Daily Devotional: Friday, Sept 18

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Negativity

Weekend Music links on iTunes:  Glorious One by Marcus Jones; Hosanna by Paul Baloche; From the Inside Out by Hillsong United; The Stand by Hillsong United. 

Read: John 16:32-33; Matthew 14:25-31; Psalm 139:1-2; Philippians 4:10-13;

Think: We all have heard the saying; "He or she sees the glass as half empty or half full."   Most often it is used to characterize someones predisposition towards life; some are sunny and optimistic, while others may be dark and gloomy like a late November day here in the Northwest (just a preview of coming attractions for those of you new to the area).  

The Bible is full of amazing individuals that God used throughout their lives to advance His Kingdom. Jesus tells us in his own words that we will face trials and tribulations in this world (John 16:32-33).  Let's take a quick look at two people who certainly faced trials and tribulations of their own, the Apostle Peter and the Apostle Paul.

The Apostle Peter:  Peter was used mightily by God but had a half empty outlook at times.  How so you say?  Peter like Paul, is well known in the New Testament and his denial of Jesus is a foundational teaching for a Christ follower.  His half full view of life becomes painfully evident when Jesus walks across a stormy sea and encounters the disciples in a boat (Matthew 14: 25-31).   Peter upon being called by the Lord steps out of the boat and walks towards Jesus (Glass Half Full), but then he loses focus and seeing the wind he begins to sink (Glass Half Empty).   He was so close, he was on his way, but at the last second he let fear and doubt take him down.  Notice also that Jesus' immediate gesture was to reach out his hand and save him, you see Jesus knew the result even before Peter began to sink (Psalm 139:1-2).

Jesus later on in His ministry declared that he would build His church upon the rock (Peter).  I suspect the many hard lessons learned by Peter served as a necessary pruning so that Christ could grow strong in him, strong enough to build His church upon.

The Apostle Paul: His conversion and transformation from persecutor to one who was persecuted is well known. His outlook while being persecuted can be stated as nothing less than half full, even more than half full, Paul saw the glass as overflowing!! The circumstances did not alter Paul's outlook or focus on what is really important. Read what Paul has to say while imprisoned and chained:

 ⁸ Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. ⁹ And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. ¹⁰ So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.

 ¹¹ This is a trustworthy saying:

   If we die with him,
      we will also live with him.
 ¹² If we endure hardship,
      we will reign with him.
   If we deny him,
      he will deny us.
 ¹³ If we are unfaithful,
      he remains faithful,
      for he cannot deny who he is.

2 Timothy 2:8-13

Here is what I love about this. Paul is not a syrupy optimist, he acknowledges the chains and suffering (Glass Half Empty perhaps), but celebrates the eternal glory available to us (Glass Overflowing). What a powerful, powerful, testimony on how we need to lead our lives.  It is not the daily circumstances that should drive our contentment, but rather the truth and knowledge of our salvation. (Philippians 4:10-13). 

We are to give God glory honor and praise in all things, in all circumstances. We are not asked to blindly deny the reality of the situations we face, however when we look upward beyond the half empty glass we see Jesus, and His abundant (overflowing) love for us.

Do: Take a look, are you seeing only a half empty glass?  Take a moment today and thank God for the blessings in your life.  Look back and remember times in your life when He reached His hand down and saved you in the midst of your sinking faith - praise Him and thank Him for that. 

Pray: Heavenly Father.  I have so much to be thankful for. I want to thank you for your gift of Jesus to me.  I know that it is through that gift that I am saved.  Help me to always see that, always remember that, always focus upon that no matter the circumstances.  Thank you for Your love overflowing for me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Timberlake Church | 4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, Washington 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@tlcf.org