1. Half of 2018 has gone
It’s a good time to revisit 2018 goals or set some new goals for the remainder of the year. Time continues without any effort – it just happens. Am I growing spiritually, emotionally, relationally? Where and what do I want to be on 31st December this year? What steps do I need to take from now to get there?
2. The State of My Hungriness
How hungry and thirsty for God am I really? Am I searching for Him like the pearl merchant (Matthew 13)? Am I willing to give up everything in order to live 100% for Him? Have I found the treasure in the field but covered it up and forgotten about it?
3. The Power of the Psalms
God told me to take a psalm each evening and breathe it in. There is treasure to be discovered and enjoyed in the psalms. They are rich with prophecy. Rich with glimpses of Jesus. Rich in counsel for the soul – boy do I need that daily!
4. God is less concerned with the ‘preparations’ that we do for Him and more interested in the One Thing that is necessary – listening and enjoying Him.
Good ole’ Martha was “distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. ” (Luke 10:40) and Jesus said that there was “only 1 thing that is necessary” and Mary had discovered it. She was “seated at the Lord’s feet listening to His word.”
5. Distractions are taking me away from Living!
Distractions mainly come in the form of thoughts which take our eyes off the One Thing that is necessary in real Living. “Am I doing enough?” “Am I enough?” Doubts. Discouragement. Despair. Then there is the noise of social media and entertainment. Does it contribute to Life Joy? I think not.
6. Loved Psalm 73:28A!
“But as for me, the nearness of God is my good.” NASB I need a constant reminder of what is good, pleasant and full of joy for my life — the nearness of God. To know and experience the presence of God. It takes practice. Am I practising the nearness of God? Time to read and reread Brother Lawrence’s book “The Practice of the Presence of God.”
7. Being a Jesus Follower is not about Doing but about Being
I am stuck on Romans 14:17 “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness, peace & joy in the Holy Spirit.” It’s not about keeping rules and looking good – it’s about being and enjoying Jesus gift of being made right with God. Enjoying His peace and joy. Being peaceful and full of joy. How do I experience that state? Get rid of the distracting thoughts and distractions. Stay Hungry and Thirsty for the nearness of His Presence.
8. Little by Little. Step by Step
Oh the simplicity of progress. Stop the overwhelm and focus on the little progress steps that can be taken now. “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase” Martin Luther King Junior.
9. Discovered the best thing in life can be boiled down to One Word – LOVE
Love of God. Love from family. Nothing else really matters. Oh and the love for chocolate.
10. There is an Art to Waiting that I haven’t mastered yet
“Be Still (Wait!) and Know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 It takes 40 weeks for a baby to be knitted together in a mother’s womb – a waiting time, a preparation time. It took 40 years for the people of Israel to be ready to enter the Promised Land. It took 30 years until it was time for Jesus to start his public ministry. There is a great benefit for those who practice waiting on God, they experience an amazing renewal in energy (Isaiah 40:31).
There we have it! 10 Powerful Things I have learned in the month of June – what have you learned in the past month? I would love to hear from you – comment below and let me know.
Find the One Thing Necessary!
Rachel Larkin
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