Prayer helps us identify and acknowledge our gratitude and personal concerns. Written prayers can inspire us to pray in new ways.
Read more at the source: Dear God
Article excerpt posted on en.intercer.net from Online prayers.
Believing in Advance
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I need to come into God’s presence daily. Doing so will ensure that I gain a perspective of myself and the world from his vantage point. When I fail to do this, I quickly assume that I am at liberty to live as I please. Apart from God I buy into the ideology of the west that promotes self fulfillment over sacrifice and service.
Apart from God I self implode and ignore the needs of those around me. The same was true in Paul’s day, which prompted him to say, “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”1
Paul follows this with an appeal for Christ’s followers to exercise their spiritual gifts for the sake of the Christian community, as well as the individual serving.
“Lord, give me courage to practice what I intuitively believe, even if it doesn’t make sense at the moment.”
1 Romans 12:2 (NKJV)
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Comments by Rich DuBose. BetterSermons © 2010. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines | View main index
Read more at the source: Believing in Advance
Article excerpt posted on en.intercer.net from Inspirational quotes and thoughts.
What’s the Rush?
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Oh, to be simply quiet, wise, delightful and content. How can I recapture that state of mind? Today’s world races at break-neck speed in every direction. How can I resist chasing the crowds who run with the wind? Maybe the grass really is greener “over there.” What will I miss by forcing myself to be simple and quiet? Will I ever be able to catch up?
Perhaps the better question is, what will I miss by failing to heed simplicity’s call? Always running ahead of my heart, weakens my sense of purpose and meaning. Lord, Help me to slow down and rediscover the joy of soulful communion.
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Comments by Rich DuBose. BetterSermons © 2010. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines | View main index
Read more at the source: What’s the Rush?
Article excerpt posted on en.intercer.net from Inspirational quotes and thoughts.
Look to the Heavens
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Nature is a powerful weapon in God’s arsenal of spiritual weapons. Being exposed to God’s creation in all of its glory can soften our jaded senses and transform our thinking. Years ago, when only 17-years old, I went on a camp-out with a friends in central California to a place called Pinnacles National Monument. While there I came to my senses and began my life-long journey with God. This was my moment of truth. And nature certainly played a role in bringing me to the point where I was willing to listen to God.
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Comments by Rich DuBose. BetterSermons © 2010. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines | View main index
Read more at the source: Look to the Heavens
Article excerpt posted on en.intercer.net from Inspirational quotes and thoughts.
Emotionally Charged
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We are more emotional than we are rationale. Some are more analytical than others, but in the end everything that happens to us impacts us on an emotional level. As I think back over my life, the experiences I most vividly remember are those that touched my emotions. The rationale decisions I made years ago don’t stand out in my mind. That doesn’t mean they weren’t significant, but they were on a level that didn’t seem as personal.
About eighteen years ago I reached a place in my pastoral work where I felt the need to be stretched. I needed to be challenged in new ways. Some would call it a mid-life crisis! After twelve turbulent, at times tearful, months of trying to figure out what to do, Linda and I finally decided that I would take a leave of absence and head to graduate school. Out of that emotional time we made some rationale decisions that altered the course of our lives. Looking back now I can say it was an exciting time.
It’s OK to be emotional. We are wired that way. Ask God to help you better understand and celebrate the emotional aspects of your life today.
Thumbnail photo by Bas van der Pluym
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Comments by Rich DuBose. BetterSermons © 2009. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines | View main index
Read more at the source: Emotionally Charged
Article excerpt posted on en.intercer.net from Inspirational quotes and thoughts.
