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A Prayer for Lifted Spirits When Your World Is ChangingBy Keri Eichberger Bible Reading"You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. – Psalm 16:11 Listen or Read Below: With one swift click of a mouse, my application was submitted. And my heart and shoulders sank. I didn't want a new job. I'd grown pretty darn comfortable with my current life. Opening myself up to a position under someone else's rule and reign left me super vulnerable to too much change. An uncertain future that felt much less in my control. It seemed to mean giving up my life for something that definitely didn't appear as desirable. But after much processing and prayer, I believed this was where the Lord was leading. And he had always been faithful in my life, and throughout the lives of the heroes of the faith I'd been admiring and learning from for decades, so I trusted his guidance and took the leap. The only issue was this: it was really hard, and it hurt. How about you? Have you experienced, or are you facing right now, some uncertain life changes? Are you dealing with feelings of fear, discontentment, or discomfort through it, like I am? In Psalm 16:11, after the psalmist declares that God makes known the path of life, just as he directed me down my specific path, he declares that the Lord fills us with joy. Joy. I could use some of that. You? And where does he say the joy is found? In God‘s presence. Well, you and I both know that God is always present, so why don't we always feel joy? I believe it has a lot to do with us not always acknowledging his presence and not noticing, or failing to focus on, where he is showing up around us. For me, and maybe you too, we tend to gravitate our thoughts toward our problems instead of fixing our eyes on him. Looking, seeking, and searching hard for his blessings.  The verse finishes with a magnification of what that joy looks like as we become more aware of God, calling it "eternal pleasures at your right hand." Pleasures. The very things we think we are going to miss or forfeit as we follow new paths and walk into life change. I hope it encourages you to know that wherever God is present-everywhere-joy, blessings, and pleasures will also be. We just need to keep our gaze his way.  Look around where you are right now. Can you see them? His blessings? Keep looking. They are there right now, my friend. And they will follow you through every single season and change you continue to encounter. Let's pray:  Lord of Hope, You offer such joy in your presence. Eternal pleasures-too many to count. Oh, how I want to seek, find, and focus on them. But too often, I get so consumed with what's changing-with the comforts I've held too tightly too-that I lose sight of you, and allow my spirits to sulk and my outlook to dim. You know how hard change can be for me. You know and see my heart. And it grieves you when I become disheartened. But you are more present than ever, offering continual comfort and compassion. Help me to rest in your love and find joy in your very presence as I acknowledge you. And acknowledge all you've done, all you're doing, and all you're pouring out in great love with ceaseless generosity. Help me find joy as I keep my eyes on you. Lord, thank you for your uplifting presence that never leaves. In your ever-present name, Amen. Photo credit: ©GettyImages/mixedreality Keri Eichberger is a Jesus-loving Kentucky girl. She is married to her best friend, Mike, and has a full house of five kids. After years of writing for an online audience, Keri became ordained through Southeast Christian Church, giving her life to full-time ministry. She is the author of Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes, and has a passion for sharing faith-filled encouragement through devotional writing. Connect with Keri at KeriEichberger.com or Instagram. Related Resource: Jesus Calling – Stories of Faith Kerry Washington. Andrea Bocelli. Reba McEntire. Mark Wahlberg. Tony Dungy. Matthew McConaughey, What do all of these people have in common? They are all people of faith who have leaned on God in both the good and challenging times-and they've shown up to tell their story of faith on The Jesus Calling Podcast. The Jesus Calling Podcast provides a place for people from all walks of life to share the heartaches, joys, and divine moments that keep them going.  Inspired by Sarah Young’s classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts. Now that you’ve prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below! The post A Prayer for Lifted Spirits When Your World Is Changing – Your Daily Prayer – October 10 appeared first on GodUpdates.

