Divine Mentor: Give Thanks in Everything by cb.cooksey

A beautiful reminder of giving Thanks by our friend Cindy B. Cooksey Give Thanks in Everything by cb.cooksey "Give thanks in all circumstances; For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 What's the will of God for you?  That in everything you give Him thanks.  That's His willfor you.  The circumstances swirling around you aren't necessarily His will, but He desires that you give Him praise and thanks in the midst of those circumstances.  By doing so, you begin to infuse any situation with the possibility of His divine presence and His almighty power. Sometimes it's very easy to be thankful.  When God's blessings seem to be overflowing in our lives and everything is running smoothly, it's easy to have a thankful heart.  But in times of hardship or heartbreak, in times of bitter disappointments, in times of tragic loss,  in times of painful suffering, in times when the diagnosis is bleak, in times when we've been treated wrongly ~ God's will for us in those situations is to continually give Him thanks.  Through these difficult times, we shouldn't be thinking, "This terrible thing must be God's will for my life," because God didn't necessarily cause the thing that happened to you.  But as Christians "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  (Romans 8:28)  This is not saying that God caused bad things to happen to bring about good in your life.  No, this tells us that even when bad things happen, God can weave His power and love in it, through it, and beyond it to bring about good in your life. So as His children, we know that God can take the worst of circumstances and weave in threads of hope and goodness to form a beautiful tapestry.  Psalm 22:3 tells us that Godinhabits the praises of His people.  Begin to praise Him and thank Him in the midst of your circumstances, and invite His presence to permeate your situation.  Your present condition may or may not be directly changed by God, but ultimately He promises to bring about good in your life as a result. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100: 4 - 5

Divine Mentor: Distractions by Debbie McGrath

Today's Reading: PSALM 124 and 2 CORINTHIANS 11-13

Spending time in God's Word every day can be challenging - thanks to Satan and many distractions we face each day. This morning, I got up with the best intention to spend time with my Father. But instead of going straight to the Word - I checked a few emails.  Of course there was an email that required immediate attention.  Next, my 4 dogs decided it was time to go out and be fed.  While my dogs were outside,  I checked my Facebook.  While looking at everyone's post it hit me -- I am so distracted!!!  

I only have so much time in the morning to spend in the Word and I must be singled-minded.  The Holy Spirit convicted my heart and I immediately closed my computer and ask God to keep me focused.

2 Corinthians 13:5 says Jesus Christ is in YOU!!  I love this verse.  Wow - Jesus is in me!!  When I read this, I knew Jesus was waiting on me this morning - He had something to tell me- He wanted to bless me thru His Word.  

I know as a mother, when I don't get to speak to my daughter - I really miss her.  It is no different for my Father, Creator in Heaven - when I don't spend time with Him - his heart weeps.  

I encourage you to spend time with God today.  Our God sits at the throne - waiting to bless us and share His truth's with us.

Divine Mentor- Whatever It Takes?

Job 41-42; II Corinthians 1-2

Scripture: Job 42:5 " I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eyes see You."

Observation: Knowing about God and knowing God are vastly different. Sometimes, although not always, it takes an upheaval of our lives for us to truly see who we are and who God is. Job loved the God he knew, but at the end of his story he knew the God he loved.

Application: I often pray for myself and those I love that God will protect them, heal them, keep them safe. I may even ask for prosperity and success.  What if  God could reveal Himself more deeply and intimately through the very circumstances from which I am asking Him to keep them? Or me?

Prayer: Lord, I ask for my children, brothers and sisters, grandchildren, all those I love most that You would reveal Yourself intimately to each of them, no matter what it takes. I pray the same for myself. Thank You, Lord. Amen.

Divine Mentor- It's Not About Smart

Job 33; I Corinthians 1-3

Scripture: I Cor. 2:2 " For I am determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

Observation: Paul says later in verse 5 that our faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. So often we seek out the most " eloquent" speakers, the most " intellectual" writers, the most "dynamic" personalities. We forget that there is only one story worth telling,  one truth-- Jesus Christ was crucified, died, buried, and rose again - and He changed my life.

