Living at the Growing Edge

Scripture – 2 Timothy 4:16-18: ¹⁶At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. ¹⁷But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. ¹⁸The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) Faith is strengthened as it is exercised. And it is exercised only as I take a chance. At least, that’s how it feels to me. Living by faith means I move forward without really seeing where I will end up. Sometimes I don’t see where the next step will take me. Yet I have this history: the Lord has stood at my side in the past and He has given me strength. So I believe He will rescue me in the future.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) It would seem like the more I practice faith, the easier it would get. In many ways that’s true. At the same time, life on the growing edge is always a bit scary. I will take a new step today. I will live as though God will provide as I move a little deeper in trusting Him.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord, I don’t know what that step might be today. Give me the nerve to take it whenever it comes. I’m sorry for the times I resist you. Help me release more control and trust to you this day.

An Invitation – If you’re interested in a face to face discussion about what we’ve been discovering in the Mini-Journal, a small group will be meeting this Sunday morning, 9:45 – 10:30am, at the Southgate Fun and Fitness Center (on Northline near I-75). Look for them around one of the tables in the Café area.

Reading for Sunday, September 2, 2007:

2 Timothy 4:19-22: ¹⁹Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. ²⁰Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. ²¹Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers. ²²The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.