How To See God’s Hand In Your Life

Posted on March 19, 2025March 28, 2025 by jakirkgasser10439

How To See God’s Hand In Your Life

Intro

God plays an active role in your life, He is always working things for you. The more you can recognize His engagement with your life, the more personally you can relate and appreciate His presence. The more you embrace Him, the more you will see value to make Him Lord of your life. The more completely you yield and make Him Lord, the more He can help you become the person He intended when He put you here. Until you make Him first in your life you are vulnerable to temptations in this fallen world, and temptations lead to destruction. During my journaling, God made a point that even Cain could have avoided his demise if he was willing to put God first in his life. (from journaling with Jesus 3/12/25)

God’s presence is experienced in a very personal way. Sometimes it is bold and powerful, other times it is subtle and nuanced. Recognizing His hand in our lives can bring peace, purpose, and guidance as we grow in our walk of faith. In this post, we explore what it means to see God’s hand, why it’s essential to recognize it, and practical ways to discern His work over the course of your journey.

What Is God’s Hand?

God plays an active role in your life, He set you up for this life and He is always working things to help you learn and grow. God operates from the invisible spiritual realm, and His actions impact our spiritual journey and often manifest in our physical world. All the actions he takes to set you up and guide you through your life are considered actions of his hand. God’s hand can manifest in numerous ways, each personal and unique. Here are several ways God works in you life.

God Has Many Thoughts and Intentions For You:

You are far from a random occurrence. God thought long and hard about you. He designed you uniquely for a purpose.

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. Jeremiah 1:5

Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered. Psalm 40:5

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 139:16

God Formed You In The Womb:

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Psalm 139:13-15

God Has Plans For You:

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

God Guides Your Steps:

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9

God Teaches You:

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8

God Works In You:

For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

Fingerprints of God’s Hand / Clues of His Intentions

God works things from the invisible spiritual realm so you don’t directly see Him in action. He does leave fingerprints on His actions in your life. Sometimes you can detect His action in your life if you pause, reflect, tune in and look for them:

Gifts:

The skills or talents, and interests or passions you possess are divine gifts. The skills that come naturally to you are tools for you to be productive and useful in the world. The interests and passions you have are there to set you in a direction. Both of these come in seed form. If you nurture them, God’s gifts will develop, mature, blossom and bear fruit in your life. Whether you’re musically inclined, gifted in art, or have a knack for mathematics, fixing mechanical things, or leadership, these abilities are clues about God’s intentions for you.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights. James 1:17

Inner Calling:

That persistent inner voice urging you toward a particular vocation, ministry, or life path is God’s hint about the path He has in front of you. These callings may direct you to serve others, change your career, or step into a new relationship.

For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Philippians 2:13

Significant Events and People:

Look for patterns or key moments in your life; unexpected meetings, turning points, or even seemingly random acts of kindness. These are God’s way of opening doors to experiences or guiding you to someone who will impact your journey.

God works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Challenges or Trials:

Difficult circumstances shape your inner character, if you try to endure them alone you will discover your limitations, if you choose to partner with God, you will draw closer to Him. Through trials, God exposes your limitations, refines your heart, teaches perseverance and deepens your trust in Him.

Suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and that this hope will not disappoint us because God’s love has been poured into our hearts. Romans 5:3-5

Inner Convictions and Voices:

The conscience or “voice in your mind” that convicts you when you stray from the truth is another way God communicates. This inner prompt helps keep you aligned with His will and encourages repentance when needed.

And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment. John 16:8

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26

Revelation From Nature and Creation:

When you find yourself in awe of a sunset, the intricate beauty of a flower, or the majesty of a starry night, you are experiencing God’s handiwork. Nature speaks to our soul, reminding us of the Creator’s power and love.

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Psalm 19:1

Answered Prayers:

God answers prayers when they are aligned with His will and spoken in faith. If you can recognize God’s supernatural interventions in your life, it opens the door to faith in even more challenging times.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.1 John 5:14

Supernatural Inflow:

Vivid dreams and visions, or moments of sudden clarity are signs of His guidance. Even in everyday occurrences, God’s hand is guiding your steps.