A Prayer for Lifted Spirits When Your World Is ChangingBy Keri Eichberger Bible Reading"You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. – Psalm 16:11 Listen or Read Below: With one swift click of a mouse, my application was submitted. And my heart and shoulders sank. I didn't want a new job. I'd grown pretty darn comfortable with my current life. Opening myself up to a position under someone else's rule and reign left me super vulnerable to too much change. An uncertain future that felt much less in my control. It seemed to mean giving up my life for something that definitely didn't appear as desirable. But after much processing and prayer, I believed this was where the Lord was leading. And he had always been faithful in my life, and throughout the lives of the heroes of the faith I'd been admiring and learning from for decades, so I trusted his guidance and took the leap. The only issue was this: it was really hard, and it hurt. How about you? Have you experienced, or are you facing right now, some uncertain life changes? Are you dealing with feelings of fear, discontentment, or discomfort through it, like I am? In Psalm 16:11, after the psalmist declares that God makes known the path of life, just as he directed me down my specific path, he declares that the Lord fills us with joy. Joy. I could use some of that. You? And where does he say the joy is found? In God‘s presence. Well, you and I both know that God is always present, so why don't we always feel joy? I believe it has a lot to do with us not always acknowledging his presence and not noticing, or failing to focus on, where he is showing up around us. For me, and maybe you too, we tend to gravitate our thoughts toward our problems instead of fixing our eyes on him. Looking, seeking, and searching hard for his blessings.  The verse finishes with a magnification of what that joy looks like as we become more aware of God, calling it "eternal pleasures at your right hand." Pleasures. The very things we think we are going to miss or forfeit as we follow new paths and walk into life change. I hope it encourages you to know that wherever God is present-everywhere-joy, blessings, and pleasures will also be. We just need to keep our gaze his way.  Look around where you are right now. Can you see them? His blessings? Keep looking. They are there right now, my friend. And they will follow you through every single season and change you continue to encounter. Let's pray:  Lord of Hope, You offer such joy in your presence. Eternal pleasures-too many to count. Oh, how I want to seek, find, and focus on them. But too often, I get so consumed with what's changing-with the comforts I've held too tightly too-that I lose sight of you, and allow my spirits to sulk and my outlook to dim. You know how hard change can be for me. You know and see my heart. And it grieves you when I become disheartened. But you are more present than ever, offering continual comfort and compassion. Help me to rest in your love and find joy in your very presence as I acknowledge you. And acknowledge all you've done, all you're doing, and all you're pouring out in great love with ceaseless generosity. Help me find joy as I keep my eyes on you. Lord, thank you for your uplifting presence that never leaves. In your ever-present name, Amen. Photo credit: ©GettyImages/mixedreality Keri Eichberger is a Jesus-loving Kentucky girl. She is married to her best friend, Mike, and has a full house of five kids. After years of writing for an online audience, Keri became ordained through Southeast Christian Church, giving her life to full-time ministry. She is the author of Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes, and has a passion for sharing faith-filled encouragement through devotional writing. Connect with Keri at KeriEichberger.com or Instagram. Related Resource: Jesus Calling – Stories of Faith Kerry Washington. Andrea Bocelli. Reba McEntire. Mark Wahlberg. Tony Dungy. Matthew McConaughey, What do all of these people have in common? They are all people of faith who have leaned on God in both the good and challenging times-and they've shown up to tell their story of faith on The Jesus Calling Podcast. The Jesus Calling Podcast provides a place for people from all walks of life to share the heartaches, joys, and divine moments that keep them going.  Inspired by Sarah Young’s classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts. Now that you’ve prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below! The post A Prayer for Lifted Spirits When Your World Is Changing – Your Daily Prayer – October 10 appeared first on GodUpdates.

