Are you at a dead end?
Are you tied to the mundane?
Do you miss God in your life?

Jesus said, “You’re tied down to the mundane; I’m in touch with what is beyond your horizons. You live in terms of what you see and touch. I’m living on other terms. I told you that you were missing God in all this. You’re at a dead end. If you won’t believe I am who I say I am, you’re at the dead end of sins. You’re missing God in your lives.” (John 8:23-24, MSG)

What keeps you from enjoying God’s presence?
Because God has not moved.
God has not cancelled his promises.
God has not changed his mind.
God’s love is forever the same.

What kind of distractions keep you away from God?
They can be lovely, ordinary things
but they can be spiritual killers.
They can be wonderful opportunities
but they can keep you from focusing on God.
They can be exciting, happy things
but they can distract you from the real thing.

What needs to go….or to be added…. so you can focus on God?
Because God is the source of life.
Without him we are at the dead end of sins.
Without him we are not really alive.
Without him we are nothing.

But your loyal love, Lord, extends to the skies;
    your faithfulness reaches the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the strongest mountains;
    your justice is like the deepest sea.
        Lord, you save both humans and animals.
Your faithful love is priceless, God!
    Humanity finds refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the bounty of your house;
    you let them drink from your river of pure joy.
Within you is the spring of life.
    In your light, we see light.
(Psalm 36: 5-9, CEB)

The only way to thrive in life is to abide in Christ. We need to either let something go to create more space for God or we need to stick to Jesus so closely that we can focus on God despite of distractions. What works for you is up to you and God to figure out.

Thriving is possible. But only in God. I realize that even just a couple of days of not soaking myself in the Word of God leaves me more vulnerable for the worldly influence. I need to stick closely to Jesus. But when I do so…..I can thrive despite of distractions. But by God’s grace alone.

Gracious God,
Forgive us that we let mundane things
distract us from your presence.
Show us how to abide in you
so we can stay dedicated to you
despite of distractions.
Show each of us what needs to go
so we won’t miss you in our lives.
Be our everything, Lord.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: What kind of distractions keep you away from God?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you navigate life in Jesus!

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Do you want to WIN a copy of the Common English Bible softcover edition? Just leave a comment and mention that you’d like to win. The winners will be announced on Wednesdays! All these CEB giveaways are possible because I am participating in the Common English Bible Blog tour from Ash Wednesday all the way to Pentecost. This means that I will mostly be using the Common English Bible (CEB) on my blog posts. Let’s check out this fresh new Bible translation!
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Image courtesy of Jonathan Zajas. Linking up today with Faith Filled Friday.

Today it’s been 40 days since Easter. Something very important happened on this day. Something worth of celebrating. Something that establishes Jesus as Lord of all. Something that affirms our identity and place in God’s plans.

As a result, those who had gathered together asked Jesus, “Lord, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now?”Jesus replied, “It isn’t for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority. Rather, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” After Jesus said these things, as they were watching, he was lifted up and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going away and as they were staring toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood next to them. They said, “Galileans, why are you standing here, looking toward heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you saw him go into heaven.”Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem—a sabbath day’s journey away. Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem—a sabbath day’s journey away.When they entered the city, they went to the upstairs room where they were staying. Peter, John, James, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James, Alphaeus’ son; Simon the zealot; and Judas, James’ son— all were united in their devotion to prayer, along with some women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. (Acts 1:6-14, CEB, emphasis added)

Jesus assured us that his ascension is part of the big plan. It’s not going to be the end but a beginning of the next stage of God’s plan. There are things for God yet to do. Jesus had to go away in order to be able to come back again. And Jesus will come back again as certainly and mysteriously as he left.

But Jesus did not leave us alone in the world. He promised to send the Holy Spirit to empower us to be his witnesses all over the world. Meanwhile, the disciples needed to wait. This passage teaches us some important aspects of waiting.

First of all, waiting is not passive or done alone. They were united in their devotion to prayer. While waiting, they affirmed their willingness to do their part in God’s plans. They learned to be attentive to God’s wild grace. They were expectant, getting ready to do things God’s way. Without this waiting period (10 days) they’d not be ready for the power of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.

