PRETENDING: Devotional from "Am I Okay, God?" by Lorilyn Roberts

 

 

 

Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

—I Peter 5:6-7

 

Has someone done something that upset you and you pretended it didn’t happen?

I find it difficult to express my pain when it involves the offense of others. But it is not honest to pretend that I am not bothered by something when I am hurt.

Living in denial about our sin can be just as dangerous. For example, try to convince an alcoholic that he is an alcoholic. Unless he is willing to admit it, he will not be freed from his addiction. If you live in denial, you’re limiting your future. You’re limiting God’s ability to heal you.

How can God help you if you aren’t honest—painful are the wounds of the wicked or the dagger of an enemy. Persecution does not live in a pretend world. Satan is for real.

 

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From Seventh Dimension – The Door, a Young Adult Christian Fantasy:

“Shale, why are you standing there? Come on or you’ll be late to class.” Rachel was waiting at the hall lockers.

I walked towards her as the bell rang.

“Are you okay?” She furrowed her brow.

“I’m fine.” I smiled, pretending nothing had happened.”

—Shale Snyder and Rachel Franco, chapter one

 

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Jesus is known as the great physician. In the Gospels, Jesus healed many diseases and afflictions. He not only healed physical ailments but he healed people emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. If someone has done something to you and you can’t talk about it, go to the Bible and read the Gospel of Luke, allowing the words from Jesus to soothe your heart.

Jesus went through the shame and humiliation of the cross so you could be set free. Lay your burden at the base of the cross and rejoice that Jesus can carry this burden for you.

There’s no greater love than the love of the father for his children. His love is greater than any hurt. You may not believe it because you can exert a lot of energy minimizing an offense.

Cast all your anxiety on the Savior and receive his love. Love covers a multitude of sins.

Denying your pain will only bury it deeper. Minimizing it will not make you feel better. Ask God to help you. His love will lead you to healing and his word will bring you comfort.

After you have read the Bible and prayed, share your experience with your parent, friend, or counselor, trusting God to bring you deliverance.

 

 

Dear Jesus, thank you for comforting me when I feel down or confused or hurt. Whenever I doubt, I will remember that you love me unconditionally.

Help me to love others the same way you love me.

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DO YOU HAVE DESIRES: Devotional from "Am I Okay, God?" by Lorilyn Roberts

                                

 

Delight yourself in the Lord; and he will give you the desires of the heart.

—Psalm 37:4

Have you ever wanted something and thought it would never happen, but then it did happen? God puts longings in our hearts so he can fulfill them.

 

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From Seventh Dimension – The Door, a Young Adult Christian Fantasy:

“Can you read that stuff?”

“Sure,” Rachel laughed. “But I don’t know what it means. You could too if I taught you.” Rachel flipped to the first page. “You start on this side.” Her finger pointed to a line of Hebrew and she ran her finger across the page from right to left.

“Really?”

“Yes.” Rachel giggled. “So who reads backwards, the English or the Jews?”

“I’d say the Jews. I can say that since I’m not Jewish, right?”

“Why not?”

“Writing would sure be easier if English were right to left. I wouldn’t smear my words.”

Rachel nodded. “I forget you’re left-handed. It’s crazy, isn’t it—like the Brits drive on the left side and we drive on the right.”

We walked for a while not saying anything. I glanced at my friend with her striking olive skin, almond brown eyes, and brown hair. “Do you like being Jewish?”

“Yes, I guess. I don’t know any different.”

“I wish I was Jewish.”

“Why?” Rachel asked.

“It would be neat to be able to say I was something.”

—Shale Snyder and Rachel Franco, chapter one

 

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Oftentimes, we’re not aware of the depth of our longing until fulfillment. Then we realize, that’s what we wanted.

God fulfilled Shale’s longing by taking her to the homeland of the Jewish people. She met the king firsthand; not only that, she met a man with whom she fell in love.

When I graduated from high school, my senior class took a seven-day cruise to the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. On the last night, the band played into the wee hours of the morning, like the band did on the Titanic the night it sank into the Atlantic. When the party began to wind down, the musicians started playing Jewish music. The tourists who weren’t Jewish cleared out and congregated around the edges of the dance floor to watch the Jews sing and dance.

