Spiritual Awakening

Spiritual Awakening

Genesis 3: ⁶ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was ^]pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. ⁷ Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

 

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Belief in the lie Satan told and implied and inferred, caused the woman to innocently want more than she already had. She wanted to be “wise.” She did not know what she was missing, but, for some reason, felt she was missing something. The lie worked! Her husband was right there. He too was curious about what would happen. He had never seen death and probably wondered what it was.

 

My Observations:

• Both man and woman could physically see so the “eyes” here are spiritual eyes that provides awareness.
• Shame seemed to be the first thing they experienced when they became aware.
• Everything became different from both of their perspectives.

 

Feeling inadequate or different or ashamed came from something seemingly innocent, namely eating. Humans compare sins like murder, adultery, or lying and label them as “big” sins. But eating something from GOD’s tree took down all of humanity! One bite doomed all humans to death. Satan had won, or so he thought. He didn’t know that GOD had already made a plan for the fall.

 

GOD never changed in the situation. HE was still GOD, but now the relationship with HIS creation was spiritually different. They would now see HIM as someone to question or blame or doubt. No longer was anything HE made,  “good” enough. They would try to make their own solutions to problems that did not exist.  Fortunately GOD knew how to fix this.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD went into detail to Moses, regarding the woman’s desire to be “wise?”
• Have you ever wanted something that was possibly not good for you, yet you wanted it more and more?
• Will you give your desires to GOD and ask HIM to align them to HIS will today?

Facing Trials

Facing Trials

James 1: ² My friends, consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way, ³ for you know that when your faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is the ability to endure. 

 

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Trying to explain what I was going through seemed impossible. Everyone was smiling and I was feeling terrible. Lots of problems were coming my way which included people being sick, debt collection and broken relationships.

 

• I did not want the phone to ring.
• I did not want to hear another problem mentioned.
• I did not want another trial.

 

James gives a strange statement to those who are scared and probably in hiding. Many people had been scattered because of their belief in JESUS. Persecution was their new normal and they needed some words to help them get over the shock.

 

My Observations:

• GOD knows I will face trials and wants me to gain endurance.
• GOD is right there with me when I am going through a trial.
• GOD grows me in the times of trouble.

 

It is not the trials that we face it is the response to the trial that is important. I mean, I can fall apart and tell people how terrible the trial is, or I can tell people I am in a trial and ask GOD for endurance. GOD does not want me to be a superhero, nor does HE want me to fold up and wither in a corner. HE wants me to admit, something is not right and rely on HIM to fix the problem.

 

GOD gives me strength when I have none. HE empathizes with the pain I feel and deeply cares when I am concerned. HE gives me endurance to withstand trials because HE assures me HE is right there going through the trial with me. I am glad HE will never leave me.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer consider trials as being fortunate?
• What trial can you think of that you came through and was stronger for it?
• Knowing GOD is right there with you, how does this change your view of the current trial?
• Will you look at the endurance you are gaining from GOD versus focusing in on the trial today?

 

Prayer

Dear LORD, we see trials as something to get out of. Please help this reader gain the right endurance to grow his or her faith. amen

Spiritual Exercise

Spiritual Exercise

1 Timothy 4: ⁶ If you give these instructions to the believers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, as you feed yourself spiritually on the words of faith and of the true teaching which you have followed. ⁷ But keep away from those godless legends, which are not worth telling. Keep yourself in training for a godly life. ⁸ Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is valuable in every way, because it promises life both for the present and for the future. ⁹ This is a true saying, to be completely accepted and believed. ¹⁰ We struggle and work hard, because we have placed our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all and especially of those who believe.

 

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Tired of being a weakling, I joined a gym. I could barely lift any weight, so I stood around until I perceived people were not looking at me. “You need to work out with us” were the words I was surprised and horrified to hear. A group of powerlifters taught me the technique of lifting while introducing me to a regiment.

 

• I was embarrassed, but had to start somewhere.
• I was undisciplined and needed something to make me continue with a regiment.
• I struggled and worked hard and eventually saw some results.

