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Take some time today to journal and reflect on the following questions:
In what ways have you seen God at work within you this week? Within your family? Within others you may interact with?
In what ways have you resisted God’s word within you this week?
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(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)
Take a moment to clasp your hands together, ensuring to keep your fingers intertwined so your hands are locked together.
For those who have professed faith in Christ, this is what our relationship with God was intended to look like. God is deeply connected with your heart and soul. But because of the brokenness of our world, we sometimes pull away from that. We dig our roots down into something else we believe will bring us joy. We dig our roots down into something else we believe will bring us peace. We did our roots down into something else we believe will bring us love.
Two things occur when we attempt to do this. First, at some point in time we discover that our roots are not pulling in nutrients that are helping us to survive and thrive. Instead, our roots are pulling in poison and causing us to whither.
And second, we also discover that through it all, God didn’t let go of His hold on us. We may have attempted to side-step His love and grace, but He continued to hold on. He continued to say, “You are my beloved child, with whom I am well pleased.”
READING & PRAYERS:
QUESTION: Which verses in this passage stick out to you the most? In what ways may God be inviting you to rest in Him today? Be specific.
QUESTION: Be honest: Do you believe God is saying to you, “You are my beloved child, with whom I am well pleased?” If not, take some time to explore why.
Take a Step: Remember to continue utilizing the One Minute Pause app throughout the week. If possible, begin to explore and practice the 3 or 5 minute pause to more deeply root yourself in Christ.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, Christ is the vine, and I am one of the branches. This truth reminds me that very little is in my control outside of being rooted in Christ. It also reminds me that I will only produce good, healthy fruit as a result of where my roots are. May I be rooted in You not just in this moment, but all throughout the day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)
If you were to write down the 3-5 things you most value in life, what would you write down? Family? Relationships? Honesty? Integrity? Something else?
On the surface, the majority of us could say what we value to others without too much difficulty. But if you were to explore what’s deep beneath the surface, you may discover you have been putting a higher value on some things that didn’t make your list of what you say you value.
Here’s a simple exercise: Look over all of your purchases and credit card receipts over the previous 3 months. If somebody else were to look at these same receipts, what would they conclude about what you value?
Similarly, take the opportunity to write down exactly how you have spent your time over the past 2-3 weeks. How much time did you spend sleeping and resting? How much time did you spend at work? How much time did you spend with family and friends? How much time did you spend in prayer, or more deeply rooting yourself in Christ?
Questions such as these reveal what we truly value.
READING & PRAYERS:
QUESTION: What are you willing to give up in order to be more deeply rooted in Christ?
QUESTION: What are you unwilling to give up in order to be more deeply rooted in Christ?
Take a Step: Remember to continue utilizing the One Minute Pause app throughout the week. If possible, begin to explore and practice the 3 or 5 minute pause to more deeply root yourself in Christ.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, today I recognize that I may say I value certain things, but the questions in today’s reading show that what I actually value may differ. As I continue to dig my roots deeply into Christ, help me to recognize what matters most and invest my time, energy, and resources into those things. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)
You’ve probably heard this illustration before, but your life is a lot like an iceberg. Only 10% of who you really are is visible to the rest of the world. There are other parts of you that go really, really deep beneath the surface.
On an average day, you may be willing to share some of your thoughts, beliefs, convictions, hurts, habits, or other hangups with a trusted family member, colleague, or friend. But the things that are really, really deep beneath the surface may remain hidden. Either you’re afraid of what may be lurking there, or you’re so ashamed of what may be lurking there you’re unwilling to share those things with others.
But the things that are deep beneath the surface are worthy of your time and exploration. This is where your roots are. And because this is where your roots are, what’s there won’t always remain hidden. In time, even your deepest secrets will be revealed.
As you read today, take the opportunity to prayerfully reflect on what may be deep beneath the surface in your own life.
READING & PRAYERS:
LUKE 18:9-14, 1 CORINTHIANS 4:5, GALATIANS 5:19-23
QUESTION: In the Luke 18:9-14 passage, what sticks out to you the most? Which of the characters in this story does your life most represent?
QUESTION: In the Galatians 5:19-23 passage, which of the fruit listed here is most evident in your life? If you’re up for it, ask your spouse or another close friend to affirm your answer.
Take a Step: Remember to continue utilizing the One Minute Pause app throughout the week. If possible, begin to explore and practice the 3 or 5 minute pause to more deeply root yourself in Christ.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I would like to think that my actions and decisions reveal more of the Fruit of the Spirit than the Fruit of the Flesh, but I recognize this isn’t always the case. Help me continue to dig my roots deeply into You so that the world may better see and experience Your love, grace, and goodness through me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)
Did you take the opportunity to read the bold text right above this sentence? The text that says, “Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence?” If you did read it, did you take the opportunity to silence your heart and soul before reading this?
We live busy lives, regularly going from one activity to the next. For the majority of us, this pace is unsustainable. As Peter Scazzero writes, “When we are busier than God requires us to be, we do violence to ourselves.”
Right now, in this very moment, you may have a lot of topics on your heart, mind, and/or soul that are weighing on you. For those of you who may not be experiencing a heavy burden this moment, taking regular opportunities to Pause so you can be with Jesus is essential. The more deeply your roots grow into the love of Christ, the more prepared your heart and soul will be when challenging circumstances do come your way.
One resource you may find helpful is the One Minute Pause app created by John Eldredge. But don’t let the name fool you. The longer Pauses, and the 30 Days to Resilience program are an excellent resource to help you remain rooted in Christ.
READING & PRAYERS:
The voice of God isn’t always big and loud, but it is always powerful. In this passage, Elijah heard God through “a gentle whisper.” The Hebrew language could also be translated by saying that Elijah heard God through “silence.”
QUESTION: Are you taking regular opportunities to push Pause and listen for the voice of God in silence? How may your life be different if you did?
Take a Step: This week, utilize the One Minute Pause app at least twice daily to begin practicing being with God and resting in His presence. The app is free, and is available on iPhone and Android devices. See pauseapp.com for details.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess it is rare that I take intentional time to push Pause in order to give anything and everything over to You. As I enter this new week, I simply pray that You will help me to not only remember, but to experience the benefits of Pausing to rest in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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