Natural Steps for a Supernatural Meeting with God

Natural Steps for a Supernatural Meeting with God

—Thoughts for an Appointment too incredible to miss—

Mentally prepare the night before to keep tomorrow’s privileged appointment with God.

In the morning, resist the impulse to turn to devices before turning to the Word.

Set a definite time to begin and to end.

Choose a specific place (a chair, a closet, a porch, a kitchen table).

Gather preferred essentials (Bible, journal, blanket, mug filled with a hot beverage).

Incorporate a Scriptural reading plan (a verse a day, a chapter a day, a Psalm a day… )

Remember to Whom you are speaking.

Fight the urge to jump up and unload the dishwasher, change the laundry, or take the chicken out to thaw.

Continue to bring a wandering mind back into the Presence of God; He understands.

Endeavor to keep this sacred space simple, but keep it consistent—day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year, decade after decade: sit, read, write, pray… sit, read, write, pray… sit, read, write, pray.

Establish reading the Bible and talking to God as the ongoing fixed-focus. Ah, and may you find the unspeakable joy in discovering that this is truly your Happiest of Happy Places.

““And remember, He will always keep the appointment.””

— Debby Thompson

“That I may know Him…” (Philippians 3:10a).

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

Intimacy with Jesus, authenticity with others, a passion for your calling, a purpose for your influence

Why do you think God invites us to meet with Him daily?

What steps will you take to incorporate this privilege into your lifestyle?

1st Grade Paddling

My first grade the teacher, Miss Boyce, took me into the cloakroom and gave me a paddling.

Embarrassed, I ducked my head, pushed my chair back from the desk, and followed my teacher’s command to meet her in the cloakroom. The narrow space with hooks lined up along the wall and the tall window at the end provided a somber backdrop for my impending doom.

And then . . .

Miss Boyce, my 1st-grade teacher, gave me a paddling. Why? For talking. Whether her disciplinary measure altered my behavior going forward remains questionable.

However, what Miss Boyce did not accomplish in my childhood, the Holy Spirit tenderly works toward in the years hence; my learning curve continues. For instance, when a particular caller ID sets off a raw nerve within, a Gentle Prompt moves me to prayerfully turn my speech over to the guidance of the Holy Spirit before answering, rather than depending on my fickle emotions.

2 pivotal thoughts provide ongoing direction:

1. Rarely is one sorry for something not said.

On the contrary, hastily spoken words manufacture grief. “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise” (Proverbs 10:19).

 2. God’s Word offers guidelines for growth in spiritual speech therapy.

Consistently, the best training comes from the Bible itself.

“. . . Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19).

“He who would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil . . .” (1 Peter 3:10).

“Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3).

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21).

“He who guards his mouth and his tongue guards his soul from troubles” (Proverbs 21:23).

Now, though long past 1st grade, my schooling continues. What about you?

Living With Eternal Intentionality® Intimacy with Jesus, authenticity with others, a passion for your calling, a purpose for your influence

When recently did you wish you could take back your words?

How has God used His Scriptures to change your habits of speech?

Real Me? No Way!

“Will the real person please stand up?”

To Tell the Truth, with its mystery and intrigue, works fine for television entertainment, but not for real life. The show captures the attention of anyone interested in drama and suspense. But in real life, especially in relationships, such mystique produces unsavory results.

Authenticity stands out as a rare commodity in today’s culture. Our world pressures us to hide mistakes, cover up faults, conceal weaknesses, and hedge on shortcomings. Lacking the confidence to relax in our own skin causes us to go into overdrive to create a perceived image and manufacture a false caricature. As we form habits to perform and pretend, the unsavory results push others away. The person we take to the office (or church or school or book club) may or may not be who we truly are and, most importantly—who God created us to be.

The enemy of authenticity resides in phoniness, hypocrisy, insincerity, misrepresentation of details, deceptiveness, and half-truths. Furthermore, the driving engine behind each manifestation is fear—fear to be me for fear you won’t like me.

On the other hand, authenticity flows freely from the individual who is grounded in security and anchored in significance, security, and significance which only Jesus can provide. When we accept God’s version of ourselves, we relax and celebrate newfound freedom. From this secure platform of stability, vulnerability flows freely and, we quietly soar to the heights of loving and serving others as an anointed mission in life.

“With all my heart, I believe that God created us to bless, not impress. And, the intent to bless begins with authenticity.”

— Debby Thompson

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

“. . . I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness” (Jeremiah 31:3).

Upon reflection, complete these two statements:

“Authenticity is _______________________.”

“Authenticity is not ____________________.”

After personal assessment, where can you celebrate personal growth in authenticity?