denisejones

Do you have any residual disappointment from the holidays? The person who wasn't there? The painful conversation? The person who never called? I found myself dealing with lingering disappointment. In an honest conversation, this is how I process it with Jesus.

Often people will ask, "What do you do during your quiet time?" or "What devotional are you reading?" So, at the beginning of this new year, I thought it might be helpful to share a few things that help me engage the heart of God in my early morning quiet time. I hope it encourages you.

As we begin a new year, Monday Musings will have a new scaled-down version of our honest conversations. No production. Just you and me in a Monday morning conversation wherever I may be. I pray our times are just as treasured as they have been through all these many years. Also, remember, social media tends to give us no guarantees as to when they will change things up on us yet again. So to get these each Monday without question, you can subscribe on our site to receive them directly to your email inbox. Now to all God will reveal this coming year we move forward in joy. I believe He has much MORE than we’ve ever encountered!

Jesus breaks it all down to us in these final words of the Sermon on the Mount.

It’s all in how you build whether you’ll be standing after the storms of this life. See, storms are guaranteed. Scripture says it rains on the just and the unjust alike. But very different results are available based on how we build. Let’s end where we began in this year of building stormproof.

God knows how to give good gifts. That’s why Jesus teaches us to ask, to seek, and to knock, and trust the heart of your Father.

Jesus is going even farther this week. He is all up in our stuff. But, He is always about our protection. Sometimes in building a stormproof life, we might actually have to be extreme in the way we build.

It really is the little things in building a stormproof life. Adultery doesn’t start with an action, but a thought. Just like murder begins in the heart. But both can destroy a home quickly.

We can’t always mend all relationships. Yet that is so rare and has become something often used as an excuse for healing in this day and age. But to live stormproof we have to live contrary to how we feel. It is our responsibility to keep our hearts open to the possibility of having broken relationships mended.

Relationships are hard. Messy. Jesus knew that. His were, too. So, He gives us directives to keep our hearts aware when challenges arise in our relationships. What may He be asking of you on this Monday morning?

When Jesus showed up, boy He just stirred up all kinds of things. Life went from our actions to our heart. In light of that, we might be surprised at how that changes things for us, too. God expects us to live a different way.

Are you aware of the most clear and present danger to your heart, your family, our nation, or this world? Today, we will discover what that is.

I’ve realized my body is fading fast. Things are wearing out that I thought would still be around for a few more years. But there is one thing that no matter what happens to us or this world, it is as sure as can be. And I’m so grateful to know this is true.

I’ve learned through the years at our Weekend Experiences, that the number one thing people comment on is mine and Philly’s willingness to be vulnerable. That it gave them the freedom to do the same. That is what light does. It attracts. Let’s consider this. On this Monday morning.

My former pastor, Rice Broocks used to say the most sobering moment at the bar was when all the lights came up and people finally found out who they’d actually been dancing with all night. The only way darkness ever wins is if the light goes into hiding.

We spend most of our life believing that we are here because of the job we have or the money we can accrue or at times even the family we raised. But is that why we are really here?

In a world desperate for what heaven has to offer, it seems some of us are unwilling to make people uncomfortable. But, the Gospel of Jesus can be offensive to the flesh of our souls. Maybe a little more heavenly mindset is what we actually need.

We are seeing persecution against believers growing in nations where we've never seen it before. Jesus knew it would grow. He told His followers two thousand years ago. Yet He said those who are persecuted are blessed. Only Jesus can make that happen!

Some people see God in their lives and circumstances more than others. This week we will talk about who those people are. Are you one?

Everyone wants the people in their life to be merciful even when we aren’t always. This week we’re going to talk about the blessing that comes with being someone of mercy. Oh, it’s going to be good!