Connecting the Dots

June 7: A sign outside of a home thanks firefighters for their efforts

as the Wallow fire approaches in Eagar, Arizona. AP

Today's Scripture: 

Lord, send your soldiers

to gather the nations.

Wake up nations,

and come to attack in the Valley Where the

Lord Judges.

There I will sit to judge

all the nations on every side.

Swing the cutting tool,

because the harvest is ripe.

Come, walk on them as you walk on

grapes to get their justice,

because the winepress is full

and the barrels are spilling over,

because these people are so evil.

There are hugh numbers of people

in the Valley of Decisions.

The sun and the moon will become dark,

and the stars will stop shining.

The Lord will roar like a lion

from Jerusalem

his loud voice will thunder from that city

and the sky and the earth will shake.

But the Lord will be a safe place for the people

of Israel.

Then you will know that I, the Lord your

God

live on my holy Mount Zion.

Jerusalem will be a holy place

and strangers will never even go through it

again. 

Joel 3:11-17

Connecting the Dots

Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth
“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26, NIV) 



Friend To Friend
Ever since I was young, I’ve loved connecting dots. In my childhood, it was dots with numbers on paper that I could connect and color. As I threw my attention to the page and followed the numbered steps, a picture developed. A new creation appeared. It brought joy to my little-girl heart.

My grown-up dot-connecting challenges are far from a kid’s fun sheet. There are “life dots” like: parenting dots, faith dots, emotion dots, relationship dots, job dots, and decision dots. I continually struggle to make sense of situations and circumstances and long for a simply numbered life sheet to give me guidance and direction.

Do you ever feel that way? Do you ever wonder how to connect the practical instruction of God’s Word to your daily choices and behaviors? Do you struggle to understand how to connect the dots between your questions and God’s answers? Between the decisions you need to make and God’s wisdom?

If you have a pulse, I’m guessing you deal with this dot-connecting life stuff regularly like I do. The Lord knew we would struggle with this, and He gives each of us the power to connect our life dots according to His plan. How? Through His Holy Spirit.

In Scripture, we see a beautiful promise of God. Before His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus told His disciples that He must die in order to connect the sinful hearts of man to the holy heart of God. He explained that though He was leaving this world, His followers would not be left alone or without power.

“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth” (John 14:15-17a).

Jesus went on to say, “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:25-26).

The Holy Spirit works in and through us to connect the life dots between our heart and God’s. He’s the connector between our problems and God’s solutions. When we go to God in prayer and ask Him to help us take the next step, or make the next decision, or choose the next response, He will faithfully lead us to the next dot with wisdom through the power of His Holy Spirit.

Invite the Holy Spirit to lead your decisions and emotions today. Open your heart to His counsel. Call on His wisdom and listen for the whispers of His truth. When you do, He will connect your life dots in order to bring glory to God the Father. Imagine what our lives, families, churches, and communities would look like if we allowed the Spirit of God within us to connect our life dots each day. The world would see a beautiful faith picture.

Let’s Pray
Heavenly Father, You are all-knowing and all-powerful. You know every decision I need to make and every challenge I face. Please forgive me for the times that I try to figure this life out on my own. I need You. I need Your Holy Spirit to give me strength, wisdom, and direction, specifically concerning ______________. Thank you, Lord.
In Jesus’ Name I pray,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn
After telling His disciples about the Holy Spirit in John 14, Jesus blessed them with a peace promise: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

Where does this promise find you today?

Whatever you are facing, know that the Holy Spirit is ready to guide and comfort you. Journal your thoughts and ask God to connect the faith dots for you so you can bring Him glory in your circumstances and then experience His peace.

Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
http://www.girlfriendsingod.com/


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