And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. Acts 2:17

Why Take The Time to Identify God’s Hand In Your Life?

You are an eternal soul living in a temporary earthly body. You are here to develop your inner character which will serve as a foundation for an eternal life in the heavens.

It is important to notice God’s hand in your life so that you can deepen your relationship with Him, align with His intentions, gain the benefits in this life and the next, and avoid unnecessary consequences.

Foundation of Faith:

Recognizing that God is actively involved in your life reinforces your faith. When you see His influence in both joyous moments and challenges, you are reminded that you are not walking alone.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

Divine Protection and Blessings:

When you make God the center of your life, you are covered by His protection and blessings.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Psalm 91:1-2

“all things work together for good to those who love God”. Romans 8:28

Openness to Guidance:

Acknowledging God’s hand makes you more receptive to His ongoing input. As you learn to recognize His signs, you become better equipped to make decisions that honor His will, reducing the impact of temptations and negative influences, and releasing your full potential.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:10

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:10

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 16:25

Strength in Adversity:

Even in difficult times, knowing that God is at work can encourage perseverance. When life’s storms come, trusting in His plan provides hope and the courage to move forward.

How To Discern God’s Hand In Your Life:

We live in a natural world where many things appear to be random. You can often discern something that God is doing when you step back and notice a non–random activity

Practical steps can help you open your eyes to see God’s activity in your life:

Reflection and Meditation:

Dedicate time to quiet reflection and prayer. Meditation on scripture and silence in nature can open your heart to His presence.

Ask God for eyes to see—“Lord, give me eyes to see Your hand at work in my life.”

Prayer Log:

Maintain a prayer log. Write down your prayers and revisit them to see how God has answered over time. This not only strengthens your faith but also provides a personal record of God’s faithfulness.

Journaling:

Start journal where you record significant events, your thoughts, significant lessons you are learning. Over time, you will notice patterns that reveal His hand at work in your life.

Interactive Journaling

As part of your journaling activity, conduct two-way dialog with God. Quiet yourself, Set your mental focus on Jesus, Ask Him Questions, Listen carefully, and write down his reply. Once you get His input, test it to ensure it is from Him. As you become proficient in this dialog, you can gain wonderful insights on His perspective of situations you face. See my Blog post for more detailed instructions or contact me for a coaching session. < Link to How To Hear God’s Voice>

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God… James 1:5

Community and Accountability:

Sharing your experiences with trusted friends or a faith community can help you discern God’s work. They might see connections and blessings in your life that you overlook.

Learn More About God:

The Bible is filled with examples of how God communicates with His people and how He works in their lives. As you immerse yourself in scripture, you’ll learn to recognize His voice and His hand more clearly in your life.

Call to Action:

Take the time to reflect, Identify God’s hand in your life, declare it, and find a way to share it.

Take Note: Use this word document as a worksheet to work through and capture the various ways God is working in your life. <Worksheet>
Declare It: Fill in the blanks in the prayer below ( ast page of worksheet) to recognize and declare how God has worked in your life
Share It: Find a least one avenue to share the key aspects of your spiritual journey.

Declaration:

“Lord Jesus, Thank You for your hand in my life, I see evidence of your hand in so many places in my life.
Lord, you have worked in my life in so many ways:

