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A Sheep with Ears
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” ~ John 10:27
There is no better way for discovering truth than listening to God. When we listen, we quiet what we already know to make room for what might be.
Humans are crowded with wickedness. The flesh is not a candidate for reform. It needs to be weeded out. Replaced. We do this by planting the Word of God in our hearts, minds, and souls.
Listening is a risk. It asks us to step away from ourselves, to open up to the possibility of others. We risk our wickedness being exposed.
But too much of life is trying to cover up our weaknesses rather than naming it and replacing it. There is wickedness in each of us. When we expose and name the rot within, we have a chance to change. An opportunity to make different choices.
The Bible tells us the first step in listening to God is to listen to one another. It teaches us to set self aside. When we set self aside, we are then able to truly listen to God.
Listening to God helps expose our blind spots. It shines a light on the parts of us that do not look like God. That gives us the opportunity to replace counterproductive thoughts and behaviors with those that look more like Jesus.
_______________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
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Peace in the Stillness
~ If you are feeling overwhelmed today, spend some time with your heavenly Father to find serenity.
Scripture Reading: Psalm 131:1-2
Think about the last time you walked into an arcade or theme park. What was the experience like? Probably a thousand things vied for your attention, including bright flashing lights, cacophonous music, and crowded walkways. In all likelihood, it was hard to focus (and impossible to have a conversation).
Everyday life can also feel like that sometimes — too much input and not enough time to process everything that’s going on. It’s no wonder that we struggle to hear the Lord’s “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12) in all of it! Jesus faced this same problem, which is why He made sure to get away and spend time with His Father (Mark 1:35).
Psalm 46:10 calls us to stillness: “Stop striving and know that I am God.”
To enjoy this continuous inner peace, we must periodically pause everything and let our soul become aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence. In today’s reading, David described it as being like a “weaned child” at perfect rest in his mother’s arms.
Intentionally slowing down can be difficult to do, but experiencing the serenity and rest God provides is a gift well worth seeking.
________________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/
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Crowder - Grave Robber (Music Video)
Conquering Fear
~ The God of the universe offers constant love and care to all who trust Him.
Scripture Reading: Psalm 63:1-11
When you feel fear begin to rise, how do you typically respond? The next time you face anxiety, pause to ask yourself the following questions: Has God ever failed me in the past? Does He promise to meet all of my needs? Does He keep His promises?
If we read the Bible, we’ll find countless stories of God’s faithfulness. For example, the apostle Paul lived through persecution, pain, and all kinds of terrible circumstances, yet he was able to make the bold declaration that God weaves it all together for the good of His followers (Rom. 8:28). This testifies to the fact that for those who trust in Him, God turns every difficulty, loss, and separation into something beneficial.
Whatever we read in Scripture — whether it’s a story about Abraham, Sarah, Job, Hannah, David, Isaiah, Jonah, John, Paul, or others — we see God’s constant love and care for His people. His Word is a lamp that will give us clear guidance when circumstances are bleak. It offers the best direction we’ll ever find. When we meditate upon it, pray over it, grapple with it, and incorporate it into our life, His light chases away the darkness.
God, the sovereign ruler of this universe, is in control of your life.
When you read your Bible and meditate on it, you will find genuine strength in His promises.
__________________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/conquering-fear
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A whole lot of solid Biblical truths being shared today! Thank you tenac and plugger for the ‘truth-n-tell’ posts!
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The Blessing with Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes | Live From Elevation Ballantyne | Elevation Worship
The One Who Lifts Your Head
~ God will provide all you need for the challenges you face — trust Him and be brave!
Scripture Reading: Joshua 1:1-9
When God charged him to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, Joshua was fully aware of just how daunting the task before him was. Yet he was determined to obey God no matter what. Whatever doubts and fears the young man faced in his heart and mind, he ultimately took up the mantle of leadership with courage. He placed his faith in God, who had never let the people down. And Joshua fully expected the Lord to be true to His word again.
Whatever challenge you’re up against, God says the same words to you that He lovingly spoke over His servant in today’s passage: “Be strong and very courageous” (v. 7). Joshua’s bravery was based upon years of seeing God’s faithfulness. Whether you’ve been a Christian for five minutes or 50 years, you can have the same confidence.
