40Flex Journey | Day 23

In Your presence.

"The real joy is not in the doing and winning over; the real joy is being in God’s presence."

Chapter 10 opens with Jesus sending out seventy-two other disciples into the world. Notice that He “sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places He planned to visit”. Jesus was sending them out to do tough work. He knew that they would need the company of another. A person who would uphold them. A person who would work with them. A person who would have their back. A person who would take all the steps together.

I am encouraged by people like that in my life. I am blessed with people like you, who walk in faith with me.

Now Think About This

"But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven." (Luke 10.20)

The joy is not in the doing and winning over; in proving power and being better. The real joy is being in God’s presence.

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The One Thing

“My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it...” (Luke 10.41-42)

Personal worship. Not the grand ceremony. Rather the intimate; the one on one; just you and God. Just you in His presence. That one thing worth being concerned about. May we all discover this.

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Shameless Persistence

"...if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence." (Luke 11.8)

Keep on asking. Keep on seeking. Keep on knocking. Be shamelessly persistent in our pursuit of what we need. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds.

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Blessed are the Doers

"But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice." (Luke 11.28)

Just do it. Let’s not just talk about it or theorise about it. I want the "more blessings." Let’s do. Let’s live God’s word.


Prayer for Today

"Lord, open my eyes to see beyond the immediate allure of material wealth and comfort. Teach me the joy of a life richly connected to You. Grant me the courage to live out Your radical teachings, trusting that in doing so, I live my life to the fullest. Amen."

The Challenge

Big Steps Forward

01.
Spiritual Wealth

Meditate on the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:13-21). Evaluate your priorities and identify one way to intentionally enrich your relationship with God over material pursuits.

02.
Address Reactions

Identify a teaching in Luke 12-13 that provokes a strong reaction in you. Pray about why that specific truth is challenging and ask God to use it for your growth.

03.
Practical Trust

Pick one area of worry and commit to a tangible act of trust: either through generous giving, setting aside specific time for thanksgiving, or cutting back work for prayer.