Crossroads

[karen]

[FONT=&quot]Hi everyone ... how wonderful to find you and thank you DD for this thread. I have read the first 9 pages but couldn’t wait any longer to say hi. Will definitely get to the rest, as those daily devotionals are so encouraging. I imagine you have all had your own amazing journeys as Jesus guides our lives for his purpose. I too am forever grateful to God through His son Jesus for his love and forgiveness of me and for the changes he has made in me. I am always in absolute awe over the fact that the most awesome being ever has personally cared for so many ....even little old sinful me.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Your favourite songs are my favourite songs too ...yep even down under in Australia we get Mercy Me, Third Day, Casting Crowns ...music is my personal favourite way to worship and express my emotions. You should hear me when I’m in the car ..LOL... I also watched The Passion movie and try to watch it as a memorial to him yearly as it brings so much depth to what he did for us. His sufferings as hard as they are to watch remind me to never become complacent in my faith and to not let the world drown out the truth with its deception.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]I think there will be tough times ahead for true Christians in the not so distant future. The events in revelation are beginning to unfold and I can’t help but feel that not only is the good news an urgent message that we all feel we want to give to the world but it is also time to strengthen each other our brothers and sisters who are feeling the sting of Satan’s anger while our faith is tested.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]So my thought for the day is to never give up.. keep asking ...keep praying.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Ephesians 6:14-18[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]New International Version (NIV)[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot] 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.[/FONT]

 

[Diggin Deep]

Karen...thank you very much for stopping in...well said! Your faith is very inspirational. I hope you continue to stop in from time to time. I feel that you have a lot to offer...knowledge, guidance and inspiration.

Continue to press on!

 

[Diggin Deep]

Winter into Spring

God, my answer to you is "Yes."

READ
Song of Solomon 2:10-13

REFLECT
Winter has been cold and dark, even in its moments of growth, surrender and deepening. But it’s over. Our Lord, our Love, calls to us. He calls us to follow Him, and he beckons us to rise up from the ground. He makes all things new. He calls to us, and our answer can be yes. And when our answer is yes, it’s not because we must, but because He is too amazing to resist.

Crocuses are the first flowers in our city to come up. Declare today Crocus Day. Winter is over and spring is come. Celebrate how God is making you new.

RESPOND
Consider these questions and write down your answers: What is God is making new in you? Or what is something He wants to make new in you? Thank God for loving you and tending to you.

 

[Diggin Deep]

Week 1: A Life of Adventure

Adventure

Spend a few minutes talking to God about what’s been going on in your daily life.

READ
Romans 8:35-39

REFLECT
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be examining the question, "Can a life of adventure coexist with a life of following Jesus?"

For many of us, the idea of following Jesus may sound like the antithesis of a life of adventure. Christianity in practice has often been equated to following strict rules, playing it safe or staying comfortable. Yet when we look at scripture, we find example after example of people who embody adventure and excitement--along with a sold-out commitment to following Jesus.

RESPOND
Write down every example you can remember of a Christian whose life looked less than "adventurous." Now write down every example of a Christ-follower whose life inspired you with action and adventure. Which list has more names? Ask God to strip away your preconceived notions, and invite his Spirit to lead you towards a renewed perspective on what life could look like following him.

 

[Diggin Deep]

Be Still

Spend a few minutes talking to God about what’s been going on in your daily life.

READ
Acts 2:1-4

REFLECT
Over and over, the Bible reveals extraordinary experiences of early followers of Jesus. And these adventures were the result of listening and responding to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit has been described as God’s still, small voice that you can hear or sense. But in the business of life, it’s easy to drown that voice out. In order to lead a life of adventure, you must first be willing to be still and listen. Seems counterintuitive, right? Yet, we see it in account after account from the Bible. A life led by the Holy Spirit is exciting, because you realize your life isn’t yours to own or control.