- You formed me in the womb and put me here for such a time as this. This has been a very special time because…..
- You have given me Gifts in the form of Talents and Skills.
  - I am good at… .
  - Certain things come easily for me, including…..
  - I now see I can be helpful and useful to others by… .
- You presented opportunities to develop my skills.
  - I developed my skills by… .
  - I put them to practical use while I…
- You gave me passions and interests to guide me.
  - I really enjoy doing…
  - I feel great satisfaction when I…
- You gave me a deep Calling. I feel compelled to work on <this problem/opportunity>.
- You facilitated many remarkable events which shaped my life.
  - My life was changed when <this? happened. It helped me <Experience, Learn, Discover, Practice Something?>
- You brought special people into my life.
  - My life was influenced by my experiences with <this person>.
  - They helped me by < teaching, showing, supporting, challenging>
- You have been doing a work in me, molding me, shaping me, changing me.
  - Early in my life I was <somehow less mature>
  - Now I am <eyes opened, more mature>….
  - The key part of this change was <events? experience?, learnings?>
- You continue to convict me and teach me.
  - You helped me recognize when I was missing the mark when I was <thinking, saying or doing something not so great>.
  - You lead me to the truth so I could be a better person when you showed me <improved thoughts/words/behaviors> which helped me <be more helpful>.
- You have helped me hear Your voice and learn to follow.
  - I first heard your voice when <something happened>.
  - I now routinely hear your voice when I <get to a quiet place? Ask/listen?, pray? Journal?>
- You continue to present opportunities for me to serve others and be useful.
  - I found folks in need when I <look in certain directions or do what activities>.
  - I am able to help them by <doing what?>
  - You set me up for this work by <what prior learning or shaping prepared you>

Lord, I am grateful that you love me and care so much about me and my journey. You ARE with me, and the more I can align with You, the more You can work in me and work through me. This is all a journey to mold me for my eternal good, to provide good for the kingdom, and to bring you glory. Thank you for being with me and helping me on this journey. I speak this in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Conclusion

By embracing these practices and reflecting on these truths, you can open your heart to see the many ways in which God’s hand is at work in your life. Whether through the beauty of nature, the guidance of scripture, the significant events in your life, His subtle voice speaking and leading you in the right direction, or the supportive voices around you, His presence is ever near—guiding, protecting, and blessing you. The more you can appreciate His hand in your life, the more you can trust Him on your journey. The more you trust Him, the more He can help you become the person He intended when He put you here.

References:

Here is my bible study session on this topic <Link to Video> Here is the presentation from that session <Link to PDF>

Here is a link to the worksheet to help you identify God’s hand <Worksheet>

Be Led By The Spirit

Posted on December 7, 2024March 27, 2025 by jakirkgasser10439

Be Led By The Spirit

We are called to be lead by the spirit

The mature Christian life is characterized by dependence on the Holy Spirit, a divine Helper who guides believers into truth and empowers them to live in alignment with God’s will. “Being led by the Spirit” is a central theme of the Bible and provides believers with direction, wisdom, and strength for daily living. This post explores the identity and role of the Spirit, the importance of being Spirit-led, how to follow His guidance, and how this differs from being led by other influences.

What Is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the third part of the Trinity—co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father and Jesus the Son. It is the active outpouring from God the Father , Through Jeus the Son, that engages and influences each of us with Love and Truth.

Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as an “Advocate” or “Helper” who will dwell with believers forever (John 14:16–17).

The Holy Spirit plays several crucial roles.

Convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgement (John 16:8)

Testifies of salvation and identity as a child of God. (John 8:16)

Indwells, washes, and regenerates (Titus 3:5; 1 Corinthians 6:19)

Illuminates scripture, reveals Jesus, and guides us into all truth (John 16:13–14)

Transforms and empowers believers to live holy and fruitful lives (Galatians 5:22–23).

(love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control)

Prays for believers according to God’s will, even when they don’t know how to pray properly. (Romans 8:26)

Unites believers to the Father Through Christ, allowing a personal relationship

What does it mean to be led by the Spirit

To be “led by the Spirit” means to live under the influence, guidance, and control of the Holy Spirit in every aspect of life. This involves yielding to the Spirit’s direction rather than following our own desires, worldly influences, or the sinful nature (“flesh”).

The concept is deeply spiritual and practical, enabling believers to align their thoughts, actions, and decisions with God’s will.

Submitting to God’s Guidance

Being led by the Spirit is a mark of belonging to God and involves seeking His guidance in prayer, through Scripture, and in everyday decisions. It reflects a posture of surrender to God’s wisdom and authority.