October 10, 2024 What Is the Source of My Discernment?LYSA TERKEURST Lee en español "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." James 3:17 (NIV) I would consider myself a discerning person, but I know there can be a big difference between a "gut feeling" and authentic discernment from the Holy Spirit. We don't want to immediately assume what we are feeling or thinking is true or call it "discernment" without checking the source. Because let's be real: Sometimes our feelings are driven by fear, not wisdom. To give a personal example, there was a time when my unchecked skepticism from past hurt and betrayal started leaking into my other relationships. I wondered if my very best friends might one day turn on me. I even said to some of them, "Sometimes I find myself holding my breath, waiting for the day when things fall apart with us." None of this was based on any history of betrayal with these friends. The source that was informing me and strongly influencing my thoughts was my past trauma - my lived experience of being so deeply betrayed and my fear of being hurt again. This wasn't discernment from the Holy Spirit: It was fear and skepticism and my own assumption that something was always going on beneath the surface that would eventually hurt me. Just because it felt like my reality didn't mean it was the reality. But my feelings were so intense that I was living in a self-reliant, protective mode rather than trusting God to lead me. So I knew I needed to work on disconnecting my discernment from my extreme fears and reconnecting it to the Holy Spirit. Because the source of our discernment is crucial. Just like when you are depending on your GPS to help you properly navigate the best route to your desired destination, spiritual directions will only be good if you have the right address keyed in. Having the correct directions depends on having the right address from the right source. Bad source, wrong address, wrong destination. However, the gift of discernment through the power of the Holy Spirit helps us rightly navigate life and the situations we face. Our brains are always instinctively processing what's in front of us and trying to send our central nervous systems a warning if we aren't safe. But here's what is so challenging ... We don’t always know all the facts. That's where discernment comes in. Discernment is what fills in the gaps between the facts so we can make more informed decisions. So you can see how crucial it is that we have the right source if we want to have wise discernment. In fact, this is exactly what James 3:17 reminds us: "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere" (emphasis added). In today's world, there are a lot of sources people turn to. But if we want true wisdom feeding our discernment, then we can't underestimate the need to consistently go to the source of Truth: God's Word. Recently, I heard my friend and fellow Bible teacher Wendy Blight give a beautiful message on changing the source of her discernment. In her early adult years, the source of her discernment was fear because of a violent attack she suffered. For years she couldn't sleep in her house alone. No matter what she did, this spirit of fear dictated so much about her life and seemingly wouldn't go away. But things changed when she started filling her mind with specific Bible verses combating the fear. She wrote these truths from God's Word on cards she carried with her and constantly declared them over her life. As the Truth filled her mind more and more, her discernment about her safety changed. Eventually, though it had tormented her for years, this spirit of fear left. I was so inspired by Wendy's teaching that I decided to attack some of my current struggles the same way. I need to let God's Word be the guide to wisdom so I can have better discernment. Not just "discernment" based on my fears or assumptions or misguided guesses. In the past, I have at times felt like my discernment failed me. I've said things like, "Why didn't I pick up on this sooner? Why was I so blind to what seemed so obvious to others? If only I would have listened to my inner sense that this wasn't right. I knew I shouldn't have believed that person." Maybe you have felt like I have. But, friend, please know: Walking by the Spirit, being led by the Spirit, and keeping in step with the Spirit doesn't mean you're always going to hear God’s voice very clearly, nor does it mean you will always get this right. Discernment rarely gives details. But it does mean you can still position yourself to receive godly guidance and read God's Word. As you honor God while you seek discernment, even if you don't get it all right, at least you're honoring God in the process. Lord, I come to You today to ask for Your wisdom and guidance. I want to live as someone who is led by the Holy Spirit. Most of all, may I find rest and peace for my soul in Your never-changing Truth that sets me free. God, You are the God of all Truth and the One who is the most trustworthy. I love You. I need You. I honor You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. OUR FAVORITE THINGS How can you experience the spiritual progress you've been longing for? That's one of the reasons why Circle 31 Book Club exists! Through carefully vetted books, Circle 31 will challenge your thinking, deepen your faith, and lead you to take action based on what you learn. Their next pick is I Want to Trust You, but I Don't by Lysa TerKeurst, starting November 1. So get your copy, and join the Circle! ENGAGE Find real-life encouragement when you connect with Lysa TerKeurst here on Instagram. FOR DEEPER STUDY James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you" (NIV). How has wisdom and discernment played a role in your life? What is something you need God's wisdom for today? We'd love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments. © 2024 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 MinistriesP.O. Box 3189 Matthews, NC 28106 www.Proverbs31.org The post What Is the Source of My Discernment? –  Encouragement for Today – October 10, 2024 appeared first on GodUpdates.

The New York Times, The Athletic, it's all a joke

A wood shipwreck that washed ashore on the Orkneys island of Sanday has been safely removed to a specialized tank for conservation. The large section of hull from a ship appeared on Sand o’Erraby beach in February of this year, dislodged from the seabed by winter storms. The midships section was upside down, exposing what was left of the keel and the large wooden pegs used to fasten the frames and planking. These thick pegs, known as tree nails, stopped being used around 1820, so the wreck is hundreds of years old. Preliminary examination indicate it is a 17th century design, perhaps of Dutch origin. Historic Environment Scotland commissioned Wessex Archaeology and archaeological wood experts Dendrochronicle to assess, record and take samples from the wreck. Wessex Archaeology also received funding to provide maritime archaeology training and workshops for local community members who were the first to alert authorities to the appearance of the wreck and who have been monitoring it carefully for months. Newly exposed to the elements, the hull was in danger of rapid deterioration, and the constant action of waves was beginning to drag the wreck back out to sea. Orkney Islands Council reached out to the National Heritage Memorial Fund, which provides emergency grants for heritage at risk. The NHMF came through with a grant of £79,658 to fund the rescue operation and construction of a freshwater conservation tank. Wessex Archaeology returned to the site the last week in September to transfer the timbers to the tank. The delicate operation took two days to complete. Now the wreck’s timbers – once preserved by the sands it lay hidden in for centuries – are safely installed in a custom 8 metre long tank, alongside the island’s Heritage Centre. There, on advice from archaeologists and conservators, the timbers will remain suspended in fresh water – protecting them from deterioration for two to three years while further research is carried out into the ship’s identity and significance. The custom-designed tank, fabricated by Aberdeen-based Waterfront Stainless Steel at their Orkney workshop, features a roll-top lid to enable access for researchers and interested visitors by appointment.

[unable to retrieve full-text content] When asked, Kamala Harris could not bring herself to advocate for Americans to stand in honor of the national anthem. Harris was asked the question in 2016 when…