Tag: 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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  • They’re Watching

    Do they see us love one another?

    squirrel playing peek-a-boo

    As we walked down the wooded trail, this curious squirrel was keeping an eye on us. He was curious but didn’t fully trust us. He was wise to be careful because we might have been predators.

    In the same way our furry friend was keeping a watchful eye on us, our friends, neighbors, and coworkers who aren’t believers are watching.

    They might appear indifferent, or even overtly hostile, but they are watching. Is this faith thing real? Do we live it out? What happens when we stumble or bad things happen?

    Sometimes, they are watching to make fun of us, but God can change the hardest of hearts. Sometimes, the hardest skeptic becomes the most enthusiastic of converts once the Lord gets a hold of them. The apostle Paul is an excellent example of that.

    At other times, they might be curious but leery. At “the cowboy church,” we had a motto: “Don’t scare the sheep.” We were overtly and strongly Christian but strove intentionally to welcome everyone.

    It takes time for hearts to soften. At “the cowboy church,” we ran ads in the local newspaper. Each ad featured a different picture and included a pithy or scripture quote. Over time, we learned that many people, including unbelievers, stopped to check out the ads each week, to see what we had to say.

    It took most people about a year from the first time they saw the ads until they showed up for a service. Even then, they were watching to see if this was for real.

    People need to hear the truth, but we need to be in a position to share it with them. As Christians, we need to strive to live the life Jesus calls us to and be transparent about our failures and His grace.

    God doesn’t put watchers in our path as projects. They are there for us to love and bear witness to.

    A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35

    And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31

    Allow them to see our love for God and for them. Let them see us love one anither. Show them His faithfulness even when we stumble.

    The Spirit will witness to them through our lives. Let them watch.Show them how we love one another

    Engage them in spiritual conversations when you can, but spend as much (or more) time listening as you do talking. Get to know them and learn where they are coming from.

    Invite them to church when it seems appropriate. Don’t give up if they reject the offer, try again another time.

    Be present, be yourself, and let the Spirit do His work.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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