John 16:33
We are often unable to see God Working, or to even recognize that it is He in what we often see as coincidence… This category will be for posting instances that happen from time to time, which let me know that God is not ONLY watching over me, but also over the lives of others…
I will give you an instance that just happened, moments ago, that will maybe help you to see God, in what is so easily missed in everyday living…
I called the phone service representing my various interests (including this blog site) because the instructions for recording the new greetings I wished to add, did not work… I followed the steps and nothing worked as it should…
I then called for support (only to find that I had missed pressing the Star (asterisk) before pressing the numeral 1). Following instructions is not something I normally have problems with… so, I began to look for God in this situation… For, I did not believe it to be coincidence that I had missed something so evident, in a process that I normally breeze through…
I just got off the phone with the representative from my phone service and she was very professional and kind and patient, but seemed a little bit tired, or down…
I asked if she is a Christian, and she said, Yes… Well, a Catholic… My response was, Great! Catholics follow Christ, so they are fellow Christians…
I then felt the unction in my spirit, to share some scriptures with her and some personal application of them… I asked if she often falls asleep while trying to read the Bible…
She rather guiltily asked, To be honest? And when I responded, Certainly, she admitted, in apparent shame, that it happens quite often…
I then told her that it happens to me, as well, and that I used to feel guilty about it, but I now understand that Jesus did not come to condemn the world, but to save it (John 3:17) and that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
I shared with her that All Good Things come from above (James 1:17), and that God IS Good, and her immediate response was, All the Time!
I then told her, Yes, He Is! But He is also ALL GOOD, ALL the time… and that means that every good thing comes from Him, and so, everything NOT good, is from Satan…
I then shared that God revealed to me that falling asleep while reading the Bible is not something to be ashamed of, that the feelings of shame were from Satan, to make you feel like: What’s the use in reading God’s Word — I always fall asleep before I even read enough to remember…
I shared with her that falling asleep while reading the Word of God is NOT something to be ashamed of, or to feel guilty about… it is promised to happen by Christ Himself…
In Matthew 11:28-30, Christ stated, come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
I told her, When you pray, when you read the Bible, you are “coming” to Jesus, coming to God, and you are “learning” from Him, and as a reward for this obedience, He delivers on His promise to give you rest… you fall asleep; you sleep deeply restful, and you awaken refreshed the morning after falling asleep while reading the Bible the night before… Yes???
Her response was, Yes. Thank You, I never looked at it like that…
I then shared with her several other scriptures, and stressed how God wants us to come to Him in the Middle of our mess… The Bible refers to us returning to our messes like dogs returning to their own vomit (Proverbs 26:11) and yes, this in context of fools, but I ask you, aren’t most of your messes created because you were foolish???
But God want us to come to Him with vomit dripping off our faces, in the midst of our biggest messes… Come as you are… I then asked if she wanted her kids to come to her before anyone else, when they were in trouble whether of their own making, or not), or when they are hurt, done wrong, wounded, or just depressed…
Her response, of course, was Yes!
I asked, and that’s because you love them, yes???
She replied, Yes.
And I told her, “Well, it’s the same with God, only His Love for you, is far greater… He wants you to come to Him first, in the midst of your troubles…
It was a very uplifting conversation, and – as always – my day brightened considerably, by energy level rose, and my thankfulness to God was reinforced… That always happens when we are obedient to His Words, His Ways, His Will for us…
Which brings us to another topic, she and I covered: Do You Know God’s Will for Your Life???
If not, you will find it in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and never have to wonder again what it is! And, yes, that means thanking Him for all the terrible things that come against you, or you bring upon yourself, believing Romans 8:28 that God works ALL things to the good for them that Love Him and are called according to His Purpose… (and though few answer, everyone is called, for it is God’s Desire that not one should Perish 2 Peter 3:9.
Be Blessed, Be Encouraged: Gods Loves You; No Matter What!!!
John Dainwood
