“Eventually the Lord will bring us to a place where we have little choice but to stop, listen, and obey.” – Dr. John Maxwell

When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the LORD; And my prayer went up to You, into Your holy temple. (Jonah 2:7)

What is God telling you to do?
How are you responding?

Yesterday, Matt Gregory (my pastor) preached a powerful message at Soul Purpose Church about The Growth Choice. This message came from Pastor Rick Warren’s teaching in an 8 week series we are doing called “Life’s Healing Choices” based on the 8 beatitudes.

Matt shared 7 keys on “how to continue growing.” I was convicted by the very first one – “Fix a daily time with God.” Despite the fact that I teach over and over about the importance of good habits and a godly daily routine, I’ve allowed my daily routine to become anything but routine. Oh I’ve had my good excuses for why this has happened, but in the end they are all excuses.

Before going to bed last night at 8:20 pm, I purposed in my mind that I would get up at 5:00 am, read my Bible for 30 minutes, journal for 30 minutes (including prayer), exercise for 30 minutes, take Maui (our 4 month old puppy) for a walk, and then go to the IHOP (formerly International House of Pancakes, but now International House of Prayer) at 7:00 am for breakfast, fellowship, and prayer with Pastor Jeff Light and anyone else who choose to come.

Maui woke my up barking around 9:30 pm and again at 10:30 pm because another dog was barking outside. She woke me up again around 3:30 am and I let her outside to pee. I then went back to sleep. When my PDA alarm went off at 5:00 am, I still felt tired and reset it for 5:30 am. However, God was going to have none of that and Maui kept wining until I got up for good.

After feeding Maui and letting her outside, I went to our family room to read my Maxwell Leadership Bible. I just happened to open to page 1084 and the very first thing I read jumped out at me and hit me between the eyes like a ton of bricks, “Eventually the Lord will bring us to a place where we have little choice but to stop, listen, and obey.”

After reading some of Dr. John Maxwell’s commentary and part of the book of Jonah, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that the messages from Jonah are what I am to write about this week for Your Daily Blessing. I then read 1 Corinthians 13 (the love chapter) and repented to God for not showing more love to those closest to me.

Prayer Power
Most gracious and merciful heavenly Father, I’ve gotten off track with my daily routine and some good habits I thought were firmly established. Gradually over time they have slipped away. Please forgive me. Thank You for you patience and mercy. I confess that I need your help getting back to some of the basics that I teach. Help me to set aside three times each day to pray like Daniel did. I love you. In Jesus name, Amen.

Blessings to choose to grow!

Blessing of the Day
“Abiding in the Vine” (Part I) – Bishop Lemuel F. Thuston