just randomly decided to read Matt's weekly devotion to the cell just now, and i am so glad i read it!
some excerpts from it:
When we feel far from God, there is a tendency to think that we probably did something wrong, or that we did not do some things right enough and that we are just getting what we deserved. May we then be reminded that we are all sinners in the hands of a merciful God. We can never do anything right enough, and it is only by the grace of God that we can experience His “touch” in the first place.
It could be very disorienting to suddenly not hear and feel God as we would before. Do not be alarmed. This does not mean that God is moving away from us, for Scripture says that God would never ever leave us or forsake us. It is just that God wants us to learn something more important.There seems to be a little too much emphasis about receiving a “touch” from God, so much so that it seems to be a norm for worship. It somehow makes people think that if they did not receive a touch from God, it means that they are spiritually inferior. However this just is not true. In fact this is normal. It does not mean that one is less spiritual, it just goes to show that feelings are fleeting and this is how humans are wired by God - that God wants us to learn at some point to move beyond feelings, to move one level up.
In Job chapter 1 and 2, we see Satan telling God that Man is essentially selfish - that Man will not fear God for nothing, and that he will give all that he has just to save his own self. Let us then, like Job, prove Satan wrong. Let us not worship God for the feeling. God wants us to worship Him for who He is, and not what we can get from Him. This is faith - being sure of who God really is and who He really is not.
after reading, my thoughts about God are suddenly illuminated; (it must be the holy spirit who led me to the scripture)....
i believe the thoughts that we are far from God are planted by the evil one, so that we come to condemn ourselves or think that we are so unworthy of God that we do not dare approach God.
but the bible says we have the confidence to enter God's throne(the place of his dwelling)! :) "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." -Heb 4:15-16
PTL!
yes i am digesting all this at this early hour! :) Gonna get ready for work now! Have a great morning! :)
Serene, 25, Christian
a sinner saved by God's grace.
a beloved child of God.
a social worker (youth).
a daughter.
a sister to 2 younger siblings.
Your Love
"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." -1 John 4:10
Loves n Adores
*God; the Father, Son Jesus and Holy Spirit
*Family; Tan
*Church; Grace Assembly of God
*My close friends
*My cell group; AHH (After His Heart)
*Youths
*Missions
*Children
*Good food, Chocolates and Ice-cream!
