Small Groups

Dear God,

Thank you so much for your lessons today at church. The story of Joseph and his compassion and forgiveness for his brothers and father is really a very touching and moving story, and I've gotten so much out of the past two weeks at church!! Thank you, also, for introducing me to the small group leader in my area. I couldn't be more excited about getting plugged in to the church more, and growing with others.

I'm beginning a small group Bible study tomorrow with some grad school friends, and I'm really looking forward to it. I pray that You will bless us and our time together as we fellowship and go through the study together. I pray that You will use us as accountability and support for each other, that we would all grow collectively in You this year.

I also pray, Lord, that You would begin to bless and empower the leaders of the small group I'm planning to join when it begins in September through church. Please give them wisdom and guidance, allowing us all to have a wonderful time fellowshipping together and worshipping you.

Lord, You are amazing, and nothing compares to You!! I love You!

Love,
~Justin

Nuggets of Wisdom

Today was my first day back to my church that I was introduced to last semester, and it was absolutely wonderful! I was so thankful to be back in a place where I felt God's Presence move among the church, and it was a blessing to be able to worship with other Christians. The sermon series is on the life of Joseph, and today's message reflected on Joseph's time as an Egyptian ruler when his brothers came to him in search of food, not knowing they would be confronted by their brother.

It was amazing. I've read the story many times, and it was so incredible to see that I'd missed so many important things that went on in that story. The pastor brought up so many things that had previously gone unseen to me. It was so refreshing to know that the Word is living truth, and to have another example of how God can speak to us over and over again, using the same words and providing different knowledge and understanding each time!

Thank you, Lord, for the recognition that Your Word is a living truth, new each time, rich and full of wisdom. I pray, Lord, that you will help me receive new wisdom each time I open my Bible. Allow me to search Your Word and learn something new and profound each time, and help me to make it into a joyful and exciting daily event. Guard me against allowing my flesh to see the daily Bible study as a ritualistic chore.

I pray, too, that You will help me in balancing my time so that I may plug into a small group through my church this year, and get to know many wonderful people with whom I can fellowship on a regular basis.

I love you, Lord!

Love,
~Justin

Spiritual Gifts

Dear Lord,

This morning, as I prepare to enter into fellowship with others at my current church, I'm asking You to help me identify my Spiritual Gifts. I just finished taking an inventory online to help me identify my gifts, and according to the inventory, my top four gifts are:

Healing
Leadership
Mercy
Encouragement

Lord, I know that sometimes I read into things, and that an inventory provides opportunities for human error. I also know that I'm biased, so I pray that You will reveal to me what area(s) You've gifted me in, over the next few weeks. Allow me to see clearly whether or not these four gifts are truly representative for the purposes You've created me for, and help me to have discernment as I go through this process of discovering Your plan for my life.

Thank you, Lord.
~Justin

Beginning the Conversation

Heavenly Father,

I come to You this morning with a sincere prayer on my heart. Lord, I want to know You more, and to strengthen my relationship with You. I want You to help me grow in my walk with You, and to truly and sincerely follow You and seek Your will for my life. I praise You for everything You've done in my life, and I thank You for always guiding me and protecting me in everything I've done, and in everything I will continue to do.

I pray that You will use this blog as a tool to help strengthen and encourage me (and possibly others), and that You will continue to bless our relationship as it grows. As I journal, I pray that You will open the lines of communication between us, that I may hear clearly from You and know what it is You are trying to show me.

Thank you for this life, and for everything You've created. I love You, Lord.

Love,
~Justin