You Can Run But You Can’t Hide

By Sherri Holbert –

I received the call. She said, “You know how most girlfriends call and say, do you want to go to the beach for the weekend? I’m calling to see if you’d like to go on a mission trip to Pakistan!”

My first reaction…Of course not! Are you crazy? Never wanted to go to the Middle East and I certainly don’t want to go to Pakistan. Do you know how dangerous it is there?

I was currently going through Priscilla Shirer’s study:  Jonah – Navigating a Life Interrupted.  Through this study it was clear to me that God was allowing several “interruptions” to shake up my spiritual walk. I felt that I needed to step out of my comfort zone and grow my faith in some different areas of my life. God asks Jonah to go to Ninevah and spread the word in one of the most dangerous and volatile areas and to people that Jonah simply does not like because of their hate for God. If you know the story you know Jonah runs, gets swallowed by a large fish and three days later is spit up; he finally resigns to the fact that he can’t run and he must obey.

Believe me. I have so much more compassion for Jonah now. I wanted to be just like him after I got the call! I wanted to run. Despite the fear, here’s what I know. God has a bigger plan than I can see. He is a God of details and will work them out for us. Yes, He asks us to step out of our comfort zone and that may cause some fear but we can be assured that He will never put us in a situation He can’t control. I leave in two days and I am telling myself, “Fear not. God is with me.”

Here’s my challenge to you. As you think about spiritual goals you’d like to accomplish this year, what will take your spiritual walk to a deeper level? Are you playing it too safe? Is there an area in your life you feel God wants you to experience a little fear so that you have to put more trust in Him? Do you trust Him enough to step out of your comfort zone?

I have chosen not to run. I can’t promise the trip will be easy or even safe. I doubt I will be swallowed by a fish. I’m more likely to be trampled by a camel. What I do know is when we obey, God provides all we need.

PRAYER: Father, provide us with safe travels in our daily life whether taking a trip out of the country or simply going to work. We know You provide us with protection, guidance and wisdom in all circumstances we encounter. Help us step out of our comfort zone and past the fear in order to do Your will.

BIBLE VERSE: “The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed/” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV).

Inner Promptings

By Carin LeRoy –

My mom told me the story of a friend who called one morning and asked if she would meet her for lunch. Having a busy schedule and trying to prepare her Sunday School lesson for the week, my mother barely had the time to go. However, while talking with this friend, she had an overwhelming urge that God wanted her to go. She went.

At lunch, the friend admitted that she had become emotionally attached to another man at a weekly meeting and was planning to leave her husband. My mother read Scripture and admonished her not to consider it because of the personal and eternal consequences of her actions. Two weeks later the friend told her, “My suitcases were packed in the trunk of my car, and I was leaving to join the other man after lunch unless you gave me a reason to change my mind.”

What if my Mom had not listened to that prompting from the Lord? Because she listened to the Spirit’s urging, a marriage was saved and grief and pain averted. Later the friend told my mom how thankful she was for her advice to stay with her husband. Who would have thought that a simple lunch with someone would save a marriage?

How many times do we receive inner promptings from the Lord? How often do we brush those thoughts away?

“Take a meal to Sue’s family. They need the encouragement with their child in hospital.” I’m so busy right now. Maybe soon.

“Go apologize to your son for losing your temper.” I am the parent. I’m not humbling myself to my child.

“Invite your neighbor to church.” She’s so grumpy; she’ll never go.

“See that old man, help him load those groceries in his car.” I don’t have time, Lord, I’ve got to get to my appointment.

“Spend extra time talking with that student.” I teach 100 kids; I can’t meet every child’s need.

How many times does God speak to us and we fail to listen? We can ignore those inner promptings, brushing them off as a silly thought or something we needn’t obey. Yet imagine what change we might make in the life of another if we choose to respond. Maybe we should listen to those inner promptings. Let’s remember that God might choose to use us to impact a life.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to listen to Your inner promptings. Help me to be sensitive when Your voice speaks to me and give me a willingness to obey.

BIBLE VERSE: “Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground” (Psalm 143: 10 NIV).

You have chosen…Wisely

By Elaine James –

“But choose wisely, for while the true Grail will bring you life, the false Grail will take it from you”, said the Grail Knight. Indiana Jones chose the grail and the Grail Knight responded “You have chosen… wisely.”

As I drove away from church, I heard a whisper in my head quoting these famous lines from the Indiana Jones movie. The night before that, a lot was whirling through my head as things in my home were getting complicated. My mind had made up every excuse not to attend church.  I asked God for peace. No peace came with my decision of not going. I’m always praying that I would clearly know the will of the Father with the sign of peace from Him. In the end, peace came when I heard the whisper “just go, you go alone.” I left a house full of family members and overnight guests, feeling that peace that passes all understanding.