What can we learn from this?
That the heart of being a disciple is being attentive to God.
That waiting is as much part of the big picture as doing things God’s way.
That praying without ceasing is the way of life for followers of Christ.
That communing with God is more important than any busy work we can do.
That God has a beautiful plan for the whole world and each of us.

We can rest in God’s grace.
We can trust that He knows best.
We can expectantly wait for Jesus’ coming back.
In God’s time. In God’s way. In God’s style.
Meanwhile, we can boldly bear witness for him.
In God’s time. In God’s way. In God’s style.

Gracious God,
Thank you for being beyond our imagination.
Thank you for having a perfect plan for the whole wide world.
Thank you for having a perfect plan for each of us.
Enable us to wait in grace.
Empower us to live in grace.
Equip us to witness in grace.
Come, Lord Jesus!
We expectantly wait for you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: What does the ascension of Jesus mean to you? How do you apply it into your life?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you live, move, wait, and work in grace!

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Do you want to win a copy of the Common English Bible softcover edition? Just leave a comment and mention that you’d like to win. The winners will be announced on Wednesdays! All these CEB give aways are possible because I am participating in the Common English Bible Blog tour from Ash Wednesday all the way to Pentecost. This means that I will mostly be using the Common English Bible (CEB) on my blog posts. Let’s check out this fresh new Bible translation!
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Image, Ascension of Christ by Garofalo 1520, courtesy of Wikimedia. Linking up today withThought-Provoking Thursdays.

It seems that no matter where I turn to this week or no matter what I read it comes to this message: Apply your faith! So I pass it on to you: Apply your faith!

Don’t just believe on Sundays but also every single day of the week.
Don’t just call yourself Christian but act like it!
Don’t just say ‘Lord, Lord’ but obey him!

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and don’t do what I say? I’ll show what it’s like when someone comes to me, hears my words, and puts them into practice. It’s like a person building a house by digging deep and laying the foundation on bedrock. When the flood came, the rising water smashed against that house, but the water couldn’t shake the house because it was well built. But those who don’t put into practice what they hear are like a person who built a house without a foundation. The floodwater smashed against it and it collapsed instantly. It was completely destroyed.” (Luke 6:46-49, CEB, emphasis added)

God’s word is not just a nice addition to our home. God’s word needs to be the foundation of our lives. We need to hear the words of Jesus and put them in practice. Every single day of our lives. Not just on Sundays and holy days. But every day. Especially when all is well. Then we are ready when the stormy days come.

And if we apply our faith, our lives will be different. If we practice what we believe, the Holy Spirit gets a change to change us/our lives. If we claim the promises of God and base our lives on the word of God, everything is possible.

Just think about it.

What would you do differently today if you truly believed that…

…you are forgiven and free?
…you are loved and cherished by God Almighty?
…you have enough grace to get through the day?
…God has a plan for your life?
…God wants good things for you?
…God will take care of your needs?
…God is alive, active, and abiding in you?

We are not called to a timid faith. We are called to apply our faith radically into our lives. God’s grace is wild and powerful. Don’t keep it locked away. Apply it into your life! Today! And every day of your life! And be amazed what God is doing in/through/for you.

Go! Apply your faith!
Pray. Work. Play.
Dream. Laugh. Love.
Relish life in Jesus!

Gracious God,
Thank you for calling us to relish life in you.
Show us how to apply faith in our lives.
Show us how to live closely to you.
Show us how to be radical for you.
Come, live in us!
Come, change us!
Come, surprise us with you grace!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: What would you do differently today if you truly believed that God is on your side?

Be bold and blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you relish life by serving Him with everything you’ve got!

Giving thanks today for
#371 wild grace
#372 radical faith
#373 life in Jesus
#374 the foundation of faith
#375 God cares for us
#376 untamed grace
#377 faith is meant to be lived out loud
#378 God’s promises are valid
#379 practicing faith is what life is all about
#380 God’s guidance 24/7
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The winner of the Common English Bible softcover edition is ! Congratulations!
Do you want to win a copy of the Common English Bible softcover edition? Just leave a comment and mention that you’d like to win. The winners will be announced on Wednesdays! All these CEB giveaways are possible because I am participating in the Common English Bible Blog tour from Ash Wednesday all the way to Pentecost. This means that I will mostly be using the Common English Bible (CEB) on my blog posts. Let’s check out this fresh new Bible translation!
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Image courtesy of Forrest Cavale.Linking up today with Wordfilled Wednesday, God-Bumps & God-Incidences.

