Welcome to THRIVE! God IS at Work in You!
 It’s hard to believe the summer is over, kids are heading back to school, and fall is around the corner. I always feel like shouting, Stop! Stop! I still want to enjoy the sun, fresh berries, corn on the cob, flowers on the patio, and a sense of “It’s vacation time!” But, of course, life moves on—and who knows what fulfilling, stretching, wonderful times lie just ahead—especially as we grow in our knowledge of God and learn to trust Him based on that knowledge.
Regularly feeding on Scripture and allowing it to challenge us is key to a confident life in Christ. As I read these Scriptures this morning, I was thrilled by the reminder that God’s power within us can accomplish so much for His glory. Take a moment and savor these incredible life-transforming words:
- It is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose (Phil. 2:13)
- To Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that IS at work within us (Eph. 3:20)
- I no longer live, but Christ lives within me (Gal. 2:20)
- I labor, struggling with all His energy which so powerfully works in me (Col.1:29)
God is at work in you. He wants to see you and me constantly moving toward being more like Jesus in how we live, our motives, and our attitudes. To do this doesn’t happen by magic, or without our cooperation.
In this month’s Espresso for Your Soul, I want to share some marks of a transformed Christian that I came across in a challenging article by Gordon McDonald in Leadership Journal. Click here if you would like to read it all.
Check out CHOOSE TO GROW for several links that will help you do just that.
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McDonald writes that a Christian who is being transformed…
- Has an undiluted devotion to Jesus . I agree with him that the word devotion says so much more than love for Jesus. Following Jesus requires a much stronger commitment than an often sentimental claim to love Him. Devotion implies a dedication, no matter the cost, to following Jesus.
- Pursues a biblically informed view of the world . It’s easy for all of us to coast along with our previous knowledge of the Word. But, as a devoted follower, we will keep reading, studying, taking in what deepens our understanding of who God is and how He wants us to view the situations in our world. We will allow His Word to change how we view our world.
- Is intentional and disciplined in seeking God’s direction in life . God expects responsive obedience from us if we claim to be followers of Jesus. If His Spirit is calling you to a greater Christian maturity, it takes discipline to turn from the ways we might waste our time in order to spend time seeking to know Him more deeply. Being spiritually passive is not an option if we want to experience His transforming power in us.
- Worships, and has a willing spirit of continuous repentance. Our differing temperaments lead each of us to worship in different forms. But whatever form our worship takes, when we truly see who God is, like Isaiah we also see ourselves and do not find it difficult to repent of our sins.
- Builds healthy, reciprocal human relationships. He is faithful to friends, and (if married) affectionate, attentive, and servant-like to a spouse, and (if a parent) patient and nurturing to his children. Such a one is swift to admit when he (she) is wrong, to forgive when offended, to offer support when another is in need.
Whew! I think you have enough to chew over for a while! MacDonald wrote 12 of these powerfully challenging marks of a person who is being transformed by the Spirit of God. Sign up for my BLOG and you can get more insights on this important topic.
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BOOK  GIVEAWAY :
TRUSTING GOD—A Girlfriends in God Faith Adventure. The authors, Sharon Jaynes, Gwen Smith, and Mary Southerland write about what does trusting God actually look like. Go to my Facebook page and let me know how God spoke to you through THRIVE and you might be a winner of this month’s give away! (Sorry, USA readers only)
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Why Can’t He Be More Like Me? Book group questions now available! Get together with your girlfriends, or form a couples group, and plan to grow in your relationship with your mate or date. To download them submit your e-mail address here.
Married? Check out my article: Five Biblical Reasons to Get Sexy.
Upcoming Events:
Speaking Calendar:
September 21-22:
Calvary Chapel, Hillsboro, Or.
November 9-10:
Attending Global Health Medical Conference, Louisville, KY
December 1: Christmas celebration, Westside Community Church, Beaverton, OR
December 7: Christmas celebration, Arizona Community Church, Tempe, AZ
To inquire about Poppy's availability to speak at your event, email her at: poppy@poppysmith.com
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