The last week has been hard on me. I had a cold/sinus infection for the second time in a month. That is very unusual for me. I typically get a cold or two during the year and that's it. I think Satan is not too happy that I am doing devotionals. That is my reason for not blogging. It is not a good one at all. Satan may have stopped me from blogging for a few days but he didn't stop me from doing my devotions except for one night! I was determined that he wasn't going to lead me astray!
This week's devotions have been directed to confessions. The statement that has really hit me is that "Sin is appealing. Otherwise, no one would do it." I also liked the statement that confession should not be a result of guilt but a desire to become closer to God. I guess I have always looked at it as a guilt thing. I've been convicted about certain things in my life. I know that that is the Holy Spirit working in me but when I have slipped, it has caused guilt. It doesn't deny that you will feel guilt because I would think most people would feel guilt for doing something wrong, but the main guiding force for confession should be your desire to come closer to God. It's like when you have a fight with someone close. You may have felt guilty for something nasty that you said to them, and you ask for forgiveness because you want nothing to come between your relationship again. It's that desire for closeness that makes you confess, not the guilt.
In the whole process of this devotional study which is teaching you how to do a devotional, it's given a format for praying. I'm on the fence about a format for praying because it makes me question my sincerity when praying. The format is ACTS, which I have heard before. A is for adoration; C is for confession; T is for thanksgiving; and S is for supplication. In the process, I have really started thinking about what I adore about God and what I am thankful for. It suggests that you use some praise songs for adoration. I've really been thinking about the words of praise songs lately and taking them to heart.
I think I have about two more weeks of this Bible study and then I am out on my own. I'm going to be honest. I am a bit nervous. Will I be able to keep it up? That is the biggest challenge! I pray that God guides me through it and gives me strength because I know that Satan is going to try his best to get me out of the habit that I am trying so hard to accomplish.
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