A little while ago, our Sunday school class took an inventory of the spiritual gifts we possess. I learned that my greatest area is in service. Yes, I'm selfish with my time, but I do rise to the occasion and do for others. Sometimes I'm not happy about it (as you may have read), but I'm learning and growing in that aspect.
In addition, with the suggestion of my Sunday school teacher, I have started to read a book by Oswald Chambers - My Utmost for His Highest. It's a daily devotional, but it's unlike any I've read before. The best way I can describe it - it's more hard core.
How can a devotional be hard core? It does so by not having those personal testimonies accompanying it. I haven't come across a "feel good" story yet. At first I thought, "I'm not ready for this; this is way over my head." But I kept it up, and finally I read the devotional for February 7 entitled "Spiritual Dejection." I had an YES! moment!
Let me share that passage; I don't think (I hope!) that Mr. Chambers would mind...
Every fact that the disciples stated was right, but the conclusions they drew from those facts were wrong. Anything that has even a hint of dejection spiritually is always wrong. If I am depressed or burdened, I am to blame, not God or anyone else. (uh-oh - hadn't thought of that!) Dejection stems from one of two sources - I have either satisfied a lust or I have not had it satisfied. In either case, dejection is the result. Lust means "I must have it at once." (Hey, that sounds like the mind-set of children, and adults, today!) Spiritual lust causes me to demand an answer from God, instead of seeking God Himself who gives the answer. What have I been hoping or trusting God would do? Is today "the third day" and He has still not done what I expected? Am I therefore justified in being dejected and in blaming God? Whenever we insist that God should give us an answer to prayer we are off track. The purpose of prayer is that we get ahold of God, not of the answer. It is impossible to be well physically and to be dejected, because dejection is a sign of sickness. This is also true spiritually. Dejection spiritually is wrong, and we are always to blame for it.
We look for visions from heaven and for earth-shaking events to see God's power. Even the fact that we are dejected is proof that we do this. Yet we never realize that all the time God is at work in our everyday events and in the people around us. If we will only obey, and do the task that He has placed closest to us, we will see Him. One of the most amazing revelatins of God comes to us when we learn that it is in the everyday things of life that we realize the magnificent deity of Jesus Christ.
Have you ever prayed and thought, "Am I doing this right?" Finally, after reading this passage I had faith in the way that I prayed.
But I must confess I had a lapse. For the past several weekends, I have been "doing" for others (and thinking, "Yes, service is one of my gifts.") Well, yesterday morning, after being out extremely late due to a middle school Valentine's dance, I woke up and said, "God, forgive me, but in serving others I'm tired!" So I skipped church. (I did go to hand-bell practice-does that count?) Anyway, looking back over some passages, I came across the one "Are You Exhausted Spiritually?" I won't type that one out for you except the last lines:
You have no right to complain, "O Lord, I am exhausted." He saved and sanctified you to exhaust you. Be exhausted for God, but remember that He is your supply. "All my springs are in you." (Psalm 87:7
Rats!
I am a work in progress.
In addition, with the suggestion of my Sunday school teacher, I have started to read a book by Oswald Chambers - My Utmost for His Highest. It's a daily devotional, but it's unlike any I've read before. The best way I can describe it - it's more hard core.
How can a devotional be hard core? It does so by not having those personal testimonies accompanying it. I haven't come across a "feel good" story yet. At first I thought, "I'm not ready for this; this is way over my head." But I kept it up, and finally I read the devotional for February 7 entitled "Spiritual Dejection." I had an YES! moment!
Let me share that passage; I don't think (I hope!) that Mr. Chambers would mind...
Every fact that the disciples stated was right, but the conclusions they drew from those facts were wrong. Anything that has even a hint of dejection spiritually is always wrong. If I am depressed or burdened, I am to blame, not God or anyone else. (uh-oh - hadn't thought of that!) Dejection stems from one of two sources - I have either satisfied a lust or I have not had it satisfied. In either case, dejection is the result. Lust means "I must have it at once." (Hey, that sounds like the mind-set of children, and adults, today!) Spiritual lust causes me to demand an answer from God, instead of seeking God Himself who gives the answer. What have I been hoping or trusting God would do? Is today "the third day" and He has still not done what I expected? Am I therefore justified in being dejected and in blaming God? Whenever we insist that God should give us an answer to prayer we are off track. The purpose of prayer is that we get ahold of God, not of the answer. It is impossible to be well physically and to be dejected, because dejection is a sign of sickness. This is also true spiritually. Dejection spiritually is wrong, and we are always to blame for it.
We look for visions from heaven and for earth-shaking events to see God's power. Even the fact that we are dejected is proof that we do this. Yet we never realize that all the time God is at work in our everyday events and in the people around us. If we will only obey, and do the task that He has placed closest to us, we will see Him. One of the most amazing revelatins of God comes to us when we learn that it is in the everyday things of life that we realize the magnificent deity of Jesus Christ.
Have you ever prayed and thought, "Am I doing this right?" Finally, after reading this passage I had faith in the way that I prayed.
But I must confess I had a lapse. For the past several weekends, I have been "doing" for others (and thinking, "Yes, service is one of my gifts.") Well, yesterday morning, after being out extremely late due to a middle school Valentine's dance, I woke up and said, "God, forgive me, but in serving others I'm tired!" So I skipped church. (I did go to hand-bell practice-does that count?) Anyway, looking back over some passages, I came across the one "Are You Exhausted Spiritually?" I won't type that one out for you except the last lines:
You have no right to complain, "O Lord, I am exhausted." He saved and sanctified you to exhaust you. Be exhausted for God, but remember that He is your supply. "All my springs are in you." (Psalm 87:7
Rats!
I am a work in progress.
1 comment:
Jen
Funny,I am reading "Utmost", too. Oswald says it how it is, and that's how I like it. I read both of those devotions you mention. This book will challenge you, indeed. But that's always good. :)
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