Devotions with Meghan DeGregory
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Tuesday
'When the Israelites were at Rephidim, they were attacked by the Amalekites. So Moses told Joshua, “Have some men ready to attack the Amalekites tomorrow. I will stand on a hilltop, holding this walking stick that has the power of God.” Joshua led the attack as Moses had commanded, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur stood on the hilltop. The Israelites out-fought the Amalekites as long as Moses held up his arms, but they started losing whenever he lowered them. After a while, his arms were so tired that Aaron and Hur got a rock for him to sit on. Then they stood beside him and supported his arms in the same position until sunset. ' Exodus 17:8-12 https://my.bible.com/bible/392/EXO.17.8-12 This whole scripture talks about testifying in the presence of others .Some may not believe, but doing what others say is impossible and witnessing it is HIM can be miraculous. Even when others had to hold Moses’ hands up he still attended to what God recommended. My job is to testify-to hear God and follow His lead. He will make a way for others to SEE his work. Our job is not to point out his work, but to DO his work. Others will see the witness in that. Just because someone does not invite God into their lives, they may allow HIM because of other’s testimony. Meghan
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For some strange reason, I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the way God’s universe is made; this is the way it is structured. —DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
Generosity will be rewarded: Give a cup of water, and you will receive a cup of water in return. Proverbs 11:25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 I’m sure if we’re truthful, many of us will admit we do not always exhibit the Fruit of the Spirit. What we may not realize is that some of the fruit that we display can be a product of our previous experiences. Say one grew up in a home that had a lot of chaos and arguing. The fruit that person may bear out in their adult life might be related to the things they grew up with in their childhood. They may thrive on chaos or be argumentative in their daily lives. Old habits die hard, it’s said, and it’s so true. However, the whole point of the teaching of the Fruit of the Spirit is that the Holy Spirit GROWS that fruit in you. It’s a beautiful thing, really, but WE MUST ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN! There is some scientific information supporting the fact that we can change our approaches as well: In "Anatomy of the Soul: Surprising Connections between Neuroscience and Spiritual Practices That Can Transform Your Life and Relationships" by Curt Thompson M.D., he discusses that the brain can adjust how it responds to things. Even if we have fully established patterns of reaction, with some allowance on our part and with the work of the Holy Spirit, we can change. It states: "And we have even more reason to hope. While it’s true that established neural networks are most likely to fire, it’s equally true that recent research demonstrates that our brains were created with beautiful and mysterious plasticity. That means our neurons can be redirected in ways that correlate with joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self- control. Instead of automatically following the wired sequence of our old memory, with reflection, we can choose to create new pathways. “ So, as in most spiritual things, there must be an availability of our desire to change things. We must be, if nothing else, willing to allow the Spirit to work, but also may have to do some work ourselves in changing negative thought patterns or ways of interacting with the world around us. Do you have a story of how you have changed thought patterns from what you have learned? If so, would you be willing to share? Meghan DeGregory God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; ~Romans 1:9-10
Who is depending on your prayers? Who do you love so much that you hold them up before God? Write down your list and specific things that you’d like to see happen in their lives. When you’re specific, it’s easier to tell when God has answered your prayer. Don’t forget to let them know that you’re praying for them. And don’t forget to yield your prayers to God’s will, instead of your own. Prayer: God, I pray for my friend/husband/wife/kids/parents. I pray for your grace to be poured upon them and that your will be seen in their lives. I ask that we may have a conversation this week about how they have seen you work in their lives in a special way. Amen. Pastor Vicky Human beings can be pretty judgy. We want things to be the way we are used to or things we have been taught were right (even when there is no moral code attached to it- have you ever heard people argue over if pineapple should be on pizza?!). The same thing happens in faith circles when people disagree with other’s worship styles or theology.
Sometimes people act like God’s grace is cheapened by some of the (non-essential) things that happen in church. I’m not talking about the important things that make up our faith, but the smaller things that boil down to tradition or personal preference. I think there are times that instead of cheapening God’s grace, we make it very expensive. In reality, it is FREE! Thank you, LORD! Meghan We need to care for those who are desperate and easily taken advantage of, who don't have anyone to represent them. The Bible has made it clear that God is on their side.
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