Why are you so comfortable? We're not home yet!

Brothers and sisters, hear me... don't get comfortable and complacent. We're not home yet! Read 1st Peter 2: 1-25, and make this a daily affirmation of whom we are in Christ. Have a great day

CEV: 1st Peter 2...

1Pe 2:1 Stop being hateful! Quit trying to fool people, and start being sincere. Don't be jealous or say cruel things about others.
1Pe 2:2 Be like newborn babies who are thirsty for the pure spiritual milk that will help you grow and be saved.
1Pe 2:3 You have already found out how good the Lord really is.
1Pe 2:4 Come to Jesus Christ. He is the living stone that people have rejected, but which God has chosen and highly honored.
1Pe 2:5 And now you are living stones that are being used to build a spiritual house. You are also a group of holy priests, and with the help of Jesus Christ you will offer sacrifices that please God.
1Pe 2:6 It is just as God says in the Scriptures, "Look! I am placing in Zion a choice and precious cornerstone. No one who has faith in that one will be disappointed."
1Pe 2:7 You are followers of the Lord, and that stone is precious to you. But it isn't precious to those who refuse to follow him. They are the builders who tossed aside the stone that turned out to be the most important one of all.
1Pe 2:8 They disobeyed the message and stumbled and fell over that stone, because they were doomed.
1Pe 2:9 But you are God's chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done. The Scriptures say,
1Pe 2:10 "Once you were nobody. Now you are God's people. At one time no one had pity on you. Now God has treated you with kindness.
1Pe 2:11 Dear friends, you are foreigners and strangers on this earth. So I beg you not to surrender to those desires that fight against you.
1Pe 2:12 Always let others see you behaving properly, even though they may still accuse you of doing wrong. Then on the day of judgment, they will honor God by telling the good things they saw you do.
1Pe 2:13 The Lord wants you to obey all human authorities, especially the Emperor, who rules over everyone.
1Pe 2:14 You must also obey governors, because they are sent by the Emperor to punish criminals and to praise good citizens.
1Pe 2:15 God wants you to silence stupid and ignorant people by doing right.
1Pe 2:16 You are free, but still you are God's servants, and you must not use your freedom as an excuse for doing wrong.
1Pe 2:17 Respect everyone and show special love for God's people. Honor God and respect the Emperor.
1Pe 2:18 Servants, you must obey your masters and always show respect to them. Do this, not only to those who are kind and thoughtful, but also to those who are cruel.
1Pe 2:19 God will bless you, even if others treat you unfairly for being loyal to him.
1Pe 2:20 You don't gain anything by being punished for some wrong you have done. But God will bless you, if you have to suffer for doing something good.
1Pe 2:21 After all, God chose you to suffer as you follow in the footsteps of Christ, who set an example by suffering for you.
1Pe 2:22 Christ did not sin or ever tell a lie.
1Pe 2:23 Although he was abused, he never tried to get even. And when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he had faith in God, who judges fairly.
1Pe 2:24 Christ carried the burden of our sins. He was nailed to the cross, so that we would stop sinning and start living right. By his cuts and bruises you are healed.
1Pe 2:25 You had wandered away like sheep. Now you have returned to the one who is your shepherd and protector.

KJV: 1st Peter 2...

1Pe 2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
1Pe 2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
1Pe 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1Pe 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
1Pe 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
1Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1Pe 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
1Pe 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
1Pe 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
1Pe 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
1Pe 2:14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
1Pe 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
1Pe 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
1Pe 2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
1Pe 2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
1Pe 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
1Pe 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1Pe 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
1Pe 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1Pe 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Hollywood Hates Jesus

You know it bums me out how much Hollywood hates God and His Son Jesus. I watched this really great film tonight that was totally tainted by constant blaspheme of our beloved Creator and Savior. What's more, I never heard them curse Satan, Buddah, Zues, Mother Nature, Michael Jackson, Obama, or any other gods or idols nor will you ever hear them curse them- why? Because false gods are no threat to Hollywood- that's why!

Christmas Miracle

Grab a tissue and enjoy this moving story, then ask yourself... do you give room in your life to let God in to bless and use you?

