SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO
- Key Verse
"Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands." (Acts 14:3)
READ TODAY'S PASSAGE-
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
When God calls us to a work, He will enable us and confirm for us that we are at the right place at the right time.
Reflections
When I was growing up, my dad was a bi-vocational preacher, and one of his sermons which really stuck with me was about knowing God's will. He used his Navy experience as a metaphor for this sermon describing how a ship comes into the harbor. From what I remember it goes like this: Ships come into port through a deep channel. In order for the captain to know exactly where to guide the ship, he has to pay attention to the buoys. He has to know just when and how to adjust his turns according to where the buoy is and how it lines up with the other buoys. Daddy related those buoys to signs God gives us to know His will. Sometimes the buoy is what we've read in the Word. Sometimes it's a still, small voice. When we think we have a good idea of the direction God's taking us, He then gives us other signs. Our idea can be confirmed by someone we know seeking God's will like we do. Or maybe they confirm we are going the wrong way! God lines up our "channel," and we need to be in prayer, and in the Word, so that we will recognize what is God and what is not.
About seven years ago Greg got the word from work that we were moving to Houston. That was the last thing I wanted to do. We had been married for 13 years and all of that time was here in Bartlesville. Our families live far away, and as a result, my friends are our family. We've adopted grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles - and SISTERS. How could I leave my sisters? As I begged God for a different plan, I remembered Daddy's sermon and started praying that God would confirm that we needed to make this move. He did, just like He did for Paul and Barnabas in this passage. He let us know and confirmed for us what we should do. He confirmed for us when it was time to come home, too. Thank you, Jesus!
Discussion Questions
- Do you have a decision you are struggling with right now?
- What signs are you seeing that indicate the choice God has in mind for you?
- What, or who, are some resources God has given you to confirm what you believe God's telling you?
Karen
February 11, 2010 06:04 AM
Amy, good message! God speaks to us. Sometimes we refuse or don't take the time to listen. Thanks for your leadership in the Grace family.
Doug Quinn
February 11, 2010 08:53 AM
Amy, Thank you for sharing this devotion, it will help me today in paying attention and yielding to God's words. You and Greg are wonderful witnesses for the Lord.
Denise
February 11, 2010 08:56 AM
I am reading your devo as I sit in a hotel restaurant in Houston awaiting meetings with potential schools that Chandler may attend. My emotions are all over the board...the Word and your writings comfort me as we make a life changing move. l love you sister! What a precious Savior that gives His word even in the exact moment.(In Houston) Our God is great! Denise
Cindy MacIlvaine
February 11, 2010 01:31 PM
I love the illustration from your earthly daddy to describe how our heavenly Daddy leads us. Thank you for sharing with us today!
Cindy MacIlvaine
February 11, 2010 03:05 PM
Thanks so much for sharing a great illustration from your earthly daddy that shows how our heaveny Daddy guides us.
Jeff Johnson
February 11, 2010 05:57 PM
Amy you know idea how close to home you're hitting with this1 Thank-you
vickie walden
February 12, 2010 07:53 AM
I appreciate the idea you mentioned that God not only leads us in the right direction, but can protect us from making a wrong decision, too.
Julie
February 14, 2010 03:55 AM
Amy, thank you for sharing this. I love the analogy from your dad's sermon. I'll be thinking about the buoys in my journey and watching more closely for God's guidance into His safe harbor.
Susan Miner
February 16, 2010 10:51 AM
Thank you and your dad, Amy. I will always remember, "he has to pay attention to the buoys."
glenda garrison
February 17, 2010 05:41 PM
Amy, You are an inspiration to all and your devotion reminds us that we must be in the word and listen to God's direction.
Joyce Stumpff
February 18, 2010 11:32 AM
Amy, I've been thinking so much about what you said, and it's really been helpful using the analogy of the buoys. I see things lining up and know that God is guiding me through the channel. Thank you so much for this example.
kelly spencer
February 27, 2010 07:40 AM
I am a little behind on my assignments. Glad to see you finished your assigment!! well how to put this in a few words... that was REALLY good! excellent illustration. Thanks Kelly