Words. Do we really understand how powerful they can be? Words have the power to create… or to destroy depending on the heart behind those words. In Day 4 titled “Words,” the authors quote John 1:1-5, pointing us to the fact that Jesus is the Word through whom all things were made. They say, “The Word was in the beginning, before the heavens and earth, before sunsets and the Pacific, before wildflowers and whales and strawberries and freckles. He was before all of it because He made all of it.” (p24) It is always a very good reminder for us to understand that Jesus is God our Creator, one with the Father and the Holy Spirit, and apart from Him, nothing we see, hear, smell, taste and touch would be created. Jesus is Life and we owe Him our life because there would be no life apart from Him. Hopefully, this keeps our hearts humble and grateful so that we can live love for the Glory of God.
The authors then remind us how the disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus. They say, “As strange as it is to imagine dropping everything familiar for what is entirely unknown, somehow the trade made sense. In Jesus is life, so His words transcend circumstances and break down barriers. They light up dark corners, removing fear, doubt, and self-preservation. They bring clarity and elevate our understanding of what’s real, true, and important. They take us from completely missing our purpose to seeing in neon that our only reason for being is to follow the one who spoke us into being.” (p26) Once Jesus beckons to our hearts to follow Him, and we agree and surrender to His Lordship, every single thing in our lives should change. Certainly the purpose of our very existence in this world should move from seeking to find whatever will make MMI happy, to actually doing whatever God leads us to do. Then, as we gratefully, faithfully, and joyfully obey the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we will find what brings us unspeakable joy! As we follow in the footsteps of the great Saints this book highlights, and drop everything for the sake of our Savior, life begins to explode with meaning and contentment that nothing and no one else on this planet can give us. Drop everything and receive so much more. This is the gift God offers us each and every day.
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
April: Living the Resurrected Life: “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” by Dr Charles Stanley
May: My Spiritual Mom: “Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits” by Joyce Meyer
June: Spiritual Dad: “It’s Not About Me- Rescue from the Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy” by Max Lucado
July: Financial Freedom “Complete Guide to Money” by Dave Ramsey
August: Summer’s Soul Restorer “A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23” by W Phillip Keller
September: Covering Our Children: “Prayers for the Prodigals” by James Banks
October: Reformation of Our Hearts: “Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine” by Max Lucado
November: So Thankful To Be Chosen: “The Chosen 40 Days with Jesus Book One, Book Two & Book Three” by Amanda Jenkins, Kristen Hendricks and Dallas Jenkins
<>< Peace, Diane