The Lord is sufficient to meet your needs. He is your “refuge and strength, a very ready help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
Rely upon Him in all things, and like David, you can boldly say, “You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head … The Lord sustains me. I will not be afraid” (Psalm 3:3; Psalm 3:5-6).
_________________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/
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The Top Branches
“Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be a disciple of Christ.” ~ Galatians 1:10
We have a tendency to reach for the lowest hanging fruit. Whatever is easiest, serves us the quickest, or gratifies instantaneously. Shortcuts. Ease. Comfort. Familiarity.
This isn't all bad. We have a limited amount of energy, so following patterns often makes sense.
But this tendency can also get in our way. When God's way does not appear easy, we can find ourselves looking elsewhere. Following another path that we can understand or one that seems more comfortable. We can forget that Christ is our comfort, a comfort that passes understanding.
Our hearts long to serve Jesus and receive the full and rich benefits of relationship with Him. Accordingly, no matter the difficulty, following Jesus is always the best way. The journey is complex, but that creates the opportunity to know God by faith. It is in knowing God by faith that our greatest opportunity for fulfillment lies.
The temptation is strong to serve people, and their opinion of us. It seems a low hanging fruit. But the favor of man ebbs and flows. It changes like a tide, brushed away by the rushing wind. The fruit withers and fades just as quickly as it blooms.
But the favor of God is eternal. It seeps from this life into the next. It is the fruit of the tree of life. The striving pays immense benefits. Listening to God, seeking humility and truth, is worthwhile in a quest for the highest branches and the eternal fruit.
________________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
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First Things First
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” ~ Matthew 6:33
There are so many things that we want in life. From hobbies and interests to values and passions. Deep longings and surface temptations. Our hearts are full of longing. Some teachers and preachers tell us to die to longing. That doing so is necessary to live a life of service.
But the problem is not longing itself. God made us to desire. In fact, God wants to grant us the desires of our hearts. He wants our joy to be complete. He is a fan of our longings. He wants them fulfilled just as much as we do. He will give us all the wealth of the Kingdom, which coincides with the healthy desires deep within our soul. But in order to do that, we have to seek the right thing the right way.
The problem is how our good longings get twisted. Temptation lies in satisfying longings apart from God’s design. There are perversions of what was intended to be good longings – we turn to porn out of a desire for acceptance; we lie out of a desire to be influential. We seek to fulfill the longings to perpetuate an illusion that we are in control. But the true path to fulfillment lay in seeking God’s way. Obedience is the path to true happiness.
The key is to keep the first thing first. To pursue God, searching for His truth. To seek Him and long for Him. To listen to Him, obey Him, and chase Him with a relentless determination indicative of how He chases us.
Without this, all that we might receive or achieve will range somewhere between empty and self-destructive. His kingdom is what exhilarates our soul. Only by seeking the source of desire will we experience the true reward of joy.
__________________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
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A Broken and Contrite Heart
Have you ever prayed this prayer?
"Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight... Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me... You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." (Psalm 51)
Let me expand the question: How many times have you prayed this prayer? Or, perhaps, how many times have you prayed this prayer this week?
Sin and guilt create distance between us and God. As the old saying goes, "If you feel far away from God, guess who moved?" God does not and has not moved away from us when we sin. But, the distance comes as a consequence of our guilt and shame.
When we realize that our sin has created a distance, we are prone to rely on our natural human tendencies to fix the problem and eliminate the distance. We make promises. "Lord, I will never do this again. Please forgive me." "Father, I will work harder for You if You will forgive me." "Lord, I will do anything You want me to do, will You please forgive me?"
So, we go to work. We beat ourselves up reminding ourselves how foolish we are. Our self-talk changes. We remind ourselves of what an awful person we are. We second-guess ourselves. We feel ashamed. We constantly belittle ourselves. Our thinking seems to follow this line of thinking: "If I can keep apologizing, repenting, working harder to do better, and convincing myself how awful I am, then surely the Lord will realize how hard I am trying to be right and forgive me."
