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JOURNAL

DAILY
Personal Insights and Reflections On the Road with Jesus

Copyright 2008 by Stuart Migdon. All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any way by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwisewithout the prior permission of the copyright holder, except as provided by USA copyright law. All Scriptures are taken from the Holy Bible, New American Standard Bible, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE IGNITION: Who is at the Wheel? / Be a Humble Passenger.. CHAPTER TWO KEY #1: Which Driver is Most Important? / Selfless Life... CHAPTER THREE KEY #2: Ask for Directions / Gain Wisdom from Gods Helpers. CHAPTER FOUR KEY #3: Listen to Your Navigation System / Listen and Follow Gods Direction. CHAPTER FIVE KEY #4: Rely on Your Driver / Trust, Acknowledge, and Rely on God. CHAPTER SIX KEY #5: When the Four Car Pile-up Happens / Peace in the Trials CHAPTER SEVEN KEY #6: Stop Clinging to the Steering Wheel / Cling to God CHAPTER EIGHT KEY #7: What Being a Passenger is All About / Find Joy on the Journey.

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In order for us to truly grow in our relationship with God and allow the Holy Spirit to change our lives, its important to be moldable and teachable like a little child.

CHAPTER ONE IGNITION: Who is at the Wheel? / Be a Humble Passenger

Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:4)

DAY 1Let Go and Lets Go!

Remember when you first got your drivers license? How did it make you feel? Reflect upon the sense of freedom it gave you, and journal your thoughts below.

How does the sense of freedom you experienced as a new driver compare to the freedom you found when you came to faith in Jesus?

Read John 8:31-32. How does this passage help you explain your freedom as a disciple of Jesus?

In what ways can you be more open to Gods Word? How do you think this may help in letting God direct your life?

What is your definition of success? Is it wrong to be successful? How can you be successful Gods way?

(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 1 Daily Action Step
Who is at the wheel of your life? You can determine the answer to this question by considering who is in control of the things you value most (i.e., your children, job, finances, home, health, relationships, even your daily activities.) Do you often worry about any of these areas? Worry is a signpost telling us that we are once again behind the wheel. When we place our trust in anything other than Jesus, we are trusting in the wrong thing. Spend time honestly reflecting on how you are living throughout the day today. What are you thinking about? Are you worried? Why or why not? Is your life being led by the Lordis He in the drivers seat? Or, has He become a passenger you are bringing along for the ride? Ask God to help you yield your life to Him today. Pray something like this, Dear God, I know I need to let go of my life and give control to You. Help me to follow Your directions for my life and to listen to Your guidance.

DAY 2Who Do You Imitate for Success?


Read Numbers 12:3. What is one God-pleasing trait of Moses that comes to mind today? Begin to strive to be more like Moses when it comes to this quality. Write a plan for how you might attain this.

In Philippians 2:5-8 it says, Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Name an attitude with which you struggle, that causes you to be prideful or self-focused. Ask God to help you put to death any attitude that would cause you to have the wrong opinion of yourself, so that you can learn true humility.

Ephesians 5:1 says, Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. Often children imitate adults by literally following in their footsteps. When a child is following you, and you turn around suddenly, you might find him taking giant steps so that his small feet land in your big footprints. Are you following Jesus in that same way today? What would He see if He turned around? If you are not following in His steps, what has to change in your life so that you can be more like Him today?

(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 2Daily Action Step
Who do you emulate most? Do you think it is someone whom God would want you to emulate? Ask God to show you one thing in your life that you need to work on in order to imitate Jesus more fully. Ask Him to show you an area where you need to be molded into His image. For example: maybe you need to ask God to help you overcome your tendencies to be prideful or envious. Whatever it is that God shows you begin to work on that todaymake it your action step of the day. Each day He might show you something different to work on.

DAY 3Dont Hold Back


It is empowering to know that we dont have to attempt to be like Jesus in our own strength. We are gifted with the Holy Spirit, who lives in believers, to show us the way and the truth. What does it mean to you that the Holy Spirit is dwelling in your heart?

Read Micah 6:8. How does it impact you to know God wants you to walk with Him?

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Just as Paul committed his life to following the Holy Spirit and turning from his fleshly desires, so should we. Make a list of the distractions in your life that keep you from following the Holy Spirit and make a commitment to eliminate them.

In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul said, Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. In what areas of your life have you made disciplined choices? What did it take you to become disciplined in those areas? What similar actions can you take in your spiritual life in order to be more disciplined in that area? Note some things you can do today in order to develop a more committed relationship with God.

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(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 3Daily Action Step
Consider what is keeping you from committing more of yourself to God today and take action to change whatever is hindering you. Take some time to identify the life distractions that are getting in the way of your following the lead of the Holy Spirit, and develop a plan to eliminate them. Adopt an attitude to desire more discipline and commitment in living a life for God. This will naturally result in turning away from selfish, fleshly desires.

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DAY 4How To Be Both Childlike and Wise


Solomon asked for wisdom and God gave it to him. We can have wisdom too! In James 1:5 it says, But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. God loves to give us wisdom; all we have to do is ask. Make a list of things in which you need Gods wisdom in your life, and the ways that you can seek His wisdom today.

1Kings 3:7 says, Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. Have you ever experienced a tug-of-war between your own wisdom, and Gods? What was the outcome and what can be learned from this verse that will help you more easily let God direct your life?

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What is the common definition of greatness that most people adhere to? How is this different from Gods definition?

(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 4Daily Action Step
Identify situations in your life that require wisdom to make the right decisions. With childlike humility, pray and let God know that you need His help. Tell Him you cant do it on your own, and trust Him to give you discernment to know what to do. Its important to discuss each of these situations with God and to do so on a regular basis.

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DAY 5Children Come By Humility Naturally


Read Luke 14:8-11. Name a time you wanted to feel important. How did you end up feeling? Name another time when you exhibited childlike humility. How did you feel then? Compare and contrast these two feelings (pride and humility) below.

In Matthew 10:16, Jesus addressed His disciples before sending them to cast out unclean spirits and to heal people of their diseases. He told them, Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. How can you go about your daily dealings being both shrewd (wise) and innocent (whether at work, at home, at pleasure, or at church)?

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What can you change in your thought patterns or actions to learn to instinctively trust Jesus more?

In the book, I shared a story about my nephew Houston and his friends playing pretend with me, and electing me as their Chairman of the Board. They were willing to give up power to have someone else be in authority. How might you better allow Jesus to be Chairman of your life? If you sat at a boardroom table with Him, what business plan would He ask you to execute in your life?

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(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 5Daily Action Step
The qualities weve discussed of natural humility in a child are essential for all of Gods children to possess. What can you do today to take a small step toward childlike humility? Do something that demonstrates one or more of these qualities in your everyday life.

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DAY 6What Are You Depending On And Who Are You Listening To?
Isaiah 66:13 says, As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; and you will be comforted in Jerusalem. God is a loving parent caring for His children. In turn, we ought to treat God as our Heavenly Father! How can you live your life in a way that you become more dependent on God, with the same dependence as that of a child for his parent?

Children are teachable. In what way can you become more childlike in your walk with the Lord by being more teachable, more moldable into what pleases Him?

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When children need security, they long to be with their parents. As I mentioned in the book, I learned this more fully when Jenni got an imaginary stomachache on her first sleepover and called us to bring her home. How can you long to be with God more? We spend a lot of time apart from God. What can you do to determine to spend more time with Him?

(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 6Daily Action Step
Show your dependence on God by committing to start listening to Him every day through His Word and talking to Him through prayer. Make a decision that doing anything else other than this is a dependence on yourself and not God. When reading Gods Word, imagine that He is telling you a story designed to teach you about how to live your life. Think of the message of the story throughout the day and consider its application in your life.

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DAY 7A Place to Ponder and Pray


Use this space to journal your spiritual decisions after reading Chapter One of Jesus Take The Wheel. Perhaps you want to write a prayer to God or a list of things you want to work on in order to give up the wheel of your life to Jesus. Take time to determine your stepsallow them to be ordered by the Lord, that He might direct your path.

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The true significance of a man starts with the recognition of his insignificance.

CHAPTER TWO KEY #1: Which driver is Most Important? / Selfless Life

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

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DAY 8What Happens When You Take Things Into Your Own Hands
Moses felt a specific call to be used by God. He took matters into his own hands at first, and botched things up. But he discovered when he did things Gods way, it was exciting and rewarding to be used as an instrument of the Lord. Have you ever sensed a specific time when God was leading you to do something that would ultimately further the Kingdom? How did you respond? What happened when you tried to serve God in your own wisdom and strength as compared to those times when you followed Gods leadership?

Moses ego got in the way of serving God. What obstacles are in your life today that might hinder you from serving God one hundred percent? What can you do to take care of these roadblocks so that you can move forward?

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Speaking of moving forward, Paul in Philippians 3:13-14 says, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Paul never assumed he had attainedhe always pressed forward. One way he sped up his results was to let go of his past, his regrets, his mistakes, those who hurt him, etc. How can you put the past in the past and reach for what God wants for your future?

(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 8Daily Action Step
Because of his important standing in life, Moses was used to making things go his way. Rather than depend on God, he took things into his own hands, took control, and expected God to bless it. That was a recipe for disaster. Think of an area in your life where you tend to take control instead of going to God and letting Him lead. It could involve your work, family, friends, recreation, and even helping others. Find a way to take the back seat, and instead let God be in control. This starts with an attitude change that its not about youits about God working through you. Start today relinquishing control by trusting God for the outcome. Realize that He is in control and is blessing you by allowing you to be part of the outcome. Be an influencer not a controller.

