What Are Your Gifts? There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. – 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 A church pastor received a Christmas card with a note in it from a lady in his congregation. She was very complimentary about his preaching, and even compared him with Billy Graham. She finished by writing, "I think you are one of the really great preachers of all time." Later that day, he showed the note to his wife. She asked, "Who is that woman?" He replied, "She's a very intelligent woman in the congregation who loves great preaching." He then asked his wife, "How many great preachers do you suppose there really are in the world?" She replied, "One less than you think." It's easy sometimes to allow compliments to go to our heads. But one of the real marks of spiritual maturity is being able to acknowledge your strengths while maintaining a posture of humility. It's a delicate balance, but one that has to be kept. Don't be afraid to recognize your gifts and talents. But never forget who gave them to you. Do everything you do to God's glory, and make sure He gets the credit for your success! Prayer Challenge: Thank God today for the gifts and talents He's given you. Questions for Thought: What are you really good at doing? How have you seen God use your gifts and talents for His glory in the past? And how can He use them in the future? Visit the Senior Living Ministries website The post What Are Your Gifts? – Senior Living – September 11 appeared first on GodUpdates.

A Prayer to Cultivate a Spirit of Adventure in FaithBy Megan Evans Bible Reading"Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see." – Hebrews 11:1 (NLT) Is your faith walk ready for an adventure with God? Where would you go? What things would you like to see and do? From time to time, God stirs our hearts to step out from places we have grown too comfortable and into brave new areas to serve and worship Him. Will you go? Maybe you struggle to say yes to God like I do sometimes. You are not alone if your mind tends to wander along trails of uncertainty and questions. Trying out new patterns of activity in our lives can feel scary at times. Certainly, wondering if we are equipped and fearing failure is common to all. However, with our faith anchored in Christ, we can learn to walk in new paths one prayerful step at a time. God intends for our faith to be active rather than stagnant or dormant, and nothing pulls our heavy feet from miry clay like shaky new steps of faith-and what a comfort it is that we never have to be brave without Jesus! Our Good Shepherd will lead and steady us through every adventure. Adventures can come in all shapes and sizes. Missionary work, starting a gospel conversation, or leading in discipleship might come to mind. What about starting a new job, school, or relationship? Maybe it's learning a new skill or hobby or finally pursuing a dream that's been in your heart for years. God is fun, and He invites us into His great work. What holy nudges have you noticed in your life lately? It just might be the Holy Spirit, and we are wise to listen.  Our faith action shows the reality of our secure hope in Jesus Christ. As it says in Hebrews 11:1, "Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see." Other Bible versions use words like confidence, assurance, or certainty. Each of these terms calls us to build our attitudes and actions upon the foundation of Truth. Tethered to Jesus, we can take bold steps of faith, holding firm to His Word. God will never ask us to do anything that contradicts His commands, which is a healthy guardrail and starting place for all discernment.  The first step to cultivating a Spirit of adventure in faith is learning to say "yes" to God even when we don't have all the answers. Faith action reflects an obedient heart, and obedient hearts emerge from quality time spent with God in prayer and His Word. Obedience sometimes feels challenging because it requires us to choose God's ways over our flesh. However, when we battle sins, such as doubt and selfish desire, a powerful place to start is to ask God for a pure and willing heart (Psalm 51:10-12). As we seek to obey the Lord, we can fully rely on God to show us when, where, and how to follow Him. As Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." Psalm 32:8 reminds us that we can count on God for wise counsel and direction, and John 15:5 reminds us that we can be confident branches attached to Jesus, our Vine, for we can do nothing apart from Him! Hebrews 11 is often called the "hall of faith" and records many lives remembered for their examples of faith in action. Brave names like Noah, Abraham, Moses, and more fill this list (Hebrews 11:4-34). They are remembered not because of their human strength and merit but because of their faith in God. They were ordinary people like you and me whom God equipped for adventure in faith. We are told that Moses "kept his eyes on the one who is invisible" (Hebrews 11:27). Let's choose to do the same.  Whatever adventure God invites you to take with Him, bathe it in prayer and Scripture. Journaling can also be helpful for recording how God is at work in your life. Ask God to cultivate a spirit of adventure in faith and commit to following where He leads. Lastly, enjoy the process. Like any adventurous vacation or fun trip, we sometimes forget to savor God's pace and experiences in the blur of our itinerary.  Let's pray: Father God, I trust you and want to follow you wherever you call me. This is hard sometimes, and I ask you today to cultivate a spirit of adventure in faith in me. Reveal areas of my faith that need action or brave new steps in my life. Free me from ruts that have grown too comfortable. Forgive me for letting fear and doubt dictate my answers to your calling. Remind me often that I get to stay anchored to Jesus as your child. Therefore, I can be brave and follow Him as my Shepherd. Show me the next step you would have me take, whether big or small. Forgive me for needing all the answers, and help me rest today in your plan for my life. Help me stay at your side with my eyes on you always.In Jesus' Name, Amen. Photo credit: ©GettyImages/frantic00 Megan Evans is a military wife, and a mother to three wonderful teenagers. She and her family live in Tennessee where she serves as the women's ministry director at her church. An author and blogger with a heart for discipleship; she writes, speaks, and teaches women about enjoying God in each busy day. Check out her new book, "Permission to Walk: A 40-Day Journey to Unhurried Peace" and learn the daily pace of life that Jesus taught as we daily navigate this distracted and fast-paced world. You can connect with Megan at www.unhurrymyheart.com, www.instagram.com/megan.m_evans , and www.facebook.com/unhurrymyheart. Related Resource: Remember God’s Enduring Love for You in this Guided Meditation on Psalm 100! This guided Christian meditation from Psalm 100 will help you experience and praise God for his unending love for you. Become aware of God's presence with you, and praise God for his loyal and enduring love from the beginning of time and into the future. Listen to every episode of the So Much More Podcast on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode! Now that you’ve prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below! Visit iBelieve.com for more inspiring prayer content. The post A Prayer to Cultivate a Spirit of Adventure in Faith – Your Daily Prayer – September 11 appeared first on GodUpdates.

