And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12
I was re-reading our scripture passage for yesterday (Acts 4:1-19) and the scripture above really spoke to me today. As we think about sharing Christ with friends, family, those whom God brings in our path daily, let's not forget what the scripture says
about how one must be saved! Jesus himself told us:
John 14:6 (New International Version)
6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
The promise of eternity with God lies completely with the life-giving faith in Christ who came that we might have life abundantly! (John 10:10)
Today's devotional reminds us again about the seriousness of being spiritually ready for God to use us in His work. Have you (1) acknowledged His Lordship, (2) resolved issues with God or others, and (3) focused and asked God for guidance on the task that is set before us? May we all daily seek revival in our lives so that we all may be a witness to others!
Take time today to listen to God.
Be still before Him and allow Him to speak to you.
A special thanks to our prayer warriors. I appreciate all of you who have accepted the wonderful blessing of lifting up these Mission Scotland students in daily prayer. Not only are you praying for them, but are keeping a daily prayer journal for your student and giving it to him/her upon our return. Thank you for getting on your knees before God on behalf of all who are going on this important trip!
Yesterday's Sonic Card Question Winner is:
CARLY SOREY
Congrats Carly! I want to thank you for all of your insights, thoughts, prayers and encouraging words that you have shared over the past two weeks on the blog. I appreciate your effort -- it has blessed many who have read our blog!
TODAY'S SONIC QUESTION IS:
When is a time in your past that you have been still before God and listened for His voice.
What did He say to you?
Quietly listening,
Ken
Hey dad,
Lately the Lord has been tugging on my heart to let things go. I am a grudge holder and for this trip coming up I just need to focus on other people and to honor God with my thoughts and my actions.
Hannah Montgomery
I feel like God has really convicted me lately. I definitely haven't been giving Him all the time He deserves in my life. This devotion for Scotland has played a huge role in putting my spiritual life back on track for God. Like you said, it's all about putting my faith in God, letting go of the distractions, and praying for a change in my life, so that I may bring others to God.
I think that it is such an important reminder to all that we have to be still and listen for God's voice. I, as many of you know, do not know how to "be still"! I think the first time I really soaked in the understanding of being still and listening to God's voice was well into my adult years in a Bible study led by Susan Goss. She was sharing about how she sets aside a meeting time with God every day - in her closet! Yes, in her closet! (I hope that I am not revealing some secret about Susan - sorry if I am!) She said that it was the only way she could totally block out everything and "listen" to God speak. So, I tried it. And it has been the best prayer meeting for God and I!!! In the dark, quiet of my closet, I get on my knees or lay flat out on the floor - really! I praise Him, adore Him, repent to Him, lay my requests at His feet and then LISTEN! That is when I truly feel closest to Him. And He does speak - not verbally, but in my heart. He "quickens" my heart - in other words, He prompts my heart and my mind to do His work. He might lay someone's name on my heart and I feel led to call them or pray for them or send them a card. Or sometimes He brings unconfessed sin to my mind. Whatever it is that the Lord reveals to me there in my closet...I don't know that I would have felt it or "heard" it without taking the time to truly "listen" to Him! Did you ever notice that the word "close" is in "closet"? So try it - get close to God in your closet!
Thank you for your blog.