Bible Verse

While reading Genesis 32 recently, I was struck by Jacob’s raw honesty with God.

How often I feel unworthy of God’s loving kindness and faithfulness – which I am, just as Jacob was. If you feel that today, be honest with God about why, but then receive Jesus’ warm invitation to confess any wrongdoing, and to remind you that in God’s eyes you are unconditionally loved no matter how you feel, and that Jesus takes all your unworthiness upon Himself.

Save me … from. What problems are you desperate for God’s help or intervention with? Identify them and talk with God freely about them.

I am afraid. Fear is a normal reaction to life’s worries and difficulties. Again, being honest with God and identifying exactly what ignites your fear is important to help open your heart, mind and soul to encounter His peace and reassurance.

But you have said. God’s Word is His personal message to you as well as to the world. The word ‘but’ is so important to bring to place at the forefront of our thinking after we’ve honestly shared with God our fears and concerns.
So, what is your ‘But‘? What does God’s Word say to you about your fear?
Dwell on that promise, truth or characteristic of God this month to transform your thinking and response.

America celebrates ‘Thanksgiving’ this month, a tradition that some enjoy in the UK too. But whether or not you adopt this particular feast, it’s a wonderful prompt to focus on giving thanks.

There were many verses I could have chosen that encourage us to “give thanks”, but I opted for Psalm 103 as I’ve been dwelling in it myself this past week. God’s forgiveness, healing, redemption, love, compassion, provision and justice are just some of the things mentioned to be thankful for; and of course, which we can also pray for on behalf of others.

I’m using the NLT bible which reminds us to “never forget the good things he does”, as it’s so easy to, isn’t it? Whatever you’re facing today or this month, uplifting, painful or challenging – thank Him for His constant presence with you in it – and be mindful of giving Him thanks for specific things that come to mind, each and every day.

“Listen” God says.

Who are you listening to for wisdom, understanding and guidance?
Take a moment to really think about that as there are so many ‘voices’ – including our own – vying for our attention. Our focus. Our aligned response.

“Pay attention and hear what I say” He continues.

Perhaps for some of us, October is a month to open the ears of our heart and soul wide to listen for God’s still & small or loud & clear voice.
Perhaps, this month, we feel nudged to spend more time listening than speaking or asking in prayer.
Perhaps today we’ll commit ourselves to paying attention to what God is saying.

This month as we celebrate Easter, I invite you to dwell with these verses, where resurrected Jesus calls out to his disciples after they’ve fished all night and caught nothing.
Is He calling out to you in a place where you’ve been working, trying, sweating(!) without any reward, fruit, success etc for your effort?
Is He calling out to you in a place where you’ve sat back from a task, you’ve given up, or you feel too inadequate and incapable to even begin?
There’s a familiar quote attributed to Henry Ford: “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” If you find yourself in some kind of ‘rut’, prayerfully reflect on these verses and review if it’s time to ‘throw your net out on the other side of the boat’; to do something new or differently.