{"id":13786,"date":"2018-07-09T09:11:04","date_gmt":"2018-07-09T14:11:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/?p=13786"},"modified":"2018-07-19T11:57:32","modified_gmt":"2018-07-19T16:57:32","slug":"13786","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/copy\/13786\/","title":{"rendered":"Bible Moment: Trust & Obedience"},"content":{"rendered":"

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

(Proverbs 3: 5-6 NKJV)<\/p>\n

Take a Moment to Ponder<\/h3>\n

\"\"Trust is central to human nature. It is a deep faith bestowed in someone. Christians do not have a relationship with God, we have a covenant. The words \u2018with all your hear<\/em>t\u2019 show the expected depth of trust this covenant is grounded on. Trust and obedience are inextricably linked. We are instructed not to rely on our own understanding but rather to recognise God\u2019s will.  Our own understanding is susceptible to temptation, sin and willfulness that provide opportunities for us to be led astray.<\/p>\n

The second part of the instruction \u2018In all your ways acknowledge Him<\/em>\u2019 is particularly relevant in this Diocesan biennium of Intentional Discipleship where we are reminded that \u2018Discipleship is the shape and purpose of our whole lives<\/strong>\u2019. We are to exhibit living signs of the love that comes to us as set-apart people. A love that heals all wounds and bridges all divisions. We are to live in the overflow just as Jesus, who filled with God\u2019s love, emanated power and authority. Like Jesus, we will accept God\u2019s will and the paths he sets before us.<\/p>\n

It is a process; we open our hearts in trust, we empty them to receive God\u2019s will and then live all aspects of our lives as evidence of this transforming relationship of surrender to the ultimate guidance of Abba Father.<\/p>\n

Practical Action<\/h3>\n
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  1. Set aside quiet reflective time away from the distractions of daily life to be still and empty your mind and heart to discern God\u2019s will and plan for your life.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Use an image or meditation piece of music to help direct your focus. It gets easier with practice to create this space and time for quiet reflection.  This is not Bible study or devotion time. This is silent time to create space for God to enter your life.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Pray earnestly for the ability to trust God wholeheartedly and surrender to his will.<\/li>\n
    2. Make a conscious decision to have all areas of your life reflect the living signs of Christ-like love.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      A Moment in Prayer<\/h3>\n

      Lord I come to you in stillness to hear your voice and be guided by your will. Help me to trust that as Abba Father you know best and guide me to do that which accords only to your will so that my life is lived completely in honour of you and your love. Amen.<\/p>\n

      Contributed by Sister Thera Edwards<\/em><\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n