“Follow your heart.” One often hears this adage at graduation time but is it good advice? Can we trust in the leading of our own heart? To do today’s Bible study, My Facts or God’s Truth, please click on the link.
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Quickly think through your top three priorities at this time. Was God on your priority list? God wants to be your first priority…and your second…and your third. Please join us for the Lenten Devotion With All Your Heart by clicking on the link.
A Franciscan Benediction
May God bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships,
So that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,
So that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.
May God bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war,
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and
To turn their pain into joy.
May God bless you with enough foolishness
To believe that you can make a difference in the world,
So that you can do what others claim cannot be done
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.
Amen.
(from many sources, including Prayer, Does It Make Any Difference by Philip Yancey, p. 105)
When the chips are down, in what do you place your trust? Money, friends, brains? God’s Word tells us that if we place our trust in anything But Him we’ll end up looking foolish in the end. To do the study “Hope and Trust,” please click on the link!
Image: Nutdanai Apikhomboonwaroot / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Do you have days or months or maybe your life (!) where you feel scattered and fragmented, pulled in 100 different directions?Perhaps the last thing you feel is complete, like you have life under control.
Well, that’s because in reality, we don’t! But I know someone who does, and He has the perfect promise for us.
I love the verse in Colossians 2: 10 that says ” and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” What does the word complete mean? In the Greek pleroo, it means “to make full, to abound, to be liberally supplied, to fill to the top, to carry out some undertaking.” Notice it doesn’t say perfect!
Right now I possess everything I need to step out and do what He wants me to do. I don’t have any excuses. Gulp. Maybe like me you’ve heard God calling you to start something, but you’re waiting for someone with far more wisdom and gifts to step up. Maybe you’re waiting until … your kids are grown, you get that degree, you’re in shape or your health is better.
The truth is that if God has put a call on your heart, then He’s waiting for you to get started now. Yes, there are times for waiting and resting and learning, but if you feel that continual nudge to do something, then you need to step out and be obedient. He’s made you complete where you are for what He has you to do, and He will provide for your lack with resources and other people as you’re obedient to Him.
I’m there myself today. I’ve felt a nudge to be involved in an outreach ministry that I’ve kept putting off. I know it’s time. What’s on your heart today? Let’s take that step together.
Pray on!
“Whatever is on the heart will spill out on the tongue.” I have found this bit of wisdom to be very true! The Bible intructs us to carefully guard what we allow to reside in our hearts because our hearts affect our character and behavior. To do the study You are What You Speak, just click on the link!
Photo by Michelle Meiklejohn Rest Time