Merry Christmas brothers and sisters!
love Chad

This was written by a Metro Denver Hospice Physician:

I was driving home from a meeting this evening about 5, stuck in traffic on Colorado Blvd., and the car started to choke and splutter and die - I barely managed to coast , cursing, into a gas station, glad only that I would not be blocking traffic and would have a somewhat warm spot to wait for the tow truck. It wouldn't even turn over. Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of the quickie mart building, and it looked like she slipped on some ice and fell into a gas pump, so I got out to see if she was okay
When I got there, it looked more like she had been overcome by sobs than that she had fallen; she was a young woman who looked really haggard with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her up, and I picked it up to give it to her. It was a nickel.

At that moment, everything came into focus for me: the crying woman, the ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff with 3 kids in the back (1 in a car seat), and the gas pump reading $4.95.

I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help, and she just kept saying 'I don't want my kids to see me crying! ,' so we stood on the other side of the pump from her car. She said she was driving to California and that things were very hard for her right now. So I asked, 'And you were praying?' That made her back away from me a little, but I assured her I was not a crazy person and said, 'He heard you, and He sent me.'

I took out my card and swiped it through the card reader on the pump so she could fill up her car completely, and while it was fueling, walked to the next door McDonald's and bought 2 big bags of food, some gift certificates for more, and a big cup of coffee. She gave the food to the kids in the car, who attacked it like wolves, and we stood by the pump eating fries and talking a little..

She told me her name, and that she lived in Kansas City . Her boyfriend left 2 months ago and she had not been able to make ends meet. She knew she wouldn't have money to pay rent Jan. 1, and finally, in desperation, had called her parents, with whom she had not spok en in about 5 years. They lived in California and said she could come live with them and try to get on her feet there.

So she packed up everything she owned in the car. She told the kids they were going to California for Christmas, but not that they were going to live there.
I gave her my gloves, a little hug and said a quick prayer with her for safety on the road. As I was walking over to my car, she said, 'So, are you like an angel or something?'

This definitely made me cry. I said, 'Sweetie, at this time of year angels are really busy, so sometimes God uses regular people.'

It was so incredible to be a part of someone else's miracle. And of course, you guessed it, when I got in my car it started right away and got me home with no problem. I'll put it in the shop tomorrow to check, but I suspect the mechanic won't find anything wrong.

Sometimes the angels fly close enough to you that you can hear the flutter of their wings...

Psalms 55:22 ' Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Not A Harmless fairytale!

Matthew 21:16
"They asked Jesus, 'Do you hear what these children are saying?' 'Yes,' Jesus replied. 'Haven't you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, 'You have taught children and infants to give you praise.'"

Beloved family and friends... I wrote a Christmas play and we are putting on a free dinner theater this very coming weekend. We all want to be entertained for the holiday season... I myself am guilty of this- I love love love the joyous celebrations of the Christmas season. Alas, there is a reocurring theme that has been growing increasingly rampid in our society at an alarming rate and NO ONE SEEMS TO WANT TO ADDRESS IT! And that's that the lie of Santa Claus has been pushing out the truth of Jesus Christ!

So... I wrote a play. It addresses this issue HEAD ON! And although it has been "lightened" excessively to appeal to children and adults alike and not be so "in-your-face" as my original vision of it intended... the heart of it is still there, and I highly recommend you guys come treat yourselves and your families to a great free meal and Christmas with a little taste of reality. Don't worry, there's plenty of fluff out there for you (and yes- "I") to enjoy, but why not come get fed some meat to settle into the season properly and without all the extra fat!

Now, I'm no prude... I love a good story, and this one has Santa Claus, fairy's, action, drama and Jesus Christ in it... but this play doesn't just feed you desert... it gives you your main course for sustanence and strength. I think everyone should try to make it out to one of two nights: Friday Dec. 11th at 7pm or Saturday Dec. 12th at 6pm at Abundant Life Christian Center on Newman and Prosperity- next to the Four Seasons Sports Complex.

