Devotional Time with God

One of my worse personality flaw is my quickness to anger.  I was brought up in a realtively dysfunctional family, and my parents are not readily there to guide me in the ways of patience and humility.  They were not Christians back when I was growing up.   We are Christians now and we’ve been taught many times to keep our angry words and thoughts at bay.  The bible says:

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

James 1:19-20

God certainly doesn’t want me to be angry at another, let alone antagonize others.  I must first listen to God, listen to others, and listen to my own heart.  I need to let the spirit of God guide me.  The fruits of the spirit is love, gentleness, patience, and self-control.  It’s what I have to attain to deal with my anger issues.

Thank you, Lord, for filling my heart and mind with your holy spirit.  You know how many times I had burst in anger, being disrepectful, and hurtful to others.  Please forgive me, Lord.  Your kindness and patience towards me exemplifies what I have to do to others.  Guide me, as always.  Fill my heart with gentleness.  Give me the strength to gain self-control.  Provide me the gift of discernment and quick thinking to know the difference between right and wrong.  Let your words flow in me, and in all of us.  Amen.

I’ve struggled with this thought for a while: Why doesn’t God explain to me His plan?

Whenever I see hardship, unfairness, and cruelty in this world, I asked why does God let this happen?  Whenever I do something good, why does it sometime seem God doesn’t reward me?  Whenever I hear God’s calling, why does it seem it’s not always a clear message?

The answer lies in both faith and obedience.  I can’t possibly know all of God’s plan because He’s all knowing.  He reveals little by little to me.  He lets me handle what I can.  He’s a fair and just God.  I know that because of my faith in Him.

But when he does call, I have to do what He says.  I must be obedient.  It’s not my place to expect God to answer all of my questions.  I have to answer His calling.   God always have a purpose for me, in every moment of my life.  Whether He wants me to learn, endure pain, grow in character, or just sit and listen – there’ll always be a reason.

God doesn’t owe me an explanation.  I owe him my life for Jesus Christ, His Son, who died on the cross to save my otherwise meaningless existence.

Pastor Greg Laurie has a really good devotional that explained How to know God’s will.  In a nutshell, I must be a living sacrifice, be separated from this world, and live by His words (in that order).  It’s encapsulated in this scripture:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:1–2

I see that bumper sticker graphics a lot: “NOTW”. It’s a clever graphics design that points out a cross in the middle of NOW – meaning “Christ NOW”.

I like it. It’s meaningful and relevant nowadays.

I know I live in a broken world.  I was born selfish and I need to grow up.  So now I know of the ways of this world.  I know of the evil characters and personalities that shaped this world.  God’s intention is to change all that, through me.

My life’s purpose is to serve others, that is my ministry – to use my God given talent.  What He shaped me to do, I must be willing to follow God’s directions.

But first I must change my conduct and character.  I must ask for God’s presence in me.  To keep me in check and in the right direction:

God has given us his Spirit. That’s why we don’t think the same way that the people of this world think.

1 Corinthians 2:12

I don’t want to have the destructive characters of this world. I want God’s that centers around love and patience.