Awaken 2

 I recently read that most humans have 40,000 negative thoughts each day, in proportion to the 67,000 total thoughts on average. I’m not sure how accurate the statement is, but I’ve seen these types of statistics several times. Without a focus and intentional way of following Christ each day, my thoughts can easily plunge into the vortex of negativity. Either our LORD is in charge or He is not. I must choose and renew each day to live in gratitude to Him, despite the seeming chaos in our world. 

“I often pray, “Lord, I’m your servant. I’ll follow you even if it’s into apparent failure, because I have no rights to success as I define it, or as the church defines it, or as my culture defines it. I’m only interested in pleasing you and being successful as you define it.” - Bill Hull, The Complete Book of Discipleship

Awaken 1

 Have you had a divine appointment with someone?  Or have you dismissed that meeting as a coincidence, like I have?  Have you asked God to provide appointments in order to develop discipling relationships?  How is God using ordinary moments to do the extraordinary work of maturing us, shaping us to be dependent upon Him?  

“Discipleship-the effort both to be a disciple and to make other disciples-is about the immense value of God at work in one individual's life and the resulting impact on other lives.” - Bill Hull, The Complete Book of Discipleship

Bolder 7

 I’ve made plenty of mistakes being too bold with what I e said. The reaction has been “awhile so you think you are?”  Other times, I’ve said said less than I should have, leaving regrets in both situations. Perhaps I’ve gotten too far ahead of God’s leading and I’ve been disobedient to His push. I definitely want to get better at being in stride with His moving, not being presumptuous or too afraid of what others think. 

“As Christians, we may not always like where our faith demands that we stand, and yet, we must. Even so, civility need not be sacrificed on the altar of truth nor truth sacrificed on the altar of civility. Truth given in love is what our Savior demonstrated, and what He demanded from His Church.” - Sean McDowel

Ruth 1

 It’s easy to to take our salvation for granted. It’s easy to think that ‘just because I’m a Christian’ life will go easier than a non- Christian. But we are not promised protection from trouble or from being a victim to systemic sin. But we are promised provision for what we need in the moment of our need. Ruth and Naomi learned to trust His provision the hard way. May you and trust Him ahead of the struggle, enabling us to trust Him through the tough issues. 

Bolder 6

 Suffering produces an awareness of our desperation. We cannot solve or fix what we cannot control. A miracle is needed. Divine intervention is the only solution. I’ve often dismissed the possibility of His working, thinking I’m not worth His time or His awareness of my desperation. Being bold in my praying seems like an audacious perspective. I’ve often thought that God just wants me to suck it up, grit it out. That may be what He wants as being in under His instruction to trust Him. He Amy May be saying, “Do you trust me in this?”  But He May be wanting me to be bolder in my praying. 

“Prayer is not an emotion, not a sincere desire; prayer is the most stupendous effort of the will. “Let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which will pass all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” The power of the peace of God will enable you to steer your course in the mix-up of ordinary life.

Get into the habit of saying, “Speak, Lord,” and life will become a romance. Every time circumstances press, say, “Speak, Lord,” and make time to listen. Chastening is more than a means of discipline, it is meant to get me to the place of saying, “Speak, Lord.”

Psalm 12

 Psalm 3:2-8

    Psalm 3 application

Vs 1,2 So many are saying, “who do you think you are, believing in a god you can’t see?  It’s all in your mind;  there is no salvation!  What are you being saved from?

Vs 3 - But you, O LORD, are a shield about me,

        my glory, and the lifter of my head. You continually protect me from these attacks, whether external or internal  

 Vs 4 - you are always available without fail. I cried aloud to the LORD, and you are there  

Vs 5 - I sleep much better when I know that you are present. ;Your mercies are everyday when; You sustain me 24/7

 Vs 6 -  I am not afraid of what others think, even though some try to undermine my credibility.  They love to undermine my efforts as they try to discourage me.

 Vs 7- There is no other option but to call out to the LORD. He is in control of my path. I do not have to be concerned about the outcomes. All I need is to trust Him completely.  

  Vs 8 - Salvation belongs to the LORD;  salvation from my sin, from the evil one, from the wrong doing of anyone, from myself  May God be praised  

   

Bolder 5

 Nathan’s awareness of God speaking to him and through him was matched with courage. Confronting King David with his act of immorality and murder could have led to Nathan’s demise. But his gentle approach pierced David’s conscience. I remember hearing Warren Wiersbe give a talk on the character of David. He said that David’s integrity became a doorway to sin because David was proud of his high standards. The story is a lesson to our own vulnerability to wring doing. Do I have the courage to speak into a persona’s life if they are headed in the wrong direction?  Do I have anyone around me that would speak into my life?  May you and develop such a network of Christ followers, caring enough to help us when we are blind to our own prose. 

It is true that for many aged saints, gray hair and a good head go hand in hand. But for others, far too many others, length of life only entrenches stubbornness, irritability, and careless ways of thinking and living. Life experience may increase inevitably with age, but without some long-term pattern of receptivity and intentionality, multiplied experiences will only create more confusion than clarity.” - David Mathis, Habits of Grace