Knowing God

Joshua 1:5 - I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Matthew 28:20 - Jesus said, "Surly I am with you always to the very end of the age."

My husband's occupation was Forestry. We lived on Forests Units far away from towns and our neighbors. We had three small children. There were many forest animals and many poisonous snakes.

I was raised in a small town, but still there were people all around all the time. I felt very isolated and alone. Our 3-way party line was out of order most the time so I couldn't talk with anyone.

I came to realize that the only one I could depend on was God. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. They were always present. When I would cry out to God suddenly a beautiful bird might appear, or a squirrel would chatter in the trees, or a deer might come close to the house.

God used our dog - a collie - to protect us from the copperhead snakes. He would circle around them letting me know one had crawled into the yard.

God was always near. Sometimes I would walk out on the porch feeling lonely and suddenly I could hear the wind in the distance blowing the tree's leaves, rushing toward me until It finally reached me blowing my hair. It was an awesome sound letting me know God was near and on his way.

Today I can reflect on those memories of peace,quiet,God's beautiful creation and how God kept his promise to always be with me.

In the hustle, bustle of today's living, take time to stop, listen, observe and you will experience God's presence.

Come Follow Me

Matthew 4: 19 - "Come, follow me," Jesus said.

Jesus invited the disciples to stop what they were doing and follow Him. They dropped everything and did just that.

What does that mean for us today? Do you want to follow Jesus? Where is HE? Do you see Him on your busy streets or in your towns?

Guess what? We have the Holy Spirit to help us listen and hear Jesus' voice.

We are called to serve God in many different places: a foreign land, classroom at school, business world, a stay at home mom, fire fighter, police officer, doctor, nurse, and even a public office. Jesus said, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few." Luke 10:2. This field is all around us: globally, next door, at work, on the playground where our children play.

In all these places we can share Jesus' love with others so they can respond to Jesus' voice and follow Him too.

Jesus said, "Follow me." That we can do, right now, this very moment.

I pray that you and I will submit our desires, plans, lives to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and Follow Him.

Answered Prayers

Isaiah 55:8 - "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord.

Because I belong to an intercessory prayer group, I keep a prayer journal. From time to time I go back over my journal and check off prayer request that have been answered. Sometimes they are answered with a yes or no, or no not now.

Have you ever gone back over your prayer request and found one that was answered long after the request was made? Many times we want instant answers to our prayers but it doesn't happen. Have you thought about how waiting for God to act can refine your faith, teach you and prepare you for future responsibilities God has for you?

God has the bigger picture and He knows things we don't. I find comfort in knowing that He knows best, doesn't make mistakes and that He is always present watching over me.

"God answers some prayers immediately, some eventually and some only in eternity" - Upper Room