What would it be like to be Jewish? I found it astounding that Jews from the entire world shared so much in common through their culture—their music, their dance, and their language.

The Jewish people have survived thousands of years of persecution in many countries and near annihilation in World War II. Yet they still make a joyful noise unto the Lord. More than that, my Lord and my Savior, Jesus Christ, was Jewish. I cried in my heart, “I want what they have—I want to be part of something greater than myself. I want to be part of a spiritual family. I want to be Jewish!”

In early grammar school, I attended Margaret Mitchell School in Atlanta, Georgia. My classmates were predominantly Jewish—and wealthy. My Jewish friends faithfully attended Hebrew classes a couple of times each week. I felt spiritually deprived. My family wasn’t Christian or Jewish. What did that make me?

I sometimes wonder if I am Jewish and don’t know it. Names have been changed through the centuries, so it’s possible. Often when I am around Jewish people, my spirit quickens.

That night so long ago, as I watched the Jews celebrate, my eyes were opened to a spiritual and cultural relationship for which I longed.

Twenty-two years later, I had my opportunity. I was finishing my senior year of undergraduate studies and had an opportunity to travel to the Holy Land. While there, I scuba dived in Eilat, but I didn’t get to dance.

Then, one day I was sitting in the Jewish Student Center with a University of Florida student who was helping me with my Hebrew language class. Celebratory music wafted through the walls. I soon heard shouts and cheers.

My student friend paused and said, “Every Thursday night, all the Jewish students come here to Beth Hillel to dance.”

“Can anyone join them?” I asked

She replied, “I don’t see why not.”

Guess where I was the next week? I introduced myself, made it clear I wasn’t Jewish, but I loved Jewish music. For the next few years, every Thursday night, I danced with my Jewish friends. Only when the rabbi and his talented wife/teacher moved away did my Jewish dancing end.

Sometimes when we want something that’s worthy of God’s love, he gives us more than we ask because he is a God of love.

 

 

 

Thank you, Jesus, for answered prayers. And those that you don’t answer the way I had hoped, thank you that you know what’s best for me. Help me to know myself the way you know me. Help me to give you my desires so that you can sanctify them for your glory. Amen.

 

 

 

 

WHAT ABOUT ME, GOD: Devotional from "Am I Okay, God?" by Lorilyn Roberts

When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

—John 21:21

You’re unique. If you were the only person God created, he would have sent Jesus to die for you. God has given you many talents. These gifts were not given to make you great or famous. They were given to you for one purpose: to glorify God.

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From Seventh Dimension – The Door, a Young Adult Christian Fantasy:

Why would the king want to heal him? My life hadn’t changed. What about me? A voice spoke to me, “Don’t let others steal your joy. Don’t be jealous of others or concerned about not receiving their blessing. Think about the good things the king has given you.”

—Shale Snyder, chapter thirty-two

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Instead of comparing yourself to others, thank God for the blessings he has given you. Envy is considered one of the seven deadly sins. A person consumed with jealousy is angry and dangerous. Covetousness kills—more than once I have captioned the news where a person was murdered by a maniacal person filled with rage, often fueled by jealousy.

Someday all the material possessions we claim we can’t live without will come to an end. Hollywood stars decked out in glittery jewelry will be long forgotten. So will worldly fame and fortune. Heaven has no need of those things. In fact, gold is so “worthless” that the streets of heaven are paved in it.

Will you be there? Remember: God doesn’t create junk—he creates beauty—despite the sin that so easily entangles. That’s why we need to be redeemed.

Do you know who you are in Christ? Have you forgotten something God did for you? Have you taken your eyes off of the king of kings?

As long as you have a beating heart, you have time to change direction. Don’t delay. Today 150,000 people will die. You only have this moment, this second.  Act now.

Help me, God, to listen to that voice inside of me—to allow your joy to touch my soul and melt my hardened heart. Help me to see your face and let go of all that holds me back. Help me to know you more and more.
Thank you, Jesus, for giving me second chances and third chances and seventy times seventy chances. Thank you for never giving up on me—as your daughter, your son, your child. 

