April 18 WANT MORE FAITH? DO MORE STUFF.

Affirmation: I accept my fears and doubts and move forward anyway.

“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27)
Worry will discourage us to take even the smallest step. In many cases, it’s not that God’s unable to perform miracles rather it’s us who refuse to take that one small step needed to be the starting point for God’s miracle.~~~~~~~

Ponder, Personalize:  Today we add verse 4. Think about the “darkest valley” or “valley of the shadow of death.” How have you experienced that valley? What does the Lord, our shepherd promise us as we go through that valley? How does the rod and staff bring comfort?

1“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley (or the valley of the shadow of death), I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. ‭‭Psalm‭ 23‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬ 

Michael W. Smith: This is How I Fight My Battles

https://youtu.be/YBl84oZxnJ4?si=Fl2EY2xvPMIMM1KJ

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Wholehearted Guidepost from Brené Brown

Cultivate self-compassion and resilience. 

Use the power of “yet” to be the best you. I’m not there YET. You are not a loser or a disappointment. You are priceless. You just aren’t there YET.

~~~~~

Mastering the 7 Decisions from Andy Andrews

The Guided Decision 

I will seek wisdom

Sometimes the questions are complicated, but the answers are simple.

Knowing that wisdom waits to be gathered, I will actively search her out. My past can never be changed, but I can change the future by changing my actions today. I will change my actions today! I will train my eyes and ears to read and listen to books and recordings that bring about positive changes in my personal relationships and a greater understanding of my fellow man (& God). No longer will I bombard my mind with materials that feed my doubts and fears. I will read and listen only to that which increases my belief in myself and my future. God is with me.

~~~~~

Reading for Today

Walk in Grace. Live in Love. by Bob Goff

April 18

WANT MORE FAITH? DO MORE STUFF.

The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. 

1 JOHN 2:17 

I joined a bunch of Bible studies when I first started following Jesus. Everyone around me was in at least one, so I thought there must be some rule or eleventh commandment and I had just missed it. We sat in circles, and I assumed we'd either start making friendship bracelets or start talking about Jesus. We ate chips and cookies, and I heard lots of opinions about every social topic, about whether it's okay to watch rated R movies, and about what words meant in Greek and Hebrew. It wasn't long before I started to feel bored with the whole thing. 

That's when some friends and I started a "Bible Doing" group. We read what Jesus said and then schemed ways to actually go do those things. It might sound strange, but think about it: Jesus never said, "Study Me." He said, "Follow Me." 

Jesus invited us to find people who don't have food and to get them some­thing to eat. He said to hang out with people in prison. He said if you know someone who doesn't have a place to stay, help them find one. He was all about doing things for widows and orphans, not becoming informed about them. 

Following Jesus is way more exciting than studying Him. Do we need to know the Scriptures? You bet. But don't stop there. Our faith can start to get confusing and boring when we exercise it by debating about it. I'm not really sure what happens when we get to heaven. We'll find out when we get there. What we do know is this: Jesus invited us to be a part of the redemptive move­ment He started when He was here. It's a pretty extraordinary invitation, and it's easy to understand. You want more faith? Do more stuff 

What message of Jesus do you need to obey today? 
You can support orphaned, abandoned and abused children at Springs of Hope Kenya.https://sohk.kindful.com/?campaign=251052

Cypress Meadows Church, Douglas and Molly Waits built this children’s home 17 years ago.