Ever been there? Read David's words again: "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
"A broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart?" Really? That's what God wants? That sounds simple. Why do we make it so difficult?
First, we make it more difficult because we are not sure that God will really forgive us. It is a control issue. It is a surrender issue. It is a trust issue.
Second, we make it more difficult because we think it is easier to fix things ourselves than to depend on God. Admitting our sin and really being honest with God about our sin, our foolish nature, and immature actions is more difficult, or less appealing than working harder to make things right. We can control (there's that word again) our hard work. We are confident in our ability. To approach the throne of God completely open and humble is more frightening, and perhaps too easy, and too difficult. It comes down to our dependence upon the living God to do what only He can do.
The New Testament writer Paul, said it this way: "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from the body of this death? Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:24-25)
This week may be the perfect time for you to confess your sins, to humble yourself, to be broken with all your heart, and to make a fresh start. Today may be the opportune time to come clean with God and with your fellow man.
Humble yourself. Trust the God who created you, who loves you, and who sent His only Son to die for you. He can handle your broken and contrite heart. In fact, that is exactly what He is looking for.
_______________
~ published by: The Daily Encourager
To receive The Daily Encourager FREE each weekday, click on the following link: http://go.netatlantic.com/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=thedailyencourager
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Phil Wickham - This Is Amazing Grace (Official Lyric Video)
Heavenly-Minded Prayers
~ Be sure that you are asking God for what's most important in your life and the lives of those you love.
Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:9-14
We belong to Jesus, and our home is not of this world. Do our prayers reflect that?
The Lord wants us to talk to Him about our day and bring our personal requests, but He desires that we pray for kingdom concerns, too — prayers for others’ salvation and for the spiritual growth of His children.
Let’s look at Paul’s prayers:
They were Christ-centered and kingdom-related — that people know Jesus, pattern their life after Him, and carry out God’s will. The apostle yearned for believers to be filled with spiritual wisdom and understanding and to walk in a worthy manner. He prayed that they would please the Lord, be fruitful, and increase in their knowledge of God. Finally, he asked that they be strengthened with the Spirit’s power and exhibit steadfastness and patience. Our God delights to answer such prayers because they are all part of what He desires for us.
Paul wasn’t ignoring the people’s physical and emotional needs. Rather, he knew that God’s answers to these prayers in Colossians 1 were the way believers would triumph in the situations facing them. Then they would have strength to persevere and be good witnesses during difficult times.
Take steps now to make your prayer life more heavenly-minded than earthbound. Start by praying today’s verses for yourself and people you know.
______________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/
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Prayer for Spiritual Growth
"For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled us to share in the holy ones' inheritance in the light. He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves. We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in Christ Jesus.”
~ Colossians 1:9-14
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Wait for the Lord
~ God loves you — you can trust Him to do what is best for you.
Scripture Reading:
"I wait for Yahweh; I wait and put my hope in His word. I wait for the Lord…” ~ Psalm 130:5-6
Trusting God’s timing can be incredibly difficult when everything within us cries, “Do something!” When we’re dealing with a painful or challenging situation, we want action, so waiting for God feels passive.
To wait for the Lord means to pause for further instruction while remaining in the present circumstance. It is a purposeful, expectant focus on God — a choice to be still and quiet in our heart while listening for His voice and watching for His intervention:
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth!” ~ Psalm 46:10
At times, God will change a situation to redirect us, or He will motivate another person to give guidance. However, always remember that any advice or direction we’re given must align with the Lord’s will as revealed in His Word; otherwise, it is not from Him.
The first step in waiting for the Lord is submission to His choice of how and when He will act:
• What are you hoping God will do?
• Are you seeking Him, or are you seeking only the thing that you want from Him?
Since He alone knows what is best for you, let go and trust His decision.
_________________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/wait-for-the-lord
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The Authority of King Jesus
~ As we dive into the riches of Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer, may your heart be awakened and your life be transformed by the riches of God’s love.
John 17:1-2 marks the beginning of one of the most powerful passages in all of Scripture.