September 11, 2024 Rest Assured: Why God Wants More for Us Than Sunday NapsRACHEL BOOTH SMITH Lee en español "Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done." Genesis 2:3 (NIV) Sometimes I've struggled mightily with the "Sunday Scaries" - anxiety about the coming week's workload. I've wondered about a challenge facing my kid, how a certain conversation at work will go, or if that bill will get paid on time. Growing up, I was taught to stop work on Sunday as the Sabbath day because God rested after creating the world for six days (Exodus 20:8-11). But even when I spent the day relaxing, the Sunday Scaries found me at night. I wondered if I was honoring the Sabbath correctly. Through Bible study, I discovered my Sunday habits came from a modern reading of this sacred, ancient book. God’s people who lived in Old Testament times understood the command to honor God's Sabbath differently than we do today. In their culture, rest represented the posture of ruling and reigning. Ancient Israel would have envisioned God seated on His throne, actively taking charge of His newly created world, on the first Sabbath (Psalm 132:14). When God rested on the seventh day, He wasn't sitting down like a laborer weary from the workweek. Instead, He was positioned as a King ready to reign. He created for six days and made good things because He is good. Then He sat enthroned over creation, declaring it complete and perfect: "Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done" (Genesis 2:3). Genesis 2:3 isn't about exhaustion or napping; it communicates that a good and trustworthy God is in control. He's got this. The ancient Israelites would say we rest because God sits on His throne and reigns over His creation. Sabbath, then, is about honoring God's reign. Once a week, our souls specially rest in the acknowledgment that God is in charge. We remember He's a good Creator who invented the concept of thriving. Our souls lead the charge for rest, insisting on finding peace in God's trustworthy rule, and then our bodies and minds follow. For years, I thought Sabbath meant that if I rested, I could handle my week better. I thought, Well, if God needed a break, surely I do too. I was trying to keep the Sabbath by mimicking God. Unfortunately, I was focused on my kingdom and my upcoming week, resting in preparation to run my show. But if we only focus on ceasing our work, chasing our rules and checking our boxes, our souls will remain exhausted by our worries - and the Sunday Scaries will still have their way. The gift of Sabbath is found when we reorient ourselves toward God, rededicate our trust in Him, and reflect on His trustworthiness. Where are you struggling to trust in God's goodness? Let's embrace the privilege of honoring His reign. Then we can rest assured that, yes, He's still got this. Lord, we see the goodness of Your beautiful creation and know it reflects Your good character. We're grateful You're in charge and ruling. In Jesus' Name, Amen. OUR FAVORITE THINGS In Rachel Booth Smith's new book, Rest Assured: What the Creation Story Was Intended to Reveal about Trusting God, she becomes a holy eavesdropper leaning over ancient shoulders, listening as God revealed Himself to Israel. As we anchor ourselves in His character, we find a rest that grounds us when we face the daily crises of life, big and small. Get your copy today! ENGAGE For more from Rachel Booth Smith, you can visit her website or connect with her on Instagram and Facebook. FOR DEEPER STUDY Psalm 132:14, "This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it" (NIV). What's one big thing you're preoccupied with or worried about? Try to spend the upcoming Sabbath offering it to God every time it pops into your head. You can visualize placing it at God's throne, or maybe look at a mighty tree or a vivid sunrise - God's creation - as a reminder to surrender. Remember: Our good God is ruling, and He's got this. We'd love to know your thoughts - share with us in the comments! © 2024 by Rachel Booth Smith. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 MinistriesP.O. Box 3189 Matthews, NC 28106 www.Proverbs31.org The post Rest Assured: Why God Wants More for Us Than Sunday Naps –  Encouragement for Today – September 11, 2024 appeared first on GodUpdates.

Consumer advocates Which? suggest that Ticketmaster may be guilty of breaching trading regulations

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Many individuals online are disappointed in the ABC News debate moderators. 45th President Donald J. Trump even took to Truth Social to say that it was three on one.

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Willful ignorance about our enemies. The post Another 9/11 Anniversary, and We Have Still Learned Nothing appeared first on Frontpage Mag.