Application: Today I will remember that nothing in this world is of eternal significance except Jesus and Him crucified. This is my reason for living. Only what is done for Christ will last.

Prayer: Lord, keep me today from being caught up in what the world sees as important. Amen.

Divine Mentor-Taking a Risk- by: Debbie McGrath

Today's reading: 
Job 26, 27, Mark 15, 16

The passage that God used to speak to me this morning was Mark 15:43

S:  Joseph of Arimathea a prominent member of the Sanhedrin who was himself looking forward to the kingdom of God came and boldly went into Pilate and asked for Jesus body.

Observation: When Jesus died, some were still mocking him. Others were weeping. The disciples fled in fear.  The women were around but fearful. Some became new believers when they witnessed the death of Christ.   Joseph of Arimathea was there and knew that the Jesus body could not hang overnight and it was time to bury his body.

 Taking a huge risk,  Joseph went to Pilate and asked for Jesus body.  By doing this, he was risking his reputation, his position and possibly his life.  To play it safe, he could of walked away but he didn't.  

By stepping up to bury Jesus, he was admitting the Jesus was Lord of his life.  

Joseph was single minded, submissive and obedient to God's will.
 He stepped out of his comfort zone and did the extraordinary. 
He put Christ first in his life and took a risk.  
He sacrificed a very expensive tomb.  

Application:  No matter what comes my way this week - I want to be like Joseph of Arimathea:
Single minded
submissive
servant attitude
sacrificial

Prayer:  Lord transform my thoughts, my desires, my relationships, and the very purpose for which I live.  Lord reproduce the mind of Christ in me!

Divine Mentor: God's Will: By: Debbie McGrath

Today's Reading: Job 16, Acts 21-23(Oct. 25)

Lately, I have been busier than ever.  All the things I do are good - and I have questioned myself - should I be doing all these good things?  Many times at the end of the day, I am exhausted.

I exhaust myself - thinking about everything I have to do.(this is totally relying on myself and not God)

These passages about Paul really spoke to me about God's Will for my life.
Paul's friends begged him not to go to Jerusalem.  They knew he would be in danger and possibly lose his life. Paul knew God's will for his life was to go to Jerusalem and he was obedient.

Paul is a great mentor to me:  Thru these verses, I learned lessons about God's Will for my life:

1.  What matters is God's will for me not what others think I should do.

2.  Spiritual focus is to be vertical.

3.  Spend time in the WORD and listen for the Lord to speak.

4.  To realize God's Will -- may not be what I want.

5.  Do not settle for merely knowing His Will - Do it, in His strength and for His 
     glory.

6.  Surrender to God's Will - be Obedient!

Divine Mentor: Spirit of Discernment: by Laila Wahba, PhD

A Spirit of Discernment

Acts 16.16b,17  we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.

This slave girl had an evil spirit, a spirit of divination. Yet, what she was saying looked like she was evangelizing or, at least, pointing others to follow and believe Paul and Silas. But, it was not God’s voice, but Satan’s.

Amazing how Paul, with the Holy Spirit in him that gives him discernment, was not flattered by what the girl was saying. He immediately realized that this is not from the Lord but from the devil.

The Bible tells us a scary fact that “ Even the demons believe—and shudder” James 2:19. Head knowledge alone cannot save us, but the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and His work in us.

How do we react when we hear praise? When people sing our laurels? How do we react when we see people speaking like they were Christians? DO we, as the Bible orders us, do we examine the spirits? Or do we just assume that since others are talking the talk, then they must be ok? Or that if they praise us for our Christian ministry then they must be ok?

Lord, today, I am praying for your Holy Spirit. I pray for a Spirit of discernment. Show me, like Paul when to talk (Acts 15.6) and when to keep quiet. If you tell me to hold my tongue, whatever it is, Lord, may I be totally submitted to the calling of Your Spirit.  Oh Holy Spirit, tell me where to go and where not to go (Acts:15.7). May I be sure that You know best.

Help me, Holy Spirit to obey when You tell me to move, like Paul when he immediately went to Macedonia. I want to be totally submitted to You and You alone.