Jesus prays to the Father and says:
“Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify You, since You have given Him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom You have given Him.”
Jesus knows that His time on the earth is coming to a close. He knows that He must sacrifice His life so that the door to restored relationship with the Father would be flung open to all who would put their faith in Him.
What good news it is that the Father has given the Son “authority over all flesh.” You and I serve the one true King of all mankind. Jesus is King of all the earth. And our King is one who would ask the Father to send Him to die that we might live. Our King willfully lays down His life for us who have done nothing to deserve His kindness.
Colossians 1:15-20 says:
“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through Him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see — such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through Him and for Him. He existed before anything else, and He holds all creation together."
"Christ is also the Head of the church, which is His body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So, He is first in everything. For God in all His fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through Him God reconciled everything to Himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.”
And later Paul writes in Colossians 2:13-15:
“You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for He forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, He disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by His victory over them on the cross.”
• What does it mean for us today to serve the High King in whom all authority and kindness dwells?
• What would life look like if we would submit ourselves to His authority completely?
All of creation answers to His name. All of humanity will one day bow before Him.
• What would your life look like if you made the decision today to willfully lay down your life in response to His lordship?
• What would it look like to crown Him as King of your plans, efforts, emotions, relationships, finances, past, present, and future?
You were not created to be the king of your own life. You were not created to bear the burden of doing life apart from the lordship of Jesus Christ. And you will never know true peace, joy, purpose, and love until you submit all you are to all God is.
Take time in prayer to meditate on the authority and power of Jesus. Thank Him for His loving sacrifice and crown Him King of your life today.
To take authority over your own life is to pluck yourself out of a life filled with the unimaginable graces of God. God will not bless that which is not His will. He waits patiently day after day for us to simply choose to submit ourselves to Him and follow. He longs for the day when we will stop submitting to our own pride, yield ourselves to Him, and discover the wealth of life available to us in Him alone. May you have the courage and humility to surrender to God and follow Him today.
Amen.
_________________
~ published by: First 15
https://www.first15.org/
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Be Encouraged – The LORD is Good!
Have you ever been in need of an encouraging word from God and gone to the book of Nahum looking for it? I didn`t think so; neither have I. Well, surprise, surprise, there is certainly one there, and God led me to it this morning – Nahum 1:7, which reads:
“The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knows them that trust in Him.”
Isn't that good? Well, it gets better when you dig into it a little. There are three things I want to share with you from this little obscure verse...
1. The LORD is Good
“The Lord is Good” - period.
Everything about God is good, including everything that is related to me – His thoughts about me, His plans for me, His actions toward me, His guidance in me, His blessings to me, His protection of me, His purposes fulfilled through me, and His ordained circumstances that surround me at this very moment in my life. They may not look good, seem good, sound good or feel good – but because they are ordained of God, they ARE good. Colossians 3:3 says that “your life is hid with Christ in God”. Every detail of your life is contained in Him, including your present circumstances, trials, needs, etc.
When I first woke up this morning and looked at the circumstances facing me today, I did not immediately think of them as good, but when I thought about the fact that every path God has led me down over the past 53 years has brought me to where I am right now, I realized that where I am right now is not just okay, it is "Good". Why? How? Because, I arrived at where I am today (right in the midst of a BIG storm) by doing all I know to obey the will of God.
Are you in a storm today? Are you in a crisis? Are you facing some very adverse circumstances? Are you going through a severe trial?
Well, take heart – it may not seem good, but as part of the “life that is hid with Christ in God", it IS good, if for no other reason than to demonstrate the second point I want to share with you.
2. The LORD is a Stronghold in the Day of Trouble
The words stronghold means a fortified place, a defense, a refuge. You may very well be in a very tough spot right now, but you are not helpless or hopeless – and – you are not alone. There IS a place for you to go to for comfort, help and assurance. “From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.” (Psalm 61:2).
The word trouble means adversity, anguish, distress and tribulation. If you have today landed on one of those squares on the board, then you will certainly be encouraged by this third truth from this little verse.
