Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

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.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

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.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

James 1:5 NIV — If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

How do I know what’s on the other side of the door of opportunity? Should I open the door and go through? What if I make the wrong choice? How can I discern the will of God?

Have you ever had these questions swirling through your head when you are in the midst of making a decision? I certainly have!  

Merriam-Webster defines discernment as the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure; an act of perceiving. How do you prepare to be open and ready for listening to God and be available for discernment? As we move throughout this week we will explore ways to prayerfully discern and accept the will of God.

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, open my heart, mind, ears, and eyes as I prepare to discern and accept Your will. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Take some time to read the following scriptures that we will focus on this week. 

James 1:5 NIV — If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

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.

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.

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.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Spend some time in worship listening to Thy Will by Hillary Scott. Allow God to guide your thoughts and may you listen for His will.

Another lesser known song to listen to today is Discernment by Quinn Throness. If you have time, read her notes about the song under the video.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

Read Luke 10:1-24 

Do you see yourself as one of the Seventy-Two? 

Are you thankful that you “get to” work in God’s harvest field? 

Do you rejoice that your name is written in Heaven? Do you share this gift with others?

As you reflect on the week, take time to surrender your answers to God. Be reminded that you are blessed to do God’s kingdom work with a “get to” mindset through His strength.

Sunday I encouraged you to listen to Strong by Anne Wilson. Try praying through her lyrics, “I hit my knees with my hands held high saying, “Dear Lord, Jesus, you know I can’t do this on my own. Lord knows I’ve tried, but I’m good at falling down. Thank God you’re good at picking me up off the ground. The world’s gonna try to break me but I know the one who makes me strong.”

@biblegateway @youversion @jongordon11

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭17‬ ‭MSG‬‬ — So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

How do we keep our “get to” in focus? Dress in compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, and discipline. Wear love. Cultivate thankfulness. If you have a word of the year or mantra, keep it at the forefront of your mind. We’ve learned this week that we must set boundaries. We also must fervently pray because the Devil is scheming in our “have to.” I encourage you to write “get to” statements as your gratitudes.

1. I get to work.
2. I get to clean my house.
3. I get to pay my mortgage.
4. I get to shop for healthy foods.
5. I get to cook for my family.
6. I get to take my family to the doctor.
7. I get to exercise.

Now it’s your turn. What are your ”get to” gratitude statements? Be reminded that you can’t do this life on your own and your “get to” will be accomplished by relying on God’s strength. As a result you will be fruitful for God’s glory.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for Your quiet strength. I desire to wear Your love so that I can carry Your fruit as I get to walk this life with my family and friends. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion @jongordon11