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DAY 9Its Not All About Me?


God ended up developing Moses into a leader by humbling him. Once he learned how to be a good shepherd for his father-in-laws sheep, then he was ready to be used by God in enormous ways. What is God doing to develop you into the follower and perhaps even Christian leader He wants you to be? How does humility play a role in this?

Moses had many leadership characteristics that would be deemed desirable by todays successdriven society. God has a different definition for success, and in order to achieve the goal, He had to strip Moses of these ungodly character traits. What traits in your life are foreign to Gods plan for you? Ask the Holy Spirit to burden you with a conviction so that you might begin the waste removal process of getting rid of anything that hinders your ability to be successful in Gods eyes.

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Life experiences allowed Moses to go through a metamorphosis so that he removed any motives or attitudes of self-importance. Once the transformation was completed, Moses only desired to see Gods name promoted, rather than his own. He didnt need to be in the spotlight to be used by God. What life experiences have you gone through that have created your own metamorphosis regarding the removal of self-importance? What might you do at this stage in your transformation to help change the mindset from being in the spotlight to putting the spotlight on God?

Matthew 5:16 says, Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Is your light shining today? What is the source of that light? If it is Gods light shining through you, then your good works will glorify the Father. If you have any other source of light, then you remain in the spotlight and God in the shadows. Journal your thoughts in the space below, and record some ways to glorify God more.

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(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 9Daily Action Step
Moses was transformed from a self-important man whom God couldnt use, to a humble servant, the perfect instrument for God to use. His time as a shepherd for Jethro helped remove any focus on self. What can you do to make sure all self-importance is removed from you? Take an example from Moses, and do something today for someone else with no self-motive. Support someone elses dream, goal, or simply their plan for the day. What will you do to place the emphasis outside of your own agenda?

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DAY 10Do You Desire to be King of the Hill?


Do you remember the childhood game, King of the Hill? Essentially the one who could toss all others off the elevated platform of some kind would be pronounced King of the Hill. He might be victorious for a while, but it wasnt long before the others were conspiring to knock him off the hillto de-throne him, so to speak. As an adult, what grown-up version of King of the Hill do you confess to playing? Perhaps its trying to one-up a business associate or collect more material possessions than the Jones. Ask God to remove any tendencies to be this sort of king, and replace it with a desire to be a servant-leader.

King Nebuchadnezzar participated in pridefests, pronouncing himself the best in the land. He was so focused on himself that he forgot about God. Do you ever catch yourself engaging in pridefests? What attributes of yours do you tend to be prideful about? What is your plan to overcome this temptation? If you seek recognition about something, then this is an environment ripe for pride. Naming your weak areas will help you overcome them with Gods help.

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Humility is key to being used by God. Write a prayer of humility below, asking God to help you give more control to Him and acknowledge (like Nebuchadnezzar) that all glory and honor goes to God alone.

Five Evidences of Desiring Self-Importance (Evaluate and indicate how these may apply to your life) Whenever you do something with the goal of recognition, its really about your own importance.

Whenever a good deed is not done because it brings no attention to you, then it is really about your own importance.

When you are looking for opportunities to tell people about your accomplishments, its really all about your own importance.

When you worry about what others think of you, you are too focused on your own importance.

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When you admire others based on their possessions or status, then your focus is on your own importance.

(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 10Daily Action Step
Like Nebuchadnezzar, tell others something today that brings attention solely to the greatness of God. When you do, dont worry about what other people will think of you, make sure it has nothing to do with anyones accomplishments, possessions, or status, and dont look for recognition. Do it in a way that will both demonstrate the love of God and your love for others.

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DAY 11When God Is Most Important, SelfImportance Isnt


When God sent Samuel to look for Sauls replacement, He directed Samuel to the house of Jesse. Samuel was confused about which brother was designated for greatness as the next King. So, God told Samuel, Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart, 1 Samuel 16:7. How does it make you feel to know that God looks at the heart? Whats in your heart today? Will He find self-importance or the heart of a servant?

David was content to wait for Gods perfect timing to be declared King. He didnt take things into his own hands. Has there been a time recently when it was difficult for you to wait on God to take action, and you grabbed back control of the situation to try to hurry up the process? What happened? Was there another time when you patiently waited for Gods timing? What was the outcome?

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Are you ready to make a difference for God by letting Him direct your life, or do you desire the status quo of staying in the parking lot of life? Is anything holding you back? Do you sense God directing you in any specific way today as you pray about making a difference for Him?

How do your actions and your thoughts define how important your own importance is to you? In your career? In your marriage? In your friendships? In life in general?

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(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 11Daily Action Step
One of the ways David kept himself humble was to operate on Gods timetable and not his own. He didnt rush taking over being king, but waited for Gods direction. Like David, we shouldnt be in a rush to do something different but instead we should serve God exactly where we are. Even though he knew he would soon be king, David did this by showing Saul the respect deserving of the position. He showed true God-like love when he allowed Saul to not only keep the kingship for a while longer, but also his very life. Like David, you can show you arent impressed with your own importance by showing love to someone without expecting anything in return. Today, activate this plan for showing love; pick the recipient, the act of kindness, and then be sure to get out of the way so the spotlight wont be on you. To increase the challenge, like David, pick someone you struggle withperhaps someone who doesnt show you the respect you feel you deserve.

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DAY 12Spiritual Acts With The Right Motive Leads to Reward


Your human nature causes you to desire praise and recognition, which creates a tug-of-war with the Spirit within you. In Matthew 6:1 Jesus said, Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. Are there times when you hope for others to notice your spiritual walk and service to God? Journal the tug-of-war you have experienced in these areas of self-importance.

Make a list of opportunities to anonymously give your resources to another.

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Have you ever fasted for a meal or more, or given up something else, in order to be more focused on what God wanted to say to you? What was it like? If you havent done this, would you consider a personal fast of some sort as you take this journey towards a more God-directed life?

(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 12Daily Action Step
Jesus was willing to give up His life in heaven to come to Earth as our Savior. He gave up the significance of being God to take on the form of a humble man. He set aside His own importance to show us how to live with a servant heart. During the Sermon on the Mount, He pointed out how we should avoid seeking attention or praise for our spiritual acts. One way you can do this is to get involved in helping someone without telling anyone. Pick an act of kindness today, and a way to carry out your plan by remaining anonymous, even to the one you are helping. Let Gods reward fill your heart, rather than seeking the praise of men.

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DAY 13What Will Others Think?


Have you ever felt like you didnt fit in? Maybe you even felt like an outcast or misfit, like I did as a young husband and father. At the time, I didnt have a relationship with Jesus. If you have trusted Jesus as your Savior, what difference does He make during those misfit moments? How can you allow Him to make more of a difference?

How do you define success? Before God became a big part of my life, my definition of success was very different than it is now. How does God define success? In what ways does He want you to be successful? Is it sinful to desire success? (There are no set answersthese questions merely provide a way to process your transformation.)

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How do you feel when you are around someone who is self-centered? Is it uncomfortable? Contrast that to being with someone who isnt concerned with impressing youa person more concerned with pleasing God. Almost complete opposites, arent they? Look at the traits of the self-centered individual and then the ones of the God-focused individual, and make a list of the traits that you either want to remove or implement in your own life.

2 Corinthians 10:12 says, For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. This verse sounds complex, but when you break it down, its basically saying its never wise for people to compare themselves to others who think they are all that. So, when we worry about what others think, and get into the comparison trap, we miss out. How can you overcome the temptation to be concerned about how you measure up to others?

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(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 13Daily Action Step
What sort of fuel are you running on? Do you feel like you are running on empty? You might look perfectly put together, like a brand new car, but you know that inside your tank is dry, and you are about to break down. Make sure you have the right fuelthe love of God. One way to evaluate this is to ask yourself what defines who you are. Like I was, are you more concerned about your own importance than you think? Consider this question based on how you define yourself compared to how others would define you. Ask others this question; make it a point to take the back seat and consider what they have to say. Listen without planning what you are going to say when it is your turn to talk. Go through this refining process and then bring it to God for His ultimate refinement.

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DAY 14A Place to Ponder and Pray


Use this space to journal your spiritual decisions after reading Chapter Two of Jesus Take The Wheel. Perhaps you want to write a prayer to God or a list of things you want to work on in order to give up the wheel of your life to Jesus. Take time to determine your stepsallow them to be ordered by the Lord, that He might direct your path.

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When you recognize that God is involved in sending you help, the outcome is not just about what you want, its about whats best for carrying out what God wants.

CHAPTER THREE KEY #2: Ask for Directions / Gain Wisdom from Gods Helpers

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel. (Proverbs 12:15)
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DAY 15We Are Often Blind to Gods Helpers


Jeanne was one of Gods helpers in my life, and it took me years to recognize that. For a long time, I carried the burden of thinking I had to handle lifes circumstances all by myself. When Jesus entered my life I realized Gods presence all around me, helping me carry the load. Who are some of Gods helpers in your life? Name some of the ways they provide assistance as an extension of God in your life.