Walking in the Spirit’s Power

To be led by the Spirit is to actively live in a way that resists sinful impulses and reflects the fruit of the Spirit.

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).

“The fruit of the spirit includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23).

Receiving Wisdom and Truth

The Holy Spirit guides followers into all truth:

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13).

This includes understanding God’s Word, discerning His will, and applying biblical principles to life’s circumstances. The Spirit’s guidance brings clarity where human wisdom fails.

Being Directed in Purpose and Mission

The Holy Spirit leads believers in fulfilling God’s purposes. For example, in Acts 13:2, the Spirit directed the early church, saying, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” This highlights the Spirit’s role in guiding believers toward their God-given callings and ministries.

Living with Peace and Assurance

The Spirit’s leadership brings peace and confidence in decision-making. Colossians 3:15 states, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,” which aligns with the Spirit’s work of providing inner confirmation of God’s will. His presence assures believers of their adoption into God’s family (Romans 8:16).

Why Should We Be Led by the Spirit?

Being led by the Spirit is essential for several reasons:

To Fulfill God’s Will: The Holy Spirit reveals God’s purposes and directs us toward living in alignment with His plans. Romans 8:14 says, “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” Being Spirit-led is evidence of our identity as God’s children.
To Overcome the Flesh: The sinful nature, or “flesh,” is at constant war with the Spirit. Paul writes, “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). The Spirit enables believers to resist temptation and live righteously.
For Spiritual Growth: The Spirit transforms believers into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). This ongoing process, known as sanctification, requires yielding to His leadership.
For Guidance and Wisdom: The Spirit gives divine insight that surpasses human understanding. Proverbs 3:5–6 reminds us to trust in the Lord and not rely on our own understanding, and the Spirit plays a vital role in illuminating God’s wisdom.

How Is Being Led by the Spirit Different?

Being led by the Spirit stands in stark contrast to being led by worldly influences, human wisdom, or personal desires:

The Spirit vs. The Flesh: The flesh seeks self-gratification, while the Spirit produces selflessness and obedience to God (Galatians 5:17). Decisions led by the flesh often result in sin and separation from God, while Spirit-led choices produce peace and righteousness.
The Spirit vs. The World: The world encourages conformity to cultural norms and materialism, whereas the Spirit transforms believers by renewing their minds (Romans 12:2). Worldly leadership focuses on external success, while the Spirit prioritizes eternal values.
The Spirit vs. Emotions: Emotions can be fleeting and unreliable, but the Spirit offers consistent, God-centered guidance. Proverbs 28:26 warns, “Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.”
The Spirit vs. Human Wisdom: Human reasoning has limitations, but the Spirit reveals truths that are beyond human comprehension (1 Corinthians 2:10–11). Spirit-led decisions align with God’s infinite knowledge and ultimate purposes.

How Do We Be Led by the Spirit?

Being led by the Spirit requires intentionality and spiritual discipline:

Prayer and Dependence: Believers must seek the Spirit’s guidance through consistent prayer, asking for wisdom and discernment. James 1:5 assures us that God generously gives wisdom to those who ask.
Studying Scripture: The Spirit works in conjunction with God’s Word, illuminating its truths and applying them to our lives (John 14:26). Regular meditation on Scripture allows the Spirit to guide our decisions and actions.
Obedience: To be led by the Spirit, we must be willing to obey His promptings, even when they challenge our desires or comfort zones. Acts 8:29–30 illustrates Philip’s obedience to the Spirit’s call, leading to a divine encounter.
Sensitivity and Quietness: The Spirit often speaks in gentle, subtle ways (1 Kings 19:12). Cultivating a quiet heart through practices like solitude and fasting enhances our sensitivity to His voice.
Community and Counsel: The Spirit often leads through the counsel of godly mentors and the encouragement of the church. Proverbs 11:14 highlights the value of wise counsel in making decisions.