After all the Mother’s Day hype I was happy to read this on Monday morning:

While Jesus was saying these things, a certain woman in the crowd spoke up: “Happy is the mother who gave birth to you and who nursed you.” But he said, “Happy rather are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.” (Luke 11: 27-28, CEB) or like the Message version says it: “Even more blessed are those who hear God’s Word and guard it with their lives!”

Happy are those who hear God’s word and put it in practice.
Blessed are those who hear God’s word and guard it with their lives.
Even more blessed than Mary the God-bearer!
Think about it!

There must be something really special about putting God’s word in practice if we need to guard it with our lives! Yes, there is. Life flows from it! From here to eternity!

But how do we do it? How do we put God’s word in practice?

By praying.
By obeying.
By reading his Word.
By trusting.
By refusing to worry.
By serving.
By living simply.
By worshiping.
By loving.
By sharing grace.

Teresa of Avila has wisely said  “Let thy desire be the vision of God, thy fear the loss of Him, thy sorrow His absence, and thy joy in that which may take thee to Him; and thy life shall be in great peace.”

When God’s word enters our heart and permeates it, we experience peace.
When God’s word warms our heart and we apply it, we are blessed.
When God’s word changes us inside out, we are even more blessed.

Rest assured that no matter how blessed you can imagine to be, you are ever more blessed.
Rest assured that no matter how much you love God, he always loves you more.

Gracious God,
Thank you for always loving us more than we can imagine.
Thank you for blessings us more than we deserve.
Thank you for calling us to embrace you with everything we’ve got.
So you could lavish us with your gifts:
grace upon grace,
love upon love,
peace upon peace,
joy upon joy,
hope upon hope.
We want to receive!
Take our heart!
Show us how to apply your word in our lives.
Equip us to generously share your gifts with others.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: How do you apply God’s word in your life? Do you feel blessed?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you put God’s word in practice!

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Do you want to win a copy of the Common English Bible softcover edition? Just leave a comment and mention that you’d like to win. The winners will be announced on Wednesdays! All these CEB giveaways are possible because I am participating in the Common English Bible Blog tour from Ash Wednesday all the way to Pentecost. This means that I will mostly be using the Common English Bible (CEB) on my blog posts. Let’s check out this fresh new Bible translation!
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Image courtesy of Chris Manfre. Linking up today with What’s on Your Heart Tuesdays &Soli Deo Gloria & One Word at a Time: More Blog Carnival.

Did you know that “Living God” is mentioned fourteen times both in the Old and New testament? 28 times we are reminded that God is not a sentimental idea or a lofty philosophy. God is a living person who wants to lovingly interact with us. We are children of the Living God! How awesome is that?

The same way that the women at the grave of Jesus on the Easter morning were reminded “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:5, CEB), we are pushed to recognize that God is not a dusty doctrine among dead religions.

We tend to forget that we have a wild and active God on our side. We let the troubles or the temptations of the world distract us. And when we misplace our faith on ourselves, we feel hopeless. But don’t you ever forget that you are a child of the Living God!

When you are on the brink of despair, held your head high…..this is not the end…our savior lives! When you are at the end of your rope, cry to God and know that he will answer….he is alive, awake, and active. When you can’t see a way out of the pit, thank God that he does and he will see you out of there.

Just leave your burdens at Jesus’ feet. And don’t pick them up again. Really leave them there. Rest in his grace. He will work on your behalf while you rest in him. God is
real,
active,
wild,
awesome,
powerful,
almighty,
loving,
amazing,
and
ALIVE! 

“Our hope is set on the living God, who is the savior of all people, especially those who believe.” (1 Tim. 4: 10, CEB)

Our hope is set on the Living God, not on dead doctrines.
Our joy is set on the Living God, not on on the entertainment industry.
Our peace is set on the Living God, not on external happenings.

