The Invitation

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In order to be transparent it’s important that we admit struggles. I’ve shared that the past month a part of me wondered what’s the point? I know there is one, but some days I just wonder why do we do what we do? It was a good time to read Ecclesiastes because this question is answered in those scriptures.

I’m human so I struggle. Sometimes I see the hurt and pain and wonder where God is? Which is probably a good time to read Job when this happens, which thankfully was another good reminder this week. In the end, Job (42:3) says, “I spoke to You (God) about things I know nothing about–too great for me to understand.” So, while that’s not always the most comforting thing in the moment, it can be comforting because it’s a reminder. There are things too great for us to understand. God’s ways are too great for us to comprehend.

I’m reading a book, and as an aside he mentions someone who was about to give up on their faith. They went to Rwanda and saw the devastation of genocide and were about to give up on God. In the moment, they heard the Lord say, this is what happens when people walk away from Me. This is what happens when love and compassion leave a place.

That was what I needed. I needed to remember this truth: When God isn’t invited into a situation, the hurt and pain we see are the results. It’s not for lack of love and concern from God. It’s from God being uninvited to intervene. Today, search your heart, and ask God to reveal any areas that you haven’t given Him an invitation. I truly believe we will start to see some things change when we do this.

Lovestruck- Podcast Book Review

We’re hitting the books with Lovestruck by Sharon Jaynes. I must say, this in-depth description of the Song of Songs gave me a clearer understanding of this biblical book.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1806754/

Resisting Happiness- Book Review

We’re hitting the books in this episode. This book, “Resisting Happiness,” is currently my favorite read of 2023. Want to find out why?
Take a listen. 😀

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1806754/

Book Review Podcast – Five Little Pigs

Do you like mystery novels? Well, tune in to this episode because we’re Hitting the Books with this episode, “Five Little Pigs” by Agatha Christie.

No spoiler alerts, I promise! 🙂

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1806754/

Killing Comparison Book Review

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1806754/

Hey! We’re Hitting the Books in this episode.

I’m discussing Killing Comparison by Nona Jones in this episode. Tune in for a sneak peek into this read!

Advice and Instruction, Part 2

Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life. – Proverbs 19:20

Yesterday, we talked about why we tend to resist advice and instruction. Today, we’re talking about how we can receive advice and instruction once we have the wisdom to know we really need it.

1) Pray. The Bible says God will give wisdom to those who ask Him for it. So, if you need advice and instruction, simply ask God (James 1:5). For everything that follows, godly wisdom is going to be the most important factor.

2) Read. This is one of my favorite suggestions after prayer. Read! You can receive so much advice and instruction through reading, in many cases, for free too!

3) Videos. While I do believe you need to break from media, it does have its benefits. You can find a lot of useful videos that are instructive.

4) Mentors. Get some wise people in your life who can guide you. If you’re the only one you’re bouncing ideas off of, that’s not good. You’ll often think you have a great idea or often think you don’t. Mentors will help you navigate your ideas and encourage you towards action or inaction for the time being. They’re invested in you and want you to do well.

5) Study. All of the above could be used as a form of studying. Study in order to receive good advice and instruction.

After all is said and done, do! Put all this advice and instruction into action. The evidence of wisdom comes into play by putting this knowledge into use. Once you’ve put in the work at the front end, why not continue?

Advice and Instruction

Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life. – Proverbs 19:20

This verse stood out to me this morning. It made me ask myself, why don’t we seek advice and instruction? A few reasons came to mind:

1) It’s humbling. To seek advice requires you to admit you don’t know everything. And even though we all know that’s true, we still don’t really like to admit it.
2) It requires effort. It’s a form of learning, and to be a lifelong learner means you’ll actually have to put forth the effort and work to continue to learn.
3) Comfort zones are comfortable. It’s more comfortable not to seek growth than it is to seek growth. Advice and instruction are about growing.

The good news is that there’s still hope for us. Because now that we’ve recognized why we don’t seek advice, hopefully we have the wisdom to know we should. Next, we’ll talk about ways we can receive good advice and instruction.

You Are Never Alone – Book Review

Hey! Do you ever feel abandoned or singled out? Feel like no one can understand what you’re facing? I’ve got just the book recommendation for you! Today, I’m discussing one of my favorite authors, Max Lucado. Tune in as I hit the books and dive into one of his more recent books, “You Are Never Alone.”

DO GOOD TODAY

Sin isn’t only about dong things you shouldn’t. We purposely complicate sin. We complicate it to make it beneficial for us. Is this really a sin? How far can I really go with this? If you have to ask, you probably shouldn’t.

Now, let’s focus on the other aspect of sin in James 4:17

Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
James 4:17 NLT

James says when you don’t do what you should, it’s a sin. How about that? There’s a reason Proverbs says, “don’t withhold good when you can do it (3:27)”, because you should do it. In fact, it’s a sin. Why?

I believe it’s because when you’ve experienced the Goodness of God, you shouldn’t keep it to yourself. The Goodness of God should spew into every aspect of your life, making you want to do good whenever and wherever you can because you hope people will see God in it!

What good can you do today? Who came to mind for you to help or simply encourage today? Do it today. Don’t withhold it!

Before You Vote – Book Review

We’re hitting the books in this episode with “Before You Vote” by David Platt. What are seven essential questions Christians should ask before heading out to the polls?

Is referring to someone as God’s candidate a safe statement? What policies are rooted in biblical truths, and which ones are rooted in preferences?

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1806754/

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