Conclusion

Being led by the Spirit is a foundational aspect of the Christian life. The Holy Spirit, as our divine Helper, guides us in truth, empowers us to resist sin, and transforms us into Christ’s likeness. To follow His leading, believers must cultivate prayer, immerse themselves in Scripture, practice obedience, and remain sensitive to His voice. Unlike the fleeting guidance of emotions, the deceptive allure of the world, or the limitations of human wisdom, the Spirit provides eternal, God-centered direction. As we yield to the Spirit, we live out our calling as children of God and experience the abundant life He promises. “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25).

Additional References

John Bevere – How To Be Led By The Holy Spirit <video>

Kirkgasser Bible Study Presentation and Discussion

How do You Fill The God Shaped Hole In Your Soul

Posted on February 1, 2023 by jakirkgasser10439

How Are You Filling The God Shaped Hole In Your Soul?

Have you discovered the “God shaped hole” in your sole?

You may not realize it, but we are each connected to God deep in our soul; His Love is wired directly into a repository in our hearts. He plants that connection in us before we are born and it remains for eternity whether we notice it or not.

We can feel this connection resonate inside us as a warm feeling when we observe someone doing a selfless act; Like a fireman running into a burning building to save someone. We can feel it when we are deeply moved by a love story playing out in a movie or we hear a wonderful piece of music. We can feel it when we experience a sense of awe as we admire the milky way spread across a dark sky, or feel the tranquil beauty of a sunrise or sunset, or the calm and peaceful feeling as we watch a waterfall or the waves on the ocean or the flow of a babbling brook, or the ripples spreading on a quiet pond.

Many folks do not recognize this connection. The activities of daily life tend to keep our focus on other things, urgent things, earthly things – What do I need to do today? Where do I need to go? What do I need to wear? What am I going to eat? Who am I going to see? What do they think of me?

How do you choose to fill the God Shaped Hole?

The God Shaped Hole in your soul yearns to be filled. If you choose not to fill it with God, you will fill it with something else. Some folks completely emmerse themselves in work and try to seek fulfillment there. Some try to fill this hole with things; money, fancy cars, houses, collectibles, etc. Some folks try to filll it with hedonistic persuits…pleasure and excesses in this life. Some try to fill it through building personal power, using and abusing people for thier benefit. Some try to hide from it and excape it through alchohola and drugs. Many eventually come to realize none of these approaches can fill this God Shaped Hole. Sadly, they only figure it out after they have caused severe distress for themselves and those around them. This is recoverable if you discover it and change course in time, but the longer you wait the more of a mess you are making. The really big problem is if you never figure it out and change course; You are stuck with what ever you have put in your God shaped hole for eterntiy; Eternity without God will not be pretty. You have free will to choose, but your choices have consequences.

If you do not yet have God filling your God shaped hole, there is no time like the present. Some folks find it useful to acknowledge thier God Shaped Hole, your connection to God. Pause for a moment and push all of these earthly distractions aside. Take time to look outside of yourself, notice the beauty of world all around you: The sky, the landscape, the water, the plants, the animals, the people. Take a deep breath and reflect on it. Tune to the feelings deep in your heart. your inner most feelings. Let yourself be moved to a place of appreciation for the beauty that is all around you, and you will begin ot sense this connection.

Once you have found the connection, we can tune in to it. Find a quiet peaceful place, sit comfortably, close your eyes, quiet your conscious brain, allow yourself to drift to that place where you appreciated the beauty around you, reflect deeply in your heart. Ask why am I here? What is my purpose? You will sense that you are part of something bigger than yourself, You will find your heart longs to be closer to something outside of you, something transcendent. God has planted eternity in your heart; If you took this exercise seriously, you will have just found the God Shaped Hole in your soul.

Recognizing that you are connected to eternity can go a long way towards opening your mind to being willing to acknowledge and then explore the spiritual side of life and fill that God Shaped Hole in your soul with God.

Have a great day!