3. The Lord Knows Them that Trust in Him
The word, "know", means to understand as a familiar friend. Hebrews 4:15 assures us that, “we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are,”. Jesus not only knows about and understands your situation, but He even FEELS right along with you. Now, let’s look at the word "trust". Here, it means to confide in, have hope in and to take refuge in. He knows them as a close friend who confide in Him, who hope in Him, and who run to Him to find that place of safety.
Are you in trouble? If so, don`t make the mistake of trying to figure it out or work it out on your own. That is a trick of the devil and will only lead to disappointment, frustration, fear and exhaustion. Oh, I know, as a “responsible” person you feel you must DO something. Well, you are right.
What you must DO is go to Jesus, confide in Him and take refuge in Him until the storm passes – and it will. No matter WHAT you are facing today, no matter WHAT your circumstances are, no matter WHAT your need is, you can lift your head in confidence and praise the Name of Our Great God!
Why? Because THE LORD IS GOOD – and He is good to YOU!
________________
~ by Shad Williams (https://www.wegotothem.com)
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Colossians 3:22-24
"Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do it from the heart [enthusiastically], as something done for the Lord and not for people, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ."
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Vision for Eternity
~ May you be newly envisioned and encouraged today as you’re reminded of the world that is to come through Christ our King.
To be a true person of vision is to live this life in light of eternity. Without a real revelation of eternity, this life will be marked by hopelessness and a sense of aimless wandering. Only when our destination comes into view can we rightly see the circumstances strewn along the journey of this life.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 says:
“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.”
To look to eternity requires us to trust. Our minds are finite. In the only world we’ve ever known, life is marked by a beginning and end, by birth and death. But in Scripture we discover that God is the Maker of life and the Conqueror of death. We discover that in Jesus we are promised eternal life in unhindered, unveiled communion with our Creator.
To live with vision for eternity is to trust that things are not as they will be, and to surrender the entirety of this life with hope for the next. When we live seeking satisfaction from the things of the world, we live as if heaven didn’t exist and God didn’t usher in His kingdom through Jesus. The things of this world only have value in the Giver of all good gifts. So, our possessions, relationships, and work only have value here because they are a shadow of what is to come when all things are made new.
Having vision for eternity should lead us to create boundaries around everything in this life. It should lead us to a lifestyle of surrender that our hearts might never become tied to that which is fleeting and can never fully satisfy. It should lead us to a lifestyle of fully enjoying the things God has given us, all the while knowing the things of this life are merely a shadow in comparison to what is to come.
• Do you feel tied to the things of your life today?
• Do you feel as if your possessions, relationships, and work owns you, rather than you enjoying them to the glory of God?
• Are you seeking to find total satisfaction in the things of the world, or are you finding peace in the hope of heaven?
Take time today in prayer to surrender your life again to Jesus. Allow God to cut away any ties you have to that which is chaining your heart to this world. And find abundant joy and peace in the freedom that comes from living in light of eternity.
In Galatians 5:16 Paul writes:
“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.”
When you take time to enjoy God every day and seek to live in communion with the Holy Spirit, He will faithfully guide you away from the things of the world and into fullness of joy in Him. May you find comfort and hope in connection with the living God today as you seek to live with vision for eternity.
___________________
~ published by: First 15
https://www.first15.org/
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Rebuilding Passion
~ If your walk with God has become humdrum, it doesn't have to stay that way.
Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 4:13-16
Just as people are drawn by the warmth of a fire on the hearth, nonbelievers will be attracted to Christians who are passionate for Jesus. The Lord wants His followers to be a “city set on a hill” and the “light of the world,” shining brightly in the darkness with His love and message of redemption (Matthew 5:14-15).
Yet, it is possible for our “fire” to cool, which affects our witness. If this should happen to you, take steps to rekindle the flame of your relationship with the Savior.
First, be aware of where you are: Is your walk with God less dynamic than it used to be? Then, recall where you once were — think back to what it was like when you had zeal for the Lord. Next, acknowledge that you’ve drifted. Ask God to speak to you, and read His Word expectantly. Spend time each day in prayer; don’t just list things you want, but express a desire to really know the Lord. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you refocus your attention.
