Tag: discernment

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Is That God’s Voice . . . Or My Voice?

“Is God calling me somewhere else?”

Sometimes in our discernment—especially over major life choices, like our vocations—we start second guessing our decisions. Sometimes, we make hasty decisions because we thought we “messed up” our discernment. But most of the time… the best decision is to “stay the course”.

As the scriptures says, “Let your yes be yes and your no be no.”

Today Fr. Mike continues his series on vocational discernment and offers some helpful guidance on how and when to make life-altering choices.

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Lent is a Process – Not an Event

Lent has begun and with it our season of penance and fasting. What are you planning on giving up or adding to your spiritual life?

Today, Fr. Mike helps us understand that Lent is less like a crockpot—which you can set and forge—and more like an ongoing, iterative process that requires our continual discernment about how we are drawing closer to Jesus.

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Daily Devotion – How Others See Us

“Because they are lazy, therefore they cry out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’” – Exodus 5:8 NASB

When Moses asked to let the Israelites go, Pharaoh evaluated this request in light of his own experience and worldview. To him, Moses’ explanation seemed absurd. He could not conceive that the God of the Hebrews could be real and make this request. The only possible explanation was that the Israelites simply did not want to work.

Pharaoh had his own agenda. He was counting on the Israelites to provide the labor for his designs. Moses’ request conflicted with his agenda. And he didn’t believe the explanation.

Many people react in similar ways to God’s Word. The Bible reminds us that the things of the Spirit are folly in the natural. People can’t “understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV).

As you ponder the way some people respond to the Gospel, remember that this is a spiritual issue, discerned in the Spirit in ways people in the natural may never understand. They are likely to project onto us their own expectations and worldview. Or they may judge us or question our motives.

Remember these facts as you interact with people in the world. Remember how foolish and unrealistic your beliefs and actions might seem.

Ask God to give you discernment about your life and testimony. Pray for His anointing. Seek to apply His principles. Pray for those you know who need the Lord. Pray that He might open their eyes that they might see.

Prayer

Father, I commit these people to You: ________. Open their eyes that they might see the truth. Use me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Extended Reading

Exodus 5

//Inspiration Ministeries//

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Daily Devotion – Wisdom and Discernment

“When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you, to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things.” – Proverbs 2:10-12 NKJV

Few politicians in history have been as crafty as the man we know as Talleyrand. Born in Paris on this date in 1754, his full name was Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, prince de Bénévent. As Talleyrand, he left an astonishing record of political survival fostered by habitual manipulation, often playing both sides of issues.

An ordained priest, he was instrumental in the French Revolution, but after being expelled from France, he lived for a time in Great Britain and the US. Somehow he gained favor again in France and returned to his homeland, where he became a leader in Napoleon’s government.

When Napoleon fell, Louis XVIII became king. Once again, Talleyrand rose to prominence as foreign minister of the new government until forced to resign. Then, continuing his shrewd scheming, he eventually helped bring Louis-Philippe to the throne, becoming influential. Again.

Today, many, like Talleyrand, seek to manipulate people for their own benefit. We find them in politics, business, and every segment of society.

The Bible describes how people like this have crooked ways and walk in devious paths. Yet we all can find ourselves influenced by these manipulators. We need to be on guard, armed with God’s wisdom and discernment, and sensitive to His Spirit.

The Bible promises that God can help you recognize deception and keep from being trapped and tricked by schemers. Seek Him for discernment. Make sure to base your life and decisions on His Word.

Prayer

Father, I need Your help. I cry out for wisdom and discernment. Help me to be on guard against those whose ways are devious. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Extended Reading

Proverbs 2

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The Bible in a Year – Day 225 – Our Will vs. God’s Will

Fr. Mike reviews one of the most powerful verses in Proverbs, dealing with personal discernment and wanting to follow our own will instead of God’s. He also goes into a deeper explanation of the prophet, Jeremiah, and how we ourselves can reflect the actions of Israel in the Old Testament. Today’s readings are Jeremiah 2, Ezekiel 28, and Proverbs 14:9-12.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/X40FtSN-d84