Daily Devotional: Friday, April 30
Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: More than a Fan
Weekend Music links on iTunes: The Time Has Comeby Hillsong; God is with Us by Michael Olson; Glory to God Forever by Fee; How He Loves by David Crowder.
Read: Hebrews 11:1-3
Think: When listening to Pastor Ben on Sunday, the Serenity Prayer really hit home on how impactful prayer can be in my life. I know that I am a sinner, I know that Christ died for my sins, and I know that I try every day to become a better Christian than the day before. Sometimes I succeed and sometimes I don't, but this prayer was great because it focused on why I became a Christian in the first place- brokenness. You can't come to Christ without having some feeling of surrender... surrendering your past life and wanting to start over as a born again Christian. Let's look at the prayer again:
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference; living one day at a time; accepting hardships as a pathway to peace; taking as Jesus did this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will; that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next. ~Amen
--Reinhold Niebuhr
I love the fact that it speaks about serenity. I continually stumble with frustration, fear and anxiety over things I cannot change. That frustration, fear and anxiety can be the cause of my sin. I love the fact it speaks about Change and Wisdom – because in my daily walk with Christ, the more I change- the wiser I become. To live one day at a time talks about not worrying about tomorrow and realizing that everyone is going to face hardship which leads to being closer to the Lord. Let’s face it, if everything was easy- would we seek a relationship with Christ?It is great talking about surrendering it all for His will and not my own, leaving the big finish for last and asking to be “reasonably happy” here on earth and even happier in heaven. This was a eye-opener for me. I have always prayed for joy, comfort, happiness … never, “Somewhat Happy” or “Sorta Happy” and or like Niebuhr says “Reasonably Happy”.
Do: Reflect on the Serenity Prayer this week and try incorporating it into your life to see what God might have in store for you.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray that you shape me into the person you want me to become. Allow this prayer to draw me closer to you, to live a happier, more content life and surrender my fears and life over to you. Amen
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.
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