Word for Today, Mon, 6 Dec 2004: Giving In or Giving Up?
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>
Dear friends,
Today's devotional message comes from Neil Anderson's Daily in
Christ series. This message concerns rejection, giving up and
giving in. There are other alternatives, and Neil examines them
through the lens of scripture.
I need this message and I pray that it will encourage you as well
to remember your calling as people who are deeply and dearly
loved by God.
Yours in Christ,
Brian
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NEIL ANDERSON'S DAILY IN CHRIST
from Freedom in Christ Ministries
December 5
GIVING IN TO THE SYSTEM
And coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but
choice and precious in the sight of God (1 Peter 2:4).
"Pastor, I'm a loser," a high school boy told me dejectedly. He
explained that he wanted to be a star football player, but had
been cut from the team. Instead of being in the spotlight as an
athlete, he had to settle for being a member of the pep band. And
compared to star quarterbacks, clarinet players were losers at
his school.
The largest group of people today respond to rejection like this
boy did: by simply giving in to the system. They continue their
efforts to try to earn approval, but the inevitable rejection by
others prompts them to believe that they really are unlovable and
rejectable. The system says that the best, the strongest, the
most beautiful, and the most talented are "in." Those who don't
fit those categories--which includes most of us--are "out," and
we succumb to society's false judgment of our worth. As a result,
a large segment of the population is plagued by feelings of
worthlessness, inferiority and self-condemnation.
This person may have trouble relating to God. If he blames God
for his state, it will be difficult to trust Him. "You made me a
lowly clarinet player instead of a star quarterback," he
complains. "If I trust You with other areas of my life, how do I
know You won't make me a loser there too?"
By giving in to the system's false judgment, this person can only
look forward to more and more rejection. He has bought the lie
and he even rejects himself. Therefore, any success or acceptance
which comes his way will be questioned or doubted on the basis of
what he already believes about himself.
God has not equally distributed gifts, talents or intelligence,
but He has equally distributed Himself. Our sense of worth comes
from knowing who we are as children of God. "See how great a love
the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called
children of God; and such we are" (1 John 3:1).
Heavenly Father, thank You for creating me the way You have and
for making me Your child. I find my worth in You.
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This daily devotional is published and distributed by
Crosswalk.com. It is written by Neil Anderson at
link.crosswalk.com/UM/T.asp?A1.14.29195.1.293748.
Additional devotionals are available from Crosswalk.com:
link.crosswalk.com/UM/T.asp?A1.14.29195.2.293748.
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Freedom in Christ Ministries (FICM), who brings you these Daily in
Christ devotionals through Crosswalk, is asking you to prayerfully
consider how you can help financially during these future months. If you
have been touched by these devotionals, a monthly pledge or even a
special gift of any amount during this time would be greatly
appreciated. Please use the link below to give as the Lord leads.
Thank you so much for your prayerful consideration of this need in
helping others discover the treasure of Freedom in Christ.
link.crosswalk.com/UM/T.asp?A1.14.29195.6.293748
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--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/
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