Life's Simple Guide to God: Inspirational Insights for Growing Closer to God (Hardback)

Chapter One

BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR MIRACLES.

As they reached the place where the road started down from the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen. Luke 19:37 NLT

Thousands of people followed Jesus through the Galilean countryside. They were captivated by His persona, intrigued by His teaching, but mostly, they were there to see the miracles. They were generously rewarded for their effort: before their eyes, they saw the deaf hear, the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, the possessed delivered, the sick healed, and the dead raised. They also saw lives miraculously changed: rugged fishermen transformed into ministers of God's mercy and grace, a dishonest tax collector who refunded all he had stolen, and a prostitute whose newfound devotion to God was publicly praised by Jesus Himself.

For those who are willing to follow Christ, there are daily miracles still to be seen-miracles of provision, intervention, protection, healing, transformation, and deliverance. They are not confined to a certain place or time. Today, miracles can be found wherever people are looking for them-in their communities, their homes, and their hearts.

Keep your eyes open for miracles and you will find yourself closer to God, because miracles follow the Master wherever He goes. They are the signs of His divine authority and compassion and the unmistakable manifestation of His presence in our lives. And if you should wake one morning to find that you need a miracle, you'll be in a perfect position to receive one.

SIMPLY SPEAKING

A miracle in the sense of the New Testament is not so much a breach of the laws of nature, but rather a remarkable or exceptional occurrence which brought an undeniable sense of the presence and power of God. Charles Dodd

LIVING THE GOD LIFE

What miracle, small or large, have you seen God perform recently? Be sure to thank Him for the daily miracles He brings into your life.

ADJUST YOUR PRIORITIES.

[Jesus said,] Put God's kingdom first. Do what he wants you to do. Then all of those things will also be given to you. Matthew 6:33 NIRV

Jesus was a busy man. He healed sick people and fed the hungry. He taught those willing to listen; He tried to teach the religious leaders. He restored sanity to the insane. He went to church, read, and studied the Scriptures. He prayed for others and He spent time alone.

At times, Jesus needed a break from the demands on His life. On one occasion, after an exhausting day, He sent His disciples across a lake to another town. Instead of going with them, He told them He'd catch up later and went to the mountains to pray.

Jesus needed to know what to do. He gathered His thoughts and cleared His mind so He could hear God's answers. Jesus knew that His power came from spending time with God?so He made that His top priority.

You're busy too: soccer practice, music lessons, dance, gymnastics. That report needs to be on your boss's desk by noon tomorrow. Pay the bills, buy the groceries, get gas for the car, pick up the dry cleaning. Don't forget a card, flowers, dinner, and a movie for your anniversary. Oh, and lunch with your mom on her birthday. There never seems to be enough time for all you need to do.

Do as Jesus did: run to your heavenly Father. If you don't know what to say-say nothing, just sit in His presence. It's there that you'll receive the power you need to face each new day as you continue to manage your responsibilities appropriately and serve others with patience and love.

SIMPLY SPEAKING

When you put God first, you are establishing order for everything else in your life. Andrea Garney

LIVING THE GOD LIFE

It's time for a priority check! What things have been taking up much of your time recently? What things do you need to spend more time on? How can you bring balance between these two?

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