RESPOND
Close your laptop, turn off the music, and move out of the company of co-workers or family. Ask the Holy Spirit to come into these moments, then be still. Listen. It may take a few minutes to settle your mind or push aside the day’s responsibilities. Don’t be discouraged. Write down any thoughts or promptings you have, and then ask God to confirm if any of those are from him. And just so you know, while He could be whispering, "Move to Africa," it’s probably much more likely that you could hear, "Ask Bob for his forgiveness." Both take courage to act upon...but more on that tomorrow.

 

[Diggin Deep]

Be Courageous

Spend a few minutes talking to God about what’s been going on in your daily life.

READ
Daniel 6:16-23

REFLECT
Often we look at men and women who seem adventurous and wonder how they possess the courage to do what they do. Whether it’s jumping out of plane or opening a restaurant, we often aspire to the fearlessness celebrated in our culture. But a look at Daniel’s story reveals a different kind of courage in the face of intense adversity.

Unafraid of the consequences, Daniel obeyed God and worshipped only him. Because of his countercultural behavior, dishonest men threw him into a den of lions. But when the miraculous happened and his life was spared, Daniel wasn’t interested in his own glory. His courage came from trusting God with his life, and come what may, he rested in the promise that he was God’s and had nothing to fear.

RESPOND
Ask God to fill you with the level of courage Daniel had, based on an unfailing trust in Him. Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas of your life where you don’t trust him yet, whether that’s in relationships, work or provisions. Could any of these areas be holding you back from pursuing an adventure God has for you?

 

[purpledove]

Be Courageous

Spend a few minutes talking to God about what’s been going on in your daily life.

I've heard this concept for many times over the past years. I've wondered too as the message you posted said how come others have that much courage and are unafraid when they venture in life. When queried as to their reasons most would say- "i have the divine provision by God and i trust him" It's quite a hard concept for my small brain to wrap it into......I thought too that my scheduled prayer( sort of) was more than enough to talk to God.

The past few weeks though i have started literally talking to him for everything. A Christian friend said, "talk to God about anything happening in your life- any time, anywhere" She further reiterated to try to get into the habit that b4 calling a close friend to vent etc, find yourself a place of silence/solitude and just talk to him like you're talking to a friend. It helps big time. I can't explain it but b4 I react to certain things/situations, if I talk to God first, seemingly am allowing God to be there for me that there is that certain peace that surpasses me, i get relieved/more relaxed right away. I am still working on it though as I still fail, lots.....but it helps. Just sharing

 

[Diggin Deep]

Thank you for sharing Marah!!! I know exactly what you are talking about. I find myself talking to God quite a bit, even when I'm frustrated with Him. There are days when I don't though, as if I don't have time - when I'm swamped at work and have 100 things going on at once. I find that those days are the most frustrating and when I feel somewhat lost and confused. It is absolutely amazing the feeling that overcomes you just by talking to Him, even if it is about completely random topics.

 

[Diggin Deep]

Be Bold

Spend a few minutes talking to God about what’s been going on in your daily life.

READ
2 Corinthians 10:1-5

REFLECT
If a life of following Jesus, being led by the Holy Spirit, and trusting God to the point of fearlessness isn’t adventure enough, the Bible also spells out the power that comes from the authority we have in Jesus.

While much of the world believes bombs and blockades provide strength, we know the weapons we have at our disposal have the power to demolish demonic strongholds and knock down the plans the enemy has here on earth. Notice that Paul’s boldness in these encounters from 2 Corinthians comes from being confident that he belongs to Jesus (verse 7). Pursuing a life of adventure in Jesus will take boldness. Thankfully, that boldness isn’t the result of our own ability. It comes straight from Jesus.

RESPOND
Are you confident you belong to Jesus? If so, have you ever considered the authority and power you possess as a Christ-follower filled with the Holy Spirit? How does it make you feel when you consider the weapons at your disposal?

 

[Diggin Deep]

Be Real

Spend a few minutes talking to God about what’s been going on in your daily life.

READ
Romans 1:11-16

REFLECT
It’s been said that courage isn’t the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.

When you consider Paul, and his self-described timidity, you realize that while fear most certainly existed as he traveled around the ancient world sharing the dangerous message of Jesus, his fear was overshadowed by the courage and conviction he had about spreading that important message. And because of his courage, we sit here today, two thousand years later, men and women who have heard and received Jesus because of men and women like Paul. Paul decided something else was more important than fear.

