Daily Devotional: Thursday, Nov 19
Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: Dangerous Transformations
Weekend Music links on iTunes: Today is the Day by Lincoln Brewster; Not to Us by Chris Tomlin; Sing to the King by Passion Worship Band; Mighty to Save by Hillsong United.
Read: John 8:31-32; Proverbs 27:17; Matthew 13:31-32
Think: As a person in the field of counseling and coaching, I see some common characteristics that are found in people inclined toward growth.
- They see opportunity in every problem. We can easily focus our attention on the problems and difficulties in life, thereby giving up the power to do anything about them. But if we see each problem in a more positive light- as an opportunity for growth, resolution, learning or changing, then we can have the power to move forward.
- They accept themselves. Brennan Manning writes, "The more fully we accept ourselves, the more successfully we begin to grow." Once we are humbly aware and accepting of our human limitations, we are more capable of abiding in God's power.
- They ask for the truth, even if the truth is hard to hear. Nobody likes to hear something negative about themselves. But there is nothing worse than trying to improve something, without knowing for sure what's broken. Jesus says, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32) Asking for feedback, advice and coaching is a sign of maturity.
- They get around other healthy people. As we make ourselves available to other people, and they invest their lives in us, we grow together. We begin to trust, loosen up and start to let down our guard. When we do this in the context of relationships with other growers, we are fulfilling the proverb, "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." (Proverbs 27:17)
- They take risks. Jesus referenced faith as a little mustard seed- and really, faith is the first step in this process of growth. To have faith the size of a mustard seed is to believe that God is who He says He is, and that you are who He says you are. Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches." (Matthew 13:31-32) It is impossible to please God without faith, and faith is the stuff that growth is made of.
Do: Determine that you will be inclined toward growth. Chose one thing today that you will do from the above list.
Pray: Help me, Jesus to do the things that are naturally hard for me to do. I will surrender these things to you, and allow you to make me grow through them.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church. |
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