Don’t you ever forget that you are a child of the Living God!

Gracious God,
You truly are alive!
We are not alone!
Our hope is not set on dead doctrines
but on you, the Living God!
Take care of us in every level and in every way.
Be active in/through/for us!
Be praised forever and ever!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Why do you set your hope on God?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you set your life on the Living God!

Giving thanks today for
#361 the LIVING God
#362 God is actively present in our lives.
#363 being a child of the living God
#364 rest in God
#365 help in God
#366 love in God
#367 peace in God
#368 grace in God
#369 all I ever need in God
#370 joy in God
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Do you want to win a copy of the Common English Bible softcover edition? Just leave a comment and mention that you’d like to win. The winners will be announced on Wednesdays! All these CEB giveaways are possible because I am participating in the Common English Bible Blog tour from Ash Wednesday all the way to Pentecost. This means that I will mostly be using the Common English Bible (CEB) on my blog posts. Let’s check out this fresh new Bible translation!
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Image courtesy of Pierce Brantley. Linking up today with Sharing His Beauty & Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday &

Time spent alone with God is not wasted.  It changes us; it changes our surroundings; and every Christian who would live the life that counts, and who would have power for service must take time to pray.~ M.E. Andross

There is no other activity in life so important as that of prayer. Every other activity depends upon prayer for its best efficiency. ~ M.E. Andross

It is not enough to begin to pray, nor to pray aright; nor is it enough to continue for a time to pray; but we must patiently, believingly, continue in  prayer until we obtain an answer.~George Müller

Prayer can never be in excess.~ C. H. Spurgeon
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Offer prayers and petitions in the Spirit all the time. Stay alert by hanging in there and praying for all believers. (Eph. 6:18, CEB)

What should I do? I’ll pray in the Spirit, but I’ll pray with my mind too; I’ll sing a psalm in the Spirit, but I’ll sing the psalm with my mind too. (1 Cor. 14:15, CEB)

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All for the glory of God
I want to love you, my God,
with all my heart, with all my being, with all my strength:
I consecrate to you my thoughts, desires, words and actions,
Whatever I have and whatever I can be.
Let me use what I have for your greater honor and glory according to your will.
Amen
(Anthony Mary Claret, 1807-70)

Guide me, O Lord, in all the changes and varieties of the world;
that in all things that shall happen,
I may have an evenness and tranquility of spirit;
that my soul may be wholly resigned to thy divinest will and pleasure,
never murmuring at thy gentle chastisements and fatherly correction.
(Jeremy Taylor, 1613-67)
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Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let’s pray in Jesus’ name! Now it’s time for you to jump in with your prayers/prayer requests in the comment section (or link up your prayer post!). Let’s also pray for each other! Someone will pray for you/with you. (Because this is a global prayer wall, sometimes – due to the time differences – prayers are not instant. But know that God hears you 24/7! BLESSINGS!

Grab the code:

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Do you want to win a copy of the Common English Bible softcover edition? Just leave a comment and mention that you’d like to win. The winners will be announced on Wednesdays! All these CEB give aways are possible because I am participating in the Common English Bible Blog tour from Ash Wednesday all the way to Pentecost. This means that I will mostly be using the Common English Bible (CEB) on my blog posts. Let’s check out this fresh new Bible translation!
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Image courtesy of Zach Fonville.

I’ve never felt comfortable writing a Mother’s Day post. Actually, I’ve never written one before. And even this is mostly an unlikely one. I have a terrific mom (love you!) and I love being a mom. But my heart goes out for anyone who would (have) like(d) to be a mom and isn’t. I don’t feel comfortable boasting about my blessings. (But we are certainly encouraged to count our blessings). The only thing I want to boast about is God’s grace. And that is the best thing my mom ever shared with me (thank you!). Life is not about blessings. Life is not about being a mom or not being a mom (or anything else you wanna be). Life is about grace. Life is about passing on grace.

I want to pass on the very same thing not only to my own children but to everyone in the world. Even if our parents love us very much, God loves us most. Nothing compares to God’s love. You can rest assured that you, too, are a gift from God, much cherished and loved by God. He loves you so much that he gave his only Son so you could enjoy his love forever.

