Based on “Life Happens” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 6/26-27/10
Message #6052; Daily Devotional #2 - “Rise above Your Circumstances”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): Do you ever wonder what to say when people ask you what your red bracelet means? Does it make sense to you to say, “Live dangerously, follow Jesus”? I was told once that it doesn’t make sense, and I had to stop and consider: how is it dangerous to follow Christ? It isn’t dangerous or adventurous if I’m not following His plan for me, living only a self-centered, not God centered life. I have taken my bracelet off several times because I felt that my attitude did not reflect that of a Christ follower. Without the bracelet, I didn’t feel as pressured to have to live up to Christ’s example. This thought process only leads to a vicious cycle of staying in a self-centered attitude, one that is discouraged and defeated.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): I realized Satan would love to keep me in this vicious cycle, never rising above because I am afraid I can’t live up to Christ’s example. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. (Romans 3:22-23, NLT) We can be assured that everyone has fallen short of God’s standard and Christ’s example, but because we trust in Jesus we are made right, no matter what we have done. Yes, I can boldly wear my red bracelet because I’m not alone. Everyone has failed to reflect the attitude of a Christ follower, but we are already forgiven by trusting in Christ. As we live more and more in the Spirit and not in the flesh, it makes perfect sense that following Jesus is dangerous and adventurous because we don’t have to see the big picture. We just follow by faith, and rest assured that God “has our back”. God’s supernatural power is at work all around us, and He wants us to join Him; to rise above the wall in front of us and be a part of the bigger plan He has for us. We cannot do this in our own power or we will continue to fail; the power of the Holy Spirit within brings us the truth of our current situation. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. (John 16:13, NLT) Consult the Holy Spirit living within to show you the truth. Look at your current situation through God’s eyes and see what good you have learned from it and how it can be used for God’s glory.
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Is it more dangerous and adventurous to rise above your surrounding circumstances than to resign yourself to it and believe it will never change? Satan comes to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). The enemy will lie to you and keep you defeated and discouraged and suggest, “You can’t wear the red bracelet because you’re not doing a very good job”. Satan would love for you to give up because “you can’t do it”. He is right; in your power you can’t. If you are not abiding in Jesus, you won’t see the big plan but only the current wall in front of you. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:4, NLT). I am reminded that following Christ is more dangerous and adventurous than being content to stay in my current circumstance, which only leads to a vicious cycle of discouragement and being overwhelmed by life’s pressures. We have the choice to rise above our environment and rely on God’s bigger plan for our lives, by putting our faith in Jesus, not in self. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. (John 15:3, NLT)
Cultivating (Additional Reading): John 14:15-31
JE
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.
New Living Translation = NLT.