Question of the day: In what area of my spiritual growth do I need to be more patient and persistent?
I've decided to skip Day 27 as I do not wish to share the answer. The gist of the chapter, is how to resist temptation. While it make be difficult it is avoidable.
So back to Day 28... This chapter was particularly interesting as it focuses on time. Often we want things in a hurry, this can include spiritual growth. As the chapter discusses, there is no quick fix, instant remedy, or drive thru window for spiritual growth. When we ask God for things, we often want them then and there, however when we wait we develop more and into better people, we learn what it is to work hard, and struggle.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Day 26 Temptation
What Christlike character quality can I develop by defeating the most common temptation I face?
Answer: Patience. I have none, many of the people I encounter everyday are unlovable idiots. Everyday I am tempted to flip someone off or slap someone because of something stupid someone said or did (especially when I'm driving). I can be on my way to church and have an idiot make an illegal turn and cut me off, and it sends me into a rage. I then feel like a fraud because its not a very Christlike thing to do , especially on the way to church. Anger is one of, if not my most major vice , and while chapter 26 talks about using a quick prayer to keep from giving in, it seems that anger is an automatic reaction....
Answer: Patience. I have none, many of the people I encounter everyday are unlovable idiots. Everyday I am tempted to flip someone off or slap someone because of something stupid someone said or did (especially when I'm driving). I can be on my way to church and have an idiot make an illegal turn and cut me off, and it sends me into a rage. I then feel like a fraud because its not a very Christlike thing to do , especially on the way to church. Anger is one of, if not my most major vice , and while chapter 26 talks about using a quick prayer to keep from giving in, it seems that anger is an automatic reaction....
Friday, November 20, 2009
Day 25 Trouble
Question of the Day: What problem in my life has caused the greatest growth in me?
Thus far, this chapter has spoken to me the most. Day 25 discussed growth as a Christian in times of trouble. God uses problems in our lives to help us mature and grow, and learn to deal with adversity. This rings true for me. For the past couple of years, I felt like I was stuck. I hated my job, and I did not feel like I was where I should be in my life. This caused great frustration and often times resentment and anger towards God, I often asked why me? As time grew on I began to get back into church and the Word, and despite the many times when I just did not feel like praying or going to church because of my anger or sadness, I forced myself to go and forced myself to pray. The words spoken at church often seems as if they were just for me. I began to feel comfort and realized God has something special for me up the road. Although I often felt this, the fact that it was taking so long was bothersome.
There were times when things got so bad I felt like God didn't care and even thought my misery amused Him; however something made me keep going and no matter what I could not stop believing in Him. Quite recently, God answered my prayers and it seems as though my life may be finally starting. Now I don't expect everything to be perfect and I 'm quite sure there will continue to be new problems and tough times, I think, or at least I hope, this time around I will have more have even more faith and wait on God.
Thus far, this chapter has spoken to me the most. Day 25 discussed growth as a Christian in times of trouble. God uses problems in our lives to help us mature and grow, and learn to deal with adversity. This rings true for me. For the past couple of years, I felt like I was stuck. I hated my job, and I did not feel like I was where I should be in my life. This caused great frustration and often times resentment and anger towards God, I often asked why me? As time grew on I began to get back into church and the Word, and despite the many times when I just did not feel like praying or going to church because of my anger or sadness, I forced myself to go and forced myself to pray. The words spoken at church often seems as if they were just for me. I began to feel comfort and realized God has something special for me up the road. Although I often felt this, the fact that it was taking so long was bothersome.
There were times when things got so bad I felt like God didn't care and even thought my misery amused Him; however something made me keep going and no matter what I could not stop believing in Him. Quite recently, God answered my prayers and it seems as though my life may be finally starting. Now I don't expect everything to be perfect and I 'm quite sure there will continue to be new problems and tough times, I think, or at least I hope, this time around I will have more have even more faith and wait on God.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Day 24 Truth
Day 24: What has God already told me in his Word that I haven't started doing yet?
