God's Economy Differs from Man's
OPENING PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I know that you are good and that you are sovereign over all things. Help me to trust in your will and have a heart that follows where you lead. Amen
"33 Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it."
REFLECT:
It can be easy to prioritize our own desires and needs over God’s will, even if we don’t acknowledge or express it directly. How often do we avoid opportunities to give of our time or our resources because we don’t want the discomfort? When there are people in your life who may be wandering or lost, have you ever found yourself hesitating to reach out and engage with them? As Christians, we know that we are to follow Jesus as our example (1 Corinthians 11:1, Ephesians 5:1, 1 Peter 2:21, 1 John 2:6) and in Matthew 16 Jesus tells the disciples that “whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Matthew 12:24 NIV) Even though we may often stop ourselves out of fear, of discomfort or difficulty or loss or any number of things that can be painful, it is important to remember the words of Christ and know that to truly follow him requires sacrifice on our part.
APPLY:
Where in your life are you prioritizing your own comfort or desires over what God has called you to do? Pray that God will reveal opportunities to choose his will over your own, and then act on it!
CLOSING PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I pray that you will reveal opportunities to show me your will.
WORSHIP: