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Who Will Ask
by Shelly Huston
In Joshua chapter 3, God’s people mark the miracle of the priests stepping into the Jordan River, the day when the water stopped flowing upstream. It marked their entry into the Promised Land.
God often requires us to step into the water before he parts it, just as he required the priests to take a step of faith before he acted. Recently, God asked our leaders to put their feet into the depths of the water, challenging us to walk in faith and trust in God’s faithfulness.
Giving is an expression of our trust. It demonstrates your reliance upon his provision and promises. One day, your children will ask, “Why do we give?” You have been teaching them by example to trust in God’s provision for years. We are reminded in 2 Corinthians 9 that everything comes from and belongs to God. We are simply stewards of what’s been given to us.
It’s time to set a miracle marker. I recall a miracle I’d like to commemorate – the miracle of motherhood.
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” – Psalm 37:4
Early in life, I longed to be a mom, a deep desire I kept in my heart. For reasons I won’t share, this seemed impossible. But God works wonders in the face of impossibility when we remain faithful. I’ve found immense joy in a lifetime of serving my Heavenly Father and remained content. While I have never given birth, I am miraculously blessed, now the mother of 6 exceptional children. As a continually growing family, not just for the current generation but for the generations to come, I declare that when enemies rise up, “We will” not be defeated. When a mountain is before us, “We will” cross over. “We will” not be overcome. “We will” come through.
As we reflect on these miraculous stories, I invite you to consider: what will your miracle marker be? What is the miracle in your life that you can look back on and say, ‘This is where God’s hand was unmistakably at work’?
The Book of Acts Reading Plan:
This Fall-Winter we will be diving into the Book of Acts. For context, check out these brief videos on the major themes in Acts from our friends at The Bible Project.
[Monday, October 28]
Acts 24:1-21
When they spoke untruths about Paul, he did not blatantly oppose them or request a private audience. He didn’t call them out on their errors, become offended, or ask for representation. Instead, he showed mercy.
Father, help me forgive my neighbors when they speak untruths against me or someone I love. Help me to show mercy, just as Paul did. Help me to “walk it out” and choose to “walk it off.”
[Tuesday, October 29]
Acts 24:22-27
Paul could have gotten mad and given up when he was falsely accused of a crime he didn’t commit. Instead, he spent 2 years in prison, writing half of the New Testament. What do you do when you are being tested? How do you remain faithful, obedient, and trust God when you are under a microscope or under pressure that seems heavy and hard to bear?
[Wednesday, October 30]
Acts 25:1-12
When someone challenges your character or motives, how do you remain blameless when you’re in the thick of it? Like Paul, allow character, love, and wisdom to remain in you, even if the gossip is about you. Despite adversity, remain unwaveringly confident of God’s faithfulness, goodness, and perfect timing. Just as Paul put his trust in God’s guiding hand, so should you.
[Thursday, October 31]
Acts 25:13-22
Despite the awful things we might have done, witnessed, taken part in, agreed to, or committed, if we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (wrongdoing). In Paul’s case, he was changed instantly. (One minute, he is a persecutor of Christians; then, he becomes a Christian himself in a single moment.)
When we repent, God forgives our sins and chooses to remember them no more. He is willing to move on and put our sins behind us. Did the religious leaders believe him? Do we? If God is willing to move on and put our sins behind us, shouldn’t we? Is there something we need to courageously lay down again at the feet of Jesus, repent of, receive mercy for, move on from, and put behind us?
[Friday, November 1]
Acts 25:23-27
When Paul was brought before the highest leaders, rather than tremble at their feet and beg for mercy, he shared his testimony of God’s life-changing power. He said he was following the laws of the land one moment, and bam, he saw the light from heaven, fell to the ground, heard a voice from heaven, and was appointed, rescued, sent, and forgiven.
When you stand before those in authority over you, don’t be ashamed of the one who rescued you. If you stand before others and are willing to say you believe in me, I will tell my Father in heaven that you belong to me. Matthew 10:32.
Have you found yourself reluctant to share your faith with those in authority at your workplace or with peers? Are you fearful to do so? When you are confronted and you remain courageous, God will be there to meet you.
{extra journey resources}
CLICK HERE to visit The Bible Project site and explore their super simple, super informative Bible videos (and other resources). You can also download The Bible Project App HERE.
CLICK HERE to get the Read Scripture App, from our friends at The Bible Project.
CLICK HERE for more on how to use the observe-reflect-apply approach to getting the most out of your Bible reading.
The Bible App Get the free YouVersion Bible for your phone, tablet, or computer. Experience the Bible anywhere, with options to highlight, save notes, and share what you are reading with others.
The Bible App For Kids YouVersion partnered with OneHope to develop the Bible App for Kids, designing it specifically to engage children with Bible stories on an age-appropriate level. The Bible App for Kids is a free app for Android, Apple, and Kindle devices, available in over 60 languages.
Bible Gateway Provides advanced Bible searching capabilities, which allow readers to find passages in scripture based on keywords, phrases, or scripture reference.
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