I brought out my book of Bible verses that I feel God shows up in every morning to let me know that He is with me. I said, “Joshie, watch! I will just randomly open to something!” I ended up opening to a verse that I knew was God speaking directly to me, saying that He has anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor; in other words, ‘Get working on your next book, Nik!’ He is really on my case now! I continued reading that chapter, and on the very next page, I freaked out when this verse showed up:
“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
I freaked out because right next to where we were standing was the hoodie I had just selected 20 minutes before this when I debated on what to wear on my day out with Joshie, with this exact verse printed on it. I’m even wearing it in the picture to show you guys proof, baby! See for yourself! In this book of 335 pages of Bible verses, this was no coincidence that God had that particular one to show up in Joshie’s presence. It was another one of my God winks where everything lines up enormously too perfectly, all perfectly orchestrated by God as another little love note to my son and me letting us know that His Presence is ALWAYS with us.
And that’s the good news He has anointed me to preach! That there is never a moment that God’s Presence isn’t standing strong with us. It’s just for us to develop a relationship with Him, where we can suck up to His wisdom, love, approval, favor, support, kindness, strength, personality, protection, and JOY.
“Can I hug you?” was the question a customer asked me last night when he left all teary-eyed in a car he had just purchased from me. Honestly, I wasn’t going to sell him that car, and I was praying to God for guidance. The wiser Nik is learning to PAUSE and ask for God’s input before doing any deal now! After getting high quotes from so many insurance companies, I was about to give up. I know you guys will think I am crazy, but God Himself took my attention to my mouse pad from a top-rated insurance company. I felt like He grabbed my head and had me look directly down. The customer even noticed me looking at it, and because I felt so strongly that this was God, we called. They gave us a good quote, and I felt God in my spirit saying to move ahead with the deal.
I say all that to say, GOD IS INTIMATELY INVOLVED IN OUR LIVES. From the exact verse on my hoodie to randomly open in that big book of Bible verses to God showing up in my office to assist that customer to purchase a vehicle by nudging me to call that insurance company. I promise you, God Himself took my attention to that mouse pad.
This customer has lost both his mom and dad, and life got a bit rough for him and he had a hard time coping and lost a really great job. He has a new one now, and I encouraged him to take His relationship with God seriously because this life is too hard to do on our own. Instead of running to alcohol or drugs or getting depressed and sad, we can run to Him to help us cope with anything that comes our way.
Notice how I paused to seek God’s input before selling that vehicle. He is available to us in every moment to tap into His wisdom and guidance for every aspect of our lives. He knows the past, the future, and He knows the best decisions for us to make in every circumstance. And the more you practice listening to Him, the better you get at it!
The best advice I can give you is to start developing a relationship with God. Learn His voice, like how I knew it was Him directing my attention to that mouse pad. HE IS OUR GREATEST FRIEND EVER, AND WE DON’T HAVE TO DO LIFE ALONE. As we show up doing our best in the physical realm, God is in the spiritual realm fighting battles on our behalf. We can confidently relax (not living anxious and stressed!) “because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” Wink! Wink! We can be joyful in every moment because we’re trusting in God! Amen!