August 10, 2016 - Practicing the Presence of Jesus

August 10th, 2016 - Thoughts for your Week

Scripture Verse

"Because you are his sons, God sent the spirit of his son into our hearts, the spirit who calls out, “Abba” father. So you are no longer a slave but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.”

Galations 4:6-7

“It is impossible for you to stay where you are AND go with God at the same time. You’re gonna have to leave something behind. Many don’t go with Him because they don’t want to leave their comfort zone.”

-       Henry Blackaby

What is your comfort zone? Is there something that you don’t want to leave behind? Talk about it with God right now. Ask Him to give you the courage and confidence in Him to surrender whatever you need to surrender to Him.

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the Earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him."

-       2 Chronicles 16:9

How can you practice the presence of God through this next week? What can you do to keep your mind on Him? Perhaps it’s writing out a scripture and posting it throughout your home so that every time you see it, you are reminded of the goodness and love of God. Ask Him to show you how to keep your eyes on Him.

“The difficulties of life do not have to be unbearable. It is the way we look at them - through faith or unbelief - that makes them seem so. We must be convinced that our Father is full of love for us and that He only permits trials to come our way for our own good. Let us occupy ourselves entirely in knowing God. The more we know Him, the more we will desire to know Him. As love increases with knowledge, the more we know God, the more we will truly love Him. We will learn to love Him equally in times of distress or in times of great joy.” 

      -   Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God

July 27, 2016 - Meet with Him

July 27^th, 2016 - Thoughts for your Week

Scripture Verse

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10: 22-23

Meet with Him…

·         If you could pick a place to meet with Jesus, what place would you choose? It can be anywhere. Take a moment to imagine that place with Him now.

·         Tell Jesus what’s so special about that place and why you chose it.

·         Now ask Jesus where He would pick to meet with you?

·         Ask Him why He chose that place.

·         Tell Him anything that’s on your heart right now; what you’re worried about, angry about, happy about, thankful for. Anything. Just have a conversation with Him.

·         Now ask Him to show you how much He loves you.

The King of Glory, your Heavenly Father, is here with you now. Believe this. Know that He loves you and longs to spend time with you daily, moment by moment. Pray this Psalm to Him now and believe that He will hear you and respond…

Psalm 86

Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.

Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you.

You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long.

Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.

You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.

Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy.

When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me.

Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.

All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name.

For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.

Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, 

that I may fear your name.

I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.

For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.

But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Pray this Psalm throughout the next few weeks. Remember that prayer is not simply praying through a list of requests; it’s a personal conversation between you and Him. Continually ask Him to grow your faith and show you His love for you. And choose to believe Him when He does.

”I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms."

-       Ephesians 1: 17-20

 “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” 

-        A.W. Tozer