Month 3

“what profits a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul” (Mark 8:34-38). Worldliness concerns material values or ordinary life rather than a spiritual experience; this is mundaneness (col 3:1-4, 1tim 4:7-9, jam 4:1-8). Active is what I am doing, passive is what is being done to me (Matt 6:25-34). You can have freedom at the cost of influence. Will you be conformed to the world or transformed by Jesus? What is forming vs deforming you? It's not shall I be formed but what is already forming me? This is spiritual, whether you are into it or not, it's unintentional. Lethargy is a lack of enthusiasm and energy; to have a cold heart with little pity, fire, love, and worship (Rom 12:1-2).

The path of life is narrow, hard, and hidden. The path to destruction is wide. Hate is used as only a lesser degree of love for your life and family than for Jesus (Luke 14:25-33). God strips away my flesh so I can honor, regard with admiration, and respect those around me. Don’t miss out. Stop letting yourself lead your life! Come to see the one who showed me who I am…He showed me who He is. They begged Him to stay out of desperation for the Lord. The Bible in and of itself is not Holy, but the God it reveals is. God always brings life where there is nothing. The law couldn’t change us from descendants of Adam. Jesus never had illusions that we’d be perfect. It’s not about obedience it’s our response after disobedience. Our relationship with God is based on grace (jam 3). Be Mary as the outcast who trusted.

I’d recommend having your Bible out while reading these posts or open on your phone to go back and forth. Everyone needs quiet times. It’s important to hear from the Lord, but first, give Him the busyness of your mind. I talk out loud to the Lord. Share with Him your thoughts, and then sit. We need to tuck ourselves in when seasons transition. If you feel overwhelmed, stop! You can say no. Take control of your life and prioritize. Take initiative and then have ownership of your actions (ps 22, 25). God trusts me enough to grow me in wisdom. “Jesus, I trust you alone. You know what I need in a day.”

Leading a quiet life values peace with others and a committed work ethic, even in the humble or mundane aspects (1thes 4:11-12). Abiding is enduring. Of a feeling or memory lasting a long time. It's accepting or complying with, obeying and observing, being able to tolerate, and continuing without fading or being lost. Remain, survive. Live, dwell. Being Jesus-like is a learning curve. David didn’t take the easy route, He trusted in the Lord! God prepares people in secret. Farmers plant seeds, and it mysteriously grows into a harvest.

Are we going to choose shalom over what we think is right in our own eyes (1cor 13)? God humbles the proud and exalts the humble. Jesus is worthy of it all. Nothing is wasted in His kingdom. Worship can seem long when you don’t know who you’re worshipping. “When I lock eyes with you, I see my reflection.” We don't need to try so hard to love others if God can love them way better. The best leadership is servant leadership, where you don't climb the ladder but you hold the ladder from underneath for someone else. Humbling yourself is explaining yourself for the mere interest of others.

We are in the boom of missions. If you want more understanding of the part we can play in history today, watch this film and feel free to watch volume ii as well... https://youtu.be/Ndf8RqgNVEY?si=1SbvnWFg0A2dnvh1