——————————————————————

Supporitng Scripture

You have a God shaped hole planted in you

“… He has put eternity in their hearts….” Ecclesiastes 3:11

You must take the inititvie in order to find him

“… seek, and you will find…” Matthew 7:7

God knows your heart, and you will eventually get what you deserve

“I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind,
Even to give to each man according to his ways,
According to the results of his deeds.” Jeremiah 17:10.

You need to seek Him, find Him, and serve Him with all your heart….or there are consequences

“…know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.” 1 Chronicles 28:9

Who do you love more God, or yourself?

Posted on January 17, 2021March 27, 2025 by jakirkgasser10439

Who do you love more: God? or Yourself? It does really matter

Thought for the day: Who do you love more God, or yourself? It really does matter.

I have come to appreciate that we each have 4 main types of love competing inside us: Love of Yourself, Love of the World, Love of God, and Love of our neighbor. The sooner we get them sorted out and into the right priority order, the better for ourselves and those around us.

Love of yourself is your self-centered focus on “ME”: what I look like, what I can do, what I have accomplished, what others think of me, how I compare to them. You need a level of self-awareness and self-confidence to function effectively, but If this love is driving your life, you end up focused on doing things to make yourself look good compared to others, at least in your own mind.

Love of the world is focused on your experience in this earthly world: physical pleasures, amassing wealth, collecting fancy possessions, etc.. If this love is driving your life, you end up with a bunch of “stuff” you can’t take with you when you die, or running the rat race to get ahead or stay ahead, often at the expense of others.

Love of God is recognizing His love and His truth, Recognizing His Creation, The Bible, His son, The gospel (The Fall, His virgin birth, sinless life, innocent death, resurrection, ascension, redemption, and salvation). You commit to live your life worthy of the price He paid for it; Looking forward to Him telling you He is proud of you when your time comes to stand before Him.

Love of your neighbor is treating everyone in the world with love and respect. Because God loves you, and you love God, you love all his children; You see them as His creations struggling to live in a fallen world, and you help them in any way you can with your gifts and resources.

As an exercise, go through an inventory of what you do during your typical day/week and ask yourself why you really do those things. If answers comes back “for Me” rather than “for God” then challenge yourself. For each “for ME” item, can you connect it to something useful you are doing for God and His kingdom? Ex: I am exercising 3x per week. Why? Is it so I look really good? Or is it so I am fit enough to continue doing things for others. If you can’t connect the dots to God with each of your activities, you have some opportunities to improve. There is a big difference in the root of our motivation if you can connect the dots, and it all starts in how you think; Change your thinking and you will change your being.

My prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me and never giving up on me. I thank you for sending us the Word, first in written form, and then in the flesh. I Thank you for releasing the Holy Spirit as a teacher and guide. I thank you for helping me understand our self-centered human nature and your intention for us to transform by renewing our minds. I thank you for helping me sort out my life; I love you, and I am committed to living a life worthy of the price Jesus paid. I thank you for continuing to help me root out any selfish self-centered agendas that are still at work. It is my intention for your love to flow through me to others unimpeded by any selfish agendas. I pray all your children develop eyes to see things from your higher perspective, may they develop ears to hear your word and learn to apply it to their lives and their specific situations, may they develop hearts receptive to your love and to seeing all others as your creations worthy of their respect and love. May they get their loves into the proper order so that You and Your kingdom of first, as you commanded. I ask this in Jesus’ Holy name. AMEN

Supporting scripture

The greatest commandments are to Love the Lord and our neighbors above all

“’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37-39)

To do that we need to get our own self-interest out of the way

“For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” (Galatians 6:3)

^“For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” (James 3:16)

“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24 )

“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4)

We need to focus on Him and His Kingdom rather than the things of this world.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

“For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.” (1 John 2:16)

We are to live a life worthy of the price He paid

You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men (or this world).(1 Corinthians 7:23)

“I beseech you therefore… present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.(Romans 12:1)

Transform by the renewal of your mind:

“…do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”(Romans 12:2)

The ultimate goal is to get your “ME” out of the way and let Christ and His love live through you

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Hope this helps