9/1/12- Need to communicate

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105)

Thoughts: I used to live in the mountains of North Carolina and some of the back roads would be very sharp winding curves.  There would be times when I would be in a hurry but would be behind someone who was not going very fast.  I couldn't really see to pass the car because of the sharp curves that would go on for many miles.  To just take a chance would be to risk a head on collision with another car or even a truck.  If only there was someone up above in a plane who could tell me when the way was clear and give me direction!
    In some ways, that is what God does for us.  He tells us certain rules that help preserve our safety as well as our speed in life.  But the Holy Spirit is also alive to direct us.   We need to communicate with the One who sees all (better than Google earth)- talking to Him in prayer and listening through His Word.

Prayer: I cannot see the future Lord, but I see that you see. Help me to trust in you.

8/20/12- Knowing God's Will

³⁵ Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:35)

 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

Thoughts: Jesus says that it is possible to not only understand but to do God's will, and that in so doing we become united- a family of faith.  Paul says that the precursor to doing this is to allow God to change our mind and to not just give into the views of the world around us.  So the first step is to refuse to just be a chameleon in the world- going the way of the crowd with our eyes focused only on the here and now.  The peer pressure to be like everyone else is great. But resisting this pressure is essential to understanding, testing, and doing the will of God.  Ironically, we may think that God's demands to be holy are too high and unobtainable.  But so are the demands to be "normal."  No one ever completely fits in.  You cannot please everyone- who has their own definition of normality or average-ness.  Our goal is to do God's will - which is always above average, and is pleasing and perfect for us.  

Prayer: Lord, let my goal be not to sink into the least common denominator, but to rise above the crowd.  Let me seek your will above all else today.