Every night I have been trying to send out a devotional topic that may get your attention. If you are like me at times, you may find it difficult to find the time to read or pray in your day. I hope this makes studying God's word a little more enjoyable.
Last night's devotional was kind of a tough one to read. I try and send in the evenings because I want one of the last things you do before bed is think about your life with Christ. I hope and pray you do not think I am ever personally attacking anyone. That would be taking advantage of my position, and would be very inappropriate. I will say this; if you are convicted, that is because it is the Holy Spirit, not me trying to make you feel bad.
I remember when I was at church and I could have sworn that the Pastor was talking about me in one of his sermons. I remember even texting him after church and asking him if he was. He basically said, "Why would I talk about you?" I said, "Because it was exactly how I felt." He said, "Well I'm sorry, but I wasn't." Then I felt even more stupid. ;)
Another example was when I went to church with my ex-girlfriends mom and the Pastor was talking about being on time for church, work, or anything else, and if you do not, then you are disrespecting everyone else who does show up on time. This was when we were coming in 5 minutes late because obviously he had already started preaching. Let me tell you if you never seen a red face well I had one. Everyone was looking at us and smiling. I remember looking over at her mom, and boy was she embarrassed. I kind of laughed a little because the Pastor obviously did not plan it, but its amazing how God can humble us at times. So after the church service I was staying 20 feet off to the side, but I had my ear 1" from my ex's mom's conversation with the Pastor. She asked him, "Were you talking about me in your sermon being late?" He said, "Were you late?" Oh my gosh, I was about to start crying from laughing so hard. She knew it was not directed towards her, however her bad habits just happen to fall in line with one of his sermons.
Many times in life we are convicted about what we either hear, or read from the bible. It should convince us to want to change. If we are arrogant, stubborn, and not willing to change for the betterment of Christ, then I believe, like her mom, you will learn the hard way.
Philippians 2:3-11 says, "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interest of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men."
Final thoughts..... When you are convicted about something you know is wrong, please confess it to the Lord. If you are doing something wrong and trying to bring attention to yourself please stop! Like these two examples, God will find any way necessary to get your attention if you continue without any intentions of stopping.
I hope you have a good evening tonight. Before you go to bed I wish that you would email or text at least one person and tell them you are proud of them, and grateful to be their friend. Tell them why they are so important to you. I am going to cheat though. If you are on this email, it is because I care about you. I appreciate how each you play a role in my life. You are either someone I can talk to about important personal things, or just fun to be around. I appreciate you allowing me to pile up your emails each day with my silly stories. I hope you will find at least one that may help you draw closer to God.
Have a good evening,
E.