Based on “Don’t Know What to Do – God Does” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 1/2-3/10,
Message #MB402; Daily Devotional #5 - “Yes…But”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:7-8)
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): As humans, we can easily fall into the “Yes, but” way of thinking and believing. What “Yes, but” statements do you tend to tell yourself, others, and God? “Yes, I know that I am not supposed to worry about paying the credit card bills, but I do not know how I am going to pay them.” “Yes, I know I am supposed to be patient, but she was so slow!” “Yes, I know God wants to speak to me through His Word, but I don’t have time.” Take the time, right now, to write at least three “Yes, but” statements that tend to trip you up. Next, take time during the week to journal other “Yes, but” thoughts and beliefs that pop into your head. Before anything can change, you need to understand what needs to change. Next, ask God for help in examining your heart and seek His truth. Take the time to listen to God’s instructions for your life and learn more about what it means to live life God’s way. Regardless of whether you have been a Christ follower one day or sixty years, you should constantly be growing closer to God. This process is never intended to stop. Perhaps after examining your heart, you see that you tend to judge and criticize others. Learn about God’s way of doing life in regards to relating to others. He has much to say. You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:5) How about the world of tithing? Perhaps you do give an offering on a weekly basis during service. Yet, as you place your check in the basket, you silently hope those around you see what a “good Christian” you are. If this is your heart, remember that you are not fooling God. So admit it, turn to and rely on God. What is God’s way? Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. (Matthew 6:1) But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:3-4)
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Let’s do life God’s way. Ask God to help you examine your life: your behavior, and more importantly, your thoughts, beliefs, and heart. God loves you. God is for you. So let’s do life God’s way!
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Proverbs 3:5-6; Proverbs 2
lh
Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.