Wanna know a secret?
SHINE Reading Plan: Go here.
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For the last week or so, I have been digging deep into the New Testament. Don't worry, I am still knee deep in the book of 1Chronicles from our SHINE Reading Plan. [Yawn]. Oops, did I just say that out loud? Just kidding. I love it. Really, I do. [okay, you got me. It's not my favorite chapter]
My soul has been craving the words of Jesus. I need to know what He would do when faced with certain situations. I need His Words. I need His Wisdom desperately.
Sometimes, my mind gets cloudy and I get confused. "What is right, Lord? I don't know how to feel about this. What would you do? What would you say? What would you not say? Help."
So, me and my soul go to the New Testament and read. And study. And pray. And read. And pray some more.
Do you want to know a little secret? Okay, lean in closer.
When I am in a situation where I am unsure. Uncertain what to say. What to do. What to think.
This is what I do...
I immediately stop. Ask God for a Word. Something. Anything. Throw me something, Father! Please don't leave your girl hanging.
He never fails to answer, friends. EVER. This is how He answers...
In scripture from His Word. Every single time.
For example, recently I was struggling with a decision. Big time.
When I [finally] stopped my mind from thinking about it and turned my heart over to God to pray about it, I received an answer immediately.
He said this: "I am not the Author of confusion, but of Peace."
Bam. Straight from 1 Corinthians 14:33.
I knew as soon as I heard those words in my spirit what the answer was to my dilemma. One option gave me peace, the other was more messy. Too many variables and unknowns.
He is so faithful to answer, we just have to ask Him.
I believe He longs to speak to us. To lead us. To guide us. To show us the way.
We must get to know Him and His Words if we want Him to speak, friends. We must make getting to know Him our first priority above anything else.
How do we do this with all of the demands of life tugging at us?
Be still. Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
Read His Word. “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4
Pray. Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Make this your habit. Your daily routine.
Friends, it will change your life. It will change your family's life.
Devotionals, worship songs, good sermons, inspirational quotes......those are all wonderful tools in our faith toolbox. However, we won't get the fulfillment that our souls truly crave unless we go to the Bread of Life and eat from His Word.
Girlfriend, there is NOTHING on Earth like spending time with your Heavenly Father. Nothing. And everything else in life will seem sweeter after time spent with Him.
stopping, reading, and praying,
jill
Get SHINE in your inbox: Go here.
For the last week or so, I have been digging deep into the New Testament. Don't worry, I am still knee deep in the book of 1Chronicles from our SHINE Reading Plan. [Yawn]. Oops, did I just say that out loud? Just kidding. I love it. Really, I do. [okay, you got me. It's not my favorite chapter]
My soul has been craving the words of Jesus. I need to know what He would do when faced with certain situations. I need His Words. I need His Wisdom desperately.
Sometimes, my mind gets cloudy and I get confused. "What is right, Lord? I don't know how to feel about this. What would you do? What would you say? What would you not say? Help."
So, me and my soul go to the New Testament and read. And study. And pray. And read. And pray some more.
Do you want to know a little secret? Okay, lean in closer.
When I am in a situation where I am unsure. Uncertain what to say. What to do. What to think.
This is what I do...
I immediately stop. Ask God for a Word. Something. Anything. Throw me something, Father! Please don't leave your girl hanging.
He never fails to answer, friends. EVER. This is how He answers...
In scripture from His Word. Every single time.
For example, recently I was struggling with a decision. Big time.
When I [finally] stopped my mind from thinking about it and turned my heart over to God to pray about it, I received an answer immediately.
He said this: "I am not the Author of confusion, but of Peace."
Bam. Straight from 1 Corinthians 14:33.
I knew as soon as I heard those words in my spirit what the answer was to my dilemma. One option gave me peace, the other was more messy. Too many variables and unknowns.
He is so faithful to answer, we just have to ask Him.
I believe He longs to speak to us. To lead us. To guide us. To show us the way.
We must get to know Him and His Words if we want Him to speak, friends. We must make getting to know Him our first priority above anything else.
How do we do this with all of the demands of life tugging at us?
Be still. Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
Read His Word. “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4
Pray. Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Make this your habit. Your daily routine.
Friends, it will change your life. It will change your family's life.
Devotionals, worship songs, good sermons, inspirational quotes......those are all wonderful tools in our faith toolbox. However, we won't get the fulfillment that our souls truly crave unless we go to the Bread of Life and eat from His Word.
Girlfriend, there is NOTHING on Earth like spending time with your Heavenly Father. Nothing. And everything else in life will seem sweeter after time spent with Him.
stopping, reading, and praying,
jill
