Disciplined Listening

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans. - Proverbs 16:3

As shared in the post Unlimited Potential with God, Israel was not faithful to God and their future was not going to be easy. The lesson for us is to reach out and grab the upper hand of God by setting aside time to study the Word and spending time in prayer.

Here is an idea for today. Instead of taking breaks today, have a praise the Lord prayer time asking for direction for the rest of the day. First, watch this video poem and take every opportunity during pauses throughout the day to watch this video poem; to pray and ask for guidance: This Day with God.

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Hope Remains Because He Reigns

God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power. - 1 Corinthians 6:14

The vision written about in the post “Life Has Strains but Hope Remains”, reminds us that there is always hope because Christ brings changes in life. Just like Israel that was destroyed and then transformed, there is a redemptive purpose in God’s judgment that changes the future for the better.

Even in hard times, hope remains because He reigns and we can have joy because of the inspiration we gain in the events around Easter. Throughout life, there will be difficulty but hope remains in front of us just as in this video: Hope in Front of Me – Danny Gokey and we will come out stronger on the other side.

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The Courage to Crush the Enemy

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city. – Acts 18:9-10

As pointed out in the post “Always by My Side”, God is the source of Paul’s courage. The courage to admit that he once persecuted Christians and the courage to talk about controversial issues even when placed in a very difficult situation.

We can take this example of Paul and use the courage from God to crush the enemy by turning our issues of the past into opportunities for the future. We can do this by simply sharing about our knowledge of God and sharing about the experiences we have gone through.

It is through our experiences that others can relate and this helps those we share with to accept the gospel message. To inspire us towards that purpose, here is today’s video:

Whom Shall I Fear – Chris Tomlin.

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Tough Times Bring Sure Signs

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6

Sometimes we get conflicting guidance just like I wrote about in the post “Sure Signs”. Getting advice from others can be good but knowing the will of God gives a clearer picture that others may not be able to see.

When it all comes down to it, daily prayer and Bible study are so important in knowing the will of God. It’s all about sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. That is our highest priority and even if we go through tough times, God will give a sure sign that will keep us on the right track.

Take inspiration from today’s video: Heart of Worship – Matt Redman.

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His Assistance Helps Us Go the Distance

When Paul faced opposition in Corinth as shared in the post “The Day May Be Demanding but God is there to Keep You Standing”, he was able to stand his ground. He received help from his friends and God gave him assurance of safety in a vision. In this vision, God spoke to Paul telling him to keep on teaching the Gospel and not be afraid because he would be protected.

We can be assured today that friends will stand with us. We may face some opposition but like anything that takes off, there is the need for some resistance. A kite flies high because of the resistance of the wind. An airplane couldn’t take off without the resistance of the air on the wings which creates a lift.

This day with God, know that He will always be by your side to encourage and He will provide others to help. His army of angels will provide for your needs to overcome fear and go the distance. Receive inspiration from today’s video: Whom Shall I Fear – Chris Tomlin.

Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. - Joshua 1:9

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Accept the Vision and Make the Decision

When the people gathered together at the church of Antioch as described in the post Guided by the Holy Spirit, they would worship, fast, and pray. Then they would listen to the Holy Spirit for instructions on how to take action on this guidance.

As you watch and listen to today’s video Here I Am Lord, accept the vision of the good you can do for a group, good cause, or other ministry. Pray about this vision and for decisions on ways to take action.

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. - James 2:17

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Winning Souls for Christ

Everyone has tremendous value in God’s eyes and He accepts all people. As explained in the post He Accepts All, those who continued to go by the old religious law of “Jew not associating with Gentile” were losing opportunities to win souls for Christ. Today’s video is about losing these opportunities and about forgiveness: Losing – Tenth Avenue North.

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. - Romans 15:7

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Taking Action to Fulfill His Purpose

In the post Putting His Guidance into Practice, God gives Cornelius instruction through an Angel and prepares Peter for his future association with gentiles through a vision. These men of faith took action to fulfill God’s purpose. As we pray about taking action on God’s purposes daily, remember the Holy Spirit is with us helping to provide the guidance needed at work, at home, and wherever we are.

Pay attention to this guidance and take action. God blesses those who seek His advice and follow through. Let us be inspired to take action with this video: As It Is In Heaven – Matt Maher.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. - James 1:22-24

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No Fear Because He’s Near

As written in the post Focused on Our Strength, the early church experienced growing pains but the disciples set priorities, discovered their strength, and delegated some responsibilities to those blessed with special skills.

The results were very positive and this same strategy can be applied today by our leaders. Praying constantly for God’s help in receiving the vision. There is no fear because God is always near to hold us up on His shoulders so we can see far in the distance. Here’s today’s video to inspire this thought: Shoulders – For King & Country.

Each one should use whatever gift they have received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. - 1 Peter 4:10

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Filled with Joy and Living in Hope

Each day can be amazing because the risen, ascended, and active Christ makes a difference in our daily living. Because of Christ, we are filled with joy and live in hope because we can see the Lord always before us. Even in dark times, His light illuminates the world. Take encouragement from this video: We Won’t Be Shaken – Building 429.

Tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. - Romans 5:3-5

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The Application of Our Faith

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. - James 1:22

The post Prepare the Heart was about David going to God in order for justice to be carried out against his accusers. Studying about David and others in the Bible along with learning the principles found in God’s word prepares our heart and initiates the application of our faith to handle the challenges we face in this world. 

Let us seek to do something today that brings glory to God and start by praying with a vision of what that looks like. With Jesus by our side, we can make it happen. Let us take inspiration from today’s video: Do Something – Matthew West.

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It’s All About Jesus

A lie the world tells us is to do things on our own without any help. Make things as complicated and difficult as possible so that character will be built through struggle. But maybe things in the technological age are complicated enough. How about working together, receiving the help God gives in Christ, and accepting the obvious as truth.

In the post Thoughts of Life Leading to Meaning and Purpose, Jacob gathered his sons together as he was in his last days and gave a talk to his sons on their character traits. It’s always important to listen to others, pray for direction, and make adjustments along the journey.

We all need a strategy and road map along the journey so it’s important to reflect on the past, come to the Lord in praise, have a heart of worship and realize it’s all about Jesus. Today’s video speaks about this approach: Heart of Worship – Matt Maher.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6

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Arranging Time with God Results in the Changing of Lives

Jacob faithfully prays to God and receives hope in a dream to finally be reunited with his son Joseph. After all these years and now at an old age, he finally understands what faith is all about. It’s all about prayer and listening to God in order to follow His will. As a person spends time with God, changes do occur as in brought to us so well in this video: Changed – Rascal Flatts

Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. – Proverbs 13:10

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Encouraging Word

God encouraged Abraham through His Word. The Word came to Abraham in a vision and said, “Do not be afraid, Abraham. I am your shield, your very great reward.” It is the same for us today as God is by our side to protect and encourage. Enjoy today’s video: Whom Shall I Fear – Chris Tomlin.

You came near when I called you, and you said, "Do not fear." O Lord, you took up my case; you redeemed my life. - Lamentations 3:57-58

Be encouraged by His Word at "This Day with God" devotional.

Invitation to the Future

In Revelation 4, we come to the section about the future. John is included so he could see and understand the things that are to happen on earth. In turn, he would record this experience so we could all understand.

In this vision, John sees an open door up to heaven and a voice tells him to come up.  He goes up and sees God sitting on a throne (v. 2). Qualities of God as king, governor, and judge sitting on a throne are extolled. A rainbow encircled the throne and surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones with twenty-four elders sitting on them. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold (v. 4).

Image Source – Jeff’s Prayer Connection

From the throne come flashes of lightening and in front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing (seven spirits of God). A sea of glass that is clear as crystal looked like it was in front of the throne (v. 6). John was given this vision to help us see what heaven will be like; a place far more beautiful than the human eye has ever seen or the mind ever imagined.

Most want to go to heaven some day but not right away. The good thing is that life is not really ended by death. For those of us who believe in Christ, it only changes because we make a great step from faith into vision when we leave this earth. We will someday find a life far more beautiful than we could ever imagine.

For an inspirational start to each day, join the journey at: This Day with God Devotional.

What Will be Your Story?

After dinner, Annie went out on the back porch. It was a Saturday evening and darkness had started to set over the Delaware sky. Her mom noticed that Annie was looking up at the stars so she went out to take a look. Annie’s Mom had always loved to star-gaze and had recently noticed that her daughter had this same passion so she had taught Annie the constellations. Annie’s Dad was finishing up dinner. Later he would meet with his business manager about a major project in his shipbuilding business.

Several years went by and Annie was home for Christmas. She was taking a few weeks away from traveling and dabbling in photography to think about her future. She decides to go out on that same back porch she used to go as a child to look up at the Delaware sky. She had graduated from Wellesley College recently where she studied physics and was contemplating reentering college to specialize in astronomy at Radcliffe College.

A few more years went by before Annie got word that she had been appointed to the staff at Harvard College Observatory to record, classify and catalog stars based on temperatures. Five years later, this would lead to the publishing of a catalog of 1,122 southern stars. In 1910, her system was adapted by observatories worldwide. Annie Jump Cannon’s system of star classification groups stars into categories labeled O, B, A, F, G, K and M (known by the mnemonic, “Oh, Be a Fine Girl, Kiss Me”)

She later compiled the Henry Draper Catalogue which was published by the Harvard Observatory between 1918 and 1924. The catalogue lists the spectral types, magnitudes, and positions of 225,300 stars and continues to be used internationally by astronomers.

This story is just one of many great stories found when we look into the lives of people that have made a difference. You see, Annie set in motion the tremendous discoveries that are being made today. Just recently, astronomers have found a new planet in a different solar system that may be Earth’s twin; capable of supporting life. They study the brightness of stars and notice a planet because its orbit crosses in front of the star and causes it to dim. Here’s a link: New Planets Discovered.

What will be your story? Right now, you may know of something that no one else could possibly know about. My hope is that this video will inspire you to give some thought to what great discovery you might make in the future: Giants Awakening - Vision for Success.

You may be like Annie’s mom and give a child a dream or you may be like Annie, looking to make new discoveries. Reflect on these thoughts each day and be thankful for the opportunity to reach for the stars in whatever you do.

Check out my other blogs where I receive a constant supply of inspiration for my writings by clicking on the links below:

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This Day With God