By Rick Warren
“Start with God -- the first step in learning is bowing down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning” (Proverbs 1:7 The Message).Have you noticed that the moment you establish a goal in your life, you start hearing people say, “Who do you think you are” or “It can’t be done” or “Forget about it”?
The antidote to the voices of doubt is to instead listen to the voice of God. Just imagine all the critics that were in Noah’s life. “That guy Noah thinks God speaks to him, but he’s just messing up all of our property values by building that ark in his front yard.”
The Bible tells us that Noah listened to God. And what did he hear? He heard God’s warning that the world was going to be destroyed. He believed what he had not yet seen. That’s what faith is -- being certain of something we don’t see.
Noah didn’t turn away from the vision God had given him. Instead, he built the ark.
God is going to give you a goal for your life, and some people may
think it’s pretty crazy. But you have to stay focused on what you know
God has said through his Word, the Bible. Then, you have to go build
your ark!
Today's Bible Verse...
Jesus did not want anyone to know
where they were, because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them,
"The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They
will kill him, and after three days he will rise."—Mark 9:30-31
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
We
often seek to attract large crowds to our churches, crusades, and
rallies. Jesus also ministered to large crowds. But his strongest
teaching on discipleship occurs away from the crowds, when he is alone
with his disciples. What the crowds are able to accept is not enough to
call mature disciples to that next level in their walk with the Savior.
So Jesus withdrew for intensive teaching with a small group of committed
disciples so he could mature them and make them ready for future
challenges.
My Prayer...
Holy God, please bless the people in my Bible study group
and all those everywhere that are seeking to follow you no matter the
cost. Please lead me to a small group of believers with whom I can share
my life and through whom you will challenge me to grow in my surrender
to the Lordship of Christ. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.
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