Why is it sometimes hard to accept Gods helpers? Is it stubbornness? Pride? Thinking you are the only one to get it done right? Name a time you refused to accept the assistance of one of Gods helpers. How did it turn out? Are you going through anything right now that seems like a burden or adds stress to your life? Look around and see whom God might be sending your way.

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Are you a fulltime worrier? What sorts of things do you worry about? How do you cope with worry? How can having one of Gods helpers assist you in overcoming worry?

What does it take to accept Gods helpers in your life?

Using a Bible search tool (either online or in book format), look up some of the one another verses in the Bible. What do these verses tell you about our responsibility to one another as helpers?

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(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 15Daily Action Step
How difficult is it for you to accept help from others? Perhaps it will help now that you know these helpers are actually gifts from God. You can gain Gods wisdom by asking for help when you sense the world weighing down on you. Today, make it a point to ask God to help you not be blind to the help He is sending your way through His helpers. Acknowledge the helpers already in your life and thank them for sharing your burdens in life. If you look for Gods helper, you will find He has provided (at least) one especially for you.

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DAY 16Ask God to Send a Helper To Accomplish His Mission


God was okay with Moses questioning Him because He recognized that Moses had a weak faith that needed strengthening. Have there been times when your own faith was weak, or not as strong as it could be? Perhaps even now that is the case. Ask God to reveal Himself more to you, to help you trust Him more. Write about your desire for a stronger faith, here.

When is it okay to question God? Have you ever questioned God about something in your own life? What was it? What was Gods response? How did you know what God wanted you to learn from it?

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God was patient with Moses, knowing the end result would be amazing. In what ways has Go shown patience with you? Just thinkHe knows the potential outcome of your life as well!

When God sends us a helper, the ultimate purpose is to see our lives transformed with God. Think about how accepting Gods helper can lead to your transformed life. Also, it can work in transforming the life of the helper and the lives of those witnessing all of this transpire. Write down some ways accepting Gods help has changed you or changed those around you.

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You can be Gods helper to someone else. Gods love is revealed and spread when its done with a pure heart out of a desire to please Him. It works when you are willing to be used as Gods helper for someone else. Think of a time in the past when God used you as His instrument to help someone else. Is there a situation now that you can show Gods love to another by being used as Gods helper?

(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 16Daily Action Step
Moses didnt consider the Jewish leaders as helpers and was only comfortable in going forward once God sent an additional helper in Aaron. God continued to work with Moses because his motives were purely selfless and he was open to receive Gods helpers. Moses wanted as much help as possible! Yesterday you acknowledged the helpers already in your life. Today, ask God to send an additional helper, just like He sent Aaron to help Moses. Consider whom God might send to help you. Who are the people God has placed in your life to help you live a transformed life with Him, by sharing your load? Make sure youre ready to receive their help, as they show you how to do things Gods way.

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DAY 17Accept Help When God Sends It


Name some examples from Scripture to show that God designed us to be His helpers in the lives of others.

Are you striving for a victorious life? Proverbs 11:14 tells us, When there is no guidance, the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory. Who is on your team of counselors? Who do you go to for wisdom and direction? In whom can you confide?

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Sometimes God uses our usual team of counselors as a way to help us with wisdom. Other times, He brings in a surprise helper to advise us. Be prepared to accept help from an unlikely source. Can you think of a time this happened in the past?

What was the outcome of a time when you disregarded godly counsel? What did it cost you to not heed their advice? If you could do it all over again, would you change anything? We cant change the past, but we can change how we receive and heed advice in the future.

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Contrast the above situation with a time you did accept godly counsel. What was the outcome? How did it end up glorifying God?

(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 17Daily Action Step
Can you think of a time when you didnt really listen to the advice from someone else because you thought you knew better, or you had your own agenda? Sometimes its difficult to really want to hear because we really dont want to knowsort of like sticking our fingers in our ears and singing lalala, I cant hear you. Its more like I wont hear you. Today, determine to accept Gods helper by asking someone you trust for advice and then be a good listenergleaning good, godly counsel. Make a mental note when you hear advice today from others that this might be Gods helper.

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DAY 18Dont Minimize Gods Help Through His Helpers


In the book, I share about a time I asked advice from Jim, and he directed me to talk to Tom regarding how to help Frank and Gary with conflict resolution. I almost didnt heed Jims advice to call Tom, and almost didnt accept Toms advice on how to assist in the reconciliation. By struggling with the choice whether to listen to Gods helpers or not, I was minimizing Gods work through these men. I took them (and their advice) for granted, and it almost cost Frank and Gary the ultimate reconciliation that took place. Id hate for you to almost make the same mistake. Are you on the fence right now regarding some advice you have received? Write about it here, and pray about how God would have you to act on the wisdom and direction from His helpers in your life.

The Jewish people took Moses help for granted. They grumbled against him. In Exodus 16:7 Moses said to them and in the morning you will see the glory of the Lord, for He hears your grumblings against the Lord; and what are we, that you grumble against us? Have you grumbled against one of Gods helpers in your life? Exodus shows us its just as if you are grumbling against God. Make a list here of your recent grumblings and ask God to help you not be disgruntled when life goes differently than your personal desires.

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Many times we dont make a big enough deal about the helpers God sends our way. We tend to take their help for granted and minimize their efforts to assist us. Name some of the everyday helpers God has brought to you, and be sure to thank them today for the blessing they are to you.

(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 18Daily Action Step
Human nature hasnt changed since the time of Moses. I almost refused Gods help through Tom in getting the right solution for Frank and Garys reconciliation, just like the Jewish people almost forgot how God worked through Moses and Aaron. We tend to whine or complain or take things into our own hands rather than fully accept Gods helpers in our lives. This comes across as being unappreciative or that we are minimizing Gods work in our lives. Look favorably toward Gods helpers in your life by recalling all the positive impact they have provided. Ask yourself if those helpers love God and care about you. If the answer is yes, purpose yourself to continue to go to them for help. Then, thank God for His helpers in your life and for the specific ways He has used them to lighten your load.

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DAY 19Wouldnt You Like to be a Helper Too?


Sometimes, being Gods helper is teamwork. Describe a time when you teamed up with someone else to help a third party. Thank God for allowing you to be used as His instrument of blessing.

One of the important aspects of being Gods helper and receiving help from others is to not be concerned about who gets the credit. Moses wasnt concerned. He realized it took a team to get the job done for God. How can you better adapt this selfless mindset in your own life?

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Aaron and Hur were literally on the mountaintop with Moses as Joshua and the people fought the Amalekites. Name a time when you had a mountaintop experience when you teamed up with others to bring about victory for the good of many.

(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 19Daily Action Step
At the beginning of todays reading, I showed how Aaron and Hur teamed up with Moses to bring the Jewish nation to victory. Today, team up with someone to make a difference in another persons life. See a need, seek a solution, be a helper. Come beside others to help with lifes battles. Marriage, job, depression, anxiety, health, money issues, it doesnt matter what the battle is, just that you are available to help, as guided by God. When you are a helper to others, and when you accept help from others, you are allowing Jesus to take the wheel. Who will you recruit to make your own Aaron-Hur team?

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DAY 20Gods Helpers Assist In Lifes Special Moments


How do you know when to accept help? When is it what God wants and when is it what you want? How can you tell the difference?

What are some ways that Gods helpers actually help out and become an instrument of God? What type of person might He use to help you?

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Who is the one person who completes our role as Gods helper? What happens when He isnt in the equation? How can He make the difference?

Think back to some of the special moments God has blessed you with. Oftentimes, in the midst of it all is one of Gods helpers. Reflect about one of these special moments and recognize the helper. One way to remember back is to look at photograph albums and think of the blessings represented by each snapshot.

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(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 20Daily Action Step
Today your challenge is quite simple. Just as Tammy listened to the nudge of the Spirit to intervene with words of wisdom to encourage me to be a part of Jasons baptism, there will be times that God tells you to be instrumental in helping someone else. Perhaps you are to offer wisdom or help of some other kind. Think about the people God has placed into your life who may need help in a small or big way. Ask God to show you how you can help by being there for one or more of them and then carry out that plan. It may turn into one of lifes special moments!

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DAY 21A Place to Ponder and Pray


Use this space to journal your spiritual decisions after reading Chapter Three of Jesus Take The Wheel. Perhaps you want to write a prayer to God or a list of things you want to work on in order to give up the wheel of your life to Jesus. Take time to determine your stepsallow them to be ordered by the Lord, that He might direct your path.

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Make sure whats important to God is important to you. When you follow Gods lead in this way, letting Him take the wheel, the path is filled with inner joy and satisfaction.

CHAPTER FOUR KEY #3: Listen to Your Navigation System / Listen and follow Gods Direction

Samuel said, Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. (1 Samuel 15:22)

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DAY 22Obedience to God is All About Love


How do you feel about the four letter word obey? What feelings does it elicit in you? Why is obedience important to God? How can you reframe your thoughts and feelings about obedience?

If you start your obedience with God with the Ten Commandments, name which one is most difficult for you to obey (in the flesh) and why? Review them in Exodus 20.

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Hebrews 12:1 says, Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. When it comes to obedience, what sin easily entangles you? What is your plan to lay it aside so you can run the race of life with endurance?

Gods Word is chock-full of Gods instructions. Its like having your own counsel of wisdom in one book. Find a verse that will help you in your determination to obey God, and write it out here so you can continue to reflect on it in the days ahead.