RESPOND
Chasing after Jesus and living that adventure doesn’t mean you’ll never have fear again, but Jesus’ message of hope is more important than the fear of rejection, ridicule or persecution.
Are you being called to do something that terrifies you? Write it down, then ask God to fill you with the courage you need to step into the adventure he has planned for you.

 

[karen]

I have often thought about the level of courage Daniel would have needed to face what he faced. I am not sure my heart would stand up to it. I have been faced with a few moments in time where he has unmistakenly intervened in a divine way. One moment in time still astounds me where my husband at the time was in a rage and we had cornered our selves upstairs on a verandah and i prayed for my unborn child and my 9 year old daughter and myself would be safe and he stormed upstairs and out onto the verandah and looked right through us...he never saw us. There is just nothing that is impossible for God to do.

 

[Diggin Deep]

Week 1: Movement

Faith Takes Foot

Ask God to help you see where you can take action and experience the miraculous.

READ
Matthew 14:22-33

REFLECT
We often hear this walking-on-water story as a teaching on faith. And it is, but there’s something else to consider about this story. It’s captured in the simple line: "Peter got down out of the boat." Peter moved into the miraculous. His faith wasn’t just felt or spoken; it was acted upon. Peter heard, felt and moved.

This week we’ll look at some stories of people who left their seats to pursue God’s power. As we gear up for the six-week Strong Challenge where we’ll be incorporating spiritual practices and rhythms into our lives, it’s a good time to be reminded that faith is, indeed, something that moves us.

RESPOND
When has your faith led you to move, even in the smallest of ways?

 

[Diggin Deep]

Blockades

Ask God to help you see where you can take action and experience the miraculous.

READ
1 Samuel 17:20-50

REFLECT
Sometimes when we’re face-to-face with something that feels monstrous in our life (marital problems, a lie we need to confess, debt), we want to avoid it at all costs-either hoping to avoid the pain or not believing we can get through it. But consider David’s method: 1) He heard the battle and ran towards it. 2) He acknowledged God’s incredible power. 3) He fought.

David wasn’t ignorant--he knew he was dwarfed by Goliath; he knew it looked crazy to outsiders. But he also knew he wasn’t going to win the battle because of his own strength. He stepped toward the monster, knowing he was following God’s audacious call, and believing that God would honor his action by giving him strength.

And so David experienced the miraculous.

RESPOND
Think of something you are terrified to do: Maybe it’s a conversation. Maybe it’s a project for work. Maybe it’s finding a new job or opening up to your kids. Write down all the reasons that you think you’re going to fail. Now write in big, bold letters over top of it "God". Carry that paper with you to remind you that God is bigger than any reason (legitimate or otherwise) that you may have.

 

[Diggin Deep]

A Breakthrough

Ask God to help you see where you can take action and experience the miraculous.

READ
Mark 2:1-12

REFLECT
This story reveals insane boldness. Guys putting themselves right in the path of a miracle and asking for the full experience. They didn’t hang out on the roof for hours just talking about what might happen. They tore up the roof.

Many of us would have seen these guys coming in through the roof and said, "Wait your turn!" or maybe, "Give Jesus some space." But Jesus didn’t turn these guys away. Instead, He commended the guys for their faith in him. And their strong action allowed them to experience a miracle that many people didn’t get to have.

Are you not experiencing the miraculous because you’re sitting on the sidelines? Maybe you need to cut through a few roofs.

RESPOND
What’s one area of your life right now where you’re sitting on the sidelines? Maybe you need to cut through a few roofs. Ask God for the strength.

 

[Diggin Deep]

The Double Portion

Ask God to help you see where you can take action and experience the miraculous.

READ
2 Kings 2:7-15

REFLECT
Elijah was an amazing prophet who performed 14 miracles during his life. When he was about to die, Elisha (his sidekick) asked God to perform a "double portion" of miracles through him. Most of us might think that’s kind of forward, a little aggressive. Even Elijah responded, "You have asked a difficult thing." But God granted his wish: Elisha performed 28 miracles.

