Have you ever asked God to have his will in your life? Great! But 
what is His will for you? Although Jesus was fully aware that He would soon be crucified, His thoughts and last prayer request includes us.
Listen to Pastor Cliff Purcell as he shares this important message in the following podcast: “A Family Conversation – Week 8” (March 18, 2018). Blessings!
“The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8
Do you ever feel like God is nudging you in a new direction? Lately, He’s been steering me in a new area of ministry. Honestly, it makes me uncomfortable because I haven’t rowed in these waters before. When I tell Him He must be mistaken . . . I’m not the right person, He is quick with a timely word. I’m reminded of the Apostle Paul who received a “thorn in his flesh” (2 Cor. 12:7). Feeling overwhelmed, he asked God three times to take it away. But each time, God said no: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (v. 9).
Are you in the same boat, feeling unqualified or too weak for the task God asks of you? You’re in good company. I think it’s God’s way: putting ordinary people in situations that seem beyond their own capabilities. Why? He wants us to tap into His power so He receives all the glory and we receive the blessing. Here are just a few examples of God giving seemingly unrealistic assignments: Jeremiah’s call and commission (Jeremiah 1:4-19); David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17:20-51); and Elijah and the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:17-40).
Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
No, a faith walk is no cake walk. But the risks—failure, insecurity, feeling overwhelmed, etc.—are worth it when God shows up. Isn’t that the greatest adventure of all? My challenge, and yours, is to ask God to be glorified in our weakness as we launch out in faith.
It has been said that, in the Gospel of Luke, we see Jesus as “the Friend of the friendless” (William Barclay, The Men, The Meaning, The Message Of The Books, p. 17). This is wonderful. Jesus is our Friend. We rejoice in this great when we sing, “What a Friend we have in Jesus.” Jesus […]
via The Kingdom Of God: Luke’s Gospel — Learning From God’s Word
I know the symptoms of anemia. You feel tired all the time, weak, lacking energy. You are alive, but life is a burden. The cause of anemia, I’m told, is not enough red blood cells in the bloodstream to carry oxygen throughout the body. Serious lack of energy may be noticed before any other evidence […]
via The Christian Hope: A Counter To Spiritual Anemia? — Just Call Me Pastor
Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: ‘Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.’” –Jonah 3:1-2
Jonah 3 is a glorious reminder of God’s grace and mercy. You may read Jonah 3 here: Bible Gateway.
Although God’s deliverance of Jonah involved a fish vomiting him out (Jonah 2:10), he was given another chance to fulfill His purpose. And though Jonah’s heart remained callous in going to Nineveh, he must have been filled with awe that God would still choose him to be the first missionary to a pagan people.
The Bible contains many second chance stories. Here are a couple of examples of God gracing individuals with His mercy.
Aaron—Moses’ brother—may have seemed to spend more time on the sidelines compared to Moses. But God still had a high calling on his life. He not only served as Moses’ mouthpiece before Pharaoh, but also served as a pillar of support. When Moses became weary, Aaron helped hold up his hands in prayer as the Israelites waged war against the Amalekites.
While Moses received God’s instructions on Mt. Sinai (Ex. 28) of Aaron’s garment design and his consecration, things began to sour back at camp. Exodus 32:1-5 tells of the Israelites’ rebellion. Moses must have been shocked, but God knew of their rebellious theatrics all along. However, God still gave Aaron a second chance by allowing him to serve as Israel’s first high priest. He would be mediator between God and His chosen people. (The Great Discipline highlights the consequences of those who chose to remain in rebellion, along with the fate of those who returned to God.)
God gave Abraham’s wife, Sarah, a promise: She would become a mother of an entire nation of people through her own son. Although Abraham and Sarah displayed extraordinary faith in God by leaving Ur to go to an unknown place, the news that she would birth a son in her old age—after years of infertility—resulted in laughter. After waiting 10 years, Sarah decided to help God out by offering Abraham her maidservant Hagar. The result? An illegitimate son, Ishmael, was born. Although God would still bless Ishmael, the chosen seed belonged to another. Heartache and stress resulted from their decision to forge ahead of God’s time table. But God still blessed Sarah by enabling her to give birth to the promised son (Gen. 17:17-21).
Hopefully you are on track with God’s plan and not slipping down the slide of rebellion as Jonah did, (or dodge God’s directive(s) like I’ve done before). Although there are consequences for our disobedience, I’m so glad God is a second-chance-giver. Yes, He is the Great Judge, but He is also the Master Mender, Beauty-for-ashes Exchanger, and Hope Healer. Restoration is ours when we return to Him. Do you recall a time when God gave you another chance to fulfill something He asked of you?
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