Ever Asked God a Question?

Sometimes God honors our questions with greater revelation; sometimes He slaps our hands a bit.

So, what’s the difference?


Zechariah and Mary both questioned the angel’s announcement, so why was Zechariah chastised and Mary wasn’t?



When Gabriel appeared to Zechariah to tell him that his wife, Elizabeth, would bear a son, Zechariah asked, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years." Luke 1:18




Zechariah’s question challenged God’s sovereignty, even though, as a priest, he should have known God’s power full well. “How can I be sure?” In other words, “Prove to me that this can happen!”



When Gabriel appeared to Mary to tell her she would be the mother of God’s Son, she asked, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" Luke 1:34


Mary’s question came out of pure innocence. She understood conception and but didn’t understand Gabriel’s pronouncement. “How can this happen?” She really asked, “Help me understand.”

Two questions – a world of difference!


As we learned with Zechariah, God doesn’t take kindly to a challenge. He’s the One and Only Almighty God; He doesn’t have to prove Himself to us. 

God cherished Mary’s desire to understand and He cherishes our questions. He honors our honest seeking and reveals Himself to us.

The light of His teaching shines on us when we approach Him with an honest desire to understand.

When have you questioned God with a heartfelt desire to learn from Him?
How did He draw near to you and reveal Himself to you?

Fly, Baby, Fly!

I sat at my window, fascinated.

Two baby doves huddled on the window sill. Mom stood close by, keeping an eye on them. Occasionally she would bend down and nudge one of them with her beak.

After a couple minutes, one of the little doves stretched out his wings and fluttered away from the safety of its perch. It didn’t seem like he was going to make it at first; Mom stood at alert. But, after a few weak flaps, baby gained speed and flew away. I almost expected to hear Mom cheer.

She stepped closer to the remaining baby and began to nudge him. He turned his head toward her as though to say, “Do I have to? I can’t do it.”

Eventually, he, too, took the chance and soared away. Mom stood there for a minute. Empty-nest syndrome, perhaps? Planning what she was going to do with the kid’s part of the nest? Then she flew away.

In our spiritual walk, we often feel God’s nudges: 

 You’ve never done that before, but I know you can!

                      I know it’s scary but I’ll be there to help you.

                                           Step out of your comfort zone.

 There’s one big difference between our Father and Mama dove: He never sends us off on our own. He stays right with us. Strengthening us when we’re tired. Soothing us when we’re afraid. Reassuring us when we falter. 

He’s our ever-present Companion, our ever-present Cheerleader.





The next time you feel His loving nudge, take His hand and step out into the blessings that await you.







When has God asked you to step out of your comfort zone?

How did He strengthen and encourage you?

 

 

Bad Mommy

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:26

You’ve heard of angry birds – well, at my house, it’s hungry birds. I sit in my rocker, by a window, every morning. Outside are four birdfeeders. I watch the sparrows and doves come and eat.





My feeders are empty.



For the past few days, I’ve seen the empty feeders and said to myself, “Self, you need to go out and fill the feeders. A few minutes later, I get up and walk into my day, never giving them another thought.

I’m a bad bird-mommy!

It occurred to me this morning – what if God was as nonchalant about feeding us? What if He got involved in the activities of the day and forgot us? What if He looked at us and said, “I’ll get to you later.”

Praise God that He loves us and will never forget us. He will never leave us to fend for ourselves. For some, His provision seems sparse and we don’t always understand but we have to trust in His goodness.
 

 

 

Excuse me for a minute – I need to go feed the birds!

 

 

How has your faith been stretched when you have to trust He will care for you in difficult situations?

How have you seen God’s provision in your circumstances?

Balance Act

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:30

 

 There was a small car in front of me. On top, a couch was balanced, precariously I might add. We were going 75 mph and the couch was swaying in the wind.

Needless to say, I wasn’t too comfortable following this guy. Last thing I needed was a couch to come through my windshield. 

 As I watched this car struggle down the road, I wondered about the sanity of the driver.

I heard a whisper, “You’re concerned about this guy’s sanity? You need to be worrying about your own. You’re carrying around all sorts of burdens on top of your head! Tasks to be done, deadlines to be met, doing laundry while everyone still has some clean clothes, driving the kids to some activity, grabbing some time with your spouse…”

 

In my mind’s eye, I could see the mile-high pile of stuff teetering on my head.

“But it’s all necessary,” I complained. “Besides, who else will do all this?”



Then I realized God offered His guidance to help me plan my day and His wisdom to show me what was truly important—and who I could delegate to.

