PRAY IT! Boy King

Chocolate pudding... or canned dog food?  There's a lot riding on this decision.

This past Sunday at church, a team of brothers and sisters bravely competed in a game of BeanBoozled, with each sibling picking between identical looking Jelly Belly jelly beans that were anything but... ultimately leading to a potentially tasty outcome for one participant, and a date with a trash can for the other.  (Shout out to Kevin and Sara, Jake and Sarah, Adam and Jillian, and Zac and Lydia!)

Juicy Pear... or booger?  There's a lot riding on this decision.

As we continued our exploration of Josiah, the boy-king who experienced the grace of God, we learned about his discovery of the Book of the Law in the temple.  Upon discovering God's Word, Josiah changed his behavior, and had concern not only for himself, but for his community... all of Judah.  And he didn't seem to dilly-dally.

Licorice... or skunk spray?  There's a lot riding on this decision.

Do you remember a time when you were first delving into your relationship with God, reading your Bible perhaps, and it really felt like you were discovering Him?  Maybe God's Word was convicting, as it was for Josiah, but in a "good way" because the changes that had to come about would ultimately provide healing and restoration.  God's Word brought Josiah to heartfelt change.  God and His Word can do the same for us.

Lime... or lawn clippings?  There's a lot riding on this decision.

With God's saving grace, we can make fruitful and healthy decisions and changes, just like Josiah.  We can taste caramel corn instead of moldy cheese.

There's a lot riding on our spiritual decisions - these decisions impact not only us, but our family, friends, neighbors, community...

Berry Blue... or baby wipes? 

The decision to enter and remain in God's presence... to read our Bibles... to pray and talk with God... are important spiritual decisions.  They are foundational and yet often easily neglected when life gets busy.  Or easy.  Or difficult.  Or distracting.

The story of Josiah can impact our prayer life in a call to decide to pray.  And a call to decide to read our Bibles.  (As I've mentioned before, they go so well together!)  Josiah could have ignored God's Word and carried on with life as it were.  He did not. 

In a game with jelly beans, it is really easy to see that there is a clear choice... a clear preference... a clear desired outcome.  Who would pick to taste barf instead of peach?!  It would be BEYOND RIDICULOUS to say, "Yes please, pass me the barf-flavored candy... YUM!!!"  Yet, in real-life, we (and the people we know and love) can often appear satisfied with the "barf-flavored" things in our life. 

God. Has. Something. Better.

God. Is. Not. Satisfied. With. The. Vomit. Jelly. Bean.

We. Should. Not. Be. Either.

Let's prayerfully and intentionally draw near to God and experience the good things He has for us.  Anything less is ridiculous!!! 

There's a lot riding on our simple decision to spend time with God.

Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 

Dear God,
Please draw me closer to You and to Your Word than ever before.  Please give me a desperation to spend time with You and be transformed by You.  Please help me to be aware that there is a lot riding on my spiritual decisions - You want to transform me, and use me to help in the growth and blessing of others.  Please help me to choose intentional time with You.  Please help me to believe You have something better for me, even if I cannot quite imagine what that is.
Amen.

Join us tonight, at 7pm, at our PoC Prayer Service, where we will focus our prayers on healing and restoration, and will also be praying for our PoC Focus Retreat participants.

Blessings,
Pastor Celia