Today I was wrestling with some things.  I needed answers and so I asked God to send me somewhere in Scripture where I could get His thoughts and He sent me to 2 different places:  Colossians Chapter 4 and Ephesians Chapter 4.  Both were so rich in the Word.  There were specifically 5 sets of Scriptures that I wrote out on cards:
Colossians 4:2 Amplified Bible (AMP)2 Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving.


Colossians 4:5-6 Amplified Bible (AMP)5 Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders (non-believers), make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious]. 6 Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you].


Ephesians 4:15 Amplified Bible (AMP)15 But speaking the truth in love [in all things—both our speech and our lives expressing His truth], let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head—Christ.


Ephesians 4:18 Amplified Bible (AMP)18 for their [moral] understanding is darkened and their reasoning is clouded; [they are] alienated and self-banished from the life of God [with no share in it; this is] because of the [willful] ignorance and spiritual blindness that is [deep-seated] within them, because of the hardness and insensitivity of their heart.


Ephesians 4:22-24 Amplified Bible (AMP)22 that, regarding your previous way of life, you put off your old self [completely discard your former nature], which is being corrupted through deceitful desires, 23 and be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh, untarnished mental and spiritual attitude], 24 and put on the new self [the regenerated and renewed nature], created in God’s image, [godlike] in the righteousness and holiness of the truth [living in a way that expresses to God your gratitude for your salvation].

I wonder if anyone else can see or maybe I should say "hear" what I hear?  But there are 2 that are pulling me like crazy.  Eph 4:15 & Col 4:5.  I am not 100% sure which one exactly God is saying, "Memorize this".  I want to absolutely speak the truth in love, to grow up in ALL things into Him.  It means conducting myself with wisdom in my interactions with non-believers - but DO I make the most of each opportunity?  AM I treating it as something precious?  I must.  I have to.  I will.   But it speaks of Col 4:2 - to be persistent and devoted to prayer - to be alert & focused!  To remember that my obedience to FIGHT is the difference between light and dark; blindness and truth; hardness of heart & a new heart.  Lives are at stake.  Do I truly KNOW that?  Do I truly LIVE that?  Is it worth the risk?  

Where are you?
​~C

We are officially 1/2 way through our memorization & headed into the 2nd half of the year.  Can you believe that it is July 1st?  I'm finishing up my 6 week stent in Moline, Kansas.  I fly home on Friday.  Next Thursday begins the 5 week recap of James.  Such a great Book of the Bible.  Challenging because it makes you realize just how much more you need to grow.  

So, I was finishing my God Time yesterday (the 1st)  and had a couple of Scriptures from the day before that I thought for sure was what God wanted me to memorize but, I quickly realized that was not the case.  I had nearly resigned myself to having to wait a day or two when I opened my Bible to a bookmark & realized that He had shown me the day before, just not from the source I had anticipated.  I don't know how familiar you are with David's Psalm of repentance, but I love it & had studied it several times.  

Are you remorseful when your sin is pointed out to you?  
Do you confess it? 
Do you repent?
Do you take ownership? 
Do you depend on God?
Are you aware of God's mercy?
Forgiveness.  Renewal.  Restoration.  Deliverance.  

Yes!  My verses comes from here:  Psalm 51:10-11 AMP "Create in me a clean heart O God, and renew a right and steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me." 

What is your cry to God today?
​Love & Hugs~C