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(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 22Daily Action Step
From the Ten Commandments we see how obedience to Gods instructions leads us to love Him and others more. Love is an action verb, not a feeling. You show your love for God by following His counsel. Put Him first in your lifemake Him the most important person you talk to today. With a willing heart and a servant spirit, ask God to strengthen your determination to make Him your number one priority. Take action by showing God your love for Him by heeding the commandment, Thou shalt not make unto Thee any idol. Consider what, if any, goals, activities, or possessions have become of more importance in your life than God and the time you spend with Him. Change by removing them from the idol status and making God the number one priority and passion in your life today. When you do that your goals will be lined up with His goals for you, and you will experience the lasting joy and fulfillment, which only comes with living Gods way.

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DAY 23Follow Gods Counsel Even When the Unexpected Happens


Read Matthew 5 and allow it to teach you Gods instruction for your everyday life. What stands out to you from this chapter?

What are some benefits of obedience? What happens when you allow Jesus to take the wheel in this key to a transformed life?

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When lifes circumstances provide you with stress and worry, how can you be obedient to God when your gut reaction is to go your own way?

Sometimes, like Moses, our obedience leads us to unfamiliar territory and we are uncertain how to respond. In that instance, we might slip up for just moments by regressing back into doing things in our own strength. God knows we are not robots, and so the emotion of a situation is sometimes going to cause us to veer off course a little. As long as we stay faithful to Gods counsel, always turning back to Him, we will find our way through every situation. Can you think of a time you started out obeying God, but veered off course? What caused you to take things into your own hands? What brought you back into obedience with God? How can you avoid the same mistakes in the future? One thing about Moses, he wanted to be obedient, and when he wasnt, he always learned from his mistakes.

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(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 23Daily Action Step
The Bible is filled with wise counsel. That counsel seems a lot wiser and easier to obey when things are going good in our lives. But it takes much more discipline to obey when the unexpected happens. Look out for the unexpected in your life today, as big or as small as it may be. When it comes into your life, be ready to respond in a way God would advisewith His wisdom. Face the unexpected head on by responding with Jesus counsel to be gentle, kind, and loving no matter what.

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DAY 24 Obstacles Make Obedience Difficult But Not Impossible


Sometimes its difficult to know Gods plan, but He requires our obedience regardless. Can you think of a time He gave you instructions for what to do just a step at a time, and you couldnt see the big picture? Did your obedience waver?

When you drive down the road, it is easy traveling when there are no obstacles, stop signs, or detours. But sometimes, a truck drops part of its load, or a tire blows, and the debris ahead of you creates an obstacle and you must swerve to miss it. In life, what happens when something happens to detour you from your joyful obedience? Think of a specific obstacle and how you steer your life around it.

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How can you strengthen your determination and ability to obey? Moses trusted God that obedience would work, and his relationship with God became more intimate as a result of obedience. Then, the deeper relationship with God strengthened his ability to obey.

How does trust play into the obedience equation?

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(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 24Daily Action Step
Perhaps you are having a difficult time obeying God regarding a situation; maybe it doesnt seem to make complete sense to follow His instruction. For example, you might ask yourself, Does God really want me to forgive that person who doesnt care that they hurt me? Just like it took a while for me to have the cheerful part of giving, it might take you a while to be joyful regarding a call to listen and obey what God wants in your life. Today, ask God to help you get on board with His plan and follow His instruction with that situation even when there are obstacles in the way. Then take action and follow Gods instruction for living with this difficulty. Feelings often follow actions, so first step out in faith, and wait for God to bring you joy for the situation at hand. If you cannot identify a situation in your life where you are finding it difficult to obey God, then think of someone you know who might be and share todays reading with him or her.

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DAY 25Obedience Reveals God and His Compassion to Others


Moses obedience caused Gods power to be revealed through the various plagues and miracles with Pharaoh. Can you think of a time that your obedience, or the obedience of someone you know, caused Gods power to be revealed?

Obedience allows us to taste and see that the Lord is good. Then we cant help but tell others about that goodness. Name a specific time that you told others about the joy and benefits of being in an obedient, trusting relationship with God.

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Write down about a time your obedience led to specific prayers being answered by God. By writing your testimony of this event, you are providing a record you can go back to when things get difficult, to give you something to hang on to.

Have you ever tossed and turn in bed, struggling to sleep? Thoughts of worry and stress stormed your mind, creating an environment for sleeplessness. How can obedience to God lead to better sleep at night?

Instead of worrying, what does God want you to do?

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(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 25Daily Action Step
What is your motivation for obeying God? Do you obey Him for your own agenda or to-do list? Or are you obeying Him because you want His ultimate purpose to be accomplished in your life? Are you interested in your plans being fulfilled, or in revealing His glory and power to others? Moses wanted only what God wanted. He was interested in being obedient so that the Egyptians would know that there is no one like God. Today, consider what Gods agenda is for your day. How does He want you to live out your day? Are you willing to be obedient to His plan in a way that brings Him glory? Let others see God through you and when you do, you and others will experience the compassion of a loving God.

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DAY 26Knowing Jesus Helps You Not Compromise In Obedience


Compromising behavior can really pull us away from obedience to God. Its something we need to be aware of and be on the look out for. When following God, we know He wants us to live and act a certain way. We want towe try tobut lifes circumstances get in the way and we tend to compromise. Name a situation right now, or in the past, when this temptation of compromise entered your life. How did you deal with it?

Moses refused to compromise with Pharaoh. When Pharaoh tried to negotiate something outside of Gods plan, Moses didnt settle. Name a time you took a stand for what was right. What were the results? How did you feel? How was your relationship with God because of it?

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How can obedience to God lead to freedom? To a victorious life?

How does the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit assist you in staying in compliance regarding obedience to God?

(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 26Daily Action Step
Examine the history of your life. Have you compromised the way youve lived your life for God in the past? Are you still living that life of compromise today? Through the power of Jesus, you no longer have to live this way. Identify in which areas of your life you are compromising Gods counsel, and ask the Lord to help you remove them. Take action to be obedient to God and change anything that hinders you from living a transformed life with God.

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DAY 27Faith In Action Helps You Purpose to Live a Life of Obedience


Its one thing to believe in your head that you should obey, but its another thing all together to purpose in your heart to live for God. Recommit today to do this very thing. Write your prayer of commitment here.

In Luke 11:28 Jesus says, Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it. In John 14:15 Jesus says, If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. In John 15:10 Jesus says, If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Fathers commandments and abide in His love. John writes in 2 John 6, And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. How do these Scriptures help you purpose in your heart to obey God? How does this become faith in action?

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Jesus gives us the example of ultimate obedience with His willing submission to pay our price in the form of sacrifice on the cross. Knowing Jesus understands the high cost of obedience, how does this help strengthen you when you are weak regarding obedience?

In Jesus Take the Wheel, we learn of Evans customers profiting because they followed his wise counsel. Name a time when you profited because you followed Gods wise counsel? It might not be a monetary increase, but a way your life benefited because you heeded Gods instruction for your life.

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(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 27Daily Action Step
We are not forced, but we are expected, to follow Gods instructions. When we realize that Jesus is the expert on joyful living and that He lived a life of obedience, we can trust His advice for our lives and act on what He instructs. Jesus is the ultimate advisor and counselor. Recognize that His counsel is easy to follow and the best course for your life. His input matters most. Like Jesus, recognize that faith in action will produce an obedience of love. Live out your faith today by sacrificing your time and resources to help encourage someone in need. Consider going to a homeless shelter, nursing home, hospital, or a neighbor in need.

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DAY 28A Place to Ponder and Pray


Use this space to journal your spiritual decisions after reading Chapter Four of Jesus Take The Wheel. Perhaps you want to write a prayer to God or a list of things you want to work on in order to give up the wheel of your life to Jesus. Take time to determine your stepsallow them to be ordered by the Lord, that He might direct your path.

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Reliance on God is acceptance of what He provides today. Enjoy it and praise Him for it.

CHAPTER FIVE KEY #4: Rely on Your Driver / Trust, Acknowledge, and Rely on God

The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him; My fathers God, and I will extol Him. (Exodus 15:2)

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DAY 29Our Dead Ends Can Lead to God's Beginnings


Lets look at the 7 keys for a transformed life so far. Key #1 Which Driver is Most Important? / Selfless Life. Key #2 Ask for Directions / Gain Wisdom from Gods Helpers. Key #3 Listen to Your Navigation System / Listen and Follow Gods Direction. Record here how you are learning to assimilate these three keys into your life so far. Its wise to allow the concepts in Jesus Take the Wheel to be an accumulative affect in your life, rather than addressing each principle only once.

When Moses and Gods people hit the Red Sea, being chased by the Egyptians, they must have felt like they hit a dead end. When in your life did you feel like you were in a dead end situation with no apparent way out? If you determined to rely on God, how did that help? If you tried to handle it in your own strength, what was the outcome?

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Just when things seem like they cant get any worse, something even more awful happens. Have you experienced a situation like that? What emotions did you experience? Was it tempting to succumb to despair and defeat? How did God comfort and console you and provide a way out? Sometimes, just reminding yourself this too shall pass will encourage you to pass through the Red Sea to get to Gods promises.

Gods people blamed Moses for their predicament at the Red Sea. They panicked and could only think of their impending destruction, with the Egyptian army in hot pursuit. Its human nature to try to find someone to blame when things go wrong. Name a time when you were blamed for someone elses dead end situation. How did it make you feel? And then think of a time you blamed someone else for your own dead end situation. Its never too late to apologize to that personadmitting your actions were wrong and taking the blame for blaming them. Share with them how God is at work in your life now.

