RevivalWomen

DAY 11 – THE GUIDING HEART OF GOD

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall
direct your paths.~Proverbs 3:6

When we genuinely seek to know the heart of God—when we prayerfully seek His wisdom and His will—our heavenly Father carefully guides us over the peaks and valleys of life. Whether we find ourselves at the pinnacle of the mountain or the darkest depths of the valley, the guiding heart of God is always there to rejoice with us or comfort us.

As Christians whose salvation has been purchased by the blood of Christ, we have every reason to live joyously and courageously. After all, Christ has already fought and won our battle for us—He did so on the cross at Calvary. But despite Christ’s sacrifice, and despite God’s promises, we may be confused or disoriented by the endless complications and countless distractions of life here in this century.

If you are unsure of your next step, lean upon God’s promises and lift your prayers to Him. Remember that God is always near; remember that He is your Protector and your Deliverer. Open yourself to His heart, and trust Him to guide your path. When you do, the guiding heart of God will direct your steps, and you will receive His blessings today, tomorrow, and throughout eternity.

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Allowing the Lord to be established as your guide begins with a commitment to trust. God cannot lead where you will not follow. Unless you live life with your heart postured toward continual obedience, you will fail to follow your Father into all the wonders he has in store for you.

Psalm 32:8-9 says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.”

We must cultivate a continual hunger for the Lord’s instruction and counsel. God’s plan is not to guide you as a horse or mule where you live your life without purpose or understanding. He longs to teach you and reveal his will that you might live under his leadership and influence.

DAY 10 – THE GRACE-FILLED HEART OF GOD

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”~II Corinthians 12:9

The grace of God overflows from His heart. And if we open our hearts to Him, we receive His grace, and we are blessed with joy, abundance, peace and eternal life.

The familiar words of Ephesians 2:8 make God’s promise perfectly clear: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (NKJV) In other words, we are saved, not by our actions, but by God’s mercy. We are saved, not because of our good deeds, but because of faith in Christ.

God’s grace is the ultimate gift, a gift beyond comprehension and beyond compare. And because it is the ultimate gift, we owe God the ultimate in thanksgiving.

God’s grace is indeed a gift from the heart—God’s heart. And as believers, we must accept God’s precious gift thankfully, humbly, and immediately—today is never too soon because tomorrow may be too late.

•Grace saves us – We cannot earn salvation; it is God's free gift. (Ephesians 2:8–9)
•Grace forgives – God's grace covers our sins when we repent. (1 John 1:9)
•Grace sustains us – His grace gives us strength for each day. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
•Grace transforms us – It changes us from the inside out to become more like Christ. (Titus 2:11–12)
•Grace gives us a fresh start – God's mercies are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:22–23)
•Grace empowers us to serve – Every gift and opportunity comes through His grace. (1 Peter 4:10)
•Grace teaches humility – We remember that everything we have is because of God, not ourselves. (James 4:6)
•Grace extends to others – As we've received grace, we are called to give grace. (Colossians 4:6)
•Grace provides hope – Even in failure, God's grace reminds us that our story is not over. (Romans 5:20)
•Grace invites us to come boldly – We can approach God with confidence because of Jesus. (Hebrews 4:16)

Five practical ways to live in God's grace:

•Receive it instead of trying to earn God's approval.
•Rest in it when life becomes overwhelming.
•Rely on it when you feel weak.
•Reflect it by forgiving and showing kindness to others.
•Rejoice in it every day, remembering that God's grace is sufficient.

Grace is God's unearned favor that saves us, strengthens us, changes us, and enables us to extend His love to others.

DAY 9 – THE REJOICING HEART OF GOD

And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.~Isaiah 62:5

My grandfather was a Baptist deacon. He was a simple man, an electrician by trade. And he used to say something that I have not heard in a long time. “No Bible, no breakfast!” Those words are still right on target. When we, like my grandfather, place our love for God above our own personal desires, God rejoices!

When the Lord is in the midst of a people who worship Him in a spirit of humility and love, His heart overflows with joy. The psalmist says it this way:

The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV

Do you sincerely want God to rejoice over you? Then live righteously. Allow God to preside over every aspect of your life. And what you will find is that it is a two-way street. As you give God reason to rejoice over you, you will find your own heart filled with joy.

Why not get started today? Ask God to show you some specific ways you can cause His heart to rejoice today.

JOY CAN BE THE ECHO OF GOD’S LIFE WITHIN YOU. ~~ Duane Pederson