Summer Devotional Series

August 1, 2016July 28, 2016

Grow Your Garden: devo no.3

We all know John 15:5. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

I think, so often, we believe we can do it all on our own. I know I certainly believe that sometimes. I like the idea of control and having everything within my reach. I like knowing how tomorrow is going to go. I’ve noticed, though, that as much as I think I am going to feel accomplished when I succeed in having everything under control, I end up not feeling as satisfied as I expected. In fact, at the end of the day, I feel mostly empty and depressed.

John 15:5 explains my empty feelings perfectly. The moment we believe life can be done on our own is the moment we separate ourselves from Christ. By believing that we can purchase, schedule, organize or plan our lives according to how we feel is best — we have no part in God’s plan.

John 15:5 says specifically, “apart from me you can do nothing.” If you think about it, it is obvious that the branches aren’t in charge of holding the tree down. In fact, the branches have no say in where the tree is actually planted. They only exist because of the vine.

If we desire a fruitful life, which I know we all do, we must realize that we can’t do it on our own. A fruitful life cannot be solely accomplished from our own efforts. I encourage you to allow God to lead you wherever He has planned. Trust Him. His plan holds more than you can imagine. Let that excite you.

Written by Emily Lehner, a writer for the Alumni Center and a sophomore Writing major at IWU. She is active on the cross country and track teams. She is passionate about using her writing skills to share the good news of Christ with others and writes often on her personal blog at www.emilylehner.wordpress.com.

July 13, 2016

Grow Your Garden: devo no.2

By: Emily Lehner

A few days ago, I was watching a movie on television in black and white. About half way through the movie, a thought came to me. First of all, I don’t know how people ever watched videos in black and white (it is so difficult for me to do). But secondly, I became so grateful that God didn’t create the world in black and white.

Can you imagine what it would be like to live a gray life? I believe that one of the greatest examples of God’s glory and love, besides sending His Son to die for sin-filled humanity, is creation. How often do you take a moment to look around you and praise God for how beautiful the world is? If gardening has taught me anything, it is exactly that.

Gardening has shown me how miraculous and majestic God truly is. While He could’ve easily created our world in a boring grayscale, He chose to add colors that span beyond what we could discover for ourselves. He chose to add detail, design and abundance to the planet He placed us on.

When trying to find words for my amazement with creation, I came across Psalm 104. I encourage you to check it out.

One of the most miraculous things about creation is that most everything comes from a seed. The flowers, trees, grass — even humans all start much smaller than they end up becoming. Seeing a seed blossom into something grand is such proof that something larger than ourselves exists. Praise God for allowing us to reap nourishment from something so small, and glory to God for miraculously allowing that seed to blossom into a plant or tree that holds a great amount of detail and color.

Look around you and notice what is growing from the earth. Notice the colors, sweet smells and fulfillment these things provide for you. Then, thank God for sharing a little of His infinitely creative and omniscient mind with an undeserving humankind.

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July 1, 2016

Grow Your Garden: Devotion no.1

By: Emily Lehner

The moment I got home from school this past May, I began planning for my garden. I had extravagant plans. It would reap great amounts of vegetables and fruits for me to proudly provide my family with over the course of my time at home. Needless to say, the carrot, spinach, green bean and tomato seeds I planted quite a while ago haven’t exactly produced what I expected. Actually, they haven’t produced anything, and this has left me feeling rather discouraged.

The reason I know the seeds haven’t produced anything is because when I arrived back at my garden to check their progress, I found numerous green sprouts appearing from the ground. I was elated! I had made something grow from the ground, or so I had thought. To be sure, I got on my phone and Googled a photo of what green bean sprouts looked like.

I was disappointed to find that the green sprouts in my garden weren’t exactly what I hoped. They were, instead, weeds growing in my garden. How was I supposed to know the difference if I hadn’t used Google to show me?

Much like the difference between weeds and vegetable sprouts is necessary to notice and understand, so is the difference between sound doctrine and heresy. We, as followers of Christ, can’t expect the production of fruit without understanding right from wrong, or the bare essentials of what it takes to produce fruit.

