Those words from Dr. Charles Stanley are what I’m going with. Your girl needs LOTS of courage these days, and God finds the sweetest ways to let me know that His Presence is ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS with me.
Like I sold a car to a customer on Friday, and we talked about a restaurant that I used to eat at over 10 years ago, named the Pepper Pot. Fast forward to today, three days later, I go to the gas station across the street from our business, and I meet this familiar face at the entrance. He stared at me, I stared back at him. I told him where I worked, and he said, “I’m the cook from the Pepper Pot! (Wink! Wink!)” No way this was a coincidence. It was another one of my God alignments where everything lines up a little bit too perfectly! God orchestrated this meeting just to reveal another glimmer of His invisible Presence with me as if saying, ‘Nik, My Presence is ALWAYS with you!!!’ The funny thing was that I had to rush to that gas station because I ran out early and forgot deodorant! God even used that, of all things, to remind me of His Presence!!! (HUGE SMILE)
Then, I was invited to a group called Breakfast and the Bible. I’m enjoying listening to other members, but I never share. So, on my way to my God tree, I was thinking if I was to share, that it would be my fav verses from Proverbs 3:3-6, because these verses sum up so perfectly the foundation for my entire life and pretty much every decision I now make (I try!). So, at 8:00, I was under the tree, and I decided to read page 8 of our family’s website and look what incredibly showed up:
“Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” – Proverbs 3:3-6
Exactly the verses I said I would share minutes before getting there! Now I’m really under pressure from God to speak! Ok, Boss! But see again how God figured out a way to let me know that even down to every thought I think, He knows all about it! And these verses are spot on, God’s guidance has never failed me, and even when He takes me on rugged paths, I trust Him with all my heart. As I do everything to the best of my abilities in the physical realm, I leave the rest for Him to handle in the spiritual realm on my behalf. These verses have guided me through so many challenges and difficult situations that I must tell you guys, “Don’t play around with your relationship with God. He is an expert in everything! He is taking me to new levels of closeness with Him!
But learning God’s voice is vital, though. Take time to have appointments with Him by reading the Bible or anything spiritual that brings you closer to Him, asking, ‘God, what do you have to say to me?’ Then, when you get back into the world, taking what He said and putting it into practice (super hard part sometimes), being obedient to Him, and leaving all consequences with Him is the way to the best life with Him! Amen!