Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: Transformation
Weekend Music links on iTunes: Salvation Is Here - Hillsong, Your Grace Is Enough - Chris Tomlin, All To You - Lincoln Brewster, 'Til I See You - Hillsong
"You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 NIV
Think: What a great conclusion to the series “No Perfect People Allowed”. This Sunday Pastor Ben focused on “Transformation” and the things that can hinder the process of positive growth and change in our lives.
At Timberlake we have a slogan, “Come as you are but don’t stay that way.” None of us will ever be perfect but we can all take the “next right step” in our spiritual journey. The problem is that so many times it feels like we are stuck and can’t seem to move forward.
We’re not alone in our frustration over our imperfection. Even the Apostle Paul who wrote much of the New Testament wrestled with his own imperfection. Listen to the raw emotion contained in his words.
"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." Romans 7:15 NIV
My father passed away at the age of 84. Many times I talked to him about my faith but he simply could not understand. He was not a follower of Christ and once even joked that if he ever entered the church the building would fall down. His own poor opinion of himself framed his understanding of how he believed God viewed him. This kept him paralyzed for many years from moving forward spiritually.
I think that many times we find ourselves like Paul doing what we “hate”. It’s pretty easy at that point to redirect these feelings of failure into hatred of self. Perhaps someone has even helped fuel those feelings of self hatred by saying something like “What’s wrong with you!” which can easily translate to “You’re not normal!” When this happens it can cause paralysis in our spiritual journey. We become so disappointed in our failure to become the person that we want to be that we think God must also be disappointed in us as well. The problem is the value scale you and I use is often our own, not God’s. Perhaps for change to occur we need to begin to view ourselves through God’s eyes?
Do: Spend some time reflecting on the following scriptures that reveal how God sees you. The Bible says that "faith comes by hearing" so read them out loud to yourself. Romans 5:8; Colossians 3:12-14; John 3:15-17; Romans 8:38-39
Pray: Father I confess that my view is very limited. Help me to see myself through your eyes. Help me to value myself by your value scale and the words you have spoken not by the words others have spoken over me. In Jesus name, Amen.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.
|
