Weekly Training Sessions.

Lesson 9: Abiding In Christ.

I know I said I was going to write about dealing with sources last week already, but this week when I sat down to write it, I found myself drawing blanks, and honestly, what I did write looked very pitiful. My heart wasn’t in it, and there was nothing I could do to fix that.

So I sat down to do my devotions, and over and over I just couldn’t engage. I was doing my best, but I couldn’t hear God. Finally I just said ‘God, are you even here?’ But still, He was silent. After nearly two hours, I threw in the towel, gave up.

I cannot begin to express how disappointed I was most of the week, trying to do things, but unable to think, and unable to hear God. Finally, yesterday morning, I was doing my devotions again and finally we began to have a conversation. We figured out a lot of things, and then we talked about today’s lesson, and He told me that He didn’t want me to do my plan, and gave me a different one. So, God wrecked my plan. ;)

This week we are going to dive into devotions together, by using a devotional booklet that I was given by my pastor (who actually wrote it, by the way). I wanted to take a deeper look at why we need to do devotions in order to debate, because I’ve learned a lot more than I realized the first time I wrote about it.

A: I cannot properly function without devotions.

It’s true, I cannot tap into emotions, nor can I think clearly if I haven’t done my devotions.

I know that once you get used to not doing them, you don’t really notice a difference, but after you’ve done them for a while again, you will. That’s the first reason why I want us to do them.

B: I nearly gave up.

I know that you guys don’t really see the behind-the-scenes stuff that goes on, so you probably don’t realize this, but I have nearly given up many times. Just this week actually, I nearly quit, because I was having so much trouble sitting down and writing, and I was discouraged by things that had been said to me.

No one is an island, no one is invincible. The only thing that has carried me through the trials of the last couple years, was my devotional time. God reminding me of His promises, and making more promises to me. Without spending time with God, we have no source of hope.

C: Anxiety attacks, and spiritual warfare.

This past year, I have had a lot of anxiety attacks, panic attacks, and spiritual attacks. Anytime I think of writing, there is risk of a panic attack. Since Christmas, these attacks have tripled. But the reads on my debates have more than tripled.

The higher that you go, the more influence that you gain, the more of a threat you are to Satan. He will attack you relentlessly, and so will atheists and people of other beliefs. During these times, I can only find peace when doing devotions. Nothing else can bring peace.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Therefore put of the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace…  ~Ephesians 6:12-15 (NIV)

You can continue reading the verses in your own Bible if you like, and you will find that each piece of armor comes from your time in devotions. Without this armor, we would crack and fall apart. I know I would.

D: The source of truth.

I learn some of the most difficult and important truths while doing devotions. If you’ve ever read ‘Atheism VS Christianity’ chapter 7, you’ll notice that one of the questions I had to answer entirely out of my devotional time, and there were very few arguements against it.

Many many times, I have found myself backed against a wall, with no answers, and no idea how to respond. Then I ask God for help, and His wisdom takes over.

But this is not only for when we are backed against the wall, it is something we should do all the time. Letting God put His two cents in is the best decision you can make. It is something that will assure you have no regrets.

E: Your security and identity come from God.

So often, I have gone into my devotions completely drained, feeling like I just got run over by a herd of elephants. In those moments, God reminds me of who I am to Him.

When I was about fourteen years old, I went to a three week leadership training course at my church’s camp.

During the first week, something that constantly bothered me was the fact that I was the youngest one in the program, the other girls ranging from fifteen to seventeen. I felt like a kid trying to fit in with the ‘big kids’. That stole my confidence, though I tried desperately to hide it and act like I belonged there.

All week, we were supposed to memorize this verse;

Let no one dispise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. ~1 Timothy 4:12

Over and over, that verse popped up everywhere I went. I can recall at least five times that it popped up, though it has been several years and I’m sure I’ve forgotten several.

One evening, during worship at chapel, I was on my knees before God. I remember being so sick of feeling like everyone looked down on me, it felt like I couldn’t go on like that. Suddenly, I heard a whisper in my soul; ‘The only one looking down on you is you’.

In a split second, I was healed from the lie I had believed for five years. Since then, I have gotten to a point where I can argue with a university student about God, and don’t find it the least bit intimidating when reminded of my age or ‘lack of education’.

Without the security and identity I get from God, I would not be debating today, and I never would’ve started. I also never would’ve started this group.

Buddy Chats:
I want you guys to encourage each other, and pray for each other throughout the week. We need to support each other, hold each other up, if we want to get through this battle.

Homework!!!

This week your homework is simple, though a little time consuming;

-Keep up with The Abide Journal devotions. There are five days per week, so you have two days where you don’t have to do it. Use them wisely.

-Comment a thumbs up at the bottom of The Abide Journal chapter once you’ve completed that days devotions.

Music!
-God Only Knows by For King & Country
-Viva La Misfit by Social Club Misfits
-You Say by Lauren Daigle
-Trust In You by Lauren Daigle
-Easier by Manic Drive

That’s all, enjoy the rest of your week!