FOLLOWING GOD'S DIRECTION

Years ago, I found myself without an income. I had labored for eight years as a minister of music and education in a church, only to be judged by some in that church as too old to minister effectively. After all, I was fifty-nine years old!

Because of the attitude of some of the members, I was left with no income. Fortunately, I had housing. My mother's small house in my hometown was available to us, so we made the move, not knowing how God would provide for us.

It seemed to me something like the experience of Abraham, who was instructed by God to "a place where I will show you." And like Abraham, God provided all that we needed. Within two months my wife and I were both gainfully employed, and our grandson, whom we were raising, was happy with new friends.

To add to all this, within two months a local church had called me to be a bi-vocational minister of music—even at my "advanced age." And, this has been one of the most rewarding ministries of my life. In fact, I am at this point still ministering to this great church twenty years later. Age? They say, no problem.

"By faith Abraham obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went." Hebrews 11:8

Fear 0f Flying

Today I will share a great story I was told recently:

There was a religious woman who had to do a lot of traveling for her business. Flying made her very nervous, so she always took her Bible along with her.

One time, she was sitting next to a man. When he saw her pull out her Bible, he gave a little chuckle and smirk and went back to what he was doing.

After awhile, he turned to her and asked, "You don't really believe all that stuff in there do you?"

The woman replied, "Of course I do. It is the Bible."

He said, "Well, what about that guy that was swallowed by that whale?"

She replied, "Oh, Jonah. Yes, I believe that; it is in the Bible."

He asked, "Well, how do you suppose he survived all that time inside the whale?"

The woman said, "Well, I don't really know. I guess when I get to heaven, I will ask him."

"What if he isn't in heaven?" the man asked sarcastically.

"Then you can ask him," replied the woman.

FEAR OF THE DARK

As a teenager, I worked for a short time as a dishwasher in a small café. It was summer and I was staying with my sister and her family. My shift ended at ten P.M. Usually my sister would drive me home.

Sometimes she was unable to come for me and I would walk home. The darkness did not bother me. But as I neared her home, I would begin to be afraid. The closer I got, the more apprehension I felt, until I would be literally running to the door.

This fear I felt as a teenager reminds me of how we sometimes feel as we face the struggles of life. There are times when our fears overwhelm us. That’s when we must run to safety—the safety of God’s protection.

It’s good to realize He is with us, always.

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9 (KJV)

WALKING WITH GOD

When I was in college a friend told me that when she walked on campus she always stayed on one side of the sidewalk. She said she did this to leave room for God to walk beside her. She also said, during those walks she often talked to God and felt His presence.

We often hear sermons and devotionals about walking with God. This is an expression picturing our ceaseless relationship with the Lord. Walking with God is much more than attending worship or Bible study each week. It is more than an occasional prayer when we are distressed.

Walking with God may mean different things to different people, but surely it is living in the consciousness of God through prayer, Bible reading, and by simply recognizing His presence moment by moment.

The Bible speaks often of those who walked with God. We can do it, too.

Noah was a just man . . . and Noah walked with God. Genesis 6:9 (KJV)