Elisha asked God for something with boldness. He didn’t want to sit by and passively miss an opportunity. He seized it. And God loved that. What if Elisha had sat back and said, "Whatever number you want to give me God, is fine with me." Would he have experienced any miracles?

Sometimes the difference in our lives is just asking God for a double portion.

RESPOND
Spend some time talking to God. What area in your life would you like to see more of Him? Ask Him to give you a double portion.

 

[BleedingBull]

God isnt talking to me, made a mess of my life and he cant see me in the hole I dug for myself omg and i'm not even drunk to write that here. Oh well.

 

[Diggin Deep]

A Social Outcast
Ask God to help you see where you can take action and experience the miraculous.

READ
Mark 5:21-43

REFLECT
Twelve years of bleeding. That’s an incredibly long time to suffer, especially when it meant that you were forbidden to be out in public. So this woman knew she was taking a risk just leaving her home, and that if anyone recognized her she could get into serious trouble. She was taking an even bigger chance touching Jesus. He was a big deal. But she knew He could heal her, and so she touched him.

Then, after 12 long years, it was over. She was healed. It would have been easier and safer for her to sit by and hope Jesus would happen to stop by her house. But this woman wasn’t passive by any stretch. She acted boldly and reached out for His strength, and in her action she experienced the miraculous.

RESPOND
Do you need to be healed but are ashamed of asking, or feel like you’re not worth it? Ask boldly for God to heal you of your suffering, no matter what form it has taken.

 

[Diggin Deep]

Moved to sing

Ask God to show you something new about how he works.

READ
Acts 16:22-26

REFLECT
Have you heard the one about the guy who sang his way out of prison?

Huddie Ledbetter, a blues singer better known as "Leadbelly," was pardoned and released from prison in 1925 after writing a song of appeal to the state governor of Texas. That’s bold.

Paul and his friend Silas demonstrated similar boldness when, instead of wallowing in prison, they decided to sing to God instead. Locked in the most secure part of the prison, their only crime was teaching others about Jesus. Yet, they were moved not to doubt God, but to sing to him. Around midnight, while they were singing their guts out, God shook the prison and broke their chains.

RESPOND
Where in your life do you feel imprisoned? Are you trying to work out your own freedom apart from God? What if God simply wants you to worship and wait instead?

 

[Diggin Deep]

Moving into uncertainty

Ask God to help you move forward when you don’t know all the answers.

READ
Daniel 3:16-18

REFLECT
It’s one thing to move forward when success is guaranteed. It’s another when the outcome is uncertain and bleak. Yet these three friends chose to move in faith without certainty of the outcome.

Right now there are many people who are facing a "furnace". Some are unemployed, and uncertain about their future financial prospects. Others are unsure if they’ll beat a serious illness, or be able to keep their family together. These people know that there are no easy answers right now. But even in uncertainty, you can move forward with the faith that empowered Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego as they faced the furnace:

"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it..."

RESPOND
Are you facing a situation that is filled with uncertainty? Ask God to show you how to move forward without all the answers.

 

[Diggin Deep]

Moving in Circles

Ask God for the faith to follow him, no matter where he leads you.

READ
Joshua 6:10-16

REFLECT
Do you ever feel like God is leading you in circles?

Every Christ-follower experiences seasons when there’s no forward progress. In times like these, faith is a continual choice to trust, obey and keep walking with God.

Israel faced an enormous challenge in conquering the walled city of Jericho. We don’t know for sure how high the walls were, but estimates range between 15 to 50 feet. Usually when an army laid siege to a walled city, the strategy was a frontal assault. But God’s instructions were quite different: "Don’t even give a war cry, just walk around the city."

If you were given these strange instructions, would they have been easy to follow? Would fear, frustration or doubt lead you to tweak the battle plan or abandon it altogether?

RESPOND
Talk to God about any place you feel like he’s leading you in circles. What do you need from Him in order to trust and obey? Ask Him for what you need.