Girlfriends in God Devotional- God Sense vs. Common Sense

So, I read the devotional listed below and really began to think about it and the questions she listed below. It got me thinking about what I wrote last time, about "dismissing" God. One of the rules that came to my head when I was younger was bedtime and how I absolutely did not understand why, especially in the summer when it was still light outside, I had to go to bed at 8pm. I think about it now and not only does it give Mommy & Daddy a break, but more so it's so that I won't be crabby the next day and I can really be refreshed and energized for whatever bike riding and swimming was to come. I think of this now and that maybe I need to do the same thing now. I realize that when I stay up past my bedtime, I am crabby and not very energized the next day. This may also help me get up so I can have my devotionals without hitting the snooze or "dismiss" button my alarm. Just a thought...hope you enjoy this as much as I did!


God Sense vs. Common Sense
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple" (Psalm 19:7 NIV).

Friend To Friend
Sitting in my backyard, I love to listen to the sounds of all God's critters: birds, crickets, frogs, katydids, woodpeckers, and most of all -- children. Framing our yard from every side, children's giggles, chatter, and raucous play are a symphony of stringed instruments and percussions alike. There's the rhythmic thumping of a basketball bouncing on concrete, the squealing of little girls being chased by boys, the skidding of bicycles tires on asphalt, the popping of a cap gun, declarations of "you're it" and contentions of "you cheated." All blend together in the symphony of youth. Of course the orchestra would not be complete without the reprimanding of parents breaking up fights and reminding stubborn wills of house rules.

Rules, rules, rules. What a bother -- especially when you are five-years-old. When I was five, I never understood why parents had to interfere and ruin all the fun with rules. I eventually decided it was just part of their job description. Parent: law enforcement officer who patrols the neighborhood, ruining all the fun for little girls and boys.

As a five-year-old Tom Boy, my favorite possession was a pink sparkly bicycle with a silver glittery banana seat and u-shaped handle bars. Streamers were attached to the ends of the handles and blew in the breeze as I peddled around the neighborhood at breakneck speed. I could leave skid marks as long as any old boy, balance without holding onto the handlebars, and do "wheelies" with my front tire saluting the air. Oh how I loved to ride around the race track (otherwise known as Pine Haven Drive) feeling the wind whip through my ash blond streaked hair and brush past my bare chest. It was the "bare chest" part that was the problem.

"Sharon Ann Edwards," my mother would call from the front porch. "Get in the house this minute and put on a shirt!"

"I don't want to war a shirt," I whined. "Stewart doesn't have to wear a shirt. Why do I?"

"Because you're a girl and because I said so. That's why."

My brother was five years my senior and he often romped around without a shirt. As far as I could tell, there wasn't any difference between him and me. So why did people snicker when I rode past them without a shirt on? I just didn't get it. So begrudgingly, I'd knock down my kickstand, stomp through the house, and pull on a t-shirt, mumbling all the way.

This was not a onetime incident, and my mother tired of making me dress like a girl. But then something amazing happed. I entered first grade. Suddenly something clicked and I noticed that boys and girls were indeed different. It all started with Isaac Thorp and his big blue eyes. Well, mom never had to tell me to keep my shirt on again.

Rules -- what a bother. Rules -- what a comfort. Eventually, I learned that even if I didn't completely understand one of my parents' rules, it would usually made sense later. And you know what? It's just like that with my heavenly Father. If I don't understand one of His rules or commands, it usually makes sense later. If He tells me "no," I've come to understand that it is for my own good. God's principles are not randomly contrived to ruin our fun. They are meticulously thought out and created to protect His children. God is a lot smarter than we are. Have you noticed that? "Because I said, so," is all the explanation I need from God. Perhaps I'll figure out the reasons later -- but I may not. If I don't, I just need to remember that Father knows best.

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, Thank you that You do not set up rules for us just to ruin our fun but to provide our protection. Help us to stay within the confines of the safe boundaries you have laid out for us in the Bible. Help us to obey even when we do not understand. Help us to be satisfied with "Because I said so," when it comes from You.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

Now It's Your Turn
Write down a "rule" that your parents enforced that you did not understand at the time.

Now, as an adult, write down the wisdom of that rule and how it protected you.

If you have children, note any rules that you have set up that they do not understand. Do you see a similar parallel between your wisdom as a parent and God's wisdom as your parent?

Now, here's more of today's truth:

"The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward." (Psalm 19:7-11 NIV).

"Just As He Had Done Before"

"Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows open toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just has he had done before"
~ Daniel 6:10

My life group has recently completed our study on the book of Daniel. I think we all at some point in time have read Daniel, but have rarely taken a closer look into this book. How great his character was- I think he definitely shows all of us up! We, the ladies of the group, have to continually remind ourselves that he was incredibly young- most likely only a teenager! This is when I stand in awe and sit back and say, "WOW"! When I was a teenager I was not getting on my knees three times a day to pray... Ah, yes, I think I was more worried about who liked me and didn't like me and did put I put deodorant on this morning? And please tell me that my hair isn't sticking up in weird places (unless I wanted it that way- which by the way some of my school pictures looked, it's questionable). Those were my prayers.

I love that it highlights his consistency. So often I plan to make time with God in the mornings and more often then not, I hit "dismiss" on my alarm. And now to think of it- that's exactly what I'm doing- I'm dismissing God. As if to say, "you know what, I can come to you at any time- I'll just meet you at the end of my day tonight. Does that sound good?" It never happens. I find another excuse, like "I'm too tired, or gee that episode of Northern Exposure is much more interesting than this- I think I'll just keep watching." Sounds like I need to take a few pointers from Daniel when it comes to quality time and consistency.

To go back in the chapter a bit, the decree was made that if anyone prayed to their god in a 30 day period, the king would throw them into the lions' den. There are many things that strike me, but one of them is that this decree has been made and yet Daniel does not alter his prayer schedule to make it less discreet. Not only that, but take a closer look: it says, "giving thanks to his God" in verse 10. I love that it points out that he's not just petitioning for God's grace and mercy, but more so that he's giving thanks in the midst of what's going on outside his home. If you look further on in Daniel, take notice of his prayer in chapter 9. Notice the structure, it is not just "please bring my people to the promised land". No, instead most paragraphs begin with "Lord, you are righteous; great and awesome God".

So what have I taken away from this great study? Not just the continued faith in believing God, but maybe rather than beginning our prayers with a petition, I should start with His character first. We all like to receive compliments and I don't think God is any different. I think I also need to continually realize how important my time with God truly is. I want to be able to look back and say, yes, I was consistent in my time with you Father and it was good.

Lis's Blog

Welcome to the new BlogLis! I thought I might begin a blog as, well, I face the fact that my handwriting is hideous and it seems more fun to blog- let's see how it goes!