I know it says I can’t imagine it…but I love to think and dream about the things God has in store for us…

Here us this week’s memory verse:

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT

What can you imagine God has in store for you?

And without faith it is impossible to please God… Hebrews 11:6

We live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you. 2 Chronicles 20:12

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 1 Corinthians 1:27

God calls people to seemingly impossible tasks. It gives Him glory when I can’t do something, but He can. I can do “all things through Christ who strengthen me”, but often what He calls me to do can seem foolish to attempt (at least to others…and sometimes me) at the time. Imagine what the friends of Abraham, Moses, and Noah must have thought when God called them to what appeared to be impossible assignments. God calls people to walk by faith into the unknown.

If you know God has called you to something, don’t be dismayed if others can’t quickly identify with your calling. In my experience, God is often raising up others with the same heartbeat, but you can’t always see them at the time, so there may be periods when you have to stand alone on God’s calling. That may be for a season, but at times it could be for years. (Consider the case of Noah.)

With that in mind…

Here are 7 ways to tell it may be a God thing:

• Everyone says it can’t be done…
• You feel you aren’t qualified…
• There aren’t enough resources available…
• It makes no rational sense…
• People call it (or you) stupid…
• It would give God all the glory…
• It honors God and is true to His Word…

I’m not saying this post confirms what you are attempting is from God. What I am saying is that you should not dismiss the call you believe God has placed on your life because it doesn’t make sense to others around you…or to yourself at times.

Are you in the midst of a God-calling?

Has God called you to things which made no sense at the time?

What would you add to my list?

In light of all we are facing as a nation, and what this weekend represents, here is this week’s memory verse:

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3

You may also read:

5 Greatest Fears of Real People

Getting Rid of Fear in Your Life

A Devotional Encouragement on Overcoming Fear

What is your greatest fear?

It’s been a long week. God was more real than ever before, but I was a true pastor this week. There were more needs than I had time or energy. On weeks like this, I need this type reminder.

Here is this week’s memory verse:

I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, Lord, make me live in safety. Psalm 4:8

God only knows what another week has for us.

Do you need this reminder?

This week’s memory verse is not a complete verse, but the point I think it makes is captured in the first part of the verse.

Do you understand all the ways of God? Do you have questions about what God allows? Do you sometimes doubt?

Then this week’s verse is for you!

Please enjoy (and memorize) this week’s memory verse:

The secret things belong to the Lord our God…

Deuteronomy 29:29

Any questions?

This is a guest post from Chris Weber. Chris is on staff at Monvee. Monvee is a ministry passionate about discipleship. After a recent blog post, Monvee agreed to let me give away 10 copies of their spiritual development software. This is an amazing opportunity!

Here is a guest post from Chris Weber of Monvee:

Recently, Ron wrote a post called “What is your one sin?” As I read that post from Ron, it was a sharp reminder of a conversation I had a couple years ago with two of my closest friends. I had just finished taking my MONVEE assessment and discovered though that tool the most likely spiritual inhibitor or “one sin” for me was Deception/Dishonesty.

I must say, I was a little frustrated when I first read that.

I did not see myself as a dishonest person at all.

Conversation with close friends, however, comforted me that “lying” wasn’t my issue. It was a different form of deception/dishonesty: IMAGE MANAGEMENT. For years, I had been managing my image and even my character depending on the crowd that I happened to be with at the time. I am a natural leader and had opportunity to lead, but my reputation grew tarnished as more people saw me as simply “playing the game.”

Looking back, I can clearly see the impact that conversation with some close friends has had on my life as I have strived to become a more consistent and authentic person.

Today I am on staff at MONVEE. My job is assisting people to come to the same sort of discovery about their “one sin.” MONVEE is an online tool designed to help people identify how they are wired by God, what’s in the way of maturing as a believer and build a plan to take next steps in their spiritual growth.

Scripture clearly tells us that this is a key step in the growth process-

Ephesians 4:21-24
Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Galatians 5:16-17
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires.

Do YOU know what your primary spiritual inhibitor or “one sin” is?

We want to help you find out.

