Be Present: Gourmet Feast by Robert Dickerson

Encounter the Word:

Cultivate your own relationship with God, but don't impose it on others. You're fortunate if your behavior and your belief are coherent. But if you're not sure, if you notice that you are acting in ways inconsistent with what you believe—some days trying to impose your opinions on others, other days just trying to please them—then you know that you're out of line. If the way you live isn't consistent with what you believe, then it's wrong. –Romans 14:22-23 [Message]

You're a unique person among the billions alive today. You were brought up different, your personality is individual to you, and your likes and desires set you apart from everybody else. GOD himself called you out, but He did so in a way that connected to you where you were at in life. You may have been brought up in the church and He connected through the knowledge you have gained. You may have only heard of church through comedy club routines, never taking it seriously, and yet GOD was able to form a bond with you.

So whose way of worship and approach to life is correct? The answer is, the way that brings you closer to GOD. For some that may be through quiet, reverent worship while others praise with joyful song. What you eat, how you dress, how you treat the days of the week are all going to be unique to you and who’s to say that you're wrong? Only GOD has that power because He's the only judge we should be concerned with.

One of the worst things for the church would be to indulge in self-destructive, bickering about how you live your life, what foods you should eat, how you should dress, what music is appropriate. If you stand between a fellow believer and GOD and start condemning someone about their way of life, you're going to receive a tap on your shoulder from GOD Himself and there's no way you're going to be able to look into His eyes and feel joy, for you've not only lost sight of GOD’s love, but you've also brought a fellow believer down with you.

We've all been called to GOD’s table to feast on His word. GOD has prepared meals specifically for you, separate from everyone else at the table to feed your soul. His way for you may not apply to the person sitting next to you, and that's ok. What matters is that through love we all support one another and through GOD’s love we accept His preparations for us completely. Feast on what GOD has prepared for you and praise Him for knowing exactly what you needed.

Encounter Prayer:

O Lord God of all, hear my prayer. Listen, O God of Jacob. Look upon our safe-covering, O God. And look upon the face of Your chosen one. For a day in Your house is better than a thousand outside. I would rather be the one who opens the door of the house of my God, than to live in the tents of the sinful. For the Lord God is a sun and a safe-covering. The Lord gives favor and honor. He holds back nothing good from those who walk in the way that is right. O Lord of all, how happy is the man who trusts in You! Amen. –Psalm 84:8-12 [NLT] 

Encounter:

• Read chapter 14 of the book of Romans. What idea stood out as personally significant from the passage.
• What are some of the minors that you have been majoring.  In your life? In the lives of others?
• How might releasing to GOD all the judging impact you? What might happen if you discovered that it wasn't your job to condemn others?
• What steps will you take to enjoy GOD's word, exclusively intended for your life?

Devotional by Robert Dickerson of Younger Generation Church. Posted by A. Allan Martin by permission.