Make Better Choices

Proverbs 15:16-17 NKJV

Lord, I want to fill my heart with my honor for You and love for others THAN trouble and hatred no matter what circumstances I am in.

Wearing Humility Every Morning

Proverbs 11:2 NKJV

Lord, I will also wear Your humbleness as I get dressed every morning because I need Your wisdom throughout the day.

Multiplying My Days

Proverbs 9:10-11 NKJV

Lord, I'm sorry for seeking formulas to prosper and multiply instead of seeking Your wisdom by honoring You first everyday.

A Famine After

[S] Genesis 12:10 --
Now there was a famine in the land; so Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land.

[O] Just prior to this situation God spoke to Abram that He will bless and multiply Abram and his family -- 2And I will make you a great nation,
And I will bless you,
And make your name great;
And so you shall be a blessing;
3And I will bless those who bless you,
And the one who curses you I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed." -- however, he is faced with a famine and had to detour into Egypt.  God's covenant of blessings in my life does not equate to having a trouble-free life and even when struck with a crisis, I need to seek His guidance in the midst of it rather than just taking my own measures to mitigate the situation (in this case going to Egypt).

[A] Since joining a local church just over a year ago the church staff and I had been planning to start a coaching sessions for small group leaders.  The church was going through some internal changes + year-end scheduling challenges postponed the process a bit.  I need to check my heart once again to make sure that I am taking this step with a confirmation from His Spirit and understand that encountering a crisis or a famine is part of the course and continue to be on the path unless directed to go to Egypt.

[P] Dear Father, thank You for granting us to take part in this local church and blessed us to build relationships with many people in the last year.  We look forward to how You will use us in this community to share the insights and training You've instilled in us in last 25+ years.  May Your name be lifted up as we take part to share our blessings with others about church leadership.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Power, Wisdom, and Understanding

[S] Jeremiah 10:12 --
It is he who made the earth by his power,who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens.

[O] Creation of this world was created by God's power for sure, but He also put his final touches through his WISDOM and UNDERSTANDING.  If this world we live in is based on those two attributes, then the "worlds" I am creating must contain them as well too.

[A] Whatever I am building, I need to constantly ask whether I am adding God's wisdom and understanding because without them it will turn out to be lump of mess.

[P] Dear Father, please continue to shower down Your wisdom and understanding into my heart.  I want to follow after Your wisdom and understanding so that I may establish the right and graceful environment around me as well as stretching out the heavens above me.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

How to Delight God

[S] Jeremiah 9:24 --
24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord."

[O] I like to boast about what I am good at or good stuff I have but lacks the initiative to boast about my God in heaven who loves me steadfastly, who is righteous and justice.  I am so wrapped up in my own world that I don't leave room for God to be recognized in and through my own life and yet I consider myself being a delight in His eyes.  God wants me to boast how good and wonderful He is to me and become the contagious agent to the people around me.  That's what will delight Him.  I need to stop trying too hard in my own ways to delight Him; instead I should boast His goodness.

[A] Start my day by boasting about how good God is to me and my family.  End the day by thanking Him for steadfast love throughout the day.

[P] Dear Father, thank You for identifying my selfish perspective even while I am supposedly trying to please You.  I am trying to do things on my own but based on this passage I will need to start boasting about Your greatness and that's all.  No other strings attached.  Thank you for letting me realize this and thank You for being my righteous God.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Assess the situation and seize the moment

“Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. And he had to pass through Samaria.”

John 4:1-4 ESV

http://bible.com/59/jhn.4.1-4.esv

There was an assessment which was followed by an action with a clear goal or destination with a specific execution plan.

In this progression Jesus made drew my attention today even though I have read this passage multiple times before because this introduced the background of why Jesus headed this way. He was aware of the situation He was in and took appropriate actions. 

It seems that just being considerate to others almost blindedly is a thing of the past. Not saying that we should not be considerate to others but the society has changed such that I need to be more alert of my situation or surroundings and take actions with respect to my assessments. This may not be the case everywhere but in this area I feel that change took place during 10-15 years. 

This passage reminded me to be sensitive and flexible to the changing culture and to respond with a clear purpose of ministering to those in need of receiving God's care and love. 

Dear God, please continue to mold my heart such that I will be sensitive tonYour moving around me and to respond with a clear action to make a difference to those around me. In Jesus name. Amen.