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Moses cried out to God, pleading with Him to help them. God parted the Red Sea, allowed all of His people to pass through, and then sent the waters back to swallow up the Egyptian army. When did you last cry out to God? Record that experience here.

(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 29Daily Action Step
The Jewish people panicked at their perceived dead endfear and blame were the outcome. I could have easily gone down the path of fear and blame when my health failed. Instead, I chose to trust that God had a plan. The outcome: Appreciation and praising God for His gift. Evaluate where you may have hit a perceived dead end in your life. Rather than complain to God about it, trust that He has a plan for a new beginning. Pray and consider what Gods new beginning might be. Hold tight to a steadfast assurance that when you feel all is hopeless, God is given the precise environment where He works best and receives the most glory. What is your dead end situation? Give it to God and watch Him go to work! If you are not facing a perceived dead end then thank God and look for someone who is, and encourage them with todays reading.

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DAY 30Join Together to Acknowledge and Praise God


What does it mean to you to rely on God? How can you implement Key #4 more in your life?

When you have Jesus at the Wheel of your life, you are prepared when trials come. But when trials come, you might also face the temptation to take back the wheel because you are uncomfortable not being in control. In John 16:33 Jesus says, These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. How does this verse encourage you as you rely on Jesus?

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Moses had to tell the Jewish people not to fear when they faced the obstacle of the Red Sea. We can be fearless by taking comfort in the fact that God is in control. Our God would only allow things for our ultimate good. Who do you have in your life that can help remind you not to fear?

Lifes big problems can always be resolved by our even bigger God. This is reassuring! How can you apply this concept to a situation going on right now? How can this mindset become a part of who you are, so that your instinct learns not to panic?

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The result of God providing a way out for the Jewish people is that Moses led them in praising God and giving Him the glory for their positive outcome. Write down a time when God provided a way out for someone you know and you were in some way a part of it. Speak to that person, remind them of Gods deliverance, and praise God together for it.

(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 30Daily Action Step
Remember that God delivers us out of lifes situations when we move forward in His way. When God delivers us out of these situations, wouldnt it be great if we wrote Him a song or letter of praise telling Him we know its all Him? God wants us to ask of Him all that we need and want because He desires to be intimately involved in our lives. Do we specifically praise Him for answering our prayers? Today, praise God in writing and thank Him, making sure to give Him all the credit for His past deliverances in your life. By putting your praise in writing, you will have it to look back on the next time something seemingly goes wrong. Dont be afraid to share what youve written with someone else: e-mail, fax, mail, or read it aloud. When we praise Him, we remember how awesome He is and how much He protects us and our love for Him deepens and grows.

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Day 31 Committing to God and Trusting Him Alone is Whats Truly Important
Its one thing to be able to praise God after He answers your prayer, but what about writing praises to God in the middle of trials? David was able to write a variety of psalms, in good times and in bad times. Practice praising Him by writing your own psalm here. Write about the joy of being able to trust in God even when life is rough.

Its easy to get frustrated when we see others make wrong choices and seemingly prosper. Rather than focusing on the unfairness and injustice of the wrong people having good happen, try to switch your focus. David showed us that if we really want to show God we trust Him, instead of focusing on what doesnt seem fair in life, just do good. How can you make that switch in focus today?

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Psalm 62:8 says, Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. This verse shows two things we should do as His people, and one thing He provides. What does it mean to you to have God as a refuge?

(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 31Daily Action Step
Lying down and sleeping in peace is difficult when there is adversity in your life. Take Davids approach for trusting God and experience His peace by trusting in Gods Word. Today, read Psalm 62:5-8, and commit these verses to memory. Also, begin to consider a Goliath-like challenge to serve God. Is their something youd like to do in serving God but have chosen not to because you felt like you didnt have the time, expertise, personality, etc.? Start to take on the challenge by trusting God to protect you through the process and bring you victory. Today is the day to start praying about it.

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DAY 32 Relying on God Turns Bitter into Sweet


Today in Jesus Take the Wheel, we discuss a specific blessing we receive by being committed to God. Commitment to God is important when giving Him the wheel. Psalm 125:1 shows the blessing when it says, Those who trust in the Lord are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. There is stability when trusting in God. How does having an eternal perspective rather than a temporary perspective, allow you to be more stable and grounded when trusting in God?

The best way to be equipped to handle the bad times is to learn to be more Godlike in the good times. Then, when trials come, you will have the godly mindset necessary to continue to trust and rely on God. If youve ever made a commitment to lose weight or to exercise, you know it takes a steadfast kind of commitment rather than a onetime decision. How will you build up your determination to rely on God for the long haul today?

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All thats good around us is from God. Do you accept it, or do you want more? Do you say, Thanks God, but if only I had Reliance on God is acceptance of what He provides today. Enjoy it and praise Him for it. How do you feel about what God has provided for you in your life?

(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 32Daily Action Step
Gain an eternal perspective on life by making a commitment to rely on God in every situation no matter the outcome. This will become easier as you consider all that God has provided in your life. Make a list of all of the blessings that God has provided for you. Then pray and thank Him for each of these provisions with the expectation that He always provides whats best for you.

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DAY 33 Self-made Versus God-made Plans


Was there ever a time that you stepped out ahead of God, thinking you were doing good, but you attempted to accomplish your mission in your own strength? What was the outcome?

Contrast that to a time that you received your plans from God, and used godly discernment to make the right choices and act according to His direction. What was the outcome?

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I shared a story about the Christmas I tried to provide Christmas for someone else in my own strength, and failed. The next Christmas I acted as God directed, and God blessed the outcome. One of the differences was that I spent time in prayer, and in seeking counsel from Gods helpers in my life that second Christmas season. When has praying about a plan from God made all the difference in your life?

Sometimes God is subtle when He directs us to act, and other times its as if He has hit us over the head with a two-by-four to get our attention. How do you recognize when God is instructing you and when you are just hearing your own voice?

(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 33Daily Action Step
Today, ask God to give you His plan for a specific God-directed missionto be an extension of His hands and feet. As you pray about your agenda and details, make sure God is calling the shots, and let Him take control. Continue to pray about this until you are clear where God is leading you. At that time take action and be sure to give God the glory. The outcome will have long-lasting results for the glory of God.

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DAY 34 Worry is the Opposite of Trusting in God's Resolution of our Problems


When the Jewish people worried while in the wilderness, it only seemed to prolong their time before they entered the Promised Land. Where does your anxiousness and worry take you?

In Matthew 6:25-33, Jesus teaches us how to live the worry-free life. In part, it says, For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?Do not worry then, saying, What shall we eat? or What will we drink or What will we wear for clothing? For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. What is your take-away value from this Scripture?

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Sometimes God wants us to come to the end of ourselves so that He can step in and work. Its at that time that we reach out to Him to fix things or show us the way. Describe a time you cried out to God because you could do no more on your own, and discuss the peace that resulted.

(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 34Daily Action Step
Consider a problem or dilemma you are facing. When you worry about it, its as if you walked in front of an eighteen-wheeler, but when you trust God and accept His peace about the situation, its as though Jesus stepped in front of that truck to protect you. Name your situation today, and instead of worrying about it begin trusting that Jesus and will reveal Himself to you and others in the process. Stop worrying about coming up with a plan and start relying on God to use it for His glory. Gain help in doing this by substituting the thought of worry with the thought of Gods great promises and blessings. Yield the worry to God, and He will sustain you with His grace. As you trust in God and rely upon Him, your life will be transformed.

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DAY 35A Place to Ponder and Pray


Use this space to journal your spiritual decisions after reading Chapter Five of Jesus Take The Wheel. Perhaps you want to write a prayer to God or a list of things you want to work on in order to give up the wheel of your life to Jesus. Take time to determine your stepsallow them to be ordered by the Lord, that He might direct your path.

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We have a God who lived through trials similar to the ones we face. Its great when the driver of our lives has been down the same road as we havethats Jesus.

CHAPTER SIX KEY #5: When the Four Car Pile-up Happens / Peace in the Trials

your faith has made you well; go in peace. (Luke 8:48b)

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Day 36Jesus Our Example in the Trials of Life


What sorts of trials did Jesus endure during His thirty-three years on earth? How does it make you feel that He can say He understands what you are going through when you face your own trials? What is the difference between sympathy and empathy? Arent you glad Jesus can provide empathy when we deal with lifes circumstances?

Have family or friends ever turned against you? Write about your situation and how it made you feel. Is there some consolation in knowing Jesus also endured this heartache?

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Have you ever been falsely accused? How did you deal with hearing lies spoken of you? Jesus also experienced this trial and can say, I know just how you feel.

Have you ever endured the trial of others wanting you to fail? Did they closely scrutinize your every move, trying to trip you up? What was it like, and how did you overcome this time in your life?

Have you ever been betrayed by a close friend? What was it like? Describe the intense agony. How can you take each one of these trials and heartaches to Jesus and experience complete healing?

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(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 36Daily Action Step
Jesus faced trials sustained by the confidence He had in the will of His Father. What trial are you currently enduring? Take a moment to compare it to a similar trial Jesus faced. Then reflect on the fact that Jesus knows how you feel and will help use the trial to mold, teach, and change you more into the person He wants you to be. Ask Him what He wants you to learn from the trial. In this way, your focus will be changed and you will be strengthened to face the trial with confidence in Him. If you are not facing any trials at this moment in your life, encourage someone else with todays reading.

