“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." James 1:19
“I can’t wait until I graduate, then I can make all the rules, I can stay up all night, and watch whatever I want whenever I want. No one will tell me to get off the phone, turn the computer off or turn the music down.”
“Since when have Twinkies been considered junk food, I mean really, they have bread and dairy – 2 of the most important categories in the health food triangle.”
“You treat me like a child, you know nothing about my life or my friends. I hate you !!!”
If you, like me are a parent, you’ve heard these or similar statements from your teenagers. Those tender hearted, impatient, self proclaimed young adults that seem to capture your heart while they rip it from your chest at the same time. There is that point in every young person’s life when they switch over from listening and following the instructions of their parents and adults to knowing it all and making decisions on their own. Despite the efforts of those around them to teach, mentor and guide them through these decisions in life; their confidence, stubbornness and rebellious nature takes over. I must say it is frustrating to watch our youth struggle with problems in life when the advice of their elders is rejected and ridiculed. I’ve seen so many kids get into trouble simply because they wanted to do it their way.
God is looking at you today. He’s laid out the perfect and best plan for your life. Are you listening, following His guidance or are you capable of doing it better your own way? We are no different in our relationship with God the Father, than the young adults we observe around us each day trying to live their life independent of our leadership. God, the Father asks three very simple things of every one of us:
“Since when have Twinkies been considered junk food, I mean really, they have bread and dairy – 2 of the most important categories in the health food triangle.”
“You treat me like a child, you know nothing about my life or my friends. I hate you !!!”
If you, like me are a parent, you’ve heard these or similar statements from your teenagers. Those tender hearted, impatient, self proclaimed young adults that seem to capture your heart while they rip it from your chest at the same time. There is that point in every young person’s life when they switch over from listening and following the instructions of their parents and adults to knowing it all and making decisions on their own. Despite the efforts of those around them to teach, mentor and guide them through these decisions in life; their confidence, stubbornness and rebellious nature takes over. I must say it is frustrating to watch our youth struggle with problems in life when the advice of their elders is rejected and ridiculed. I’ve seen so many kids get into trouble simply because they wanted to do it their way.
God is looking at you today. He’s laid out the perfect and best plan for your life. Are you listening, following His guidance or are you capable of doing it better your own way? We are no different in our relationship with God the Father, than the young adults we observe around us each day trying to live their life independent of our leadership. God, the Father asks three very simple things of every one of us:
1) Believe in My Son, Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord
2) Trust that I love you and forgive you despite what you have done
3) Follow Me wherever I call you
His word is true and can only bring goodness to your life. Whatever He is asking for you to give up is only going to make you stronger. If we look deep inside ourselves, we know that His plans for us are good. But like every teenager our tendency is to pull away, try to rationalize it and then find a more comfortable way to reach the same goal. The thing is, what God is asking from you can only be achieved when you are within His plan.
We need to realize when we are to be still and listen to what God is saying. He speaks in the stillness, the whisper’s in your deepest thoughts and your most humblest attitude. He is laying out His plans for your life and it isn’t intended to be a 2 way conversation. So many times our first reaction is to defend our position in life rather than listening and acting. Trust me, when God speaks, there isn’t anything you can put in front of Him that is unknown to Him. He is omniscient, all powerful and completely sovereign in this world and the heavens. Arguing with God is a futile exercise, which results in coming to the realization that His plan is better, albeit more painful perhaps. Quiet yourself, listen to the Lord, resolve to follow His lead and trust that He will not leave you, nor lead you astray.
Remember:
We need to realize when we are to be still and listen to what God is saying. He speaks in the stillness, the whisper’s in your deepest thoughts and your most humblest attitude. He is laying out His plans for your life and it isn’t intended to be a 2 way conversation. So many times our first reaction is to defend our position in life rather than listening and acting. Trust me, when God speaks, there isn’t anything you can put in front of Him that is unknown to Him. He is omniscient, all powerful and completely sovereign in this world and the heavens. Arguing with God is a futile exercise, which results in coming to the realization that His plan is better, albeit more painful perhaps. Quiet yourself, listen to the Lord, resolve to follow His lead and trust that He will not leave you, nor lead you astray.
Remember:
QUIETLY LISTEN
FOLLOW
TRUST
FOLLOW
TRUST
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
You alone are God. We stand and lift our praises to You on high, that Your name might be lifted up for all to hear. You have given us purpose in this life and asked that we follow Your call in order to fulfill that purpose. Help us to put aside our fears, reservations and independence to hear Your word and follow You. We trust in You, Lord, as our strength, wisdom and knowledge in pursuing Your purpose in our life. Walk with us and guide our steps. In Your name we pray – Amen
http://www.10minutereader.com
©Sondove Enterprises, 2011
Heavenly Father,
You alone are God. We stand and lift our praises to You on high, that Your name might be lifted up for all to hear. You have given us purpose in this life and asked that we follow Your call in order to fulfill that purpose. Help us to put aside our fears, reservations and independence to hear Your word and follow You. We trust in You, Lord, as our strength, wisdom and knowledge in pursuing Your purpose in our life. Walk with us and guide our steps. In Your name we pray – Amen
http://www.10minutereader.com
©Sondove Enterprises, 2011
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