#Following God

[walkswithmyfather]

Daniel 1:8-16 (NLT). “But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel. But he responded, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has ordered that you eat this food and wine. If you become pale and thin compared to the other youths your age, I am afraid the king will have me beheaded.”

Daniel spoke with the attendant who had been appointed by the chief of staff to look after Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. “Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,” Daniel said. “At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king’s food. Then make your decision in light of what you see.” The attendant agreed to Daniel’s suggestion and tested them for ten days.

At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king. So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine provided for the others.”

“Motivated for Commitment” By In Touch Ministries:

“When our heart's desire is to honor God, He will provide clear direction for the challenges of life.”

“Although Daniel was living as a captive in Babylon, he resolved in his heart not to violate God’s laws. What motivated this young man to live out such a pledge?

Devotion to God. Daniel determined that he would not disobey God and defile himself. Dedication to God means choosing to be set apart to love, worship, and obey only Him. When we keep Jesus Christ as the focus, our heart will overflow with thanksgiving and we’ll be motivated to stand firm.

Clear direction. If Daniel had refused outright to eat the king’s food, he would likely have lost his life. The Lord gave him and his friends the wisdom they needed to develop an alternate plan—and then also provided them with the courage to ask permission to carry it out. Notice that there was no loud demand, argument, or rebellious spirit. Their behavior was marked by trust in God and dependence on Him.

Through daily prayer and meditation upon God’s Word, we can keep our eyes centered on Christ, our ears attuned to His voice, and our heart motivated to obey. We’ll be able to make the same wholehearted commitment that Daniel did. So ask yourself, How eager am I to do God’s will?”

[Picture thanks to Raul Petri at Unsplash]

[quotesfromscripture]

And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 3:29 NET (2017)

[tom4jc]

Jeremiah 3:6 Are You Backsliding Like Israel?

The Lord said also to me in the days of Josiah the king: “Have you seen what backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there played the harlot.” Jeremiah 3:6 As a person grows older, they usually begin to mature and act differently than as a child. They learn how to act as an adult and give up childish ways. Some, however, go back to…

[girldraki]

[dendrochronologies]

maya angelou saying the funniest thing anyone has ever said about editing, which i can never let myself forget EVER AGAIN [x]

[learning2walkdaily]

November 8th- practice story evangelism; simply telling our own story of what Jesus has done in our lives, as Paul has done

Acts 28: 22“But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere.”23When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the…

[kaneshaandrews]

Many Ways God Speaks To Us

Nature, a symphony of colors, sounds, and sensations, often serves as a conduit for divine communication. The gentle rustle of leaves, the rhythmic lapping of waves, and the celestial dance of stars—all these elements can become divine whispers, guiding us towards a deeper understanding of the world and our place within it.

God's voice is not confined to the pages of scripture or the hallowed halls of religious institutions. It resonates in the melodies of every genre, from the soulful strains of gospel to the pulsating rhythms of rock. Music, a universal language, can be a powerful tool for spiritual connection. When we open our hearts and minds to its transformative power, we can hear God's message, even in the most unexpected places.

Beyond the tangible world, God speaks to us in dreams, visions, and through the angelic realm. These experiences, often mysterious and profound, can offer glimpses into the divine realm and provide guidance for our earthly journey. Even the simplest of creatures, from the chirping of birds to the playful antics of animals, can serve as messengers of divine wisdom.

But perhaps the most profound way God speaks to us is through direct communication. His voice, a gentle yet authoritative presence, can be heard in the quietest moments of reflection. It offers comfort, reassurance, and a sense of purpose. When we listen attentively, we can discern His guidance and find solace in His unwavering love.

Allowing God's spirit to permeate every aspect of our lives is essential for hearing His voice. It requires a conscious effort to surrender our egos, trust in His divine plan, and embrace the changes He brings. Even when these changes are challenging or unexpected, they are ultimately for our benefit.

In conclusion, God's voice is a constant presence in our lives. It can be heard in the whispers of nature, the melodies of music, the visions of dreams, and the direct communication of the divine. By opening our hearts, minds, and souls to His message, we can experience a profound connection to the divine and find purpose, peace, and fulfillment in our earthly journey.

Psalm 19:1-4

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Day after day they pour forth speech, and night after night they reveal knowledge.

There is no speech, no language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.

[mindfulldsliving]

Walking in God's Will for Spiritual Growth

To walk in God's stride, one must embrace spiritual discipline through prayer and meditation and engage with a supportive community. Shared experiences and encouragement help maintain focus on God's will. Absorbing spiritual truths through scripture and w

Walking in God’s Will focuses on the journey of integrating faith into everyday life. It emphasizes the importance of aligning oneself with God’s will to find clarity and purpose amidst life’s challenges. This alignment offers inner peace, a sense of belonging, and spiritual growth. Understanding God’s stride means recognizing the pace and direction He sets for us. This requires patience and…

[cronchy-baguette]

When all this is over, will you stay with me? For good?

[bet-on-me-13]

The cult of...Danny Fenton?