So... I wrote this play. Why? Thanks for asking. Let me answer by telling you how this evening's practice for the play went. Here's the highlights... during one very important scene, we go from fantasy land to reality, and it rings a bit of sadness to the viewer... now I cannot tell you what happens and ruin the play for you, but anyone that knows Jesus personally will be affected by it, and one sister helped bring forth the point I'm trying to make by saying... "That's so sad... I thought Christmas was supposed to be happy!" What she missed was that the only reason the scene was sad to her was because of the TRUTH this scene shows. I was happy to hear this scene made her sad, because that showed me she does truly LOVE Jesus (bless your heart beloved sister!). Something else this comment helped prove was that we are more interested in being "entertained" than knowing the TRUTH! Harsh... but true!

Now hold on... this is the part where it REALLY gets rough: one thing I watched for and was clearly disturbed by was the children's reactions in the play as this was a dress rehearsal and Santa Claus and Jesus Christ were clearly present in adapted form. Now I love our kids, and this is not to their harm in any way- it is simply the reality of the accepted fabrications we have carried as tradition throughout time finally rearing its ugly head... and as prevelant as it is among the Christian youth- just consider how bad it is amongst the non-Christian... now I'd give details, but again this is not to the harm of our beloved children, so let me just say that when I as Santa was present, I saw and heard absolute adoration among the children. Santa was highly appreciated among our youth. Jesus Christ was a whisper- if that- amidst them. They simply did not show the adoration for the character of Christ as they did for the character of Santa Claus.

Who's fault is that? Ours. YES... YOURS AND MINE! ALL OF US! Santa brings gifts... Jesus brings salvation and somehow we have severely fallen short of what is the MOST IMPORTANT GIFT OF ALL or managed to properly relay this to our children!

The Bible clearly states... "They asked Jesus, 'Do you hear what these children are saying?' 'Yes,' Jesus replied. 'Haven't you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, 'You have taught children and infants to give you praise.'" Matthew 21:16

WHO ARE YOU TEACHING YOUR KIDS TO PRAISE? Have you considered you may very well be inadvertently teaching your kids that Idol worshipping and Lying is okay?

When we hear Santa Claus being glorified and praised above and beyond that of the name and very presence of Christ... THAT is clearly a red flag from the very mouths of our children, who simply redirect back to us what we as parents, leaders and society have fed them. See and hear the fruit of our choices!

I wrote a play... and this is why I wrote a play. I dare you to come witness TRUTH and start your season out right... then go get your fluff fulfilled elsewhere- no worries... there's plenty to be had!

I say all this with great love and adoration for all of you. I will get my fluff on too... but not before protecting myself with the mighty armour of the TRUTH of Christ! Come... let us feed you BODY AND SPIRIT... and may you all have a very Merry CHRISTmas!

Get That Icky Devil Off Of You!

Scrips for Spiritual cleansing and joy in life!

The Armor of God
NIV
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.


KJV Bible Verse List : Flee From Works Of Darkness
Last Updated : July 25, 2006


"But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness."
1 Timothy 6:11, KJV

"Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith,
charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a
pure heart."
2 Timothy 2:22, KJV

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and
he will flee from you."
James 4:7, KJV

"Neither give place to the devil."
Ephesians 4:27, KJV

"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the
world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because
their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth
the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds
should be reproved."
John 3:19-20, KJV

"They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on
in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of
course."
Psalms 82:5, KJV

"The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what
they stumble."
Proverbs 4:19, KJV

"The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh
in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event
happeneth to them all."
Ecclesiastes 2:14, KJV

"There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the
workers of iniquity may hide themselves."
Job 34:22, KJV

"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put
darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter
for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"
Isaiah 5:20, KJV

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them:
because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the
world."
1 John 4:4, KJV

"To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man
that speaketh froward things; Who leave the paths of
uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice to
do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; Whose
ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:"
Proverbs 2:12-15, KJV

"The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us
therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on
the armour of light."
Romans 13:12, KJV

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness,
hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the
knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
2 Corinthians 4:6, KJV

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for
what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and
what communion hath light with darkness?"
2 Corinthians 6:14, KJV

"For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the
Lord: walk as children of light:...And have no fellowship
with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove
them."
Ephesians 5:8, 11, KJV

"Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath
translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:"
Colossians 1:13, KJV

"But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should
overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light,
and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of
darkness."
1 Thessalonians 5:4-5, KJV

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy
nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the
praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his
marvellous light:"
1 Peter 2:9, KJV

"If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in
darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:"
1 John 1:6, KJV

What changes when you are born again? A worthy read, INDEED!

