Daily Devotional: Monday, Jan 18
Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: Reset Me
Weekend Music links on iTunes: Today is the Day by Lincoln Brewster; The Time Has Come by Hillsong United; How Can I Keep From Singing by Chris Tomlin; How He Loves by David Crowder Band.
Read: Romans 3:21-24 (MSG); Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)
Think: The start of a new year often provides a good line of demarcation between what we hoped and dreamed of, and what really came to pass when we honestly look in the mirror. The opportunity to reflect backwards also gives us the opportunity to change our projection going forward should we so choose.
As the new year, of a new decade began, Pastor Ben has been using the term RESET. I for one am incredibly thankful that I can make a choice to reset my life. For me the series could not have come at a better time. Today's sermon helped provide even more perspective on that reflection.
Intellectually we believe it; "You can't fool God", after all He is God. Nevertheless if you are like me, we sometimes lead a life of image control. While God is not fooled, I know that at times I can be trapped by my need to fool others into believing that I am really together. I am OK, I am something other than what I truly am. The one thing that I know that I need, that does not fool God, is admitting that I fall short of His glory and that I need him....desperately need him.
When I look in the mirror today I have to ask myself, where I am trying to fool others? As Ben shared the weekend message he talked about a full busy life or a full empty life. My life is full for sure....but are my priorities right? My life is full...but is God in control, or am I trying to appear in control? Am I running to just keep up, or am I running into His grace and presence? As 2010 began it dawned on me (truth be told it was nagging at me for quite some time so I don't want to be deceptive and have you think that this was a sudden epiphany) that while I am involved in many good things, I haven't been honest about my priorities, or my need for help. Admittedly, often I am tired, sometimes I feel burdened, and in the worst of times just not happy... I am guessing I am not alone. My shortcomings in 2009 are my pride and stubbornness in not admitting this to the Lord (yep I know He can't be fooled) as well as to others around me. Read Matthew 11:28-30 from The Message translation:
28-30"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
I don't know about you, but the incredible grace, love and compassion shown by our Lord and His willingness to take us by the hand is all I need if I am just willing to accept it. To seek His comfort, experience His Wisdom, watch and sense His Grace...Why would I trade this to go it alone for the sake of impressing my friends? Foolish thinking for sure. My reset this year is to walk with Him, not in front of Him..."For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:30 NIV) ...I will rest upon that promise. And I'm hoping and praying that you will too.
Do: Examine where you might be fooling others and subsequently fooling yourself. Spend time with God each and every day, be honest with Him, He can't be fooled!!
Pray: Lord, you are all I need. I want to learn from you. You wonderfully made me, and today I speak to you as my best friend, the one I can go to at anytime, for I know you love me just as I am. Let me be honest with you about who I am at this moment. Help me become who you want me to be. In Jesus name I pray Amen.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church. |