The apostle Paul gave Timothy instruction on living a life pleasing to the Father. Then He added the reminder to be “absorbed” in these things. We, too, should saturate our minds with the principles of God. The Lord desires that your faith have excitement. He will use your fervor to draw others to Himself — and to bless you in the process.
__________________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/rebuilding-passion
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Jeremiah 33:2-3
"The LORD who made the earth, the LORD who forms it to establish it, Yahweh is His name, says this: "Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know."
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Great Are You Lord - All Sons & Daughters (Official Live Concert)
Blame Name
“Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” ~ Ephesians 4:3
When something goes awry, we tend to blame. We find a foe we can literally point at and touch with our hands, rather than donning the mantle of responsibility to lead. Name and blame. Point our fingers at one another.
The results are tragic. The result of blame is often broken relationships and wrecked opportunity for happiness.
Healthy community is one of the greatest blessings in life, and it thrives when we hold to a common purpose. But unity doesn’t occur without good leadership. The good news is that each of us can provide that leadership. It is a matter of choosing a true perspective and making good choices.
The foundation of leadership is taking responsibility for things we can control. We can’t control others. So there is no real benefit to blame. What is within our control is taking action to seek the truth. Without truth, unity dumbs down to conformity, which requires submission to a tyrant. One of the primary weapons of a tyrant is blame.
When we name another person as our enemy, we misdirect our emotions, make imperfect choices, and leave potential on the table. There is a better way. We can take responsibility to discover the truth, and invite others to join in.
Taking responsibility does not mean taking control. It means seeking what is true.
When we make the choice to lead we sow the seeds of peace and unity, and lay the foundation for the blessings that flow from participating in a vibrant community.
________________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
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Handling Difficult Circumstances
~ Focus on Jesus instead of your difficulties — He will provide deliverance, comfort, and peace.
Scripture Reading: Philippians 3:8-11
The apostle Paul understood how to handle tough situations. Even while he was in prison, he kept his eyes on Christ. Therefore, despite being in chains, he was able to celebrate the Lord’s work in his life. In fact, the epistle he wrote from jail to the Philippians was filled with rejoicing and praise:
“And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice” ~ Philippians 1:18
“In the same way you should also be glad and rejoice with me.” ~ Philippians 2:18
“Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord.” ~ Philippians 3:1
Focusing on Christ is neither a natural reaction nor an easy one. Our instinct is to dwell on the circumstance at hand, searching for solutions or stewing over the pain and difficulty. As a result, troubles can look scary and overwhelming.
However, fear and defeat can’t live long in a heart that trusts the Lord. That’s not to say you’ll forget what you’re going through, but you can choose to dwell on God’s provision and care instead. He is our Deliverer (2 Corinthians 1:10), Healer (Jeremiah 17:14), and Guide (Psalm 23:3). The believer who lays claim to divine promises discovers that God pushes back negative emotions and replaces them with hope, confidence, and contentment. This doesn’t mean you’ll be happy about a difficult situation, but you can be satisfied that God is in control and working things for your good.
Focus on Christ instead of your circumstances — God will give comfort and bring you through the trial. Then you’ll be ready to answer Paul’s call to “rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4).
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~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/handling-difficult-circumstances
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Philippians 3:8-11
"More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ — the righteousness from God based on faith. My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead."
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Amen! that is a powerful promise to hold onto brother! Thanks for the share. God bless!
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Vision for Others
~ Today may we learn how to serve people in a healthy, intentional way with good boundaries and vision.
One of the greatest joys in life is the gift of serving others. Often in the busyness of work, family, and society we draw boundaries around ourselves so tightly that we don’t make room to love others well. God’s desire is to shepherd us to a place of inward abundance, not only that we might live in the fullness of life, but also that we would be empowered to give of ourselves to others.
Philippians 2:4-8 says:
“Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. Instead, He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death — even to death on a cross.”
In His humble, loving sacrifice, Jesus set before us the perfect example of loving others. God might not call all of us to physically die for the sakes of others, but He absolutely leads us to a lifestyle of dying to self that we might live for the kingdom of God. Loving others always requires sacrifice. The gift of love is never free. But in pursuing a lifestyle of looking to the interests of others we’ll discover an eternal purpose more fulfilling than any fruit selfishness could produce.
