As I’ve taken time to really reflect in my leisurely time I’ve taken notice that I don’t engage or speak often to God. Not just prayer alone but even as speaking to a friend. So, I’d like to be more intentional about praying & speaking to God in all that I do- especially if I am making tough decisions throughout my day. I mean we’re literally going over how we can be more devoted to the Lord in our own lives and my personal life doesn’t show it! I’m not being hard on myself but I am definitely feeling the conviction to be more social with God.

Get well!

The Parable of the seed explained I noticed 3 things that stood out that best describes how people can be 1 of 3 people that receive the word; 1 being the person that receives on the rock with great joy but wash away and fade quickly once met with troubled times, the 2nd is a person that receives the seed (word of God) amongst thorns (shallow pursuits) and the seed is choked and disregarded amongst worldly things, the 3rd is a person who receives it well in good soil and and honest heart that they hold dear the word of God and produce fruit by it. *Mic drop*

1) Multiple Cause & Effect statements made by Paul 2) Many commands from Paul 3) “Brothers and sisters…” addressing many 4) There is a list of characteristics explained to have God alongside you 5) The paragraph as a whole is a list of what to-do in order to receive peace 1. “The Lord is near…” is he speaking about the Holy Spirit? 2. Whom does these commands serve? Just who he’s addressing or us? 3. How can we apply this in modern times? 4. What is Noble in this day and age? 5. What Timeline was this written? Does it translate to the world today based on its context?

@Alexis Henry Yes! The deeper you get to know Christ the more difficult following him becomes because your altering a life that was already set by the world for yourself. It's like changing an entire reality and realizing that a lot of what you did before goes against what God has wanted for us. He know what's best and little by litte those struggles you have seem to turn out small later on for a more grand life.

"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account." (Matt. 5:11) Due to the fact that I have deep fear and anxiousness for even making the decision of attending S.O.M. I have family that would question me, judge me for how "impractical" this decision is. My Dad, of all people, whom I haven't even mentioned all of this to yet! I'm just not feeling ready. I'm praying hard on this- to try and break away from needing the opinions of others that's what makes this verse hard to apply in my life. I loathe the days when I have to explain myself to people who don't understand or know what it takes to following Christ.