So! Way back when Danny first moved into his new neighborhood in Gotham, he had some trouble controlling his Powers. The different Types and Levels of Ectoplasm in the air when compared to Amity had thrown off his control.

He was used to being in places where his Ectoplasm meshed well with the Atmosphere, like a Water Balloon in a Pool, but in Gotham that analogy would be closer to a Water Balloon in the sewers. It was too different from what he was used to to fully control his Powers.

So it's understandable that he messed up a few times and his neighbors found out about his Abilities.

They took it well at first, Danny wasn't going to go Rogues or anything, and he never used them maliciously, but eventually they got curious.

They asked what his limits were, how he got them in the first place, and what the hell the Ghost Zone was. The answers "None Really", "I died and was reborn", and "A Collective of every Afterlife at once" did spark some interesting reactions from them.

Most importantly, a few of them joked about him being an Eldritch God that they needed to worship. He was good enough friends with them that at that point they felt comfortable pranking eachother, so they did just that.

Danny woke up one day on his birthday, and saw all of his friends and neighbors surrounding the makeshift Throne they had made and put him on while he was asleep. The entire day they chanted stuff like "The Great One requires Ms. Smiths Apple Pie for his day of birth!" And "The Great One Wishes for us to sing the Ritual Song! Happy Birthday to You! Happy Birth-"

After his birthday, they kept up the joke.

It didn't help that his powers had evolved Again! And now he could bestow abilities onto his friends. The jokes they made about their God granting them Supernatural Powers to rule the world with were insufferable.

Then, one day while he was just resting at home, watching a movie on his TV, he felt a Pull at his Core. The same kind of Pull whenever he was being summoned. But why would they summon hi- Oh Shit! It's Mr Jenkins Party today! He was supposed to meet them at the Warehouse they used for special events an Hour Ago!

He quickly accepted the Summoning, but was met with a suprising sight. His Neighbors all tied up in a pile to his right, a spilled table of party food to his left, and right in front of him, Batman and his Family watching him with wary eyes.

Slowly, he opened his mouth. "...so, did you come for the party or..."

[walkswithmyfather]

‭1 Kings 3:5-143 (GNT‬). “That night the Lord appeared to him in a dream and asked him, “What would you like me to give you?” Solomon answered, “You always showed great love for my father David, your servant, and he was good, loyal, and honest in his relation with you. And you have continued to show him your great and constant love by giving him a son who today rules in his place. O Lord God, you have let me succeed my father as king, even though I am very young and don't know how to rule. Here I am among the people you have chosen to be your own, a people who are so many that they cannot be counted. [9] So give me the wisdom I need to rule your people with justice and to know the difference between good and evil. Otherwise, how would I ever be able to rule this great people of yours?” The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this, and so he said to him, “Because you have asked for the wisdom to rule justly, instead of long life for yourself or riches or the death of your enemies, I will do what you have asked. I will give you more wisdom and understanding than anyone has ever had before or will ever have again. I will also give you what you have not asked for: all your life you will have wealth and honor, more than that of any other king. And if you obey me and keep my laws and commands, as your father David did, I will give you a long life.”

“Put God’s Priorities First” by In Touch Ministries:

“If we trust God and seek to honor Him in our decisions, we’ll have the chance to see Him work mightily.”

“Imagine if God showed up and said, “What do you want? Ask, and I’ll give it to you.” How would you answer? Most of us would ask for loved ones’ safety, enough money to meet our needs, or a long, healthy life. Solomon may have been tempted to name something similar—but he made a different request. What he wanted was an understanding heart so he could serve God’s people well.

Solomon’s life was full of personal needs and desires not so different from our own. But when given the opportunity to ask God for anything, he prioritized the Lord’s concerns. God was so pleased with the request that He gave Solomon not only wisdom but riches and honor as well (1 Kings 3:13)! This encounter foreshadows Jesus’ words in the Gospel of Matthew: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you” (Matthew 6:33).

God won’t necessarily give wealth, influence, or long life because we put His priorities first, but He will always be faithful to provide all we need according to His purposes. Solomon’s heart was set on seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness, and the Lord honored that in a multitude of ways—both tangible and intangible. When we make God’s priorities ours, we too will have the chance to see Him work mightily in our life.”

[Photo thanks to Melissa Askew at Unsplash]

[quotesfromscripture]

So also Abraham 'believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness'.

Galatians 3:6 NIV (2011)

[tom4jc]

Acts 21:14 God's Will Be Done

So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.” Acts 21:14 Watching someone make a choice that does not make sense or sounds extremely dangerous is difficult for most people. No one wants to see others put themselves into extreme danger without trying to warn them or stop them. People will sometimes go to extreme lengths to stop a person from making what…

[ringosmistress]

[lunarwednesday]

Kindly Miquella... I see you've thrown away... Something you should not have... Under any circumstances.

[kdmiller55]

Follow the Leader

11 In the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, the cloud lifted from over the tabernacle of the testimony, 12 and the people of Israel set out by stages from the wilderness of Sinai. And the cloud settled down in the wilderness of Paran. 13 They set out for the first time at the command of the Lord by Moses. 14 The standard of the camp of the people of Judah set…