It was another wonderful week in the devotional “Settle My Soul” as we discussed seeing the areas of our lives which need to change.

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“Seek the Lord, all who are humble, and follow his commands. Seek to do what is right and to live humbly. Perhaps even yet the Lord will protect you – protect you from his anger on that day of destruction.” (Zephaniah 2:3, NLT)

This is quite a sobering verse to read as it warns us not to take sin lightly for there will a day of judgment will come.

God works in our lives, with our cooperation, to transform us and make us more like Him.

The Scripture reminds us to seek the Lord, obey His commands, pursue righteousness and acquire humility. We can do this by being in His Word and letting it do the necessary work in our hearts.

The study asks this thought provoking question: Is there an area of your life that needs an overhaul? If so, which of these actions from Zephaniah 2:3 do you need to do the most: seek the Lord, obey His commands, pursue righteousness, or acquire humility?

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“Fearing for their lives, the desperate soldiers shouted to their gods for help, and threw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship.” (Jonah 1:5, NLT)

Jonah – the man who made wrong choices and ran from God. Not only ran from Him but ran in the opposite direction.

In the midst of the storm, these sailors on board a ship with Jonah, shouted and prayed to their own gods for help to no avail.

It was through this storm, and upon discovering Jonah’s disobedience, they began to fear God instead. They turned from god to God.

People will watch when we go through the storms of life. Our choices and responses can become the lens through which they turn to God for themselves.

Are you facing a storm in life right now? In prayer, ask God to help you choose obedience in the midst of the turmoil and use your behavior to help others to revere and worship Him.

May we not run from Him but to Him and obey when the going gets difficult.

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“Peter had to stay outside the gate.” (John 18: 16, NLT)

Peter, who once was fearless now is fearful and hiding in the shadows.

The author asks, “What made Peter’s fearlessness fizzle?”

It’s the same thing that makes us become fearful and doubt – we fail to see that God is yet at work. To respond to His truth and stand firm in faith will require something from us.

“It happens when we throw wide open the doors of our hearts and let His words settle deeply into our souls.” (Karen Ehman, Settle My Soul, page 205)

Do you feel as if you are in some ways standing outside the door in your relationship with Christ? What is one practical step you can take today to help draw you closer to Him?

Maybe that practical step is just showing up here. It may be just reading one verse, or taking a few minutes to whisper a prayer.

Whatever that one step is for you today, I pray that you take it, and then may the Lord envelop you in His Presence and keep you close!

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As we let His Word settle deeply into our souls,
and overhaul areas of our lives which require change,
we can become the lens through which others see God.

Photo 1: by Barth Bailey on Unsplash
Photo 2: by Jan Tinneberg on Unsplash

Today I am joining … Tell His Story and Purposeful Faith and InstaEncouragements .