Living Free - Oct. 17, 2012
Today's Scripture
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." - Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
Thoughts for Today
Real Christianity is about loving God, which is a different agenda than the rest of the world lives by. One aspect of a loving relationship with God is learning to depend on him.
The world teaches us it's good to be independent. Don't depend on anyone else. Have an "I can do it myself" attitude. But God wants us to rely on him, not ourselves. Why? Because he sees the whole picture. He knows what is best for us. And he is our loving Father. His power, his wisdom, and his strength are so much greater than ours - and he wants to help us.
Consider this …
It's not weakness to depend on God. It's wisdom. He loves us unconditionally. One way we can return that love is to show him we trust him by depending on him for guidance, for strength, for comfort. And what a privilege to be able to do that!
Are you fearful about the future? Are you facing a challenge that seems overwhelming? Are you struggling with financial issues, family conflict, illness . . . or any other problems life brings our way? God didn't promise us a problem-free life. In fact, Jesus said we would have trouble (John 16:33). But he also said to take heart because he overcame the world - and with his help, we can too. Remember, "I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13 NLT).
Father, I thank you I don't have to face life alone. Thank you for loving me and promising to be with me. Help me to be more open to receiving your help. Help me to trust you. To depend on you and not myself. In Jesus' name . . .
These thoughts were drawn from …
Authentic Living in an Artificial World by Dr. Mike Chapman. This 45-minute group study gives understanding about what it means to be real. The facilitator's guide includes reproducible group member study sheets and an audio CD designed to help facilitators prepare for each session. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a study for individuals or couples.
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