This is a very interesting chapter as it goes into detail the need to read the Bible. I have started reading it several times, but whenever I get half way through; that's when I hit a wall, something in my life would happen to keep me from wanting to read anymore, I get too busy or frustrated. What has God told me in his Word that I haven't stated doing?.. start reading the Bible. I'm going to start over from Genesis and continue into Revelations. ( Is it me or is anyone else scared of Revelations?) While time and circumstances haven't permitted me to do so , I am also thinking of attending a bible study class. Now I'm not going to become one of the fanatical super religious people, that all seems fake to me, but I will no longer be ashamed to call on God so all you heathens and naysayers can go kick rocks!
This is a very interesting chapter as it goes into detail the need to read the Bible. I have started reading it several times, but whenever I get half way through; that's when I hit a wall, something in my life would happen to keep me from wanting to read anymore, I get too busy or frustrated. What has God told me in his Word that I haven't stated doing?.. start reading the Bible. I'm going to start over from Genesis and continue into Revelations. ( Is it me or is anyone else scared of Revelations?) While time and circumstances haven't permitted me to do so , I am also thinking of attending a bible study class. Now I'm not going to become one of the fanatical super religious people, that all seems fake to me, but I will no longer be ashamed to call on God so all you heathens and naysayers can go kick rocks!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Day 23 Grow
What is one area where I need to stop thinking my way and start thinking God's way?
Day 23 talks about growing as a Christian and spiritual maturity. Some people are unable or refuse to grow because they are intent on doing things their own way and thinking in old ways. According to the chapter we must not only rely on our own efforts to change because willpower will only get us so far; its the reason why so many of us fail diets, and only continue New Year's resolutions for a month or so. While we have the intent of changing our old ways, we still reflect in old habits and eventually go back to them. When trying to change and grown in Christ we must first change the way we think and give up on old habits. After that God takes care of the rest.
With regards to the aforementioned question, I need to stop thinking my way in general, however if I had to pinpoint one area I would have to say its with the company I keep. Some people I know do not have my best interests in mind and are only keeping down and away from what God wants from me.
Day 23 talks about growing as a Christian and spiritual maturity. Some people are unable or refuse to grow because they are intent on doing things their own way and thinking in old ways. According to the chapter we must not only rely on our own efforts to change because willpower will only get us so far; its the reason why so many of us fail diets, and only continue New Year's resolutions for a month or so. While we have the intent of changing our old ways, we still reflect in old habits and eventually go back to them. When trying to change and grown in Christ we must first change the way we think and give up on old habits. After that God takes care of the rest.
With regards to the aforementioned question, I need to stop thinking my way in general, however if I had to pinpoint one area I would have to say its with the company I keep. Some people I know do not have my best interests in mind and are only keeping down and away from what God wants from me.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Day 22
Day 22 starts the final purpose of the three... to be Christlike. The question of the day is, "In what area of my life do I need to ask for the Spirit's power to be like Christ today?"
This chapter goes into how and why we need to be more Christlike. This does not mean we will be like God or become gods ourselves. Since we're made in His image and likeness, it basically means that we should also have characteristics of God- be loving, kind, honest, etc. As far as this question goes, I think the area of my life that I need the most help is trust. By trust I don't mean trusting others, I mean trusting God (which in turn leads to full obedience). For some reason I seem to believe that the way I want things to work out will always be the right way. I think my problem is I just don't like not knowing, and to know everything I have to be in control of everything. It's something to continue to work on. This walk is a continual process, its not going to all come to me one day and I'll finally get everything right... I am human.
This chapter goes into how and why we need to be more Christlike. This does not mean we will be like God or become gods ourselves. Since we're made in His image and likeness, it basically means that we should also have characteristics of God- be loving, kind, honest, etc. As far as this question goes, I think the area of my life that I need the most help is trust. By trust I don't mean trusting others, I mean trusting God (which in turn leads to full obedience). For some reason I seem to believe that the way I want things to work out will always be the right way. I think my problem is I just don't like not knowing, and to know everything I have to be in control of everything. It's something to continue to work on. This walk is a continual process, its not going to all come to me one day and I'll finally get everything right... I am human.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Day 21
Doesn't apply...next question. I'm honestly getting tired of writing about this book, bu I made a committment so after a bit of a hiatus, I've started again...till tomorrow.
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