Tuesday, July 13, 2021

#13 Surprised by God

Randy Kilgore-  after ten years of renting in a charming location, we discovered that our landlord suddenly needed to sell the house.  I asked God to change the circumstances and make it possible for my wife and me to stay in this place we'd made home, where we'd watched our children grow up. But God said no.

   When it comes to my needs, I worry that I'm asking for the wrong thing or that I'm not worthy of the request I'm making. But God's no doesn't need to shake our faith when we're grounded—surrounded I like to say—in His love. (Google image, Beach house)

  In Ephesians 3, Paul understood that those who know the love of Christ intimately (vv. 16-17) can trust God to have a loving reason for saying no. 

   Shortly after hearing "no" from God about my request, friends from church offered to rent us a home they were vacating. Out new location—with new appliances, new plumbing, new electrical wiring, and an extra bedroom —sits on the ocean, an idyllic scene of ships. sails, and sounds that daily remind us that God is bigger than any issue we face. Out loving Father used loving friends to give more that we  asked.  

   Whether God gives us more than we imagined or far less that we desired, we can trust that His plans are much better.  [Randy Kilgore]

 [Taken from a booklet, PRAYER CHANGES THINGS, of Our Daily Bread Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. www.odb.org]


Let's pray-

     Father, when we need a change in our surroundings, and we ask for Your help, may we acknowledge that You know what will be best for us. We may think we know, but You can see far ahead, and You can see how things need to take place.

   No matter how long we've been in a particular place or situation, we still wonder whether we should ask for our needs for a change that would make us happy. May we not feel that we're unworthy of Your help, but to trust in Your judgement for the outcome. May our faith remain strong, though Your answer may be "no."  

   As it turns out, we find You've been working on our behalf, and that You've worked out something that will benefit us. Thank You for Your attention to our needs, though You  are directing the whole universe daily!

   We ask for Your help in Jesus' name, amen.
   

Today's Bible verses-

       James 4:10 (NKJV) "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."

       2 Peter 3:18 (NKJV) "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen."

       Romans 5:1 (NKJV) "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (v. 2) through whom also we have access by faith unto this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."


Quotes for today-

~ Bill Crowder- "Talk about "more than you can ask or think" (see Ephesians 3:20). Offered the opportunity to make the Big Ask, Israel's new king could have asked for  popularity or money or pleasure or property or a gazillion other things. He should have. But he didn't. When offered what amounted to a divine blank check, Solomon responded by declaring his great need of wisdom if he was to rule well over God's people." [p. 39, in AVAILABLE for  GOD'S PURPOSE]


Only Jesus


Who knows each moment how you feel?

Whose love for you is always real?

Who cares for you and guides your way?

Who holds your hand so you won't stray?

 

Jesus!

 

Who's there when others turn their backs?

Who helps you get your life on track?

Who always wants to be your friend?

On whom alone can you depend?

 

Jesus!

 

Who's there for you both day and night?

Who soothes your pain and makes things right?

Who walked the road to Calvary

And gave His life, so you’d be free?

 

Jesus!

 

Who is Our Savior and Our King,

Our Counselor-Our Everything?

 

Only Jesus!


 ©Frances Gregory Pasch



Words of wisdom-

  As we understand that God is King of the whole earth, we can have hope in His Ability to govern everything, even the affairs of the nations. He has a good plan to use all the evil that’s going on, and He uses it to bring people to know that He’s the only One who can do anything about it.


Today's question-

       Does God know your name?

   It is a certainty that He does! He created you in your mother's womb, and has been mindful of your progress ever since. Zacchaeus was surprised when Jesus called his name, when He was walking by the tree where Zacchaeus was hiding, hoping to get a glimpse of Him. 

   Zacchaeus desired to check out this Man he'd heard a great deal about. When Jesus called his name, and invited Himself to visit him that day, onlookers were astonished and grumbled that Jesus would associate with such a sinner as the tax collector!

   The outcome of the visit with Zacchaeus was astounding, as there was such a great change in him, that he was willing to make serious changes in his life. His friends grumbled at his wanting to get acquainted with this Man, but it didn't keep him from welcoming Jesus into his life and heart.

   As the Lord knows our names, He is aware of our individual needs and desires. He has a plan for each of us, that will be good and gracious, and that will bring Him honor. May you be open for Him to visit with you, too! He wants to change you into the image he sees in you of your potential, for the good of all concerned.



 Upcoming posts

#14 A Prayer
15th- Thursday's post by Marion Strout

The God of All Comfort
17th- Saturday's post by Alyson Kieda

#1 Friendship With God
20th- Tuesday's post by Alvin Vandergriend
(New study, Love To Pray)

#2 Prayer Starts With God
22nd-Thursday's post by Alvin Vandergriend



The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,

located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,

broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15

You can view past services too.

Sermon listing: https://www.cfconline.org/sermon-library





 

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