Walking with God

Here is the latest devotion of mine that was published in christiandevotions.usa.  I hope it ministers to you.  Just click on the title. 

Blessings to You

When God Says Wait

It has been said that God always answers our prayers - sometimes with a yes, sometimes with a no, and sometimes He tells us to wait.  After the birth of Jesus, the shepherds who had seen and heard the heavenly host praising God at the entrance of Christ in the earth shared what they saw with Mary and Joseph.  The dramatic scene indicated the great significance of Jesus’ life.  The scripture says that she pondered this news within her heart.

Sometimes the Holy Spirit gives us glimpses of His will for our lives.  He shows us things to come.  We cannot make God’s will happen in our lives.  We have to trust in His timing and in His way.

Has God shown you something that speaks of your future?  We must be patient to see that thing come into fruition.  We must be faithful to Him with what is before us, while we wait with hope in our hearts for the promise.

When we pray for something that is God’s will, we sometimes must wait for the manifestation.  Let’s be faithful to him in the meantime.  Let’s be strong in faith and expectation. 

In the waiting, God changes us.  Isaiah 40:30-31 tells us that when we wait for God, He increases our strength and He causes us to soar on wings like eagles.

When we pray and God says yes, we can rejoice.  When He says no, we can be thankful that He knows what’s best for us. And when God says wait, we can receive God’s strength as we are filled with hope believing for what is promised to come to pass.

Bloom

Have you heard the saying: “Bloom where you are planted?” There’s a lot of truth in that. Sometimes, we act like spiritual nomads always in search of the newest word from God. We look for that new purpose, that fresh calling or vision that will take us far from home, when the Lord often desires for us to be faithful where we are. God wants us to thrive right where we are at.

This is what He told the exiles in Babylon through the prophet Jeremiah: “For the plans I have for you are plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future. “Jeremiah 29:11. Later in that chapter, the prophet encourages the Israelites to marry, have children and pray for the Babylonian city to prosper. If the city prospers, he said, you will too. God told them they would live there for seventy years.

This is a word for us to be faithful where we are. So, bloom where you are planted, and you will make a difference in your world.

For Those Who Serve Him

Did you know God favors those who serve him?  John 12:26 says, "Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me."  NIV 

When we surrender our lives to Christ and His cause, we find ourselves in the place where God's blessings abound.  When we serve Him, He promises to give us peace, power, purpose, joy and fulfillment.  He promises to meet our every need.  We do not earn His blessings, but as we place the Lord on the throne of our lives, we come into the position where God's best becomes ours.  He will answer our prayers.  He will provide, as we place our faith in His precious promises.  This does not mean our lives will be trouble-free.  It does, however, mean that God will take good care of us.  He is a good Father and He loves us.  So let's serve Him faithfully - not so we can be blessed, but to honor Him above all else.

Tremendous Trial

This is a word for someone who's going through a tremendous trial.  The winds and waves are causing you to sink.  You are afraid that you won't make it.

"I am here," says the Lord.  "Take My hand and I will cause you to walk upon the waters.  I love you my child.  I will heal.  I will save.  I will restore.  If you will just trust Me, I will bring you out of the storm.  I am your Deliverer.  So put your trust in Me.  Stand upon My word and know that I will bring you out.  I will save.  I will deliver because My love for you is great," says the Lord.

Stephen the Beggar

He wore a soiled white shirt and a pair of ripped slacks.  His matted hair flopped in the wind and he had heavy eyes. The beggar, Stephen, held out his cup, “Could you please give me a little money to live on.  I am without a job right now and I need some to buy food.”  He turned fifty five this day and he had been on the streets since his twenties.  He used to be a policeman till he lost his buddy in a shootout.  He never forgave himself believing his friend’s loss occurred due to his negligence.

There Stephen stood year after year, day after day until a young girl approached him.  “Excuse me sir.”

“Yes?”

“I just wanted to let you know that Jesus loves you very much.  Here is a pamphlet that talks about what He’s done for you and me and everyone else.  Also, here’s a sandwich for you to eat.  God Bless you!”

“Thank you.  I promise to read it.”

Stephen devoured his salami sandwich and opened the pamphlet.  Inside, he found a picture of Christ on the cross.  Tears welled up in his eyes when he began to read of God’s great love for him and how Jesus offers complete forgiveness for his sins.  After reading the tract, he prayed aloud the concluding words and asked Jesus to be the Lord of his life.  He felt the burden of his sins melt away like ice on  a summer day. 

After three weeks, a man approached his corner.  He asked, “I am developing a team of individuals to do yard work in this area.  I will train you, and I pay competitively. Would you like to work for me?

Stephen thought, all these years without a job.  I am frightened at the idea, but I have to believe that Jesus has something to do with this…

“Sir, I will work for you.”

That began his journey back into society.  Stephen joined a church and God began prospering him.  He was quick to give to the Lord’s work, and he learned to serve as an usher at the worship center he attended.

This story is fictional but it shows us the difference we can make when we sow seeds of love to others.  Let’s share God’s word with the spiritually needy.  Let’s feed the hungry and pray for the sick.  God can use us in many ways if we’ll just be faithful and available.  Our efforts do have an effect on those around us.  Remember Christ’s commission to go into all the world, and remember His great commandments to love Him and others.

God Bless,

Tom

Free at Last

You found me, when I could not find myself

You saved me, when I was drowning

You healed me, when sickness had the upper hand

You shined your light upon me, when darkness dulled my senses

Victory is mine before I shout

So I sing Your praises aloud

When burdens pressed my shoulders down

You inverted my frown

You caused joy in me to abound

Praise is the sound

Praise is the sound

You transform my life

As I give each piece  to You

Abiding in love, abiding in the truth

Because of You I am free at last

And all I had to do was ask

Because of You I am free at last

And all I had to do was ask