God is rich in mercy. He brought us to life with Christ while we were dead as a result of those things that we did wrong. He did this because of the great love that he has for us. You are saved by God’s grace!  And God raised us up and seated us in the heavens with Christ Jesus. God did this to show future generations the greatness of his grace by the goodness that God has shown us in Christ Jesus. You are saved by God’s grace because of your faith. This salvation is God’s gift. It’s not something you possessed. It’s not something you did that you can be proud of. Instead, we are God’s accomplishment, created in Christ Jesus to do good things. God planned for these good things to be the way that we live our lives. (Eph. 2: 4-10, CEB, emphasis added)

I am serious about this. God’s grace is the most important and wondrous thing in the whole wide world. God’s grace gives us meaning and purpose for life and beyond. Life is not about blessings. About being this or that, or about lack of something. Life is about grace. Life is about passing on grace. And you have a role in it. You are to be fruitful for God’s kingdom. It’s all about grace. God’s wild but gentle grace. Pass it on!

Gracious God,
Bless all the moms this weekend.
But be especially with those whose arms yearn to hold their own babies.
Comfort, strengthen, bless them with your healing grace.
Thank you for all the gifts you’ve given us.
Thank you for life, families, and all the good things.
But, most of all, thank you for your amazing grace!
Thank you for giving meaning and purpose for our lives.
Help us all to realize life is about your amazing grace.
Transform us with your love so we could bear fruit and pass on grace!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Have you found your place in passing on grace?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you share God’s grace with your traveling companions!
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Do you want to WIN a copy of the Common English Bible softcover edition? Just leave a comment and mention that you’d like to win. The winners will be announced on Wednesdays! All these CEB giveaways are possible because I am participating in the Common English Bible Blog tour from Ash Wednesday all the way to Pentecost. This means that I will mostly be using the Common English Bible (CEB) on my blog posts. Let’s check out this fresh new Bible translation!
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Image courtesy of Will Wallace. Linking up today with Faith Filled Friday.

Life is hectic and demanding. We might feel there is no time to spend with God. But the truth is there is always time for things we value. And there are ways to listen to God in the middle of everyday chaos. There are ways to blend God’s love in everything we do and everywhere we go.

God has made it pretty clear to us what he wants from us: “Obey me so that I may become your God and you may become my people. Follow the path I mark out for you so that it may go well with you.” (Jeremiah 7:23, CEB, emphasis added) Okay. We want to do that, right? But how? It’s not that difficult. We often make it more complicated that it really is. Basically it’s living our lives before God. Giving ourselves and our lives, everything’s that in it, to God as a living sacrifice. God will then work in our lives for his glory and for our good.

How that affects our every day lives? Here’s what Frank Laubach says: “All during the day, in the chinks of time between the things we find ourselves obliged to do, there are the moments when our minds ask: ‘What next?’ In these chinks of time, ask Him: ‘Lord, think Thy thoughts in my mind. What is on Thy mind for me to do now?’ When we ask Christ, ‘What next?’ we tune in and give Him a chance to pour His ideas through our enkindled imagination. If we persist, it becomes a habit.”

Walking with God is breathing with God, tuning in with God. When we ask, God will respond. William Temple has said “When I pray, coincidences happen, and when I don’t pray, they don’t.” It’s true. Prayer works. Because God wants to be part of our lives. As Psalm 147: 11 (CEB) says The Lord treasures the people who honor him, the people who wait for his faithful love.

God loves you and wants to interact with you. Do you tune in? Or do you tune out? Your choice. Make it a good one.

Gracious God,
We bring to you all we are and all we have.
May Thy will happen in/through/for us.
Enable us to always stay in tune with You.
Show us what it means to walk closely with you.
Thank you for treasuring us.
We love and adore you forever and ever.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: What does help you to listen to God in everyday chaos?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you walk with God!