As Christians, we must turn to Scripture. 1 Timothy 3:16-17 says,

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

It is essential for us to spend time reading God’s word. Without the wisdom that results from time spent in Scripture, we are unable to discern right from wrong, or sound doctrine from heresy. Scripture should be something we base our entire lives around (Joshua 1:8).

Being active in Scripture is a daily necessity. We can’t neglect the need for water, sunlight, and pruning. Like our gardens need water and sunlight for nourishment, we also need revival through time spent with God. We need time to slow down and be still, resting in His presence. It is also crucial to remember to prune our faith also. Sinful things have the ability to make their way into our lives. Every day, even possibly every moment, our thoughts, actions and words can be overcome by worldly desires. This is why careful, routine pruning is needed in a faith-led life. It is imperative to weed out what the world is feeding you that isn’t Scriptural-based.

2 Corinthians 13:5 states,

5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?

Today, I would like to encourage you to be positive you are equipped for a faith-led life. Be discerning as you go through your days, making sure you are seeking Christ in all you do.

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June 15, 2016

“Discipline vs. Perfectionism” – Summer Devotional Series

By: Emily Lehner

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I think, as Christians, we tend to misinterpret the meaning of discipline. I am not saying that we are too disciplined. In fact, we probably are not disciplined enough. I think, however, we are also mixing up discipline with perfectionism. We believe that eventually discipline leads to perfectionism.

The difference between discipline and perfectionism is the matter of whose ability and power we are relying on to complete the task. Perfectionism yields the idea that I am able to complete a task with no flaws. As humans, we are drawn to this concept. We are drawn to the thought of going through a day without messes, hurt feelings, or failure. At least, I know I am. I cling tightly to the possibility of having a perfect day — so tightly that I am hard on myself when it doesn’t work out that way.

So, what is the difference between perfectionism and discipline? Perfectionism is strictly to give yourself pleasure, while discipline is an act of worship. Discipline acknowledges that there is room for mistakes, but makes it ritual to turn to God in the midst of them. As humans, it is not always first instinct to return back to God when times are hard, but discipline has a teaching element that shows us how fruitful our lives can be — in good times and poor times — when we make it habit to turn to Christ.

Aiming for perfection only leads to disappointment. Perfectionism leaves no room for mistakes and runs farther from God toward shame and disappointment when failure happens.

Discipline acknowledges Christ as the only true perfect being. It realizes that we are fallen with sin, but draws us through self-control back to Christ.

1 Corinthians 9: 24-27 says:

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Discipline has a purpose and place in our lives. That purpose is to draw us closer to Christ. However, we must acknowledge that salvation is strictly an act of grace. We cannot do it on our own. I encourage you to attempt to move away from the boundaries of perfection. Realize that mistakes happen, and when they do, we have the opportunity to discipline ourselves and turn to God, or be down on ourselves and wallow in self-pity. What choice will you make?

Emily Lehner is a writer for the Alumni Center, and is a Sophomore Writing major. She is active on the cross country and track teams. She is passionate about using her writing skills to share the good news of Christ with others and writes often on her personal blog at www.emilylehner.wordpress.com. Her blog includes personal trials, triumphs, and devotion style writing.

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May 18, 2016

“Shelter in the Storm” – Summer Devotional Series

By: Emily Lehner

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Rain, Rain, …Stay?

Because of my disfavor for high temperatures, I have thoroughly enjoyed the weather lately — the endless drizzle of rain, the thrill of the sky getting dark, the low rumbling of thunder approaching, the wind picking up and the trees swaying and bending and sometimes breaking.

However, I think most of all, I love the protection and comfort I feel during the thunderstorms. I love shutting the windows to my house and watching contentedly and safely from behind closed doors. We desire protection. We want to know that in the absolute worst of moments, the absolute worst of storms, we are going to live to see the rainbow that appears so gently in the sky afterward.

