Pausing To Contemplate

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(Excerpt from Cheryl Gnagey's Spiritual Healing:  The Surrender That Brings Victory, Chapter 9)

At the end of each chapter of my book, there are 5 questions to answer, each one designed to help you look within, come up with the real answers, and hopefully move you closer to God as you contemplate your spiritual journey.  So, before we move on to quotes in this blog from Chapter 10, I want to give you this opportunity to pause and look within your heart.  This time of introspection will hopefully help you discover some truths about yourself that you might not have thought of otherwise.  Here are your 5  questions.   (Okay 8, in this case;  sometimes certain questions beg another!)


"PERSONAL INTROSPECTION

1. When you allow your flesh to have control and make the decisions in your life, who is truly the god of your life?
2. By what actions can God and all you come in contact with see that you are walking on the Highway to Holiness?  How do your answers line up with 2 Chronicles 7: 14 and Romans 12: 1-2?
3. How does surrender differ from making New Year's resolutions?  Who is in control when you surrender, and when you resolve to change?
4. What part of the Tabernacle symbolizes the crucifixion of our flesh, our greatest surrender?  How close are you to the Holy of Holies when you are surrendering your flesh?
5. In which areas of your heart is your surrender like a yo-yo -- you throw out the sin, but it seems to keep coming back?  Consider whether or not you have truly surrendered it."

What did your answers to the questions reveal to you?  By looking within you are able to process what you have been learning.  Never leave this step of your growth to chance.  Read the questions, ask yourself for the real answer, consider what your answers mean, and then determine what course corrections God might be asking you to make.  It is all a part of your spiritual healing.

THE RESURRECTED LIFE -- Day 32

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Day 32:  Stephen, Full of Faith (Acts 6-7)

The ministry of the early church was increasing.  The original disciples were dedicating themselves to prayer and the study and teaching of the Word.   There arose a need for men to take food to some neglected widows, so the original disciples charged the other followers of Christ to choose seven dedicated men for this ministry task.

Stephen, being found to be full of faith, was chosen as part of this group of seven.   A good reputation and being full of the Spirit and wisdom were the top requirements for this ministry.  Now in Stephen’s case, the power of the Spirit was quite evident because he had been performing many great miracles and signs among the people he came in contact with.  But as is often the case, jealous men began to rise up against Stephen and tell lies about him, saying that he had spoken blasphemies against Moses and God.  So vicious were the lies that the men brought him and his case before the Council.

With power and great wisdom, and even greater diplomacy, Stephen stood before the Council and told them, in elaborate detail, the story of God and His people, Israel.  He spoke clearly of Israel’s continued disobedience to God’s commands.  Then he compared the Council and the accusers to their disobedient forefathers, reminding them how they themselves had not kept and obeyed the Word.

Incensed by Stephen’s accusations (that were true), these men cried out in anger.  Covering their ears so that they would have to listen to no more, they chased Stephen out of the city, and then stoned him to death.  The conviction of the Spirit in their thoughts and in their hearts was completely ignored by the men who would have rather silenced the truth instead of being transformed by it.  On the other hand, Stephen was a transformed man, with Jesus’ resurrection in his soul, who was willing to put his life in jeopardy for the truth.  He boldly spoke out what he knew would not be received, but was truth nonetheless.

Have you allowed your heart to be resurrected in truth?  Are you more like the men who refused to listen to the truth about their hearts and true change?  Can others see the Spirit’s power and wisdom at work in you?