During a gathering at Bethel Church, Abi Stumvoll delivered a compelling sermon that focused on a thought-provoking topic: “Who God is not.”
Abi Stumvoll
Abi Stumvoll, while discussing the theme of hopelessness, delved into the genuine essence of God. She recounted her personal experience of relying on her emotions as a measure of truth until God gently reminded her of what true truth is. Abi acquired this lesson through personal hardship and challenges.
In a joint website with her husband, she wrote, “I had to break up with shame and learn how to love myself, accept love from others, and let God love me unconditionally. I had to challenge my beliefs and begin making powerful choices. But the fruit of the work is breathtaking. It’s better than I could have imagined. It’s the comfort of being present in my own skin, feeling alive and valuable and worthy.”
Who God is Not
Throughout the years, Abi came to the realization that hopelessness often originates from embracing a falsehood about God.
“So the first thing I learned is that anytime I feel hopeless, I’m believing a lie about God. The next thing I learned is God is not serious all the time and disappointed all the time,” she said.
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Abi stressed that God is the source of everlasting hope. She reminded everyone of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, highlighting the inherent joyfulness that exists within God’s nature.
“So I had to begin to change my idea. I actually had to learn that He’s laughing at me a lot. He’s in a good mood. If you in your quiet times do not see God smiling at you and making jokes with you, then you have missed a huge portion of His nature,” she said.
Abi Stumvoll: “We cannot become joy without seeing and encountering His joy”
Prior to Abi fully comprehending that God is the ultimate source of joy, she openly acknowledged having a perception of God’s voice as one that carried significant weight and consequences in her life.
“If you do anything wrong, somebody could die. If God told me to go left but I didn’t, I’d probably get into a car wreck. And if God told me to wear green today and I didn’t, the person who needs to run into me to encounter the Lord won’t notice me,” she said as she recalled how she viewed God before.
However, God reminded her that His purpose is to save rather than condemn.
“If you are being tormented overhearing the voice of the Lord, it may not be the voice of the Lord. Wouldn’t it be a cruel joke if it was dependent on us to get everything right? What would be the point of him dying if we could eventually then earn it again?” she concluded.
Reference: Bethel
Header image: Abi Stumvoll preaching [Bethel]. YouTube, 15 June 2016, https://youtu.be/In0pRFJQWrU