Today's reading is rather amazing--it's one of my favorites in the whole Bible.
The Seven Sons of Sceva remind us that we need our own connection to Jesus--we can't piggyback on someone else's--or we'll get our butts whumped as we fight off the things that try to bring us down.
The folks burning their sorcery books suggest that perhaps getting rid of the random Buddha figurine or books on manifesting our destiny we have scattered around the house might be a good way to confirm our allegiance to Jesus and his plan for our life.
And the way Paul walks away from folks who aren't interested in what he has to offer is super-helpful to me: we don't need to convince anyone of anything, spiritually speaking. If they're curious, we've got some good stuff to share. If not, it's okay to drop it.
I think the take home today is that God leads us where we need to go. Sometimes it's baptism, sometimes it's tossing some chatchkes, sometimes it's turning and walking away. It's pretty cool, when you think about it--the wisdom we need is right there for the asking.
Today's song: Amazing Grace by Avalon. This is my favorite remake of this classic hymn--the harmonies are so beautiful. The whole thing gives me goosebumps, especially this part in the middle:
Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already gone.
Tis grace that's brought me safe this far
And grace will lead me on.
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11 comments:
That's cool that so many people have found the answers for the dreams they are praying for.
While I can't say that I feel there have been unequivocal answers or lasting results for the specifics I started this process praying for, I cannot say either that it has been a waste of my time or that there's been a lack of progress.
God is once again reminding me that the most important thing is to keep my focus on Him where it belongs and trust Him for the outcomes. Regardless of if they are what or when I'd like they are still His best for me. I am recognizing growth in myself even if my dreams are still just that as of yet.
And of course there are still 7 more days counting today which gives God more than enough time to do whatever He might have in mind for me. In the past when He has come through on something, it has usually been at the very last second.
Melissa
I received a rejection yesterday from the publishing house I have been waiting months for and really thought I was going to get into. At the start of our forty day journey, I was asking God for this one (okay, okay, I was begging), but surprisingly, He opened the doors to a different house with a completely different book. This was the one I hadn't expected. This was a perfect gift.
It is also a different path than I had imagined, but it comes from God and I trust it is the right one for me.
Maybe that other story really isn't ready yet. Maybe I've been stalled for a certain person, or event to happen. Maybe I'm supposed to learn for the other book and publishing process. Who knows? No, scratch that, God knows. And I am excited to see where he takes me. And amazed and oh, so grateful.
Thanks Trish and the rest of you for taking this journey with me.
Forstrose, I hear you loud and clear. This has been a wonderful journey, but the truth is I deeply want to be able to report that my prayer has been answered as well.
I have six more days to go and God I'm looking for a miracle and I expect the impossible.
Kim, I want to say congrats and I admire your ability to see God's hand at work in your life. I certainly hope that this new door opening is the perfect opportunity, even better than what you'd imagined!
Forstrose and Heiress, I'm in your boat right now, waiting to see what God has in mind. And hoping I'll recognize it when it comes!
I'm still waiting for my answer from God, but I feel that I've grown closer to God over the past 34 days.
Actually I doubt that God follows a calendar of 40 Days and then ye shall receive, in fact he usually works when we least expect it. So it's not six more days but rather our lifetimes.
It's great to hear so many people are receiving answers! I'll admit, I'm a little jealous, and hop that I too will one day report answered prayers. I don't expect that they'll come at the end of the forty days. I might need to do the forty days again. I'm very new to churchgoing and prayer and admittedly, my devotion has flagged a bit throughout the forty days, and I'm not very good at praying and conversing with God. So, I need some refinement and I'll try again.
And Trish, I love your daily posts and insights into the Bible readings. Is there any chance you'd continue doing a faith based blog after the forty days are over? I'm reading the Bible in 90 Days (by Zondervan) and having something like that in a blog community would be awesome.
I feel an overwhelming urge to call a man that rejected me. I love him so much and I believe that God has a plan for me, but I just don't know if it involves him or not. I said that I was going to let go and just wait on God and see if he would open that door for me instead of trying to do it myself. I just don't know if I should make the move or not. I came here to get a revelation or insight because I don't want to operate outside of God's will. I just don't know why I cannot stop longing for him. I've just decided to wait on God and ask him to resolve my heart issues that draw me close to my ex. I pray that God sends a resolution to this issue by the end of our 40 days. Pray that I stay strong and that God will answer my prayers.
blessedsubstance i SOOO feel where you are coming from. the other day when i posted that my pray had been answered about my ex. it had or maybe it has. it has been a very difficult, emotional, and spiritual road i have been traveling. i had everything i wanted and needed in this wonderful man for a day. because of our on and off relationship, many of my family members and friends question us working out, which leads to me having major doubt. we pray together about it. i pray alone. i try to listen to God and I, too, want nothing more than to be obedient. however, it is causing me so much anguish as i try to find God's "signs". sometime since my last post, doubt has overcome me. i am unsure what God's plan is for me and if i will ever see. we have tried this so many times and ended it for the same reason. my doubt. he is, in every way, a wonderful man and influence in my life. something keeps leading us back together, but then something happens and fear sets in. i pray and pray and pray. i am struggling very much...i would really appreciate your prayers. you all are in mine.
For those of you struggling to find signs or hear God's answer, please let go and just let it be. I know you want something so badly but don't force the issue and get in the way. From a lifetime of experience I'll share that God will come into your heart loud and clear without any doubts. In other words, you'll know the correct answer by the peace and calm you feel.
I'm just reading Saturday's post now so apologies for coming in late to the conversation. Blessedsubstance, I completely understand your situation and am going through something very similar myself. Know that you are not alone! This spring my long-term boyfriend and I broke up. He was someone I thought I was going to marry and I was devestated when things ended. Needless to say, it's been a very difficult few months and I am having a hard time getting over him. It's helped me to keep in mind that God has a greater plan for all of us, even if nothing makes sense in the present. I know that God will give you the answer you're looking for.
Thanks to Trish and everyone for building such a wondeful community through this blog. I am keeping all of you in my prayers!
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