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Do you want to win a copy of the Common English Bible softcover edition? Just leave a comment and mention that you’d like to win. The winners will be announced on Wednesdays! All these CEB give aways are possible because I am participating in the Common English Bible Blog tour from Ash Wednesday all the way to Pentecost. This means that I will mostly be using the Common English Bible (CEB) on my blog posts. Let’s check out this fresh new Bible translation!
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Image courtesy of Daniel R. Linking up today with Thought-Provoking Thursdays.

Yesterday we talked about Solomon who chose wisdom over wealth and how he was richly blessed. So inspiring! But this is unfortunately not how his life ended. But before his wisdom waned his reputation as a sage was widely known. Even the queen of Sheba came to test him with hard questions and she found all the reports of Solomon’s wisdom true.

What happened to Solomon? His success was too much for him. He felt entitled to break the law of God by amassing wealth and by marrying hundreds of pagan women. Solomon “clung to these women in love”. This devotional love should have been deserved only to God. Solomon let his worldly passions steal away his love for God. This story is not at all uncommon. This happens to any of us if we don’t keep God #1 in our lives.

In addition to Pharaoh’s daughter, King Solomon loved many foreign women, including Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites. These came from the nations that the Lord had commanded the Israelites about: “Don’t intermarry with them. They will definitely turn your heart toward their gods.” Solomon clung to these women in love. He had seven hundred royal wives and three hundred secondary wives. They turned his heart. As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods. He wasn’t committed to the Lord his God with all his heart as was his father David. Solomon followed Astarte the goddess of the Sidonians, and Milcom the detestable god of the Ammonites. Solomon did what was evil in the Lord’s eyes and wasn’t completely devoted to the Lord like his father David. On the hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a shrine to Chemosh the detestable god of Moab, and to Molech the detestable god of the Ammonites. He did the same for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods.The Lord grew angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from being with the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.The Lord had commanded Solomon about this very thing, that he shouldn’t follow other gods. But Solomon didn’t do what the Lord commanded.  The Lord said to Solomon, “Because you have done all this instead of keeping my covenant and my laws that I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom from you and give it to your servant. Even so, on account of your father David, I won’t do it during your lifetime. I will tear the kingdom out of your son’s hands. Moreover, I won’t tear away the entire kingdom. I will give one tribe to your son on account of my servant David and on account of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.” (1 Kings 11:1-13, CEB)

Solomon did not live according to God’s will. He did what pleased him. God had given him blessings upon blessings and he used them in vain. Solomon did not love God above everything, he loved himself more. He was more interested in the gifts than in the Giver. Solomon did not have the same passionate love for God than his father David had. Solomon also did not repent when he had sinned. God wanted obedience. Solomon chose his obsessions. God punished Solomon. His life ended without much glory.

But Solomon was so wise! How could that happen to him? Wisdom needs to be practiced. It does not matter how much we know if we don’t apply that knowledge into daily living. It does not matter how brilliant we are if we can not discern what’s right and wrong and then act on it. It does not matter how much theoretical knowledge we have if we don’t practice it.

It does not matter how much you know of God….
if you don’t have an active relationship with God.
It does not matter how much you talk about your faith…
if you don’t practice it.
It does not matter how much you used to spend time with God…
if you don’t do it today.

Because we can’t fight against our obsessions alone. We need God.
We can’t live outside of God’s care and stay clean.
We can’t choose disobedience and assume God will still bless us.
We can’t amass sex, power, and money without consequences.
We can’t live without God. We need him.

But we can be certain that….
if we want to follow God with everything we got, God will bless us.
if we daily choose obedience over obsessions, God will help us.
if we apply God’s wisdom into our lives, God will lead us home.

I don’t know about you but I will – by God’s grace- choose obedience over obsession.
Day after day.
God help me!

Gracious God,
Help us to live simply,
love purely,
and serve you dearly.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: What in your life tries to pull you from God?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you choose obedience day by day!