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Get your copy of this great devotional book for teens that accompanies the Seventh Dimension - The Door.

GUILT: Devotional from "Am I Okay, God?" by Lorilyn Roberts

 GUILT

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

—Romans 12:2

Guilt is feeling responsible for a wrong, real or imagined. If we have committed an offense against someone, the Bible tells us we need to go to that person and ask forgiveness.

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From Seventh Dimension – The Door, a Young Adult Christian Fantasy:

After the accident, the closet became my friend. I wanted to avoid Judd, who came over to visit Chumana. She was not my sister but we lived together.

Guilt overwhelmed me.

—Shale Snyder, chapter one

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Guilt will keep us from experiencing a close relationship with God. Sometimes it’s difficult to know if our feeling of guilt is justified. Satan wants us to feel guilty—all the time. As long as we feel guilty, we’re self-absorbed.

First, determine if the feelings are from God. Ask God, did I commit an offense against you or another person? Ask God to forgive you and/or help you to go to the person you offended and seek forgiveness.
 

In Shale’s case, she did something wrong. While she made a partial confession to Rachel, she never apologized to Judd.
 

The guilt grew and became like a cancer, allowing hate to fester until God miraculously healed her—when she confessed.

But suppose you are stricken with false guilt? Someone or something is making you feel guilty when you shouldn’t feel that way.
 

Guilt can draw you towards a loving God or drive you away. How does guilt affect you? If it’s making you feel distant, go to God.

 

Sometimes our pain is so great we can’t get past it without counseling. Find someone you can trust and talk to him or her. Have someone pray with you. God never intended for you to walk the Christian life alone. You have a whole body of believers who are the discerning eyes, the patient ears, the loving arms, and the caring souls who want to help you.
 

Remember, you have an enemy who wants to destroy. He is real and powerful, but God is more powerful than he is. Allow Jesus to take control of your life. Don’t give the devil a foothold, lest the small foothold on the side of the mountain becomes the whole mountain. Allow God to set you free from guilt. No sin is so great that God can’t heal you from its effects—and even use your story of redemption to glorify him.

Only you, God, can set me free from guilt. Please help me to accept your freedom, and to let go of those things that are not from you.

Help me to let go of false guilt and be set free to accept your forgiveness. Help me to be renewed and filled with your perfect peace.

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THE DOOR: Devotional from "Am I Okay, God?" by Lorilyn Roberts

 THE DOOR

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with me.”

Revelation 3:20

Is God standing at the door to your heart? If he is, it’s because he wants to come in and be your friend. He brings heavenly food that has eternal value, food that will feed you spiritually. God knows your needs before you even ask.  

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From Seventh Dimension – The Door, a Young Adult Christian Fantasy:

The door creaked as I turned the handle. I held my breath and peered through the tiny slit. Moving shadows darkened the room.

—Shale Snyder, chapter one

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Sometimes doors are closed and padlocked. Experiences from our past haunt us, making us afraid to open them. We want to be healed, but our sorrow and fear may prevent us from taking that leap of faith. We must all face our worst nightmare, but God promises even if we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, he will be there.

Shale was hiding in a closet, afraid of people, haunted by her past and afraid of her future. She was a prisoner of her foolish mistakes and insecurities.

Allow God in—open the door of your heart to the one and only one who can heal you.

Thank you, Jesus, for standing at the door and waiting for me to open it. Thank you that you know all my failures and mistakes and don’t hold them against me.

I invite you into the secret places that no one else can see. Help me to accept your love and receive your forgiveness. Thank you that you’re trustworthy and true, a father and a friend—my Savior.

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Am I Okay, God? Devotionals from the Seventh Dimension

includes 26 more devotionals like this one and is a companion book

to Seventh Dimension - The Door, a Young Adult Fantasy

DARK SECRETS: Devotional "Am I Okay, God?" by Lorilyn Roberts

DARK SECRETS

Would not God have discovered it since he knows the secret of the heart?

—Psalm 44:21

Do you have a secret hidden in your heart—something that is so horrid you wouldn’t share it with anyone?

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From Seventh Dimension – The Door, a Young Adult Christian Fantasy:

“I hid in the closet underneath the stairs—my safe house. Nobody would find me in here.”

