Hearing from God in Everyday Living
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The Invitation: My father was a man of integrity, passion, and belief that good government was what was needed in the world. He often encouraged his adult children to run for office or at least to help out in the political sphere.
While I agreed that we needed wise, honest, and courageous people to lead our government, I once told him I believed there was only one way to permanently change our society and world. Laws monitor behavior, but what we needed was changed hearts and transformed minds. We needed to be people who cared about others as much as we cared about ourselves and a culture where morality, integrity, and service were foundational. I believed world peace could only come through knowing and following Jesus.
Government is necessary. I pray for our leaders around the world and am grateful for the Christ-followers willing to serve in the political arena. I know there will never be a politician who will get it all right. And as a person who will also never get it all right while on earth, I pray for us to be people who humbly acknowledge the One who carries the government on His shoulders.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
—Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
May we carry the vision of how things can be. May we find peace in knowing that the government is on Jesus’ shoulders and He is mighty. And may we encourage people to know the Bible and the voice of the Holy Spirit–to be culture changers who impact every sphere of life.
Your Response: Lord, I often shoulder burdens that are not mine to carry. I think I have to have the solution or be the solution to the difficult situations around me. Forgive me for stepping into roles You were meant to have. And forgive me for not stepping into places where the hope, truth, and wisdom of Christ are what is really needed.
Holy Spirit, today I take up the truth and promise of Isaiah 9:6 anew. I receive it as amazing news. Show or tell me what it means that the government is on his (Jesus’) shoulders.
Now, highlight a word or phrase from this verse and speak to the deep places of my heart. (Pause, listen, and respond to what the Spirit has to show you.)
And Jesus, thank you for carrying me—and all those I hold dear—on Your shoulders. You are the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Amen.
(Last June , when this was written, who knew we’d have a spring and summer of staying put? A season of vacations being cancelled or postponed and uncertainty as to when we might be traveling again? In the midst of praying for the healing of our land, perhaps you could use a staycation with Jesus. Let us know where you go and any insights Jesus gives you.)
The Invitation: Feeling a little sad that a trip to the ocean wasn’t going to fit into our summer schedule this year, the idea popped into my head to take a walk on the beach with Jesus—in my imagination. It would be like a staycation.
Closing my eyes and taking a few deep breaths, I invited Jesus to walk along the shore with me, to talk with me, and to give me perspective on His creation in relation to my life. In less than ten minutes, I filled my senses with the sound of the ocean and the fragrance of salt air. With Jesus’ leading, I sent worries out to sea and received peace as the waves rolled in.
I marveled at the way He holds the power of the ocean back from taking over the land, yet when the tsunamis of grief and loss seem to prevail, how His presence has seen me through. I felt small looking out at the great expanse of the ocean, yet loved, known, and valued with Jesus by my side.
I think my summer might be filled with more staycations. I wonder what I could learn at the top of the Eiffel Tower, scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef, or climbing Mt. Rainier. What about you? Where would you like to spend a few minutes with your Lord?
Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.”
He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.
So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone.
—Mark 6:31-32 (NLT)
Come away, my beloved,
and be like a gazelle
or like a young stag
on the spice-laden mountains.
—Song of Solomon 8:14 (NIV)
Your Response: Jesus, thank you for Your invitation to come away with You. Thank you for the gift of my imagination.
(If your imagination feels like a dangerous place, simply pray: Jesus, forgive me for unhealthy things I have allowed into my imagination. And right now I forgive people who have exposed me to things I was never meant to see or hear. I ask You to cleanse my imagination. Take harmful images, fears, or unholy thoughts out and fill me with Your purity and beauty. May my imagination be used to bring me into a closer relationship with You.)
Jesus, where would you like us to go for a staycation? (Picture the spot and get a sense of how it feels to be there with Jesus.)
Jesus, what do You want to show me? What are Your invitations to me?
(Take a few minutes (or as much time as you can) and talk to Jesus. Get His perspective on things and enjoy being in His presence.)
Jesus, remind me to go on staycations with You throughout the summer! For they are affordable, insightful, and refreshing. You are my Beloved!
The Invitation:
• It’s time to stop and let God search our hearts.
• It’s time to ask, as followers of Jesus, how to respond to what is happening in the world within us and around us.
• It’s time to see others as God sees them.
• It’s time for the kingdom of God to be established in our hearts, and through us, to be visible in our communities.
For now is the time for God’s kingdom to come and God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Matthew 6:10 (NIV)
Yes, it’s time for the prayer of Jesus to be at the forefront of our lives. Like Jesus’ disciples, we are to pray for earth to become like heaven–for God’s kingdom to be established here and now. And not only to pray, but to partner with Him, in this season, to make it so.
Your Response: Lord, forgive me for settling, for numbing myself against the pain and hardship of others. Forgive me for ways I’ve justified myself or made excuses. Forgive me for neglecting Your heart’s desire to bring heaven to earth.
Holy Spirit, search my heart and bring to light anything that needs to change or shift in my thinking to see others as You do?
What can I do to help bring heaven to earth in my home and my community today?
The Invitation: God has such a great sense of humor, and I’m grateful I’m able to catch Him in the act of setting me straight in a lighthearted way. If I didn’t know He loves to speak to me, not only through the Bible, but in unlimited ways, I’d probably miss out.
For most of the day, I felt as if I’d eaten a gutbomb. At least that’s the word that came to mind. I looked the word up and it’s described as food that causes a disturbance in the midsection. Yes, that was it. But I hadn’t eaten anything unhealthy or unusual. I knew it was an emotional gutbomb. But no matter how many times I repented of carrying it around and asked Jesus to name it and take it away, it was still there. And it hurt.
After dinner, as I looked through the mail, the words on an advertisement jumped out:
Don’t know what’s ‘BUGGING’ you?
“No! I don’t.” I thought to myself, barely able to hold back a chuckle. Get professional help from the experts— it went on. Only $47.95 for the first treatment. “I’d pay that to get rid of this gutbomb,” I inwardly declared.
And then I saw God’s fingerprints all over that brochure. For He is like a pest control expert. “Okay, Lord,” I prayed. “What number do I dial to get rid of this pesky gutbomb? So far nothing has worked.”
I did a search on Bible verses about anxiousness and the Holy Spirit revealing what’s in our heart. Romans 8:26-27 seemed to be just the treatment I needed. I edited the advertisement.
I dialed Romans 8:26-27 and then relaxed and let Jesus pray over me. It was just the treatment I needed. The Expert had come through again.
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.
For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for.
But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings
that cannot be expressed in words.
And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying,
for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.
—Romans 8:26-27 (NLT)
Your Response: Lord, I know this verse might not be the treatment for every gutbomb I inadvertently swallow, but I choose to trust the Holy Spirit will reveal what I need when I need it. Help keep my spiritual senses tuned in to Your ways of speaking to me.
Holy Spirit, You are the one who knows my heart. You see my hopes, anxious thoughts, dreams, and concerns. You know all the difficult and grievous situations going on in the world. Highlight something from the Romans verses and then show me how to receive the treatment You have for me. (Take a few minutes to be still. Let Jesus minister to you.)
Thank you, God, for being the pest control expert. Help me be kind to my body and soul by not feasting on unhealthy thoughts and drinking plenty of Living Water. Help me be kind to others. And thank you for being the God who enjoys a good chuckle.