Luke 15

But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ” (Luke 15:32 NIV)

Several times (yes I know ) we have "lost" our kids when they were little in department stores.   For the few moments that they are lost nothing else matters but finding them .

We were at the store for a reason, but the list doesn't matter.   What's next on our schedule for the day - doesn't even cross our mind.  All that matters is finding the kid!!!!!   So it is the heart of our Heavenly Father - he longs to "find" us to bring us to himself and to have relationship with each one of us. His arms are always open. 

John 5

When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. John 5:6-9 NIV)

God's will can be confusing. Trying to understand His will without a close relationship with Him is absurd.   So - this man referred to in the scripture had been there broken for 38yrs - so Jesus asked him "do you want to be well?"   Jesus told him "Pick up your mat and walk!!"  We live this way in our world.  Jesus has instructions for us - but we must want to hear it!!!  Take time to know Him.  We must want to "be well"!!!! 

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. (Isaiah 26:3 NIV)

Perfect peace.  Ahhhh. 

If you take every thought captive to obedience to Christ , if you trust God - you will experience this perfect peace.   Our minds are a battlefield.  Our imagination can feed us or destroy us.   Its life or death at times.  It's so good for us to see God in everything around us, because it draws you to the  Spirit and feeds your soul.  Take control of your thought life!!!

Keep your thoughts and mind on Christ and experience perfect peace!!!!!  

Revelation 22:17

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. (Revelation 22:17 NIV)

I love that this scripture says "come"!  Thirsty? Come.  Hungry ?  Come.  Take the free gift?  Take. 

The church is turning this invitation into something  more human than divine.  Jesus taught us to love others.  We need to love people to God not preach the to him.  

So this devotion for us turned into what's our part and what's the Holy Spirts job when it comes to people knowing God ?!  

We must trust the Holy Spirit to draw people to himself and we are to love them and share in relationship with them. 

Romans 8:33

WWho will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. (Romans 8:33 NIV)

There are some days that you just can't seem to get a break?  People can be mean and cruel , self centered and critical.  It can feel like you have not a friend in the whole world.  Not only do people do that to is, but we can be hard on ourselves too.  We don't see any good in ourselves.  But this verse encourages us that Jesus came for us and HE is our only judge. We should not let anyone including ourselves condemn us.   Trust God with your life and know what He feels for you and don't fall into the lies of the enemy !!!!

2 Samuel 22:47

“The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior! (2 Samuel 22:47 NIV)

Liv encouraged us that God is our rock.  If you want steadiness, set your focus on Christ alone. 

In the Bible we read lots of trith that speak of setting our focus and eyes on him.  THEN we won't be shaken!!!. 

Liv shared that if we put our life in him - we can trust him with our whole heart.  He won't fail us!!!

2 Cor. 10:5

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV)

We can always trust the SPIRIT to lead our lives but we can't always trust our feelings.  The emotional life is very much part of who we are. That's why it's so important for our will to be surrendered to the leading of the Holy Spirit.   

Our personality is 2nd nature to the Spirit!

We must choose to die to our self , our flesh everyday.  We can talk about Gods grace but are we longing to be more and more like Jesus ?