Take a moment to meditate on this week’s scripture verses.
Psalm 118:24 ESV — This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Genesis 2:7 ESV — then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.
John 10:10 ESV — The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Luke 12:40 ESV — “You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
Hebrews 11:39-40 ESV — And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Philippians 1:6 NIV — being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
This week we will be talking about living for today. In the song, Fresh Fire by Maverick City, featuring Brandon Lake and Naomi Raine, they sing, “God, if I live, I live for You.”
I pray God has spoken to you this week as we have explored ways to be open and ready to discern God’s message and will for you. Once you have discerned God’s will, it is up to you to follow through. After discernment is acceptance and obedience. Often, before I am able to discern God’s will I must be ready to surrender. I also often pray for God to prepare me to accept and obey His will. When I reach the point of praying, “Thy will be done,” I am ready to surrender to God’s will for me.
How has God spoken to you this week? How do you practice discernment? What does surrender look like in your life?
Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, prepare me for Your will. Mold me and make me into Your vessel. Give me courage to surrender to Your will for me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
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““Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.” Matthew 14:29 NIV
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Isaiah 43:19 — Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
Discernment is hard. Discernment doesn’t come easily. However, having a daily relationship with God does bring us closer to being in tune with God’s will. What steps are you following today to seek discernment? How do you know which way to go? Will you go through the door before you or choose a different door? Are you ready for God to do a new thing in your life?
1 Corinthians 14:33 NIV — For God is not a God of disorder but of peace — as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
Another practice I have when striving to discern God’s will is to be open. I have to be ready to receive God’s word by having open ears, eyes and mind. His message for me may come in so many ways. Sometimes God speaks through the most expected outlets such as through scripture, prayer and devotion. Sometimes God speaks in the most unexpected outlets such as through another person, a song, or even nature. However, if I am not open to all these opportunities to listen then I may miss out on discerning God’s will.
Lastly, as I strive to discern God’s will I also seek peace. Often when I am trying to discern God’s will I feel much turmoil. I want to make the right decision. Sometimes the turmoil inside me is because I know what God wants me to do but I don’t want to. Therefore it requires my submission and obedience. While arriving at a decision may cause turmoil within me, when I finally arrive at a decision and have peace about it, I know that was the choice God wanted me to make. Submission to God’s will brings peace.
Let’s pray. Dear God, open my ears, eyes, mind, and heart to discern Your will. Prepare me for Your will and give me strength and courage to obey so I may feel the peace that only You can give. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
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Philippians 1:9-10 NIV — And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God.
This week we are exploring ways to be discerning. For the next few days, I will share some ways I practice being more open and ready for listening to God so I am in a posture for discernment.
The first practice I have is daily devotion. To discern God’s will I have to be still. Psalm 46:10 tells us — Be still and know that I am God. When I am in the hustle and bustle of my day I find it is hard to hear God’s voice. Therefore, every morning before I begin my day I spend time in devotion and prayer. I take this time to study scripture, meditate, and listen. Even during devotion time I can fail to discern God’s will if I do all the talking and never stop to be still and quiet.
Another practice I have is journaling. As I have shared before, I enjoy journaling. Part of my devotion time includes journaling. Journaling for me has no certain formula and varies from day to day. Some days I write down scriptures or parts of devotions or insights that strike a chord with me and I want to be able to meditate on or come back to later. Some days I write down joys, concerns and prayer requests. And some days I write as if I am talking to God. I also like to take notes during sermons so later I can reflect on them. No two days look the same in my journal. I just write whatever I feel led to and also like to go back and see how God has answered prayers. Habakuk 2:2 instructs — Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.
Today I encourage you to not only have a daily devotion time, but to also be still and quiet instead of doing all the talking. Write down some of your revelations, joys, concerns, and requests.
Let’s pray. Dear God, thank you Lord for Your holy presence as we meet together daily. Quiet my soul as I sit and listen to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