Life’s so much more manageable when God’s in control!


 What pile of stuff are you trying to balance?
How has giving God control of your days brought some sanity into your life?

Nothing New Under the Sun?

 That’s what it says, right there in Ecclesiastes 1:9 "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; nothing new under the sun."

Brings to mind a story...

A king challenged his subjects to bring him something brand new, something never seen before. The person who succeeded would be awarded half of the kingdom.

Months passed, the king became discouraged. Nothing was truly new. Maybe a new invention but always made out of things that did exist, wood or rocks or animal hide.

One evening, a young man came in and laid a pillow in front of the king. On the pillow sat a small brown egg.
The king grew angry and shouted for the guards to arrest the boy for his impudence.

Please, be patient for just a moment, Your Excellency,” the boy said.
As the guards approached him, the egg began to crack. A new chick pecked his way out of the egg.

The King sat silently for a moment, then stood and embraced the boy. “At last, something new, fresh, something never seen before. Come and receive your reward.”


Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

As God’s child, you are new, fresh, one of a kind. Your Father has filled you with matchless gifts; No one can replace you. There has never been and never will be another you.

God’s love for you is unique, He cherishes the beauty of the one He’s created.

Come and receive your reward!

How do you feel, knowing you are a unique, precious child of God?

If you know someone else who would be blessed by this post, please share.

Have a Great Day!

Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. Lamentations 3:23 (New Living Translation)

I have this little prayer stuck on my refrigerator.

Dear God,

So far today, I’ve done all right. I haven’t gossiped or lost my temper. I haven’t been grumpy, nasty, or selfish. In fact, I haven’t done anything that would be displeasing in your sight, and I’m really glad of that!


But in a few minutes, God, I’m going to get out to bed – and from then on I’m going to need a lot of help.
Amen
I’m going to need a lot of help – isn’t that the truth! Every day is full of stumbles and goofs. Are you like that?

I have great news for you – and for me. God’s mercy is new every morning!

Every morning is a clean slate. We learn from our mistakes and, maybe, we move on to make new ones. Then morning comes and we begin again, with a fresh start.

What an amazing, forgiving God we serve! We might trip in the afternoon but joy comes in the morning. This morning, every morning, open your eyes and praise Him for the joy of a new day.




 

 

 

It's Who He Is!

Psalms 86:5 You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.
 

God is all we need. But, sometimes, when things are hard, we need Him to minister to us in a tender way.

God's promises are the anchor of our lives. But, sometimes, we cling to one promise to bring us through our circumstances.

I will be with you. That is the promise I'm standing on right now. I'm struggling with loneliness but I know He is my constant Companion.





Which of these promises brings you the most peace?


Which one is your anchor in your circumstances?

Dawn to the Noon-Day Sun

The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. Proverbs 4:18

Have you ever known a truly godly person? That’s not a term I throw out there lightly. I know a few and they are such an inspiration to me – but they also give me hope in my walk with the Lord.

None of us are righteous, we’re all on a journey. Yes, I feel like I take two steps forward and one step back, but the Lord knows my heart.

Each of us is on a path designed by our Father.

He has called us His and set us in the dawn of a new life with Him.


Our path leads from dawn to a bright shining day.

We're being drawn closer, learning more of His majesty and indescribable love for us.

Some amble with Him, cherishing each moment.

Some hurry along eager to know Him more.

We all stumble over uneven places in the path and feel the strength of His hand as He lifts us up.

The joy is that each of us is moving toward godliness. God is steadily guiding us toward our shining day.

Who have you know that's been an inspiration to you?
How have you seen changes in your walk with the Lord?

Laugh!!

Sarah said, "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me." Genesis 21:6

How can you possibly see this face and not laugh? She is just glowing with joy. I promise you, the longer you look at her, the bigger your smile will get.

Back in April, I spent a couple weeks with my grandkids. Their laughter ricocheted off the walls all day long. The slightest thing and off they went, their eyes sparkling.

There’s nothing quite like the look of joy on a child’s face. Their cheeks glow and their eyes twinkle. They laugh so easily.

We grown-ups - not so much


At what age does a birthday candle say,

“You’ve now outgrown silliness.”
Or
“You’re now too old to laugh hysterically.”

Sarah was bubbling over with her good news and she couldn't stop laughing. She was eager to share this miracle because she knew it would make everyone else laugh, too.

Something happen that made you laugh? Share it!
Hear a funny joke or see something funny? Tell it!

Share the GLOW!