Sometimes we get an idea into our heads. We think that maybe God doesn’t understand. I mean, He is God, after all. Does He understand or even care about the trial and temptations I have to face in my daily life?
Feeling this way is a problem though. It pulls us away from God a little, because we have the feeling he doesn’t care/understand, which is as far from the truth as you can get! But to get rid of this feeling, we need to understand how God does understand.
I know there have been countless times in your life when you didn’t know what God was doing. When you didn’t know why God was letting something happen. And there will be more of those times. We might begin to doubt that God knows what He’s doing. We want to test our wisdom against His, whether we realize we’re doing that or not. We do that by arguing with God, saying that it’s better our way, and that what He’s caused or allowed to happen is wrong. But there’s something we need to understand.
God speaks in many ways. Sometimes it’s obvious. You can tell that God has spoken to you through something that has happened or something someone has said. Maybe it answered a question you had, or maybe God just needed to tell you something, to direct you onto the right path.
God does things that surprise us sometimes, something totally unexpected. It may be an obviously good thing, a blessing. It may be something that doesn’t seem good at the time, but we need to understand that God has a divine plan. Whatever He does, He does for our good, for our benefit. Sometimes our minds can’t see how something can be good for us at the time, but there will be a day when we look back and understand. Maybe we won’t understand until we get to heaven. But we need to trust God, knowing that He always does what it best for us.
God speaks! Listen.
TTT
Must Reads:
We need to walk the Christian walk. You know how people say, “You can’t just talk the talk, you have to walk the walk.” That applies big-time to our Christian life. Sometimes we separate the time we go to church on Sunday (maybe Wednesdays) from every other day. Do we act the same way we do at church to our school life or work life? Or is that completely separate? If people looked at you when you’re not at church, could they tell you’re a Christian? Can the people at church tell you’re saved? 1 Thessalonians 2:12 (NASB) says this:
“Walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.”
God has accepted us into His kingdom. He has given us the gift of eternal life. And what do we do? We blow it off. We can claim we’re saved, but if we ignore God six days a week, what’s the point? If we put aside God til Sunday, can we actually be saved?
“Walk in a manner worthy of (the) God….” Are you walking the walk? Or are you just talking the talk? We need to understand that being a Christian isn’t just a one day a week thing. We need to devote all our time to the God who loves us, who saved us, who laid His life down for us. And we need to set an example for others 24-7 so that they can come to know God as well.
TTT
Must Reads:
The number one thing Christians should constantly be striving for is drawing closer to God. It is extremely important because doing so includes:
1. Obeying Him. As we draw closer to Him, we begin to understand more when God is telling us to do something. Also, the closer we draw to Him, the more we understand that whatever God tells us to do is for our well-being. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'”
2. Reflecting Him. When we are close to God, we begin to reflect Him. You may not look in the mirror and see Jesus in the reflection, but when other people look at you, they will see a Godly, loving person. Isn’t that awesome?! Another verse, Proverbs 27:19 (NIV) says: “As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” The way we act everyday will mirror the condition of our heart, and the closer we are to God, the better it’s condition!
3. Understanding His Word. One way we can get closer to God is by reading His Word. The more we read it, the more we’ll understand it and be able to apply it to our lives.
When we draw closer to God, there are many things that will benefit us and those around us, and (as I said in number 2), we will start reflecting Him.
TTT
Must Reads:
Goal forty-three:
Sometimes you’ll hear someone speak something in a foreign language. It sounds completely nonsensical, doesn’t it? In your head, if you imagine writing down what you heard…well, it just sounds like a jumble of letters!
When you’re sitting in church or listening to a sermon on the radio, does it ever sound like that? You’re following what they’re saying for a minute, and then suddenly, “What?!“–you have no idea what they said. Within moments the words coming out of their mouth (or the speakers) are unintelligible to you.
Well, believe it or not, it’s not supposed to be like that! You’re supposed to understand the message being told to you. Sermons are a gift from God. Chances to learn more about the Word that guides us. But if you don’t understand, something must be wrong! But, you ask, what can I do about it?
Three things:
1) Ask your pastor (or your youth pastor). He is always willing to help you!
2) Ask your parents (if they’re Christians). I know this idea doesn’t seem exactly appealing to you, but they have a lot of experience here, and can help you understand what you aren’t getting.
3) The most important one: Ask God. Set aside a bit of time and just go to Him. Sit down, and tell Him what’s wrong. Or, if you don’t know what’s wrong, ask Him to help you understand, because even if you don’t know what’s going on, He does!
So don’t be afraid to ask. God will help you through it all!
TTT
Goal Twelve:
Read Revelation; it may seem kind of hard to understand, but it’s really very interesting. Also, it talks about something that is imminent and inevitable for earth. It’s talking about the future; possibly the near future. It’s something worth reading.
TTT
(Just a reminder, don’t forget to tell your friends about TTT!)
TTT 