FAITHdare #5 Reflection:
FAITHdare #5 was on beginning to analyze your life to see if you notice any "idols" you have that are interfering with your relationship with God. So I started by doing part #2 of the dare and honestly asking all of the questions. It was fairly easy for me to identify my answers as these questions are not new to me. I, like most people, confess to holding on too tightly to people and possessions. Jesus' call to leave everything and everyone to follow him as written about in Matthew is sadly difficult since we fail to understand what he offers compared to what this world offers. I fear that if Jesus asked me the questions the asked in those verses to those men that I would do the same as the men, hesitate, doubt, question, be reluctant to give everything to follow God.
FAITHdare#5 was also about being faithful and giving thanks to God. For the most part I pray more than once a day and always try to begin with praises and giving thanks. But I do know that I don't always think to give thanks for everything that I should.
The best part of dare #5 was part #3 - about creating a thankful habit. I only did it last night, but I am so thankful that I did! I used to have a prayer box that I made in college with my Bible study girls - I would put my prayers and worries in the box as a symbol of me releasing them to God. I've also had lists of praises and answered prayers over the years, but nothing I've ever kept up with. I really liked the creative ideas that were suggested on the FAITHdare blog - one woman using a glass jar, writing what she was thankful for on a stone, and then putting the stones in the jar; another woman placing a seed in a jar every time she gave thanks to God for something with plans of planting all the seeds a year later and watching them blossom into a beautiful garden of flowers. For now I am taking my favorite purple vase and putting pieces of paper in it, writing on them how God has shown his faithfulness to me and what I am thankful for, but I would like to think of something more creative and inspiring later.
FAITHdare #6: Relationship Idols
1) Spend disciplined time with God this week, meditating on scripture and praying that He will reveal to you relationships in your life that have become a barrier to deeper relationship with Him. If you want, use the scripture passages listed below to guide your time.
Suggested scripture passages:
Luke 9:57-62
2 Samuel 11-12
1 Corinthians 7:29-31
Mark 3:31-34
1 Samuel 1
John 4:1-26
Luke 14:15-24
2) As God convicts you, respond with obedience!
3) As God leads you, please share what He is doing in your life with the rest of us...your words might be just what God wants someone else to read!
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