Journal

Exiting the Roundabout

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Roundabouts are replacing congested and busy intersections in Michigan to keep traffic moving smoothly and reduce traffic accidents. These traffic roundabouts are often conundrums for drivers who experience them for the first time. Drivers are to yield to oncoming traffic within the roundabout as they merge into the roundabout themselves. Then drivers are to move within the roundabout taking the appropriate exit to their planned destination.

Too often drivers miss their exit or are unsure of their exit to only to keep circling in the roundabout in frustration waiting for an opportunity to merge onto any exit. Other drivers witnessing the inexperienced roundabout driver can be seen at times offering hand gestures which are either kind or rude which can be accompanied by honking their vehicle horn.

Traffic roundabouts can be stressful when I am unsure of my exit or where I am going. Life is like a traffic roundabout. Decisions to merge or exit can be daunting. At times it takes courage to trust where I am going and that I will arrive at my destination on time. Witnessing others in their uncertainty can also cause me to become stressed. Trusting my motives takes courage to decide whether my intercession is helpful or enabling their distress.

Wisdom’s Blessings Come from the LORD

“The plans of the heart belong to humans,
but an answer on the tongue comes from the LORD.
A person thinks all his ways are pure,
but the LORD weighs motives.
Entrust your efforts to the LORD,
and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:1-3 (GW)

“Trust the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (GW)

Prayer Journal Prompt:

“COME CLOSE TO GOD, AND HE WILL COME CLOSE TO YOU.” JAMES 4:8 (GW)

What has me going in circles?
How can I trust my decisions are correct?
Are my motives pure?
What does it mean to me, “Trust the Lord… and not rely on my own understanding”?

(c) 2016-2023 All Rights are Reserved

The Value of Love

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READ MARK 14

Verses 6-9:

Jesus said, “Leave her alone! Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing for me. You will always have the poor with you and can help them whenever you want. But you will not always have me with you. She did what she could. She came to pour perfume on my body before it is placed in a tomb. I can guarantee this truth: Wherever the Good News is spoken in the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Love is not cautious, wise, sensible, or shrewd. Affection brings warm feelings, but love goes to the extremes.

Have I ever been driven to do something for God not because I felt like it or it was my duty, or that there was something in it for me, but simply because I love Him?

What value am I to God?

Am I just sitting around daydreaming or am I working at doing the ordinary, simple, human things that show my genuine love for Him? I am no use to God if I wish of doing only important things but neglect to focus my eyes on something other than my personal holiness. When I become overly concerned about the way I talk, the way I walk and look toward others, I miss being of value to God.

I accept that I am not much use to anyone but God Himself. My value is surrendering all that I have and do in the name of Jesus Christ. When I rise to go to work each day, I do the ‘beautiful thing’ as though it were for Christ and in those ordinary, simple, human works, God works through me. I give it all to God – the mundane and the magnificent.

Dear Lord, I give you all the praise and glory for the work of my hands. Forgive me for all my complaints in doing the work however mundane, my feelings of being unappreciated, and self-centeredness in my response. Lord, I pray that my work creates the same value that Mary of Bethany created in the heart of Jesus Christ. Lord, I also pray for those who are the recipients of my work and that they may be blessed by it. I love you! In Jesus Christ’s name I pray. Amen

Prayer Journal tips (2)

I supplement my prayer journal writing and reading God’s Word with reading and meditating on the Christian testimonies of others. God speaks to us not only in our individual circumstances but through the lives of others.

(c) 2016-2022 All Rights Reserved.