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"God gives a fresh start to those ready to quit."  Psalm 145:14 (MSG)

1. WHERE AM I?

"Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road."
Mark 10:46 (NLT)

Mark 10:46:   "Sitting beside the road"
Mark 10:52:   "Following Jesus on the road!"

"When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the LORD God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the LORD God among the trees. Then the LORD God called to the man, 'Where are you?' He replied, 'I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.'"                              Genesis 3:8-10 (NLT)

Ask in 5 areas: Physically, Emotionally, Relationally, Vocationally, Spiritually

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way."Psalm 139:23-24 (NASB)

ACTION PLAN: Find a quiet place and take a notepad, your Bible, and something to write with. Pray Psalm 139:23‑24 to ask God to search you to reveal where you are physically, emotionally, relationally, vocationally, and spiritually. Write down what he brings to mind and give him permission to make the changes that will bring you to where you need to be.

2. WHO AM I LISTENING TO?

"When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!' 'Be quiet!' many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!'"          Mark 10:47-48 (NLT)

"When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, 'Tell him to come here.' So they called the blind man. 'Cheer up,' they said. 'Come on, he's calling you!' Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus." Mark 10:49-50 (NLT)

The crowd shouts
Jesus whispers
The crowd interrupts
Jesus invites
The crowd waffles
Jesus never wavers
The crowd cares about itself
Jesus cares about you

ACTION PLAN: Think about the last 24 hours and all the things that have assailed your ears. Of the sources you've listened to, which influenced your thoughts, attitudes, and perspective in an unhealthy way? Ask yourself the question, "is this helping me get to know Jesus?" If it isn't, consider restricting your intake and instead try listening to things that lift you up. Try doing this 24-hours at a time.

3. WHAT DO I WANT?

"'What do you want me to do for you?' Jesus asked. 'My rabbi,' the blind man said, 'I want to see!' And Jesus said to him, 'Go, for your faith has healed you.' Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road."            Mark 10:51-52 (NLT)

"'What do you want me to do for you?' he asked. They replied, 'Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.' 'You don't know what you are asking,' Jesus said. 'Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?'" Mark 10:36-38 (NIV)

"Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."   Matthew 6:10 (NIV)

ACTION PLAN: The next time you sit down to pray, write a "wish list" of what you want from the Lord. To begin the conversation with God, tell him what you want as honestly as you can. Write down what a "reset" looks like for you. Pray and give the Lord permission to do whatever is needed to make the necessary changes in your life. Remember that he is not creating a to-do list for you, he will do it!

"Everything that we have — right thinking, right living, a clean slate, and a fresh start — comes from God by way of Jesus Christ."    1 Corinthians 1:30 (MSG)