judges 10

¹⁵ The People of Israel said to God: "We've sinned. Do to us whatever you think best, but please, get us out of this!"

¹⁶ Then they cleaned house of the foreign gods and worshiped only God. And God took Israel's troubles to heart.

(ever said a prayer like this? they didn't just pray, they put prayer in action and cleaned house. then God took their troubles to heart.)

yet to receive

Joshua 18

The Shiloh Survey

^{1 -2} Then the entire congregation of the People of Israel got together at Shiloh. They put up the Tent of Meeting. The land was under their control but there were still seven Israelite tribes who had yet to receive their inheritance.

^{3 -5} Joshua addressed the People of Israel: "How long are you going to sit around on your hands, putting off taking possession of the land that God, the God of your ancestors, has given you?

motives

God sees your tears and hears the beat and motives of your heart.

open door

Standing before an open door never resulted in a single changed life. Walking through an open door has changed the lives of millions. Are you willing to walk through it? (from Charles Stanley's Pathway to His Presence)

1Cor. 16:9 For a great and effective door has opened to me and there are many adversaries.

joel 2

Joel 2:¹² But there's also this, it's not too late—
God's personal Message!— "Come back to me and really mean it!
Come fasting and weeping, sorry for your sins!"

^{13 -14}Change your life, not just your clothes.
Come back to God, your God. And here's why: God is kind and merciful.
He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot, This most patient God, extravagant in love,
always ready to cancel catastrophe. Who knows? Maybe he'll do it now,
maybe he'll turn around and show pity. Maybe, when all's said and done,
there'll be blessings full and robust for your God!"

fresh heart

2 Thes. 2: ^{15 -17}

So, friends, take a firm stand, feet on the ground and head high. Keep a tight grip on what you were taught, whether in personal conversation or by our letter. May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech.

turning your life around

^{Isaiah 58:6 -9}

"This is the kind of fast day I'm after:
to break the chains of injustice,
get rid of exploitation in the workplace,
free the oppressed,
cancel debts. What I'm interested in seeing you do is:
sharing your food with the hungry,
inviting the homeless poor into your homes,
putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,
being available to your own families. Do this and the lights will turn on,
and your lives will turn around at once. Your righteousness will pave your way.
The God of glory will secure your passage. Then when you pray, God will answer.
You'll call out for help and I'll say, 'Here I am.'