At moments in the car there was a battle in my mind. I was thinking: “If you go home that would be good. There is a ministry there after all.” Next thought: “But seek first the kingdom of heaven and His righteousness and all shall be added.” I don’t want to seem religious about church to anyone, but I am most concerned about following the Spirit of God. I was blessed with a great fellowship and message at church.

It was when I was driving home that I heard the whisper from God: “You chose wisely.” Lol! “God you are funny quoting a movie,” I thought. That day I became very aware of God and sensed His perspective in life’s circumstances. There was clarity! It was like God and I were fully connected. I could cry now as I write this because I sensed God saying: “Tell my people Elaine, that my word is true. When you seek me first all shall be added.” I experienced a closer bond with God and that matters more than any material blessing God can give me. My passion is that others will experience that too!

Rotten Tomatoes gave Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade a whopping review of 89%. Audiences liked it at 91%. The story of a crusade still intrigues many audiences. A crusade needs person to be extremely focused and committed towards achieving the end results. Our crusade is to choose wisely.

PRAYER:  Lord, thank You for each day where Your mercies are new. Help me to choose wisely.

BIBLE VERSE: “Grow a wise heart—you’ll do yourself a favor; keep a clear head—you’ll find a good life” (Proverbs 19:8 MSG).

Outta Sight, Outta Mind

By Susan Dollyhigh –

The Sweeper Vac’s battery charger resided on the counter in the butler’s pantry of my 1927 home. It was ready to connect with the batteries when they became weary and drained. After spending time in the charger, the batteries were rejuvenated and the Vac was ready to tackle whatever task the day might bring.

One day in a cleaning frenzy, I tucked the charger into a drawer instead of leaving it out for the world to see. As the saying goes, “outta sight, outta mind.” I soon forgot about my Sweeper Vac and returned to using a broom, even though it left me with a pile of crumbs to clean up.

Weeks later, I saw the neglected Sweeper Vac sitting forlornly in the corner of the cleaning closet. I pulled it out and pushed the button to turn it on, but all the life was drained from its batteries.

Just like that Sweeper Vac; I have a Charger, too. For many years, I kept it in a drawer instead of leaving it out for the world to see, and it became “outta sight, outta mind.”

But when I came to know my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I discovered the importance of my Charger, which is God’s Holy Word. I removed my Bible from the drawer and placed it on my kitchen table where it resides, waiting for me to connect with my Father.

When I spend time in God’s Word each morning, I am spiritually rejuvenated and better equipped to tackle whatever task the day might bring. I’ve also found that with God’s Word hidden in my heart, there’s a lot less mess for me to have to clean up at the end of the day.

PRAYER: Father, I thank You for proving to me over and over that You are the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

BIBLE VERSE: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds” (Psalms 73:26 – 28 NIV).

Through the Valley

By Janet Morris Grimes –

It is difficult to see clearly from the valley. The path ahead is frightening; the path behind, too painful to look back. There seems to be no escape; the only way to get through it is to get through it. But with the end nowhere in sight, even that seems futile, at times.

It is in the valleys that we realize there are no shortcuts. You can’t bypass it. You can’t go around it. Perhaps that is why we find them so scary.

But God says not to worry. As a matter of fact, He knew there would be valleys. High points, countered by low points, blended together to form the timelines of our lives. He never promised it would be easy.

But what He did promise is even more gratifying. He promised to be there. Always. From start to finish. From our mountaintop experiences to the moments that literally drop us to our knees.

God appreciates the valleys, not because He enjoys seeing us in pain, but more so because He knows that is when we will be calling His name. In the valleys, He gets the chance to speak to us, one-on-one. And He knows we will listen.

It’s not that He chooses only to reveal Himself to us in the valleys; that is just when we seem to take notice. Finally.

So, whatever valley you may be traveling through, know that you are never alone. Treasure this time, claim it for growth, and keep moving toward the end. One foot in front of the other.

And if possible, be thankful for your valleys.

Because wherever God meets us is holy ground, even through the pain.

And maybe even because of it.

PRAYER: Dear God, Thank You for our valleys, for revealing Yourself to us during our darkest hours. Thank You for loving us enough to go before us, to prepare the pathway through it. Thank You for reminding us that we are not strong enough to handle the valleys alone, but that You are with us always. Your strength is more than enough. It is there, in Your capable hands, that we release our burdens unto You.

BIBLE VERSE: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4 NIV).

« Previous Page — Next Page »