Thoughts for Life: God Is There

Tim Gustafson- Aubrey bought a fleece-lined coat for her aging father, but he died before he could wear it. So she tucked a note of encouragement with a $20 bill into the pocket and donated the jacket to charity.

Ninety miles away, unable to endure his family's dysfunction any longer, nineteen-year-ole Kelly left his house without grabbing a coat. He knew of only one place to turn—the home of his grandmother who prayed for him. (Google image, Fleeced-lined coat)

Hours later he stepped off a bus and into his grandma's arms. Shielding him from the winter wind, she said, "We've got to get you a coat!" At the mission store, Kelly tried on a coat he liked. Slipping his hands into the pockets he found an envelope—with a $20 bill and Aubrey's note.

Jacob fled his dysfunctional family in fear for his life (Genesis 27:41-45). When he stopped for the night, God revealed Himself to Jacob in a dream. "I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go," God told him (28:15). Jacob vowed, "If God will . . . give me food to eat and clothes to wear . . . , then the LORD will be my God" (vv. 20-21).

Jacob made a rudimentary altar and named the spot "God's house" (v. 22). Kelly takes Aubrey's note and the $20 wherever he goes. Each serves as a reminder that no matter where we run, God is there.

Let's pray-

Father, You are the only One I can always run to. Help me turn to You first! I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

551-555- one-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-

551-Matt. 22:37 "Jesus said unto him, Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."

552- Ps. 72:18 "Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things."

553- Ps. 103:21 "Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of this, that do his pleasure."

554- Ps. 105:19 "Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.'"

555- Job 29:11 "Then the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me."

Quote for today-

 Dr. David Jeremiah-  "More than anything else, this is what we're made for—a passionate, practical embracing of God with all His attributes, all His virtues, all His grace, embracing him with an overflowing heart of burning devotion and passionate enjoyment. That affects everything else we think, do, and say."  [pg. 47 in his book, 

Forward]

Words of wisdom-

Have you considered the impact your life has made? Do you think what you’ve done has influenced others, to where they have been helped in their walk with Christ? Considering all those who’ve lived their lives for Him, do you see where you’ve been a help by letting your life speak for Jesus?

Our Ambassador to Israel, Michael David Evens' comments:

"Prayer is not an empty or meaningless ritual. God hears us every time that we call out to Him. And He rejoices to hear from His children."

John 11:41, 42 "Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, 'Father, I thank You that you have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.'