It's only been a few hours since I shared the last lesson with you, but I awoke to the symphony of thunder, lightening, and the loud patter of rain coming in windows. As long we're up, we might as well praise Him who makes the storms that are watering our gardens!
My dear Lord, thank you for the rain and the sun. The grass is bejeweled with wet diamonds and glittering flowers today, reminding me of your love of beauty and new growth! Help us to grow in Your Word, today, Lord. Give us wisdom and let us love what You love. In Jesus' name, amen.
We've made it to the second chapter of The Revolution Devotional Workbook and Field Journal, by Joyce Meyer. So far we have discussed that change only comes when we cannot stay the same one moment longer! We talked about common hindrances to prayer. Next we determined the need to get involved in one thing, one cause or problem, and commited to do just one thing each day to help someone else. We also shared hurtful habits that we must let go of in order to move forward, and ways to make love action-oriented.
Finally, we were reminded that anytime we are learning something new, we will be tested. But after the test, comes the promotion! And since at the end of each chapter, we are invited to journal in what ways God is speaking to our hearts and changing our minds, I shared with you my own journal entry. At any time, I welcome your insight and questions - use the comment form at the end of each post and let me know how God is affecting you through this study.
Now, in this section, Joyce leads us to question Selfishness: adj., devoted to or caring only for oneself, concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others.
In what ways are you selfish? ____________________________
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Read James 3:13-17. Two things come from the devil, and cause confusion, and evil, in our lives. They are _____ and self-______, or selfishness. In comparison, wisdom from God is pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
How many problems in your life have been caused by reacting from feelings of envy and self-seeking? Name some: __________________________________________
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In looking at every problem I've ever had with others, envy or self-seeking has always been at the core. Why do we spend so much time worrying about what others are blessed with, instead of enjoying what we've got ourselves?
In what ways can you see your life improving if you sought God's wisdom, and all that comes with it, as listed above? _______________________________________
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Do you think you would be easier to get along with, and have more joy? Read Matthew 22:37-40 again and write what you find Jesus tells us to do:
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The only thing we have to do to fulfill all the commandments at once, is to _____ God with all our heart, all our soul, and all our mind, and then to ____ others as well as we do ourselves. If we are loving God wholeheartedly, we can't help loving others and there is nothing that brings more joy and contentment in our lives, no matter our external circumstances, than living in the activity of love.
Share with me in the comments below how this message affects you this week. May God bless this time you spend here in His Word, today and always. Let's end in prayer:
Father, thank you for loving us, even when we don't see it or even want it. Help us to see others through Your eyes this week. Help us to see ourselves through Your eyes. Give us a powerful desire to see selfishness for what it is and cast it as far away from our hearts as the east is to the west! In Jesus' name, amen.
Thank you for meeting with me today, love, Karen
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