God’s better plan

… I’ve got some really great news for you. It’s all wrapped up in the one sentence that best describes my own life: Because God is good, your life will not turn out like you planned.

That’s because God has a better plan. A much better plan. So what is this plan, and how can you make it your own?

God’s plan is made up of strikingly relevant, time-tested lessons written down and preserved for us in the Bible. It pulsates with stories about men who released and sustained the passion of their faith. They became the men God created them to be.

And you can too.

Excerpted from How God Makes Men by Patrick Morley

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Daily Reflection: When was the last time you turned to the Bible for mentors?

The Prayer That Stopped the Sun

Today’s Bible reading: Joshua 10:1–14

Right here on Day 1, I’m going to throw out a challenge to you: If you’re not daring to believe God for the impossible, you’re sleeping through some of the best parts of your Christian life. And further
still, if the size of your vision for your life isn’t intimidating to you, there’s a good chance it’s insulting to God. You should be living by audacious faith every day. Audacity is not just for “elite Christians.”
It’s intended for every believer. So today we’re beginning a spiritual journey toward trusting God for what seems impossible. I’m thrilled to think about what it’s going to do for our lives and our world.

A story from the life of Joshua serves as our template for audacious faith.

The Israelites unleash a surprise attack on the [ … ]

Where Are You?

If you are having a hard time trusting God, ask him to ease your fears. Ask him to heal your distrust. Then do your part. Look at the people who have betrayed you. Find out how much their influence affects your lack of trust. And do not allow those problems to rob you of a full relationship with God.

Then ask yourself, “What am I afraid of?” Examine your motives and explore what great things could come even if your worst fears were realized. Do whatever it takes to grow in your trust in God.

Make a bold move and trust God today. Surrender more and more to him. You will not be disappointed. Your trust will not spare you from the evils of the world, but it will protect you from a life without purpose. And under God’s plan, [ … ]

Escape the Overcompensation Rut

“Overcompensation is a form of bondage that is fueled by fear. God wants you free from the extremes of life and balanced in your approach to life. Experiences happen that breed insecurities, but you can choose how you respond to the insecurities stemming from past failures, mistakes, and doubts. You don’t have to be controlled by your feelings. You are going to doubt yourself sometimes. You’ll feel insecure sometimes. But feeling insecure and acting on that insecurity are two separate issues.”
 
Excerpted from Why Not You? by Valorie Burton

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Daily Reflection: In what ways have you been overcompensating for a past failure, insecurity, or mistake? How can you move away from these extremes and towards a balanced life?

Priests Without Collars

“As priests, we are responsible to each other and to our culture to encourage, to challenge, to walk alongside one another on this journey with Jesus. God wants to use you to make an impact for Him each day by serving as a reconciler, as a go-between for other people and Himself.
Though Jesus bridges the gap between God and people, He commissions you to lead people to God and help them find reconciliation. When I think of this, my first reaction is to feel unworthy. The images of the deeds I’ve done and the words I’ve said make for a pretty squalid rerun. But when, at the prompting of God, I reach out and intentionally help others as a priest, I get an amazing benefit back. I feel stronger, more empowered, renewed. I live with eyes wide open.”

[ … ]

The Invitation

“But what stood out most to me was the fact that when Jesus scolded Martha about her busyness, He wasn’t condemning her efficiency and hard work or her can-do personality. He wasn’t telling her she had to be just like Mary to please Him. Jesus simply didn’t want Martha to be so caught up in Kitchen Service for Him that she missed out on the joy of Living Room Intimacy with Him.

Jesus offers the same invitation to you and me today.”

Excerpted from At the Feet of Jesus by Joanna Weaver

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Daily Reflection: How can you merge Mary’s work ethic and Martha’s love to accept Jesus’ invitation today?

Where He Wants You to Be

October is Depression Awareness Month

It may be comforting to know that God did not create us to live a life filled with sadness, fear, and depression. So as you have those thoughts of injustice—of wrongness—when you are feeling so depressed, you’re right. You feel angry and frustrated and irritable for a good reason. You weren’t meant to live this way—it is wrong. God’s intention and desire for you is something completely different. The question is, how do you get from where you are to where he wants you to be?

Excerpted from Turning Your Down into Up by Gregory L. Jantz, PhD

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Daily Reflection: Understanding the reasons behind depression directs the steps toward change. How can you make time to understand the underlying reasons for depression for yourself or someone you love?

Guilt & Self-Condemnation

Self-condemnation can be like a plant with prickly thorns. Its roots snake underground in a complex web and rise near the surface to thrust new sticker-bushes into the path of anyone who might come along. But—and here’s the good news—it also is an invitation to come to Jesus. Too often we focus on the guilt of our wrongdoing and sense that it separates us from God.

Yes, guilt should make us feel separated from God. And this spiritual estrangement should make us miserable. But God did not design us to stay separate and miserable, nor to try to fix our own guilt. I can’t repair it, and neither can you. Both of us should realize that by now.

Jesus welcomes sinners. So we can come to Jesus for his healing, his forgiveness, his freedom, and his cleansing and renewing. Instead [ … ]

He Will Not Be Denied

“Your heavenly Father will never desert you, never abuse you, never fail to forgive you, never hold back His grace, and never condition His love on your performance. He’s determined. He is in relentless pursuit of you, and He will not be denied… To be a son who is relentlessly pursued like that can turn a man around in his tracks.”

Excerpted from Man Alive by Patrick Morley

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Daily Reflection: How will you live differently today, knowing God won’t leave you—no matter what?

God Wastes Nothing

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. –Psalm 34:11

I can imagine some might look at Psalm 34:11 and think, "Oh, yeah? Well, I’m the middle of affliction right now and I haven’t been delivered." Understandable reaction, especially when we’re hurting whether physically or emotionally. But you know what? Deliverance is coming. We don’t know how, we don’t know when–it might happen on earth, it might happen when we are welcomed into Heaven. But God keeps His promises, so you can rest assured…you WILL be delivered. In the meantime, lean into His strength. Use the current hardship as an opportunity to grow in patience or perseverance or grace. God wastes nothing–not even our hardships. And He WILL bring you through.

Original Devotional by Kim Vogel Sawyer, Author of What Once Was [ … ]