Discipleship Point
Matthew 16:33
Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. ~ Jesus
Pondering Point
As a follow-up of last week's discipleship point of becoming good soil, it's good to ask what it will take to put ourselves in a position for our souls to thrive, to allow God to put our souls in position to thrive. What follows is not an answer to create that environment, but a question to cause you to consider what it will take to provide such an environment. It is taken from Ransomed Heart Ministries prayer entitled Becoming Good Soil, particularly the line, “I confess that I need to live more deeply in a habitat that allows my soul to thrive.” Ask yourself: Have I built a habitat in my world that allows or even induces my soul to thrive? What could I do differently to help my soul further flourish and prosper?
Discipleship Prayer
Father God, I want to flourish as Your child; I am willing to humble myself under Your mighty hand and let You shape my world, my “soil,” in order to better accommodate the presence of Your word in my life. Bring it on; bring it in; let it grow; let me grow in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 51:1-2
- Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions. - Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
Read the versus of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
Teaching or Command of God
Titus 3:4-5
When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit…
The Promise
Ezekiel 36:25-26
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you;
Pondering Point
Though you are a sinner, you are clean.
This is the kindness and love of God in action through your Savior Jesus. In fact, you have a new heart and a new spirit with which to praise God. So PRAISE GOD in this moment.