Direction

SoulSearching Sunday~Faith, Hope, Presence

12:00 AM

Sunday, May 20, 2018



Week Twenty

Welcome!  We pray that you have all had a precious time worshipping the Lord this morning!  Below you will find some thought provoking questions that will provide you a starting point to your journal writing to complete this week.  We hope that you will find this time soul satisfying!

Our reading this week was Psalm 54 - 78...

 1. Fear that grows out of a lack of faith in God’s protections is not just a nuisance - it’s sin. What circumstances or relationships cause you the most worry? List your five greatest fears and pray through each one, asking yourself, “Why should I fear?” God is supreme.

 But when I am afraid, I put my trust in You, O God, I praise your Word. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? (Psalm 56:3-4)

 2. What is the single greatest desire of your heart? What is the hope that gives you strength and encouragement throughout the day? What stands in your way of sincerely praying this prayer of the psalm writer? Ask God to be the strength of your heart.

 Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever. (Psalm 73:25-26)

 3. Describe in detail a time when you were 100 percent certain of God’s miraculous presence and work in your life. Put a mental bookmark in that day or week or year. When you face trail or hardship and simply can’t find reason to worship God, think back to that time and worship with hope.

 O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as You? You are the God of miracles and wonders! You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations. You have redeemed your people by your strength, the descendants of Jacob and of Joseph by your might. (Psalm 77: 13-15)


Direction

SoulSearching Sunday ~ Wait Patiently

12:00 AM

Sunday, May 13, 2018


Week Nineteen

Welcome!  We pray that you have all had a precious time worshipping the Lord this morning!  Below you will find some thought provoking questions that will provide you a starting point to your journal writing to complete this week.  We hope that you will find this time soul satisfying!

Our reading this week was Psalm 25 - 53...

 1. When do you feel as though you are sitting in a waiting room-waiting for answers, waiting for direction and guidance? Ask God for patience, and for help to trust His perfect timing.

 “Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14)

 2. Remember being forgiven by someone you loved? How did that experience impact your relationship with that person afterwards? Reflect on the magnitude of God’s forgiveness for you.

 “Oh, what joy for those whose rebellion is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!" (Psalm 32:1)

 3. In what area of life do you constantly struggle to surrender to God? Job security? Children? Health matters? Finances? List those specific items and relationship that you must submit to Him. Talk with God about them.
“Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust Him, and He will help you.” (Psalm 37:5)


1 Kings

Looking For Good Advice {2 Chronicles 10:1-13:22}

12:00 AM

As a child to my joy, one Christmas I received the all telling magic 8 ball I so desperately wanted. They were the latest rage so of course I just had to have one! I remember my brothers and I spending the rest of the day asking it every question under the sun. And when we didn’t like the answer, we shook the ball again until it told us what we wanted to hear. When I look back now it seems pretty silly to trust a plastic ball, but even as adults how often do we look for advice in all the wrong places instead of going to the One who has the answers?

After the death of Solomon, his son Rehoboam traveled to Shechem to meet with Israel and be recognized as king. There the people, through their appointed spokesman Jeroboam, asked for easier treatment then they had received under Solomon. In return, they promised their loyalty and servitude. Rehoboam sent the people away for three days while he pondered his answer. He consulted the elders who had guided his father, and they in turn recommended kindness. Not content with the answer they gave, he inquired of the young men he had grown up with. Rehoboam’s friends gave him an answer that tickled his ears. An answer not of mercy but one filled with threats. “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.” (vs. 10:14) The result? The kingdom of Israel was split in two and Rehoboam fled for his life.

Had Rehoboam first turned to God for advice instead of shaking the magic 8 ball until he heard the answer he wanted, he could have saved himself from making some pretty bad mistakes. As Charles Spurgeon once said, “It usually happens that when men will not ask counsel of God, if they go to other sources for guidance, they generally accept the very worst form of advice.” God always wants us to come to Him first and foremost with every situation and with every question. Why? Because He is the very source of wisdom. For as Isaiah 28:29 tells us, He is the “Lord of hosts Who has made His counsel wonderful and His wisdom great.”

Have you ever said to yourself, “If only I had..?” or, “I wish I didn’t...!” The Bible is filled with story after story of those who made both wise and unwise decisions, and the consequences of their choices. It also teaches us a very important Biblical principle, we reap what we sow. (Gal. 6:7) When first we seek counsel from the Lord, we save ourselves from reaping a life filled with regret. So how do we receive God’s advice and know His will? By applying these practical principles; surrendering our will to His, meditating on His Word, spending time in prayer, having patience in waiting to hear from Him, and trusting completely in the answer He gives.

Each day we find ourselves facing decisions to be made, both big and small. And with each one God eagerly awaits us to come to Him. He is concerned about every aspect of our lives big and small. And James 1:5 promises, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” Our Father knows us better than we know ourselves and only wants the absolute best for us. We can trust Him to lead us in the right direction and He always blesses our obedience. So whose advice do you seek? Instead of rolling the dice, do yourself a favor and, “inquire first for the word of the Lord”. (1 Kings 22:5)