April 13, 2010

LISTEN TO ME!!!

Key Verse

“I, too, will have my say; I, too, will tell what I know. For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me . . . .” (Job 32:17-18a)

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Central Truth

When I become full of myself, my words are not God's words.

Reflections

I believe I have a special gift or skill: in all situations I can find something or someone to improve upon. Being smart and capable, I enjoy sharing my insight with others. I have a view of how the world should be and I am certain others would benefit from my view. Unfortunately, I am wrong. My view is flawed and limited. If everyone did things my way none of us would benefit. Only God's view is good, trustworthy, and beneficial. In case you haven't already figured it out, I am not God--not even close. What I mistake for a gift or skill is actually the sin of pride, one of many sins I struggle with. I identify with Elihu in Job 32. We both become angry when people don't follow our way. We both have rational reasons why people should do what we say. We both want everyone to listen to what the Spirit has revealed to us.

I easily become full of myself and attempt to control others by complaining, commanding, arguing, or gossiping. When I recognize my sin and see my lack of love I can become discouraged and beat myself up for my sin, but then I think about the first three principles I learned through Celebrate Recovery.
  1. Realize I'm not God. I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my life is unmanageable.
  2. Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me recover.
  3. Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ's care and control.

By reflecting on these principles that are based on Matthew 5:3-10, I rest in God's mercy, grace, and forgiveness that I constantly need. God has abundantly provided these through the death of Jesus Christ so I don't have to beat myself up. Instead, by trusting in Jesus I am empowered to give mercy, grace, and forgiveness to others instead of trying to control them.

Discussion Questions

1. How often do you become frustrated when others do the wrong thing?

2. When you try to change others, are you trying to get them to be more like God or more like you? 

3. When was the last time you meditated on how much mercy, grace, and forgiveness God has given you? 

4. Do you think you can share some mercy, grace, and forgiveness with someone else today?

Comments

The views expressed under “Comments” are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Hill Country Bible Church NW.

  1. Mark Sutton

    April 13, 2010 05:46 AM

    Dwayne, Thanks for this mornings devotion. It is all about focus, attitude, and love. It's NOT all about me. It's about what Christ has already completed for mankind. What a blessing that he allows me to experience mercy, grace, forgiveness and then share that with others. Praise the Lord.

  2. Chip Smith

    April 13, 2010 06:03 AM

    Good morning Dwayne. Thank you for your transparency. It is difficult to admit when you are a controller and even more difficult to stop. A controlling spirit is a merciless taskmaster. It robs you and your victims of joy. What a relief it is for a controller to come to the place of letting go and letting God. In Matthew 11:29-30 Jesus says, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for you souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Let us rejoice this morning in the rest from control we find in Jesus. Have a great day.

  3. April 13, 2010 06:10 AM

    Dwayne - I can readily identify with the challenge, and Paul brings perspective to our (daily) battle: "Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ". 1 Co 11:1 Discipleship Thanks for showing strength!

  4. Mikaela

    April 13, 2010 07:51 AM

    I have been struggling with the "all about me" lately. Thanks for this message. I can push through today and focus on God, knowing it's not all about me.

  5. David Skeen

    April 13, 2010 07:57 AM

    I appreciate Elihu's statement in v9: "It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right." We can learn much over the years; but apart from God's Word, we will often misunderstand what we've seen and experienced. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight" (Pro 9:10). A young person who is walking with God has more wisdom than an older person who is not.

  6. Jennifer Smith

    April 13, 2010 08:38 AM

    Thanks Dwayne. My desire to be "right" often gets in the way of the Holy Spirit's work in my life. The daily choice to submit my words, actions and thoughts to Christ is so hard, but ultimately brings peace--resting in His grace.

  7. Todd

    April 13, 2010 09:06 AM

    "Realize that I'm not God." That statement is one that is simply profound. If I lived that statement out on a daily basis, my live would be a whole lot more abundant and less anxious. Thanks for the reminder today.

  8. Hillary Skaff

    April 13, 2010 09:16 AM

    Great devotional, Dwayne! Really wonderful! As always, your transparency is a gift to us all. And your love and devotion to Christ and HIS plan and HIS wisdom is truly inspiring.

  9. Linda Jean Butler

    April 13, 2010 10:07 AM

    I had to laugh when you described your special gift. If more of us would realize what you did...that you were wrong, we could all be much happier with God in control. Realizing that makes our lives so much easier. Thanks Dwayne.

  10. Nancy Duron

    April 13, 2010 10:08 AM

    Thank you, Dwayne, for your insight into today's scripture. Your "Discussion Questions" especially hit home with me, and have made me step away from my arrogant self, and take a look at who I am, and who I want to be in Christ.

  11. Scott Worthington

    April 13, 2010 10:23 AM

    Blessings Brother Dwayne, In complete transparency, I want to control everyone and everything around me to conform all to my will. You might ask, "How's that working out for you?" My reply is, "It ain't workin' out so well." [1.] I do get frustrated when I can't find a tool of some kind - I want to blame first then look for it. That isn't working out too well. [2.] I have accepted the fact that I can't change anyone but me. And some times that's not the simplest task, either. [3.] Ahhh... I think on His mercy, grace and forgiveness as much as I can. I humbly receive it all with a grateful heart. [4.] I have also come to the realization that I do have a primary mission here, which is simply to forgive everyone of everything. I mean... What would Jesus do? ... Oh, you should also know ... that IS working out a LOT better for me. Signed, "In Love With Christ"

  12. Beckye Estill

    April 13, 2010 11:39 AM

    Ahhhhh. "Resting in God's mercy, grace, and forgiveness," and "trusting in Jesus I am empowered to give mercy, grace, and forgiveness to others." Wonderful! Great devo, Dwayne! Thanks so much!

  13. Jim Kirchner

    April 13, 2010 01:49 PM

    Wayne - Great comments about what you have learned in your personal growth and walk with Christ, and great encouragement for others to move forward in Christ!

  14. Jack

    April 13, 2010 01:49 PM

    WOW, NOW THAT's A HONEST DEVOTIONAL! Dwayne, thanks for the insight! Your honesty just put a little Son-light in my day!

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Dwayne McConnell

Dwayne McConnell

My name is Dwayne McConnell. I'm blessed by my beautiful wife of 13 years, Kim, and two delightful boys, Caleb (9) and Luke (6). I have been a software engineer at IBM for 16 years and at HCBC NW for about 14 years. I minister through Celebrate Recovery and teach kindergarten Sunday School.

Growing up I had to drive a long way to get to church. When Kim and I got engaged we found a church home first, then found a house close to church. It is much easier to be involved when church is less than five minutes away.