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Day 37 Wilderness Trials Can Strengthen UsJesus Shows Us How


What did Jesus use to combat the temptations of Satan? How can you use Scripture as a weapon to fight the attempts of Satan to trip you up?

Satan knows to come to us with temptation and accusation when we are at our weakest physically, emotionally, and spiritually. How can you make sure you are equipped to fight whatever tools he uses to cause you to stumble and veer off course?

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Often we explain away a poor choice by rationalizing why we have acted in such a way. We claim we are victims of our circumstances. It somehow makes us feel better and less guilty if we can pass the buck. Can you think of a time in your own life you have done this? Realize this is one of the tools in Satans toolbox and purpose in your heart not to allow similar tools to work on you in the future.

1 John 2:16 says, For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. These three categories summarize Satans temptations. Do you struggle with one more than the other two? Which one is your primary weakness, and what spiritual tools can you use to counteract the tools of the enemy?

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(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 37Daily Action Step
How do you feel during trials? Lonely? Ineffective for God? Perhaps you even feel like God has deserted you. The trials seem to be more difficult when they come at times when we are weakest. Jesus experienced all of that. You can look to Jesus for an example of how He handled temptations and trials. Review the definitions in todays reading, and take inventory of your own struggles with the lust of the flesh (what the body desires), the lust of the eyes (what you can see and desire), and the pride of life (the desire for power). Ask God to strengthen you in your weaknesses.

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Day 38Trials Can Be Fruitful With Jesus At The Wheel


Fruitful trials seems to be an oxymoron at first glance. It seems trials would cost rather than benefit. Yet, we can recount numerous times when fruit resulted from trials in our lives, when Jesus was at the wheel. Draw a vertical line to divide this space, and write the trial on the left side, and some of the benefits (fruit) on the right side of the line.

Has there been a time in your life that you accepted the fruit of Jesus ultimate trialsalvation in Him, paid for by the sacrifice of the crucifixion? Describe the joy that resulted from receiving this gift of love.

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In your current trial, is Jesus being revealed through you? If yes, how so?

1 Peter 4:12-13 tells us, Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening in you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. How might you find joy in the midst of a trial?

One of the joys that come with trials is the comfort of Jesus and others. Think of some times you received specific comfort and consolation. Who did God use to show you this comfort? And how did you sense the consolation came straight from God Himself?

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(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 38Daily Action Step
With Jesus as your Savior, trials are designed to help you identify more with Him and experience His joy. As a result, you receive a God-given ability to comfort others. Think of the various trials you have gone through and ask God to use these experiences to help you comfort others in their times of need. Remember that God does not waste pain! Today, reach out to someone in the middle of a trial and comfort him or her with the comfort and love that comes from God.

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Day 39How to Persevere Through Trials


Have you ever persevered through a difficult situation; pressed forward regardless of how tough it seemed? If you have, then you know the sense of accomplishment that comes with staying focused on a desired result. Think back to that perseverance and the sense of accomplishment then journal about it here.

Perseverance works in the realm of accomplishing goals and objectives, but unless God is involved, something is missing. Godless perseverance during trials will not bring joy. Write some goals and objectives you believe God wants you to aspire to achieve, and pray for perseverance to develop a godly dont quit attitude.

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Persevering without Jesus at the wheel is a difficult burden to carry. The weight is heavy and it seems time is standing still with no relief in sight. Think of a time you tried to persevere without God and describe the burden.

Romans 5:3-5 tells us, Not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance. This clearly tells us that we should have joy in our trials, knowing that those trials will teach us perseverance. How can you learn about perseverance through the tough times in life?

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(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 39Daily Action Step
Begin today to develop a godly dont quit attitude in life especially as you experience trials. Whatever trials you face in your daily life, exhibit godly perseverance by making sure to let God direct your plans and goals. Begin to do this by developing a godly mission statement or mantra for living. When I persevered in trials, before I knew Jesus, my mantra was finish college in four years. Now, with Jesus, my mission statement is to communicate the message of helping others transform their lives with God. This keeps me focused and determined to persevere.

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Day 40Finding Purpose Through Lifes Trials


Do trials that come from God (or that He allows) always have a purpose? Looking back in hindsight, can you see Gods purpose during some of your life trials?

By knowing your previous trials have ended up having some good come from them, how can that help you endure your current trials? Can it help you hold on, even when you cant sense what Gods purpose is or how He might get the glory from the trial?

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Think of a time you had a bombshell dropped in your life. You didnt expect it and you didnt deserve it. But there it was. How did you deal with it? Was Jesus at the wheel at the time? How might that (His control in your life) determine the difference between a tragedy and a victory?

How does your current trial affect others? How might your response to the trial affect others? With Jesus at the wheel, pray that God will allow you to be a role model to others even in the midst of the trying times in your life.

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If we were to plan our lives, we wouldnt season it with trials. Who would want to endure hardship on purpose? But Gods plans are better than our plans and He can dream up what we never could conceive of, in order to draw others to Him and mold us into His image. Isaiah 55:89 says, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. How does this verse reassure you that Gods plans are better than yours?

(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 40Daily Action Step
Isaiah 64:8, illustrates the same sentiment George shared with David. But now, O Lord, You are our Father, we are the clay, and You our potter; and all of us are the work of Your hand. Prepare today for the next trial you will experience by seeing yourself as clay needing to be reworked by God, our Potter. Ask God to show you what you need to change in order to honor Him more, love Him more, and live a transformed life. When you get the answer ask Him to equip you for His molding process so that you will be prepared to call out to Him more, listen to Him more, and trust Him more, even when the way seems daunting.

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Day 41Bonding with God Through the Trials of Life


It is often said that we tend to get closer to God when going through the valley because we recognize our need for Him. Can you think of a time that a trial accelerated your relationship with God?

Author and scholar C.S. Lewis says that pain is God's megaphone to rouse a deaf world. For me, it was kidney stones. Name a time that pain drew you into a closer bonded relationship with God.

It blows my mind to think that Jesus, being sinless, wanted to enter into a close relationship with me. Journal your thoughts about initiating or growing an intimate relationship with the Lord.

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James 4:8a says, Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. When you are going through a tough time, what is comforting about this verse?

(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 41Daily Action Step
Today, commit to doing your part in building a stronger bond with God. Find a Scripture that reassures you of Gods love for you and meditate on it. Then evaluate your normal daily activities with the purpose of finding mini-trials that you face. Start by considering what causes you to change your attitude in a negative way. Evaluate why and use this as a point of conversation with God. Ask Him to change your reaction to the way He would want you to react. Follow His lead and watch as your bond with God strengthens.

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DAY 42A Place to Ponder and Pray


Use this space to journal your spiritual decisions after reading Chapter Six of Jesus Take The Wheel. Perhaps you want to write a prayer to God or a list of things you want to work on in order to give up the wheel of your life to Jesus. Take time to determine your stepsallow them to be ordered by the Lord, that He might direct your path.

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Some can lead a good life, but no one can lead a godly life without clinging to God.

CHAPTER SEVEN KEY #6: Stop Clinging to the Steering Wheel / Cling to God

For he clung to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him. (2 Kings 18:6)

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DAY 43Problems Can Cling To You


Have you ever had a problem cling to you? Some problems just have a tendency to grab hold of you and not let go. Recount a time this has happened to you. Perhaps you even tried to fix the problem, and it was unfixable. What did you do?

What is the answer for the dilemma of not being able to let go of worrywhen worry seems to be gripping tightly to you?

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Oftentimes, the best way for problems to release their grip on you is to try to reframe your thought patterns and substitute your current thoughts for a new mindset. Then, you can take yourself out of the equation and view the problem through Gods eyes. If you have a situation that is overwhelming you, try to exercise this mindset reframing right now. Write out some of the new thoughts you are substituting for the old thoughts.

Philippians 4:8 says, Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. How can doing what this verse suggests help you reframe your thoughts?

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(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 43Daily Action Step
Have you ever had a time when you couldnt stop thinking about a problemit just kept replaying over in your mind? Perhaps you have a situation like that right now. Prepare to do this daily exercise. Instead of thinking about how your problem impacts your life, think about how God wants you to handle the situation. Start by considering that God is love and your problem is ultimately going to be used by God to reveal more of His love to you and others. Then consider His other attributes and adopt them for your situation.

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DAY 44How To Avoid Distractions That Interfere With Clinging To God


Yesterday we talked about when problems seemingly cling to you. Today, our focus is on how we can cling to God. Why is clinging to God so important? Can you live a godly life without clinging to God? What does it mean to cling to God?

What in your own life, must you let go of in order to cling to God? Its essential to realize theres no way to cling to two things at once.

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Have you ever held on to something with such a tight grip that when you let go of it your fingers stayed clamped in position and you had to forcibly unlock your hand to reposition it? While you were holding on to the object, you didnt realize your hand was getting a cramp in it because you had become accustomed to how it felt to hold on tight. Sometimes thats how it is when we cling to something in our lives other than God. We dont even realize we are hanging on so tight. What might you have to do to unlock your grip?

Psalm 71:1-6 talks about how God rescues us from the grip the world has on us. What else can you learn from this Psalm?