Often, in reading or hearing exhortations centered around serving others, I find myself feeling more and more weighed down. I know that I’m called to love people. I know that I’m called to give of myself. And in response to these emotions, I typically engage in a few more activities, find myself empty and burnt out, and subsequently give up on the notion of living sacrificially. But after years of going through this cycle I realized that I was giving, not from a place of love, but out of coercion. I was giving, not as a response to receiving the unconditional love of my heavenly father, but to earn the affection of a Christian community that often admires actions over motives.
But we serve a God who looks at the heart. The call of God on our lives to love others well is designed to flow from a place of fullness and satisfaction. God doesn’t ask us to give what we don’t have. If you’re not in a place of health and abundance, the first step is to ask for the leadership of the Holy Spirit in how He wants to shepherd you to a place of restoration and rejuvenation. The world doesn’t need burnt-out givers. God doesn’t ask us to die to ourselves if we don’t have life to begin with.
God has amazing plans to use you to further His kingdom today. And those plans are filled with acts of love and sacrifice. But before you can love others, you need to know that you are loved. Before you can sacrifice for others, you need to know that Jesus sacrificed for you to a far greater measure than you could ever hope to reciprocate. And in response to God’s love and sacrifice, ask Him for ways you can love others well. Create boundaries in your life in which you can consistently give of yourself. Seek to look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.
May you find profound joy and purpose in loving others today in response to God’s great love for you.
Inward abundance and rest aren’t always necessarily marked by the emotions of happiness or a feeling of energy. Sometimes God asks us to give even when we’re weary. Just as Paul walked back into Lystra after being stoned to continue sharing the gospel, we have to get up after being knocked down. Inward abundance is living with an unshakable and unbroken sense of God’s love. It’s experiencing transcendent joy that can only come from a God whose goodness surpasses the quality of our circumstances. If you will seek to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit you will know when it’s time to rest and time to act. You will know when it’s time to retreat with Him and time to go out. His leadership will not fail you and His grace will always sustain you. Inquire of the Lord today and discover both restoration and purpose in His steadfast love.
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~ published by: First 15
https://www.first15.org/
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Called to Account
“For the Word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart.” ~ Hebrews 4:12
When there is a wrong, or a perceived wrong, done to us or in the general vicinity of our awareness, the initial instinct is to seek justice. We want things to be made right. And we want to be the one to make those things right. We feel a responsibility to correct, to redeem.
We often overstep our bounds. It is not our job to call others into account. That is the work of the Spirit. To try to do is an idolatry as old as the tree in the garden, trying to take the place of God Himself.
God is the one who brings all things to account, including every deep and hidden thing. One of the reasons we jump at the injustice we see in others is that it helps us mask our awareness from the deep injustices within our own soul.
As Jesus discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart, He might discover that our desires to bring others to justice are not altogether pure.
We love the idea of God bringing others to account, but we don’t really love the idea of being brought to account, being pierced and evaluated between the joints and beyond the marrow.
Looking within causes us to fall on the mercy of God. Thank goodness He is merciful! Leaning on mercy within helps us see the need to lean on mercy without. It is God who calls account. And He is good and just.
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~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
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Communion With God
~ We find complete joy and fulfillment in the presence of the Lord.
Scripture Reading: Philippians 3:7-10
God created us to be in relationship with Him. The type of communion Adam and Eve enjoyed with Him is meant for us as well. But when sin entered the world, everything changed. God’s relationship with mankind was broken.
But as we know, that’s not the end of the story. Jesus came to die in our place, bringing forgiveness for our sins and restoring our relationship with God. We are adopted into God’s family and belong to Him forever. He has provided us with everything we need in order to experience intimacy with Him.
So what happens if, following salvation, new believers never go deeper?
Some may drift away from their initial zeal for the Lord. Perhaps others try to focus on God but allow earthly matters to distract them. Over time, some Christians settle for what’s comfortable and familiar. Sadly, they will miss out on the deep contentment God wanted to provide. Yet those who follow Jesus wholeheartedly will have a deepening relationship with Him.
