
Even in the midst of the worst windblown, thunder crazed, hail producing storm, we are to praise Him.
Because He is faithful, just, and merciful. He works everything together for our good and His glory!!
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