Giving thanks today for
#351 God’s grace is more powerful than any obsession
#352 God’s protective care
#353 God’s law
#354 wisdom in simplicity
#355 wisdom in fidelity
#356 wisdom in service
#357 empowering grace
#358 applied faith
#359 lived faith
#360 shared faith
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The winner of the Common English Bible softcover edition is ! Congratulations!
Do you want to win a copy of the Common English Bible softcover edition? Just leave a comment and mention that you’d like to win. The winners will be announced on Wednesdays! All these CEB giveaways are possible because I am participating in the Common English Bible Blog tour from Ash Wednesday all the way to Pentecost. This means that I will mostly be using the Common English Bible (CEB) on my blog posts. Let’s check out this fresh new Bible translation!
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Image courtesy of ochristian.com. Linking up today with Wordfilled Wednesday.

I love how God comes to us. It’s always God coming to us. Just think of what happened after Adam & Eve had eaten the apple. The Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9, CEB) God is always looking for us. And when nothing else worked, he sent his only son to us. It’s always God first. Always God coming to us. Always God loving us first. Pouring out his grace enabling us to respond to him.

Let’s see today how God came to Solomon soon after he had become a king.

The Lord appeared to Solomon at Gibeon in a dream at night. God said, “Ask whatever you wish, and I’ll give it to you. Solomon responded, “You showed so much kindness to your servant my father David when he walked before you in truth, righteousness, and with a heart true to you. You’ve kept this great loyalty and kindness for him and have now given him a son to sit on his throne. And now, Lord my God, you have made me, your servant, king in my father David’s place. But I’m young and inexperienced. I know next to nothing. But I’m here, your servant, in the middle of the people you have chosen, a large population that can’t be numbered or counted due to its vast size. Please give your servant a discerning mind in order to govern your people and to distinguish good from evil, because no one is able to govern this important people of yours without your help.” (1 Kings 3: 5-9, CEB)

Solomon was only twenty years old.  Maybe he felt he felt he was too young to be a king. Anyhow, he knew he was inexperienced and needed help. Still, it is impressive that he asked for wisdom over wealth. Despite of being young he had this yearning for wisdom. He asked for a discerning mind to distinguish good from evil. This choice of wisdom over wealth made him a legend.

It pleased the Lord that Solomon had made this request. God said to him, “Because you have asked for this instead of requesting long life, wealth, or victory over your enemies—asking for discernment so as to acquire good judgment— I will now do just what you said. Look, I hereby give you a wise and understanding mind. There has been no one like you before now, nor will there be anyone like you afterward. I now also give you what you didn’t ask for: wealth and fame. There won’t be a king like you as long as you live. And if you walk in my ways and obey my laws and commands, just as your father David did, then I will give you a very long life.” Solomon awoke and realized it was a dream. (1 Kings 3: 10-15, CEB)

God was very pleased with Solomon’s answer and he lavished Solomon with gifts. He did not get only wisdom but also wealth and fame. Solomon’s choice of wisdom over wealth set him apart. He became not only the wisest but also the richest and the most productive king of Israel.

Desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33, CEB)

What can we learn from this?

When we stay humble and reverent for God, there’s space for God to fully enter our lives. When God is first in our lives, God will also take care of our earthly needs.

When we know we are dependent on God, there’s room for God to work through us. When our hearts and minds are fixed on God, there will be blessings upon blessings in our lives.

It’s always God coming to us. God taking the initiative. It’s always God first. He has come so we could have life upon life. But the question is….how do we respond? What do we ask for?

Gracious God,
We want to choose you…not ourselves.
We want to choose wisdom…not wealth, fame, success or power.
We want to choose life…not death.
Cleanse our hearts from all unrighteousness.
Fill our hearts with your Spirit.
Teach us your wisdom and
empower us to practice it.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Is it difficult for you to choose wisdom over wealth or God over yourself?

Tomorrow I’m going to talk about what happens when we don’t keep God #1 in our lives…until then….be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you focus on God!
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Do you want to win a copy of the Common English Bible softcover edition? Just leave a comment and mention that you’d like to win. The winners will be announced on Wednesdays! All these CEB giveaways are possible because I am participating in the Common English Bible Blog tour from Ash Wednesday all the way to Pentecost. This means that I will mostly be using the Common English Bible (CEB) on my blog posts. Let’s check out this fresh new Bible translation!
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Image courtesy of Wikipedia. Linking up today with What’s on Your Heart Tuesdays & Soli Deo Gloria.