I think it is safe to say that we desire this comfort in every aspect of our lives. As children, we sprint as fast as we can to our parent’s bedroom door where we burst in asking for a safe place to sleep — a place to save us from the monsters that lurk in our closets or under our beds. As teenagers, we find comfort in a warm meal provided for us after a long day at school or having someone to talk to when times get rough. As adults, we find comfort in knowing our children are safe or that our spouse deeply loves us. At every stage in life, we crave the feeling of knowing someone or something is going to shield us from life’s most tragic, frightening moments.

Last spring, I remember a storm hitting that was one of the most brief, but most frightening storms I have probably ever experienced. I think it was so frightening because I happened to be driving at the time it happened. It was one of those storms where you can barely see the road that’s paved a foot in front of you. The storm came and went and with it came a beautiful sunset. Hues of pink and purple streaked the sky. I just happened to take a moment to glance out the window to see it. I was so intrigued by it, that when I arrived home, I decided to walk to the end of my driveway to see it.

As I was walking, I thought to myself how the storm from earlier that day had been worth it because of the beauty of the sky now placed in front of me.

Then, it was almost as if a thought was just placed ever so lightly on my mind and if I didn’t pay close enough attention, I would’ve completely missed it. I realized that God makes the storms in our lives worth it. He makes the floods, thunder and wind so incredibly worth it. He’s the sunset at the end of our trials, tears and broken hearts.

God is the house built firm and strong that can withstand the storm. God is the comfort we truly desire and need. He’s there always. He promises that.

Isaiah 41:10:

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Psalm 119:114:

“You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.”

The storms are going to come and they’re going to toss you around and leave you feeling hopeless and abandoned if you don’t have shelter. Without God, you may never see that satisfying rainbow or sunset. What more is it going to take for you to seek shelter in Him?

This post originally appeared on Emily’s blog at www.EmilyLehner.wordpress.com. Check it out for more devotionals and stories!

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May 6, 2016

“Spring Cleaning” – Summer Devotional Series

By: Emily Lehner

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Spring is a time for cleaning, hence the phrase, “Spring Cleaning.” After a long winter, I know I definitely desire to refresh my life by tidying things up. Owning too many items has always been a problem for me.

Less than a year ago, I found myself drowning in everything I owned. It was at a very inopportune time, too. I was about to move into college, and I knew that I owned far too many things to fit them all in my dorm room comfortably. I also felt extremely unsettled by the fact that I found value in owning so many things, and I held onto all those things very tightly. I couldn’t decide why I owned so many pairs of shoes, but I did know that most of them sat stagnant in my room.

God placed a deep desire on my heart to rid my life of unused things. In my experience, I was living a life I believed I could live on my own by purchasing more and more things. I don’t think as humans we enjoy clutter, but most of us let it consume our lives. We would much rather spend hours cleaning up our houses before company arrives, than actually remove the clutter from our lives for good. Why is that?

Matthew 6:19-21 says:

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

I think verse 21 speaks strongest to me. That is where I found myself, surrounded by material items I had been consuming my entire life, and surely there was a purpose for all of these things in my life. If I couldn’t see that purpose, I would remind myself that maybe I would need that yellow shirt sometime, so I couldn’t throw it away.

My heart was set on buying the next new thing. I personally got sick of my own attempts to declutter my room and life, though. I realized that I couldn’t do it on my own anymore.

Simplifying my life has taught me to truly appreciate what I own. I can put to good use all the items I own, instead of just a few. I have been taught that placing value in consuming and gathering items may seem to lead to pleasure, but this pleasure is strictly earthly. Spring cleaning has taught me that I am not on this earth to accumulate all that I possibly can, but to praise Jesus with my whole heart, and for me, the constant need to purchase items got in the way of that true purpose.

The world is going to tell you that you can do life on your own. It is also going to tell you that having more things will bring you more happiness. I encourage you to remember that items are not what we need, but Jesus most certainly is.

Check out more of Emily’s blogs and devotions on her website at www.emilylehner.wordpress.com!

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Emily Lehner is a writer for the Alumni Center, and is a first year Writing major. She is active on the cross country and track teams. She is passionate about using her writing skills to share the good news of Christ with others and writes often on her personal blog at www.emilylehner.wordpress.com. Her blog includes personal trials, triumphs, and devotion style writing.