Inviting God

“In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:6 NIV

Remember that one of the keys to living a life with purpose and meaning is to focus on “how” you live more than on what you actually do. The best way to change your “how” is to stay connected to the God of the biggest purpose of all , restoring his kingdom.
One practical way to do this is to invite God throughout the day to help you experience his Kingdom life and express it to others. In other words, take time to acknowledge God’s presence throughout the day and ask him to guide what you are currently doing. It’s simple: Acknowledge and Ask. On one day of this week, set a goal to acknowledge God’s presence and ask for his guidance at least 5 times throughout the day. Once you have reached your goal one day, set the goal higher for another day. If you continue doing this, it will eventually become a habit that you will do very naturally and you will experience more and more of God’s presence and work in and through your life.

Doubt and Gratitude

It’s hard to doubt and be thankful at the same time. Gratitude is not the only solution to overcoming doubt, but it is helpful. This is because gratitude helps you see God’s faithfulness and seeing God’s faithfulness strengthens your trust in him.

This week, take some time to make an extensive list of people and things you enjoy in life and thank God for them. For an even deeper sense of gratitude, pick one of the people on your list and send them a short note telling them why you thank God for them. Feel free to use one of the postage paid postcards from our info center.

Practicing Peace

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 NIV

Some people think that following Jesus is a mystical adventure and are drawn to that, while others think it is mystical and it turns them off from following Jesus. The reality is that following Jesus is more practical than mystical.

When we receive forgiveness from God, we gain peace with God. If you experience this, you will also want to be at peace with those around you. This week, take some time to evaluate your life and consider if there is anyone you are holding a grudge against or if they may be someone who is angry with you. Ask the Lord for help to bring peace to these relationships and do what needs to be done to restore peace with other people in your life. We cannot live in peace with God if we are the cause of conflict with others.

Trusting Jesus as Your Teacher

The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Mark 1:22 NIV

People were amazed at Jesus’ teaching because his teaching had authority. In other words, his teaching was filled with wisdom and power that could not be denied or refuted. Do you view Jesus as your teacher? Do you see Jesus as the One who can teach you how to live a full and purposeful life?

This week, read Matthew 5-7, the Sermon on the Mount, at least twice. Read it from the view that Jesus is teaching you the best way possible to live life and read it with confidence that Jesus is brilliant, that he truly understands the best way we can live life. Before, after and while you read the chapters, ask Jesus to teach you how to live life the way he, the Father and the Spirit designed it to be lived.

Standing Firm

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Ephesians 6: 13 NIV

We will face evil and trouble in this life. It is not a matter of “if”, but of “when”. God wants to prepare us so that when we do face evil or some of type of trouble, we will be able to stand our ground, trusting him.

This week, spend some prayer time talking with God about evil or trouble or challenges you are facing. Honestly ask God to strengthen your faith through your battles and struggles. Seek His kingdom and goodness in the middle of your trouble.

Strengthening Your Trust with Scripture

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
- Jesus in John 17:17 NIV

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 NIV

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV

To be sanctified is to be “set apart” for God. It’s the idea of our whole life being fully given to God. When we try to segregate our lives and only give God parts of us, we hinder God’s good work in us and we frustrate ourselves. God wants us to be sanctified so He can make his Spirit life flow through us. This pleases God, it brings joy to us and it attracts people to God’s goodness. In short, it’s a win-win-win.

An important part of growing in trust is renewing our mind with God’s truth. This week, write out the three verses above and carry them with you throughout the week. Review them several times a day. Let their truth fill your mind and heart so they can powerfully change you.

Praying Scripture

One of the best ways to pray is to use Scripture to guide you. When you use Scripture to pray you can be confident you are seeking God’s will. Of course, praying through the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) with sincere and full attention is a great place to start. Paul’s prayers for believers in various cities are also good examples. You can find some of these in Colossians 1:9-14; Ephesians 1:15-21 and 3:14-21; Philippians 1:9-11 and 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12.

You can pray these for yourself and for others. Just simply read and pray through the prayer, adjusting it to include yourself or the names of others you want to pray for. You will also find these passages even more helpful to your prayer if you memorize them. This will help you pray more personally from your heart and they will help you get to know God better in the process.

This week, choose one of these passages and use it to pray every day. You can extend the impact of your prayer by praying Scripture for missionaries, such as Steve and Amy Nehlsen in Burkina Faso.