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(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 44Daily Action Step
One of the best ways to let go of the grip you have on the things of the world is to cling to God. The people of Israel were instructed to cling to God when they entered the Promised Land, perhaps because God knew that without holding on to Him, they would become overwhelmed by their surroundings. Today we are just as easily influenced by the cares of the world. Consider what grips you. What worldly things have a stronghold over you? Recognize that you cant get out of their grip on your own; you need to cling to God in order to be freed. Consider how God feels about what has a grip on you and ask Him to deliver you from each one. This way you will begin to cling to God and by faith and His power release your grip on lifes distractions.

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DAY 45Dont Let Life Circumstances Get in the Way of Clinging to God
At a recent weight loss meeting, the members discussed how life circumstances hindered their weight loss efforts, and made plans to prevent that from happening in the future. As the members went around the room, each gave an example of something that got in the way of eating right and losing weight. What they realized was that none of those things caused them to fail. It was their own choice to feel overwhelmed by the circumstances that hindered their focus and determination. Can these life circumstances we all deal with affect your decision to follow God? Just like the weight loss meeting, there are times we make excuses for not following God like we should because life has gotten in the way. What excuses do you use?

What does it mean to truly follow God? What does it take? What must we totally give up to follow God?

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Following God requires a total surrendergive up following self. If you are truly following God, then anxiety and worry will not be part of your life. God is the leader, and He tells you to follow Him, no matter what. He navigates you in the right direction. What is your Heavenly Navigational System telling you right now?

When you were a child, your mother would ask you to hold her hand when crossing the street. There were times you probably didnt want to hold her hand. Perhaps you thought you were old enough to cross the street by yourself. Or maybe someone was watching, and you didnt want him to think you were a baby. All the time, your mother simply wanted to hold your hand to assure your safety, because she loved you and wanted what was best for you. When do you, or have you let pride or fear of what other people might say get in the way of clinging to God? What can you do to avoid this in the future?

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(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 45Daily Action Step
Are you like Hezekiah? Do you follow God by surrendering any desire to follow self, regardless of your life circumstances? To do this, first evaluate what you have allowed get in the way from truly clinging to God. Is it a job that requires too much of your time? A family who are not supportive of your relationship with God? Is it a struggle with health, finances, relationships that has your attention? Or, maybe its a concern of being made fun of or ridiculed by friends or co-workers? Nothing should get in the way of clinging to God. In order to cling to God you must seek His wisdom and direction, and only take actions that would please Him. Even though instinctively you may want to rely on yourself, rely on God to guide and direct you. You will achieve victory for you and others in your life.

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DAY 46When Times Are Tough Make Tough Decisions To Cling To God
Why does God want you to cling to Him regardless of the circumstances?

Hezekiah was willing to destroy the bronze serpent even though it had a good history for the Jewish people, because the people had started to worship it. Is there something in your life that youve become so attached to that it distracts you from clinging to God? Are you willing to make a bold step like Hezekiah and remove it from your life, forsaking the consequences of doing so in order to closely follow God? At first it may be very painful, but the result will be sweeter than you can imagine.

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Often when we are faced with tough times in life, we blame God and take the why me attitude. Recall a time this happened to you. How did God help you overcome it? Or are you still holding on to the hurt?

Think of someone you know who has become bitter. Often, bitterness stems from not knowing God, not following Him closely, and not clinging to Him. Is there a way you can bring the good news about Jesus to this bitter individual so that he or she might experience a transformed life with God?

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(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 46Daily Action Step
Just like Hezekiah and Moses, when facing tough times its important to cling to God. They refused to listen to doubts, and didnt give in to compromises. Consider a tough time or tough decision you are facing. Then take a no-compromise attitude toward clinging to God, no matter what the consequences are, by taking godly action to resolve the dilemma.

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DAY 47Call Out to God and Reap the Benefits of Clinging to Him
Compare your need for God to physical thirst. How is it similar? How are you dry, parched, dehydrated?

When Joshuas army fought the Amalekites, Moses depended solely on God for victory. True victory only comes when God is called upon to lead. Is it possible to totally depend on God for everything?

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Clinging by definition is an intimacy that never stops growing. When you cling to something, you spend more time getting to know more about the object to which you are clinging. How might you learn more about God? Grow more in your relationship with Him?

Moses asked God to reveal Himself to him. So often we want God to reveal Himself to us and show us His glory, but we really dont know Him at all. Take a little inventory. Do you: 1) Cry out to Him in times of trouble, but forget Him when things are going well? 2) Only give over parts of your life to God? 3) Keep certain parts to yourself thinking you cant talk to God about them? 4) Feel like Gods not listening and not answering you when you pray? You wont recognize His glory if you arent clinging to Him at all times.

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(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 47Daily Action Step
To cling to God you must talk to Him on a regular basis about anything and everything in your life. Take time with God every day; go to Him for all lifes issues, problems, situations and decisions; and dont give up talking with Him about them. Be confident that God is going to deliver in His timing and in His way. Call on Him in good times and bad. Spend time with Him in prayer every day throughout the day. Never be content with how well you think you know Godalways long to know Him more. Today, consider something that you often stress about, that seems to be clinging to you and talk with God about it. Then make a commitment to talk with God about it on a regular basis and wait and see how God removes the stress as you cling to Him.

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DAY 48You Can Make a Difference By Clinging to God


Think about this. God has a plan to use you to make a difference. How can clinging to God, in complete humility, equip you to make a difference for God?

When you make a decision without God, it might benefit you and others short-term, but the benefits have an expiration date. When you cling to God and make a difference for Him, the benefits will have eternal consequences. What are some of the eternal consequences of making a difference?

Where are you on the growth chart regarding clinging to God? The first stage is to know God. The second stage is to be willing to establish a continuing relationship with Him. The third stage is to follow Him regardless of life circumstances. The fourth stage is to totally surrender your desire to follow self, getting rid of anything that distracts you from God. And the fifth stage is that even when things are at their worst, you havent stopped clinging to Him. What stage are you in and how can you get to the fifth stage?

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(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 48Daily Action Step
If you truly want to build legacies for the kingdom of God, learn from the biblical examples of Moses and othersand apply these examples in your own daily life. Today, pray and ask God to show you how He can use you to make a difference for Him in your world. Commit to living a transformed life through clinging to God and asking Him how to equip you to leave a legacy. Review the godly mission statement you put together last week and make a list of how you plan to live it out in your everyday life. This is the beginning of your legacy!

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DAY 49A Place to Ponder and Pray


Use this space to journal your spiritual decisions after reading Chapter Seven of Jesus Take The Wheel. Perhaps you want to write a prayer to God or a list of things you want to work on in order to give up the wheel of your life to Jesus. Take time to determine your stepsallow them to be ordered by the Lord, that He might direct your path.

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What a beautiful growth cycle: more conviction [guilt regarding sin] means more repentance, more repentance means less sin, and less sin means more joy.

CHAPTER EIGHT KEY #7: What Being a Passenger is All About / Find Joy on the Journey

These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete. (1 John 1:4)

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DAY 50Joy Without God Has Its Ups and Downs

Do you ever feel joy is like a roller coaster? Why is it so hard to have a stable, steady level of joy in your life? How do life circumstances affect joy in your life? When you define joy by a certain set of circumstances, its not the kind of joy that God wants for you. The joy that comes from God is constant and sustainable and is not based on anything earthly; its simply based on Him.

How do marital problems affect your joy? Finances? Job stress? Struggles with family or friends? Perhaps it wasnt true joy to begin with. So, what is true joy?

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Sometimes we say certain things rob our joy. But if we look at our godly role models, we notice the same circumstance didnt rob their joy. What makes the difference? So, can anything really rob you of your joy? It only can if you let it. How can you make that switch in your mind so that this doesnt happen?

Where does sustainable joy come from? How can you attain it? How can you keep it?

Philippians 4:4 says, Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 1 Thessalonians 5:16 repeats this by saying, Rejoice always. Since Gods joy is available to everyone, and since He tells you to rejoice in Him always, it only makes sense that you should avail yourself of it. So, how do you go about experiencing it?

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(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 50Daily Action Step
What causes your emotions to roller coaster? What hot button do you have that, when pushed, makes you feel like your joy has been robbed? Identifying your hot buttons is the first step to keeping them from taking away your joy. Keep in mind that nothing can rob you of true joy unless you let it. God wants His joy to be constant through His presence in your life. Today evaluate what it is that causes you to lose your joy. Ask God to equip you to have a different perspective of the situation through His wisdom so you can possess His sustaining joy. Then challenge yourself by following God and not letting the hot buttons of your life rob you of your joy.

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DAY 51Joy Comes When You Seek God


1 Chronicles 16:10-12 reads, Glory in His holy name; let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad. Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually. Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done, His marvels and the judgments from His mouth. There is gladness and joy in seeking Him continuously with all our heart. God is the giver of strength, and as we seek Him, we will gain His strength, and experience great joy. So, what does it mean to seek God?

A great formula for finding God is to spend time: talking with God, plus listening to God, plus living for Him. How can you implement each element of this formula in your life?

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As you recognize that you are His and no one can win against Him, then even in perceived defeats and trials, you will know joy as you seek God. What does knowing that you belong to God do to help you experience pure joy?

As you seek God, you must be familiar with His Word and His promises. You can only do this by reading and studying His Word. Perhaps you already have a Bible study plan in place, but if not, what is your plan to get into Gods Word? Some use a Bible-reading schedule; others use a devotional book or participate in a Bible study. What will work for you as you endeavor to live a transformed life with God?