I found this question on Yahoo Answers from "Birdy", and some of the responses were so right-on, I just had to post them!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
Hi Sweetheart... the most magnificent things just happen, we feel so alive, the joys of having the Spirit of God enter... well this is just so high, loving others with new found compassions. Being able to read the Word of God, and having this 'lite" up before you, with insights into the very heart of God. Something so awesome as the love in you grows and you have the mind of Christ, feeling His presence as close as you want Him to be... Being able to look at all other with new levels and waves of love. You know Birdie, God gives us all who ask of Him the free gift of Salvation. What we do hence with it is our decision. We can grow in this or not... the gift is ours... I am challenged in many areas of my life, and I love how the grace of God works, in me and in others as I take on more authority. The more we take on the more is given. The more we access God's Spirit the more is revealed concerning His mysteries... So I guess for me, seeing how I love better, and how I look to God most often for the answers within... I actually search for God... whereas before, I didn't....I find myself more and more often, asking... "God what would you say, do, what would you have me do?"" Kinda helps in the rearranging of my mountains, and certainly helps me know a better way of helping others... And the Spirit guides us... the more I surrender there, the closer the walk!

((hugs))
Love you

Lovingly
She Dances With Love
Kar~n~ Joy~c
-------------------------------------------------------

Everything !

We receive a new life ~ a new life in Christ. A new creation as the bible tells us.
The heart is new when we truly accept Him.
For me personally; i found the love i had for my family grew deeper ~ i didn't think i could love them any more than i did ~ but Christ's love operating thru me gives me a deeper understanding of compassion for my family and for other people i meet. I can pray for those i don't even know, or haven't even met :) The Holy Spirit/Ghost leads me to pray and intercede for people whose faces i haven't even seen :)

And the wonderful thing is i now have answers to help people, and the power within to make a difference in peoples lives, and i thank God for these changes He continues to make in me.

I now know God has a plan for my life, and He continues to work it out daily, and i look to Him to enable me to fulfil that plan. I have a destiny ~ and i find that so exciting ~ God is *amazing* isn't He!

I love this text in the Message bible Jer 29
I know what I'm doing - I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.
When you call on Me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me you'll find Me. Yes, when you get serious about finding Me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you wont be disappointed. God's decree - I will turn things around for you.

