Friday, April 9, 2010

Day 8: Kick Start - Living Life Full Throttle



Living Life Full Throttle                                

Life Lesson (from journal):"God's power is available to help us live the lives for which He created us, but so much of the time we live in our own strength. We try to climb the hills and tackle problems without adequate power to finish the course.

(From the journal): Do you ever feel powerless? That's good! In ourselves, we are lacking real power for abundant living. God purposely designed us with weaknesses, so that we'd depend on Him for complete, all-out living.

My Interpretation: It really seems a little backwards to be vulnerable. It is an eye-opener to see that God works most effectively with us during our most weakened hours, when we are at our wits end. I guess I do listen more when I'm down for the count.

(From the journal): What will it look like and feel like when you voluntarily choose to live with God in humble dependence on Him? (Suggested Reading: Isaiah 66:1-2; Micah 6:8; Matthew 18:1-4; James 4:6-10. 
My Answer: It will be awesome. It will feel more peaceful within my spirit. I will look through clearer eyes at what God has for me.

This is HUGE: Describe one "crash" you have experienced in life--a major relationship explosion or disappointment--that you feared you'd never recover from.

What did Paul teach about God's power to help us begin again? Answer in terms of your own situation. (Suggested Reading: 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Ephesians 2:1-9; Romans 4:4-8.)

My Answer: God can change any situation and transform me no matter what kind of a person I am or was. God's mercy and grace over me helped me in my crash. God forgives our own failures and lifts us back up according to his purpose.

Words To Remember
Jesus looks with compassion right into your heart. He sees the guilt and...the shame. But He says that because of the power of His love for you, failure is never final.
The one step remaining is the turnaround power play. You need to surrender to God's strength--that is, deny yourself (Luke 9:23), give yourself over to God's way of doing things. Why  is God's way better than your way? (Suggested Readings: Proverbs 3:5-8; Proverbs 14:12; Isaiah 55:6-9)
Take a few minutes to surrender your willpower to God's power.
Today's Challenge
We've all experienced crashes in life--times when we tried and failed. Often, our response is to give up and move on. The memory of the experience is painful, so we choose to forget. Your challenge today is to mentally revisit that disappointment. Did you fail to prepare adequately? Give up too easily? Prayerfully consider trying again, this time relying on God's power and provision.

Face Time
I'd like to begin again. But I don't have the power. So, God of second chances, I'm completely dependent on You. And I'm not even completely sure of the way. My way failed. So guide me in Your way. Starting now. I need You to resurrect my confidence in a worthwhile future. Please work in my heart with the power that raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:19-20).

Leave your feedback and comments. Have a great day!

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