Category: devotional

  • Still Small Voice – Hearing God

    Moorecroft Regional Park

    An update for those who knew “Cowboy Joe”, the service will be  held at 1 PM, Tuesday, October 21, at Century Meadows Baptist in Camrose.

    One of the highlights of our recent visit to Vancouver Island was an unexpected jewel. We had never heard of Moorecroft Park (near Nanoose Bay) until we saw signs along the highway. 

    I almost drove by, but as we entered the intersection, I felt compelled to turn and head to the park. Another split second would have been too late, and we would have driven by.

    It was by far the most beautiful and peaceful of all the parks and places we visited. We watched a seal cavort in the crystal clear waters and enjoyed more seals outside the sheltered cove. The scenery off the point was stunning.

    Our visit there was refreshing in every way. Kathy and I repeatedly praised God for the beauty of the spot. I don’t doubt that the Holy Spirit called me to make that turn because I had every intention of passing it by.

    Sometimes, we need to take a break from the busyness or routine of our everyday lives. We need to allow ourselves the opportunity to refocus. Moorecroft Park allowed us to do just that.

    If I had ignored the compulsion to turn, we would still have seen beautiful sights. We would have had a great mini-holiday, but it would have been poorer. Often, we accept good when we could have far better with Him.

    The Holy Spirit often works that way. He is the still, small voice that whispers to us. We can carry on and ignore Him, but our lives are poorer for doing so. 

    When Elijah was depressed, defeated, and on the run, the Lord provided for Him. The Lord appeared to Him in the still small voice.

    There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 1 Kings 19:9-12

    We can miss the voice of God and the blessings by not paying attention. It’s true that God often appears in big ways. Jesus worked miracles and drew huge crowds. More often, though, His voice is quiet and intimate.

    He speaks in many ways. It can be through the Word, a sign or wonder, the words of a friend or pastor, or even a whisper. Are you listening?

    May God richly bless you.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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  • Cute…but

    Not everything is as harmless as it seems

    Black bunny

    A number of you have ties to “the cowboy church” in Sherwood  Park. FYI, in case you haven’t heard, “Cowboy Joe” Macdonald went home to be with the Lord on the weekend after a battle with illness. No word yet on service details. There is rejoicing in glory, but he will be missed here.

    This weekend, Kathy and I spontaneously went to Vancouver Island. We left Sunday after service and returned yesterday evening.

    We spent the first night at a hotel in Nanaimo. We checked in, got ourselves organized, and headed out to a nearby restaurant for supper, just around sunset.

    We passed a green space, and I was surprised to see a little black bunny. Looking more closely, I realized there were more rabbits. Many more. 

    The whole ground area seemed to be moving. On that small lot were at least 100 black bunnies.

    Every area of lawn or green space between there and the restaurant had rabbits. The vast majority of them were black, but a few were grays, and there were some eastern cottontails as well.

    We learned that Nanaimo (as well as many other cities) has a plague of feral bunnies. What might have been cute initially has become a plague or pestilence.

    Some people thought it was a good idea to let their bunnies roam free. Perhaps they couldn’t keep them for some reason and released them on purpose. Then people didn’t want to get rid of a “few” feral rabbits because they were cute (and I admit they are.)

    The rabbits did what came naturally, and over the years, they multiplied exponentially. They live in colonies of hundreds and consume anything around them.

    Those few cute bunnies are now an ecological disaster.

    We can fall into the same trap. We can let sin slide because “it’s not so bad” or “everyone else is doing it.” I can’t imagine anyone setting out to struggle with addictions, but plenty do.

    All sin is addictive. That might sound like a bold statement, but if you disagree, I challenge you to stop your besetting sin (and we all have at least one). It’s not easy. We didn’t set out to be hooked on our sin. It might have just seemed fun, or a coping mechanism, or a one-time slip, but once it had its hooks in us, we had a problem.

    Few of us can break sin patterns on our own, through sheer willpower.  We need help.

    Fortunately, as believers, we have the Holy Spirit, the greatest helper ever.

    Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17

    For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13

    No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

    But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Galatians 5:16-17

    That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, Ephesians 3:16

    Let each of us turn to Him in repentance and seek the Spirit to lead us to freedom. 

    We are works in process, but He will bring us to perfection. Praise His name.

    May God richly bless you.

    Kevin

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