Communion with God made King David “fully satisfied as with the richest of foods” (Psalm 63:5). And Paul viewed his own accomplishments as nothing in comparison with “the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:8). Draw near to God and experience the blessings of knowing Him.
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~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/communion-with-god
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Prayer As Conversation
“Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the Word of God and put it into practice.” ~ Luke 11:28
Our prayers often resemble giving a speech in a freshman year public-speaking class. We’re trying to sound formal. Presenting the facts with rigidity. Presenting a petition we don’t really believe in – fulfilling an assignment.
Prayer is designed to be communication between us and God. He invites us to His table for a meal, into His presence for a conversation.
Listening is an essential part of conversing. Jesus implores us to hear His voice. How else will we obey? How else will we know who He is?
The spirit is calling out to us. It beckons us to discourse. There are times and places for the petitions, the speeches, the pleas. But what prayer is really about is a daily conversation, equal parts listening and speaking.
One challenge is that we don’t really converse very well, even with one another. A lot of our conversation is just waiting until we can talk about ourselves. Always on standby with a story or a point that displays our knowledge and gets the conversation back into our favorite arena – ME.
Listening is the key to any conversation. Otherwise, it is just two entities giving self-aggrandizing soliloquies to one another.
Today is an opportunity to pray. To listen and hear the voice of God. To respond in kind. To interact with Divinity. There is no greater gift than the chance to be in communion with Jesus. But let’s make sure we make listening a priority.
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~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
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Chris Tomlin - Holy Forever (Lyrics) ft Jenn & Brian Johnson
Charity Gayle - I Speak Jesus (feat. Steven Musso) [Live]
A soul-searching post tenac. Thank you for making it crystal clear brother.
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A Kingdom-Focused Prayer Meeting
~ Are you praying for God's will to be done on earth?
Scripture Reading: Acts 1:11-14
Jesus talked a lot about prayer. He taught its importance not only by His words but also through His actions. At times His prayers were spoken publicly; sometimes He withdrew from the crowds to be alone with the Father. Jesus also spoke of the power of united prayer (Matthew 18:19-20).
If our church gatherings and small groups were to offer heavenly-minded petitions on a consistent basis, what would our prayer meetings be like? There would be greater focus on God and His kingdom. More of us would praise Him for who He is, express godly sorrow for our sinful ways (2 Corinthians 7:10), and speak of our gratitude for all He has done. Our voices would be lifted in praise as we witnessed people coming to the Lord, pride giving way to humility, and insensitivity being replaced by love. We’d rejoice in our glimpses of God’s work in and through our local churches. And we’d be beseeching our Father for others’ salvation and for believers’ spiritual growth.
How excited we would be to see God answer our prayers. Some of us would find it easier to testify about our Savior, others would be filled with His peace when facing trials, and still others would have the strength to stand firm. Imagine our church, filled to overflowing and becoming the “house of prayer” Jesus said we are meant to be (Matthew 21:13).
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~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/
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Set for Joy
“…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” ~ Hebrews 12:2
Joy is what allowed Jesus to endure the cross. His circumstances were overshadowed by the truth of what was to come. We can experience the same outcome when we exercise our gift of faith.
The joy Jesus looked forward to was the seat at the right hand of God. We are told Jesus received that honor because He obeyed, and did the will of His Father. Jesus’ joy was rooted in faith that there would be no greater joy than doing the will of the Father, than pleasing Him.
Joy is the product from the joining of awareness and truth by faith. The Lord invites us to come and eat at His table. To listen to Him. To discover the truth, believe the truth. It is a meal set for joy.
Jesus’ perspective of joy is an example for us to follow. We have the opportunity for the same joy by “fixing our eyes on Jesus” and following His example. When we follow the example of Jesus, we can experience a joy that transcends the emotion of circumstance. Not that it disregards emotion, Jesus grieved greatly as He went to the cross. But neither was He inhibited by His emotions.
The same perspective of faith is available to us, and with it a bottomless well of joy.
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~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
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