 

Paul gives Timothy a regiment to follow. He likened the regiment to that of physical exercise. He urged Timothy to feed his spirit regularly with faith and true teaching. He gave him a diet to stay away from certain unhealthy spiritual foods like “godless legends.” Then he give him the spiritual exercise routine, namely struggle and work hard.

 

My Observations

• Spiritual exercise takes me through problem after problem after problem, until I can get strong enough to let GOD handle them.
• Admitting I am weak in many areas gives me the prayers I can say to GOD to grow me.
• My hope in GOD is strengthened after each trial is completed.

 

Spiritual workouts are difficult because I am not in control of the trials. BUT GOD has an answer. HE wants me to prepare for trials by feeding myself with HIS words of faith and truth. HE also wants me to focus on the present, knowing only HE can bring me through “this” trial or “that” one.

 

GOD wants me to grow up but this takes a regiment to keep my mind clear from things that would guide me away from HIS hope. HE allows trials to come into my life, not to break me, but to establish muscles of faith, truth and hope. I am glad GOD cares enough to grow me spiritually.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer compares spiritual exercise to physical exercise?
• Have you ever done something that took a regiment of discipline and got some benefit out of it?
• Will you get on a regiment  that will benefit you in this present life and eternally by focusing in on GOD’s word and looking at trials as exercise to help you grow in the LORD today?

Unoccupied House

Matthew 12: ⁴³ “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. ⁴⁴ Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. ⁴⁵ Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”

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Someone told me it would take one hundred days to start or break any daily habit. I had plenty of “bad” habits so I chose a few and stopped cold turkey. Ninety eight, ninety nine, one hundred was my countdown. I did it I thought to myself, but after a while, I missed my old habits.

• Sin can become a habit.
• Sin can overwhelm the thoughts.
• Sin can fill an empty void.

After sweeping out my house and putting everything in order I still felt empty so I chose to fill the void with more sin. After a while it seemed like I was in worse shape. What was I to do?

• GOD said to me “I will continue to knock on your heart and will enter if you allow ME.”
• GOD said to me “I will pursue you as one of MY lost sheep.”
• GOD said to me “I will fill you up until you are overflowing.”

Filling my emptiness with the things of the world left me in a very bad spot. BUT GOD did something different. HE filled me with HIS HOLY SPIRIT which gave me purpose to do HIS will. The void was gone and something overflowed, namely CHRIST.

I realized I would never become “clean” but I can be “forgiven.” Now thanksgiving fills my heart knowing that I am redeemed.

• Are you trying to do “self-help” techniques without GOD?
• Do you think you can “clean” yourself up and get your life on track by yourself?
• Will you stop trying to do things under your own power and seek GOD’s face?

Getting Through Agony

Psalm 6: ¹ Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger
    or discipline me in your wrath.
² Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint;
    heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
³ My soul is in deep anguish.
    How long, Lord, how long?

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A tear rolled down my cheek as I chewed in agony. Something was wrong with a tooth and I was in wrenching pain. I tried over the counter medicines and they seemed to work for a while, but now they had no effect. I called around to find dentists who were available but for some reason every appointment was filled with emergencies. Finally I found a doctor who would see me in three days. Three days??!! How will I last?

• Sometimes I see my pain as an emergency.
• Sometimes I see my anguish as the most important thing going on right now.
• Sometimes I see my agony as the pinnacle of things that needs to be solved right now!

“How long, Lord, how long?” David asks and when I am in pain I ask the same question. I mean my problem is the most important thing going on in the world isn’t it?

• GOD says to me “Bring your cares to ME.”
• GOD says to me “Cast your troubles at MY feet.”
• GOD says to me “I will provide you strength to do all things.”

Pain, anguish and agony are easy things for GOD to handle. Physical, emotional, mental and spiritual wellness are definitely HIS concern for me. HE wants the best for me and understands life’s troubles. I thought I could not survive the painful toothache and years later I almost forgot the incident. HE takes me though many situations and I am stronger only because of HIS strength.

• Are you going through pain?
• Are you exhausted from asking “how long?”
• Will you give your time expectation over to GOD knowing HE will clear up the issue HIS way and in HIS time?
• Can you understand that HIS love for you is deeper than any problem you can face?