Sorry it's a bit long - i'd like to add one more text
Psalm 139:16
Like an open book You watched me grow from conception to birth;
all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
the days of my life all prepared
before i'd even lived one day.
~~~~~

*How *awesome* is our God!
Life's an adventure ~ and even the pain is turned to blessing when i/we trust in Him :)
His love for me is deep, and everlasting, and i realise the depth more each day as i walk and talk with Him ~ this has changed me forever!

blessings xx
-------------------------------------

EVERYTHING!!! The joy is just so overwhelming. No matter what situation you may be in, you still have the joy of Jesus in you. It's like your eyes are opened up. The things you once did that weren't considered bad ( i.e. sexual sin, drinking, smoking ) you now see the bad in it. It's like you were blind and now you see the light. You also become more tolerant of people and don't want to retaliate when someone does something negative to you. I hope your experiencing or one day experience what I'm talking about.
-------------------------------------


You are given a fresh start, all your sins of the past are washed away.
you become a new creature in Jesus the Christ.
you walk in newness of life, not in the old carnal self leading to death, but in an unselfish self leading to eternal life.
Pressing for the mark of perfection.
--------------------------------------


The holy spirit is in me now, I feel him when i pray, when I hear a good homily at work, I even feel his repulsion when I watch a scary movie


As for me (Chad), this is exactly what happened to me. I began to hate the sin I use to love, I get sick when I hear people curse God and Jesus aloud (Hollywood does it all the time- ALL THE TIME), I want to learn more about the Holy Trinity, so I get more into the Word and I speak with Him more often (nearly all the time now), I love people more genuinely and I despise hatred, injustice and falsehood (all sin) very deeply and profoundly now where before it was just a way of life for most including myself. There is a deep-rooted change, and it's always reaching higher, growing me- seeking a better and better man within me each and every day! I love the change in me and look forward to more of God's changes within me.

You truly MUST consider... if you're NOT changing... are you truly born again? Don't be fooled by the world or false doctrine... if you are not changing for the better and finding the things of the world to literally irritate you beyond belief, you very well may be in danger spiritually. If you don't thirst and hunger for the things of God and Christ, you need to reconsider your place in God's kingdom... you may not currently HAVE one!

Check yourself now before it's too late!

Thanks... I Needed That!

Sometimes I just FLAT OUT forget to be still! This devotional was just what I needed for current events. Wait on God's timing. Be still and know... a beloved sister came at me with a similar message recently, but she went about it all wrong, so God took over and sent me this. May it help you as well. There is a time and season for everything... never be quiet about the gospel- always teach and preach the word of God- BUT... when someone just needs you to be there and listen... sometimes a response simply is not warranted! Thank you Jesus for this very needed reminder!


Being the Stillness
by Bonnie Grove

"Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great."
Job 2:13 (NASB)

Devotion:
I have sought comfort in the book of Job many times in my life. After I buried my infant son, I asked, "Why?" God reminded me that when Job asked the same question His answer was, "Who?"

While laying on a hospital bed knowing for certain I would lose the twins I had carried only a few precious months, God reminded me how in the midst of Job's suffering, God came. And in the whirlwind He answered. Not right away, not in Job's time, but in God's time - the perfect time when Job's heart could take in the words of healing.

In the years following those dark events, I trained in theology, counseling and psychology. I was on a quest to understand my brokenness, and that of others. I'm still on that quest, though my formal training is behind me.

One evening, I was in conversation with a man who was going through a divorce and was in obvious pain. He spoke of his daughter, and how his hopes for the future had been destroyed. When he finished speaking I sat in silence, knowing I had no great words to offer. Spent from telling his story, he too sat quietly.

Our silence stretched into minutes. Then, the man began to cry. I sat with him, keeping his tears company, and still said nothing. More minutes passed, and the man said, "That's the first time I've cried since this whole mess started." Then he said something surprising: "You've helped me so much. Thank you."

The silence had changed something for him. From my perspective, the silence was a result of my limitations as a counselor - I was empty handed. But it became clear to me there was something powerful at work. I remembered how Job's friends sat in silence with him for seven days and nights. With that in mind, I began to pay close attention to silence. I found that by being quiet, I could better understand my thoughts, fears, hopes, and desires. And in my long silences I was able to sense God's presence and hear His voice. When I sat with the man going through a divorce I listened to him without interruption. Then, by saying nothing, I helped him listen to what God had to say to him.

There are astounding lessons to be learned from the act of listening. I have learned that listening is an act of love. It is not passive; it is intentional, engaging with the heart and mind of another person. To listen you must turn off all outside distractions; say "no" to the world rushing by you. A sacred act of deliberate silence and meaningful pause, listening helps people clear a space in their life, heart, and mind in order to simply "be." Our listening is an important gift. I am learning to make it my first response. Through listening I want to provide the stillness God speaks into.

Dear Lord, bring me into a deeper silence before You, that I may hear Your voice, and in hearing, believe, and in believing, listen to the heart of others. When people hurt Lord, let me first offer them my listening, not my advice. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Visit with Bonnie today, where she will be a guest at the She Reads blog

Talking to the Dead by Bonnie Grove is a She Reads selection!

When Your Marriage Dies: Answers to Questions about Separation and Divorce by Laura Petherbridge

Find encouragement in God's peace on today's Radio Show - How Difficulties Affect Us

Application Steps:
Practice stillness in your prayer life. Sit quietly; offer the sacrifice of love by listening long to what the Lord has to say to you today.

Practice stillness in your relationships. Begin to pay attention to the silences around you and offer yourself to a friend through the act of listening.

Reflections:
Do you believe God will meet you in your silence?

Can you recall a time when you listened as an act of love to a friend or family member?

Power Verses:
Habakkuk 2:20, "But the LORD is in His holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him." (NASB)

Psalm 46:10-11, "Be still and know that I am God....The LORD Almighty is with us." (NIV)