We are giving away the Monvee tool to 10 individuals who comment on this post. Winners will be randomly selected Monday.

(Also, if you are a senior leader at your church, let us know and we will send you 5 MONVEE Paks for you and your team to experience for FREE. Simply email me at chris.weber@monvee.com )

Chris Weber
Monvee
Twitter: thechrisweber

Thanks Chris! Comment now to be eligible to win a Monvee pack. Take responsibility for accelerating your spiritual growth now!

Please don’t comment just to win, but if you are serious about maturing as a believer this tool will help! Comment now for a chance to win!

If you choose to retweet or share this post in social media…Thank you! (not required to win…I just want to help encourage some spiritual growth)

Still want to know more…watch this quick video about Monvee:

Over the years, the Psalms have ministered to me during hard times perhaps more than any other Scripture. I like to find a Psalm that speaks to me, encourages me or challenges me…write it on a piece of paper…and hide it in my heart.

Psalm verses such as this week’s memory verse:

Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God…

- Psalm 86:2

• Do you need reminding this week that He is faithful?
• Do you need Him to guard your life?
• Do you trust in Him?
• Is He your God?

The world and all its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:17 NIV

Some of my best growth times with the Lord have been during teaching times with my children. I remember when my son asked an important question, “Daddy, what is the ‘will of God’?”

Now, he wasn’t asking, “What does God want me to do?” It was more general than that. He simply wanted to know what the phrase “will of God” meant. He had heard others say the term many times, but he never understood it. My hope is that you and I can also grow through this experience.

I explained to him in a way that has always helped me understand the will of God in my life. Understand this is a paradigm for understanding God’s will, not a script according to Scripture. I believe there are Bible verses that can further define each one of these (I’ve put a couple in parenthesis after each one for example), but my intent here is simply to help people process God’s will for their life.

First there is God’s individual will.

That is for the individual decisions you and I make each day. You know that God cares intimately for you, even down to the number of hairs on your head. God does allow, however, for you to make some decisions for yourself in life. You may choose what to eat for breakfast or you may choose a red car instead of a blue. It isn’t that God doesn’t care which you get, but He most likely will allow you to make that decision. (Proverbs 16:9, Jeremiah 29:4-6, Genesis 13:11)

Second, there is God’s moral will.

God’s desire for you is that you develop your character into the image of Christ. He will present you with every opportunity for you to do just that, but you will play a part in how far you grow spiritually. You may choose to love your neighbor as yourself or you may choose to be a very selfish person. God, however, is very concerned about your character, and for His moral will for your life. In fact, God cares more that His moral will for your life be done than His individual will, because God is in the character-changing business. (Philippians 2:5, Galatians 5:22-23, Romans 12:1-2)

Third, there is God’s sovereign will.

God has a will that is set in stone! It won’t change. It can’t change. It always stays the same! For example, God cannot help but love you because that is His sovereign will. God cannot break His promises, because that is His sovereign will. Some things God has set into motion, and they will never be different. (Job 42:2, Deuteronomy 4:39, Isaiah 45:18)

I don’t know what God’s individual will is for your life. (I hope today it includes your favorite cereal and a shiny red convertible…if that’s your color.) But I can tell you this. His moral will is that you be like His Son Jesus.
That begins with your sincere faith in Jesus as your Savior! And better yet, His sovereign will says that because of your faith in Him, He has reserved you a place in Heaven!

Do you struggle to know God’s will for your life sometimes?

This week, I want to encourage you to do something special with the memory verse. Write it on an index card or something similar. Place it where you will see it every morning…perhaps like a mirror where you get ready. Read it a few times everyday. Then pray it as a prayer.

Here is this week’s memory verse:

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. Psalm 57:5

See how it shapes your attitude each day this week.

As an added bonus, watch this video and sing it in the form of a song:

It’s hard to believe we are in the 32nd week of the year…isn’t it?

Here is this week’s memory verse:

“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14

Can I ask you a question?

What are you trying to handle on your own, and God would love for you to get out of the way, surrender to His will, and let Him handle? 

I’d love to know you’re still out there reading these memory verses.

Are you?