Reminders

God has a gentle way of reminding us that He is in control. Last month in Beaumont, Texas a tornado popped up without any warning. The TV weathermen all tried to figure out how they didn’t see it coming. One of them finally admitted that sometimes things were out of their control.

Sometimes? 

Giving God control of all things…big or little makes life a little less stressful.  When you aren’t in control, your only obligation is to do what you’re told—to obey. Well, that’s exactly how it is with God. People ask “How do I know what God is telling me to do; how do I know what to obey?” When you begin reading God’s Word you become familiar with His voice, His commands, His Words, His direction. It doesn’t mean that you’ll never go another way, but it does mean He will guide you if you give Him control.  Just like the weathermen in Beaumont, don’t be surprised when God pops in and does something unexpected.  It’s just a reminder that in this world of crazy control freaks and manipulators, He really is still in charge of everything!

PRAYER: Thank You Father for Your guiding hand that controls my life.  Help me to submit to those things You allow and to learn from the valleys and the mountaintops.

“Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power,” Psalm 150:1 KJV.

Today’s devotion is by Gina Stinson, wife to Bruce, mom to Savannah and Tucker and publicist assistant for Kathy Carlton Willis Communications.  In her spare time you can find her blogging, gardening and working in her community and church. Check out her blog http://journalinggina.blogspot.com

Are You Listening to God or Goliath?

David had a choice in 1 Samuel 17.  He could believe the promises of Goliath or God.  “The Philistine said to David, ‘Am I a dog, that you are coming after me with sticks?”  Then the Philistine cursed David by his gods.  The Philistine said to David, ‘Come here to me, so I can give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the wild animals of the field!’  “But David replied to the Philistine, ‘You are coming against me with sword and spear and javelin.  But I am coming against you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel’s armies, whom you have defied!  This very day the Lord will deliver you into my hand!  I will strike you down and cut off your head.  This day I will give the corpses of the Philistine army to the birds of the sky and the wild animals of the land.  Then all the land will realize that Israel has a God and all this assembly will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves!  For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will deliver you into our hand,’” 1 Samuel 17:43-47 NET.

As you know, it was Goliath who became buzzard meat.

We have a choice, whose promises will we believe: our enemy or our God?

“You’re a loser, a worthless failure” or “You’re a child of God.”

“You can’t do it” or “I will give you strength.”

“You’re out of work and you’re going to starve” or “I will provide for you.”

“You have six months to live” or “In Me, you have eternal life.”

“Your prodigal children are lost” or “I will guide them home.”

“No one loves you” or “I love you unconditionally.”

“You’re alone” or “I am with you.”

We have a choice whose promises will we believe: the loser or the winner?

PRAYER: Father, as we face our individual Goliaths today, may we believe Your promises, rather than the giant’s.  “For the battle is the Lord’s.”

Today’s devotion by James N. Watkins is reprinted by permission from www.jameswatkins.com copyright © 2009.  He is the author of fifteen books, including Squeezing Good Out of Bad, and over two thousand articles.  He has spoken across the United States as well as overseas.

Living it Up RV Style

My family is in the midst of a move. Our problem isn’t unique. Our previous home hasn’t sold and we aren’t in the position to purchase another home until that happens. Meanwhile God has provided us a wonderful RV for our family to live in during the waiting game.  Going from a modest middle class home to an RV has been easier than I ever imagined.  Albeit small, the home comes equipped with all our necessities. Air conditioning, hot water, refrigerator and other kitchen appliances and even two televisions! Wow…home sweet RV home. We’ve moved a week’s worth of clothing in and our toiletries and a few toys for the kids and we are set to make it for a while.

With all the modern conveniences we thought we had it made. I made advance preparations with groceries and toilet paper. We even waited one day before we moved in with the kids. Last Saturday night was our first night to spend the night. The kids were excited. We took our first showers, ironed clothes for the next day and took care of bedtime routines. Everyone was snuggled in bed.  We all fell asleep, slumbering like babies….until 2:00 a.m. when out of nowhere the loudest train ever made barreled through the city train tracks, located right behind the RV spot.  As you can imagine we were immediately awakened and nearly horrified. None of us had given thought to a train. We hadn’t prepared ourselves for the enormous noise and whistling.

The next night at bedtime, we talked about the train with the kids. We reminded them it would be loud and we assured them that nothing would happen to them. We went to bed prepared and even expecting of what was to come. That night when the train came through, the children slept through the same terrifying noises that woke them the night prior.

Isn’t that so like trusting children? Children who trust their parents, who believe they will be taken care of.  Shouldn’t that be how we are with our Heavenly Father? Shouldn’t we trust his guidance? Shouldn’t we know that He will take care of us? No amount of noise, hardship, disease, pain, divorce or finances can keep us from His care. Thankfully we can sleep easy when we trust in Him.

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for the sweet slumber You offer Your children when we rest in You.  Thank You for protection and peace even in the midst of loud noises and big trains.

“When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet,” Proverbs 3:24 KJV.

Today’s devotion is by Gina Stinson, wife to Bruce, mom to Savannah and Tucker and publicist assistant for Kathy Carlton Willis Communications. In her spare time you can find her blogging, gardening and working in her community and church. Check out her blog http://journalinggina.blogspot.com

Nothing In My Ears

I have a great deal of respect for the medical profession. My mom was a nurse and some of my favorite doctors are…doctors. But I can’t be the first to wonder if some have excess wax build-up in their ears that inhibits their ability to listen. (Same principle might apply to car repairmen, husbands, and children.)

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Looks Can Be Deceiving

Have you ever met someone who made a really lousy first impression? Have you ever been introduced and immediately you wrote them off and stereotyped them as common, ordinary, average—only to find out later that they were terribly gifted in some area?

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