Our life begins with God breathing into us. It’s in that moment when life began. Beating hearts. Rapid thoughts. Wonder-filled. Colors flooding in. Our life mysterious intertwining with the divine. It’s in this moment that we are understood and we begin grasping for understanding of our God. Yet this search for understanding led to a disaster: The Fall

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

]]> http://www.tenthdotministries.com/gods-plan-for-worry-46/feed/ 0 http://www.tenthdotministries.com/progress-15-of-28-the-nehemiah-effect-17/ http://www.tenthdotministries.com/progress-15-of-28-the-nehemiah-effect-17/#comments Mon, 18 Jan 2010 05:01:03 +0000 Joe http://www.tenthdotministries.com/?p=3531  

PROGRESS:  Living for today, planning for tomorrow

Day 15 of 28 (start at day 1 by clicking HERE)

The Nehemiah Effect:  Day 1

“For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven…” Nehemiah 1:4

When I read the Bible I am truly struck by some amazing men and women who did things totally off the charts for God.  By most standards, most of these men and women were “ordinary” people, set apart by their extreme faith in God and their willingness to tackle great tasks.  David brought down a giant, Noah built an ENORMOUS boat, Esther saved a nation, Jael swung the course of a battle, Joshua conquered a land, Mary brought God’s Son into the world and Joseph fed the world.  When God’s children trust Him — He produces.  The result is that lives are changed and often, the very course of history is altered.

These are deep questions that we have on an ongoing basis. Today, I want us to think deeply about some verses, and ponder the implications of these passages on our lives.

There are people all around us that need someone to encourage them and to pray for them. Today, be that person who takes the time to inspire those around you. Write out a prayer and give it to someone. 

Listen to Paul’s heart in the book of Philippians as he writes from a prison cell. 

It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

- Philippians 1:7-11