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(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 51Daily Action Step
Today, your action step is to evaluate this checklist, as patterned by our Bible illustration for the day, and commit to work on at least one of these steps to seeking God. Then, over time, add to your portfolio additional ways you will seek God in order to find joy: Get rid of the distractions of your life, denying self and focusing solely on God. Gather together with others with the common purpose of seeking Gods help. Recognize that God is supreme and no one can stand against Him. Acknowledge His control in all things. Read, study, and depend on His Word. Reveal to Him exactly how you feel. Be still and wait for His advice. Worship and praise God in advance for His great answer to prayer.

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DAY 52-Joy Comes When We Are Comforted


Isaiah 49:13 says, Shout for joy, O heavens! And rejoice, O earth! Break forth into joyful shouting, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted His people and will have compassion on His afflicted. Why do we feel joyful when we are comfortedwhen we experience the compassion of another?

Compassion is empathy for anothers suffering, coupled with the desire to relieve it. God has offered you compassion. How might you extend compassion to someone else? Who does God want you to begin with?

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We have constant access to the Messiah, with the ability to receive His comfort, compassion, and joy. We simply need to look to Jesus and call on Him. Write a prayer, requesting Gods comfort and compassion about a specific situation here.

(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 52Daily Action Step
If you want to experience sustained joy, then no matter what is getting you down, first realize you have Gods comfort and compassion for that very specific situation. Go to Him and tell Him all about it. He will give you the same comfort and compassion He gave when He promised the coming of the Messiah. He has already provided the way through the price Jesus paid; simply trust that He will make good on His promise. Then, remembering that God used Isaiah to tell the people of Judah about Gods comfort and compassion, go to one of Gods helpers in your life and ask them to pray with you about the situation. Let them be used by God to assure you of His comfort and compassion.

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DAY 53Joy Comes When We Are Forgiven


Sometimes our joy is muffled because of unconfessed sin in our lives. Joy is sustained in your life as you admit your sins to God and truly repent of them. What does it mean to repent? Is there any sin you have tried to hide in your heart? The guilty conviction from the Holy Spirit will gnaw at you until you make things right with God and with anyone affected by the sin. Then you can experience pure joy. The only way to a transformed life with God is to make sure the sins Jesus paid such an expensive price for have been confessed. Now is a wonderful opportunity to take care of this heavy load, so that Jesus might lift the weight from your shoulders. List the sins you have not asked God to forgive. Consider the daily sins of today and also the sins from days past.

Along with confessing sin comes accepting Gods forgiveness. Sometimes others have forgiven us, God has forgiven us, but we have not forgiven ourselves. If that is the case with you, take the time right now to allow the gift of forgiveness to penetrate your heart. True joy will be the result. What have you not forgiven yourself for and what can you do to change this?

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1 John 1:9 makes it clear, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. What does this cleansing feel like?

There is no sin too awful for God to forgive. Now thats a reason to rejoice! Its also a good reason to forgive others. If God, who is perfect, forgives sin, then who are we to hold on to a grudge? Is there a person you need to forgive? Unforgiveness imprisons you, but forgiveness sets you free. Who is that person and what can you do to forgive them?

(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 53Daily Action Step
When you are jealous, lusting, covetous, tempted to steal or lie, filled with hatred in your heart towards someone, harboring unresolved resentmentswhen you have any of these or any other sins in your life, the joy of the Lord will not be made full in you. The good news is that joy will return as long as you take your sins to God with a repentant heart and ask His forgiveness. He is faithful to forgive, to restore your joy, and to work with you to sin less and have joy more continually. Begin today to face the sin in your life head-on and let God know you are sorry and want to stop whatever it is you are doing. Then accept His joy through forgiveness.

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DAY 54Joy Comes When We Live By Gods Word and Share It With Others
What does it mean to live by Gods Word? How can you make it real in your life? How can you make it a natural part of who you are?

When you receive a love letter, you cherish it and read it over and over. It says the words you want to hear and reminds you of how much the sender loves you. Happiness comes anytime you think about the letter. Gods Word, the Bible, is like a love letter from the One who loves us most. When you think about it like this, how does Gods Word increase your joy?

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Because Gods Word has touched you, you will want to share it with others, too. The same love letter God wrote to you is written for all mankind. Why is it so awkward to share it with someone else? Are you afraid of rejection or conflict? Why does what someone else thinks matter more than what God thinks? When you do step outside of your comfort zone to share Gods message with someone else, you will experience an extreme joy that comes from no other source. Write down how you can start sharing Gods word with more people everyday.

In 3 John 4 it says, I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. John wasnt speaking of biological children, but of the ones he had spiritually mentored. Who is God placing in your path for you to mentor? How can you be a mentor to them? Just think of the unbeatable joy that will come from seeing your mentoree continue to walk in Gods truth.

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(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 54Daily Action Step
Living by Gods Word increases your joy. This is a sustainable, continuous joy no matter what your circumstances. You have the complete Word of God easily accessiblethe Old and New Testaments of the Bible. You are also blessed with the guidance of the Holy Spirit within, to help you to both understand and live by Gods words. Tap into this joy by adding the commitment to begin memorizing Scriptures that touch your heart, and by determining to share Gods Word with others. How can you do this? You can start by talking about Jesus to friends, family, or if the opportunity exists, people youve just met who perhaps dont know Him. If you feel a little incapable of sharing your faith with unbelievers go to, www.letjesustakethewheel.com for resources and encouragement that will help prepare you to share the salvation message of Jesus. Good opportunities to talk with other Christians about Jesus can be found in a variety of ways, such as discipleship programs, mentoring relationships, or counseling situations. You can also consider simply talking to other believers about the keys to a transformed life with God that youve learned, from Jesus Take The Wheel. Take an action to share Jesus with others today, and you are sure to see your joy made full.

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DAY 55Joy Comes When We Have Giving Hearts and Appreciate Gods Creation
David wanted so much to see the Temple constructed that he gave generously of his own resources to provide many of the supplies needed for the Temple. As he gave of his material possessions, he experienced the joy that comes from giving willingly. He experienced a cheerful heart. Think of a time that giving willingly produced joy in your life.

Other times, you give out of obligation, but God blesses your obedience, and provides you with joy, so that eventually you are able to give out of a cheerful heart. Think of a time this was the case. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. It all starts with purposing in your heart. Write a prayer to let God know you are determined to give with your whole heart, holding nothing back.

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In 1 Chronicles 29:9 it says, Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the Lord with a whole heart, and King David also rejoiced greatly. The joy wasnt because they gave a lot and collected a lot, why was it?

Psalm 65:6-8 speaking of God says, Who establishes the mountains by His strength, being girded with might; who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the tumult of the peoples. They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs; You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy. Be specific, and write down some of Gods creation and thank Him for each one-praising Him for His amazing ability to create all that we can see, taste, touch, hear, and smell. Enjoying Gods creation brings about a special kind of joy.

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(GPS) Gods Positioning System


Day 55Daily Action Step
Consider how you can willingly give your time and resources to God. Like David, do so with a cheerful heart with the understanding that everything you have and everything you are is a gift from God. Take time out of your busy life to think about this in a place where you can look upon Gods creation and adore the Creator. Realize that God created all of this for you to share with Him. His joy permeates His creation. Its Gods painting, His sculpture for you to watch, to meditate on, and to share with Him. Instead of just looking at Gods creation, take time to reflect on His artwork and the beauty of what His hands have made, and youll connect with the joy He had when creating it all. Today, look at Gods creation, experience His joy as you observe the work of His hands, then consider how to be a cheerful giver and worship Him in thanks.

Principles for Joy 1. Seeking God Brings Joy 2. Realizing Gods Comfort and Compassion Brings Joy 3. Admitting and Repenting of Sins to God Brings Joy 4. Living by Gods Word Brings Great Joy 5. Pouring Our Faith and the Godly Principles of Living Faith into Others Brings Joy 6. Giving to God Willingly from the Heart Brings Joy 7. Praying for Others Brings Joy 8. Enjoying Gods Creation Brings Simple, Beautiful Joy

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DAY 56A Place to Ponder and Pray


Use this space to journal your spiritual decisions after reading Chapter Eight of Jesus Take The Wheel. Perhaps you want to write a prayer to God or a list of things you want to work on in order to give up the wheel of your life to Jesus. Take time to determine your stepsallow them to be ordered by the Lord, that He might direct your path.

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One More Look at the Seven Keys


Take one more look at the seven keys to a transformed life with God. If you allow Jesus to take the wheel of your life, all seven principles will be at work in your life. Perform a periodical check-up of these seven keys to make sure you stay on track. When you veer off course, yield the wheel to Jesus again, and spend time focused on allowing God to transform your life.

Seven Keys to a Transformed Life with God:


Key #1 Which Driver is Most Important? / Selfless Life Key #2 Ask for Directions / Gain Wisdom from Gods Helpers Key #3 Listen to Your Na vigation System / Listen and Follow Gods Direction Key #4 Rely on Your Driver / Trust, Acknowledge and Rely on God Key #5 When the Four Car Pile-up Happens / Peace in the Trials Key #6 Stop Clinging to the Steering Wheel / Cling to God Key #7 What Being a Passenger is All About / Find Joy on the Journey

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