—Shale Snyder, chapter one

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God knows everything about you. Every thought and every deed you’ve ever done or will do is not hidden from his watchful eyes.

Including secrets. Satan will use anything he can to prevent you from experiencing God’s grace. Secrets are among his favorite weapons. The devil derives great pleasure using blackmail. You will never win playing his game. All he has to do is threaten to expose your secret sin—pornography, abortion, cheating, thievery—you name it.

My worst fears from the time I was young involved secret sins. I would convince myself if anyone knew “this or that” about me, I would be on the front page of the New York Times.

Seriously, in the past, when I was plagued with guilt, I would lie in bed at night and ponder what would happen if someone told something about me that was slanderous. Many poor souls have committed suicide to escape the judgment of others. Secrets of the heart can imprison you in a living hell. Is that how you want to live your life?

God doesn’t want you to live in fear. Bring your hidden sin to your heavenly father, confess it, and receive God’s unconditional forgiveness. Remember:  God died on the cross to heal you from all your sins—past, present, and future. 

Thank you, Jesus, that I no longer want to hide in a closet—or behind a façade. I will seek you in the morning, noon, and night so you can set me free from secret sins. 

Am I Okay, God? Devotionals from the Seventh Dimension

includes 26 more devotionals like this one and is a companion book

to Seventh Dimension - The Door, a Young Adult Fantasy

 

I DON'T WANT TO FORGIVE: Devotional from "Am I Okay, God?" by Lorilyn Roberts

Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”

—Matthew 18:21

Everyone agrees forgiveness is something we should do until we are confronted with the unforgivable.

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From Seventh Dimension – The Door, a Young Adult Christian Fantasy:

I stood frozen as if shot with a stun gun. How could he be here? Memories hijacked me—the curse he put on me two years ago, the attack in the hallway, shaming me with the worm, and all the things too numerous to mention. He had made my life hell. I hated him. How dare he follow me here! I began to hyperventilate, feeling my way behind me with my hands.

“Don’t come near me or I’ll kill you.”

D

id Shale have the “right” to hate Judd? After all, he had molested her and made her life hell.

How about Judd? Was he justified in how he treated Shale? Shale had hurt Judd when she accidentally killed his puppy. Do two wrongs make a right?

I have been a Christian since I was twelve years old. At thirty I rededicated my life to Jesus Christ when I read the book of Romans in the New Testament. My desire to read the Bible was prompted when my husband left me for another woman.

At the core of my struggle was the fact I didn’t want to forgive him. I wanted to hold on to my pain because it was familiar. I had been in a lot of pain for a long time. I didn’t know how I would live without him and I didn’t feel like he deserved to be forgiven.

Besides that, I was grieving. Emotionally I was too distraught to be rational about the concept of forgiveness. Its stranglehold on me was relentless.

Once I reached the point I knew I needed to forgive, I wasn’t sure I wanted to. I felt like I had died a thousand deaths and there was no way I could forgive anyone who had hurt me that badly.

Has someone done something to you and you can’t seem to let go? Have you ever done something to someone else that caused that person immense pain?

Over the course of time, the raw memories will fade. The pain may ease, but will probably always be there. Despite the hurt, forgiveness brings acceptance and peace.

Hate is one of the strongest emotions of the human psyche. Martin Luther King said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

How did Shale’s hatred toward Judd  spill out into other areas of her life? Do you want to be like Shale?

When you harbor unforgiveness, it’s toxic. You can’t compartmentalize it. Being unable to forgive will eventually take over your entire personality. Have you ever met an angry person?

Thoughts, emotions, and actions will be affected. Just like cancer invades a person’s body, hatred knows no boundaries.

Preoccupation with hate can become a full-time job. It takes a lot of energy to stay angry—energy that could be used for more constructive purposes. Satan is the only winner when you refuse to forgive. Is the price of unforgiveness worth it?

                                          *~*~*~*~*~*

Dear Jesus, I want to forgive, but I don’t know how. Help me to let go of my pain. Help me not to hate. Even if I was willing to forgive, it wouldn’t change what has already happened, but I don’t want to be separated from you. Please help me to forgive.

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