Good morning, Sweet Things! I’ve sure had you on my mind this morning. I just got back from a long brisk walk with Star and took in the wonder of God through stormy thick clouds and heavy winter winds. (Think South though. Everything’s relative here.) I had planned to work out on my equipment in the garage but once I saw the cool wind whipping the leaves off the trees, I couldn’t resist getting out in it. I thought I just might feel a hint of God in that great northern and I did. I told Him how mighty I think He is and how wonderful. How capable He is of doing utterly anything. How nothing is impossible for Him. Then I asked Him certain things and, even though I don’t know exactly how He will answer, I know that He will indeed answer.
Oh, Sisters, we are among the most blessed people on this planet. Do you know today how blessed you are?? We have the King of the universe to look to and to be loved by. He planned for each of us before the foundation of the world and even chose the works we would do in His great name. (Eph. 2:10) He intentionally set us in our generations and planted us with divine purpose in our parts of the earth. (Acts 17:24-27) I am amazed by Him this morning.I don’t want to take divine intervention for granted. We – you and me – are the stuff of miracles. Even to discern the living, breathing voice of God through His written Word is a wonder.
I am anxious to hear from you through today’s Talk To Me Tuesday topic! I’d like to know about a time when you were desperate for divine wisdom in a particular area (whether relational, work, ministry, or otherwise) and you had no idea what to do. You sought God and you received wisdom that you are certain only He could have given you. For all you women who have walked with God for ten or more years, one thing I’ve noticed on this blog is that we are actively mentoring our young women whether we realize it or not. We have many college-age women in this community as well as a number of high school girls that post comments often. Have you seen them on there? It blesses me every time! They are looking to us to help them learn how, among other things, to hear from God and discern direction. Share today (as succinctly as possible!!) how you received wisdom from God to do something that you know you wouldn’t have figured out any other way. This is not limited to all of us mentor types, however. Scripture proves through examples like Samuel and David and Timothy that God speaks to the young as well as the old.
Talk to me, Siestas! When have you lacked wisdom, petitioned God earnestly for it, and known without a doubt you received it?
PS. I almost forgot! If you used one of your Siesta’s recipes for Thanksgiving, tell her, too!
Sorry this is a late response, but I was really thinking about it and what came coming up into my heart was not any big decision, but the fact that God has been giving me day to day wisdom on so many little things. We are going through an extended trial in our family and when I seek Him and His wisdom for day to day decisions that can really make a difference in the long run He is faithful in His promptings. I need to be faithful in my listening and obediance! Our Mightly God can be depended on no matter what, big or small He keeps His word to give wisdom to all. In Jesus’ Love Kathy Knoblock
So true Kathy. I’ll be praying for you’re family. God Bless.
About a month or so ago, I was considering financially supporting a ministry that I had heard about at a Tenth Avenue North, Addison Road, Matt Maher concert. I had heard about this ministry before, but the testimonies of lives changed that were shared that Saturday night got me seriously thinking about getting involved. I knew that financially supporting this ministry would be a monthly commitment and so, after I got home from the concert, I talked to God about it. Not knowing if I could afford a commitment like this, I said “Lord, if I do this, will you provide?” The next morning (Sunday morning) we had a guest speaker at my church. She ended with a prayer, and as she was praying, she called God by one of his Hebrew names, Jehovah Jireh, Provider. At that moment, I knew God was answering my prayer with an “I will.” As soon as I got home from church, I hit my knees thanking God for the opportunity and the privilege of just being His steward in His service.
I’ve seen myself and the way God works in so many of the examples given. For more than a year, God and I have been workin’ on something that I think should stay between us. I will say that because of a painful season earlier this year(from which I’m still recovering), I thought he was trying to tell me I was all wrong (and I might be) and to move on. However, he’s lead me to review your study of Esther and I Think I’m still in the right direction. Just in a waiting period. Thanks so much Beth for all you do.
Does anyone know HOW to stop asking and start listening for God to speak to them personally? I so desperately want to learn how, I am in need of some gracious words from the Almighty. I would love a revelation from on high, should I stay here or do I need to move? What direction? I need some divine guidance and wisdom. HELP!!
In any conversation, in order to hear what the other person is saying (or trying to say) we must close our mouth. So, stop asking. Stop concentrating on what you’ve asked. Then: we also must be ready to listen…sounds like you are. God speaks to us through His Word. Get in it. Read it. Take a journal and write your thoughts on what you read. If you need to hear from Him about a specific subject, get out a concordance and see what specific verses there are on the subject. You said you need some “gracious words from the Almighty.” In the back of that journal, write every verse you come across that speaks gracious words from the Lord…uh, you better buy a big journal with lots of pages. And rest in the truth that the Lord SO desires to have those conversations with you. –joyce
Beth! This will crack you up! I have been married for almost 25 years (!) to a foodie. The first thing that comes to his mind in the morning, the thing that gets him through the day, is thinking about what he can look forward to for dinner that night. By contrast, as you can see by the time I am writing this, (6pm!) my day just whizzes past and suddenly I look up at the clock and it’s waaaaayyyy past time I should have been at the grocery store and started cooking. He is infinitely patient with me being this way naturally, but I just love the look on his face when he is eating a good homemade meal. I have been pretty good at getting food on the table most of the time, but my heart was never really in it, so it felt like drudgery. Over the years I have tried EVERYTHING to get organized and plan better for dinner so I see that look on my husband’s face more often. Finally, about two months ago I just threw up my hands and gave the whole issue to God — LORD, I said, please help me! I have tried everything and it’s like dust in my mouth and drudgery to my feet! I can’t make this work! I’m giving it all up to you! – duh! Like I couldn’t have saved myself a whole lotta stress and defeat by doing this earlier!!:):):):) Anyway, I just gave it up to Him and quit stressing about it and, you guessed it, Our God is not only the Savior of the UNIVERSE, it seems he is also quite the chef as well. You just cannot believe the way He will just bring to my mind the fact that I will be passing the grocery store on my way home from volunteer work or how I am five blocks from that new little gourmet cheese shop my husband would love to try out. Suddenly, the New York Times, which I do not even subscribe to any more, ends up in my hands with a fabulous section on winter vegetables in it. And they ARE! I have actually been thinking about cooking and food less consciously. I can relax because the ball in His court. And, boy, has He run with it! I went to my granddaughter’s school and they were selling cookbooks – I realized I already had it sitting at home and had the strangest hankering to look through it —- and made a breakfast casserole for Thanksgiving that my whole family LOVED! But the piece de resistance to date was today: I went to a Christmas Tea where they were serving an iced tea I had given someone the recipe for!!!! So the whole time gals are saying how much they were enjoying my tea!!!!! Picture me laughing and responding “If you only knew! It’s not me, it’s Him!!!!” and in my heart, falling down on my knees before His throne thanking God, shaking my head and saying, “Who indeed can duly adore this love?” this God of impossibilities:):):) Praise His Holy and Delightful and Joyous Name!!!!!!!
First of all, let me just say that I really love how God show’s me His love for me, through you Beth. I was introduced to you a year or so ago, by my then 19 yr. old daughter Michelle, who saw you at Passion in Georgia and texted me at home in Pennsylvania while she was listening to you speak there and she said “Mom, you really need to get on the Passion website quick and check out Beth Moore, you’re gonna love her.” Does my daughter know me or what? You spoke to my heart as I listened for hours.
Then this past August my little sister Wanda asked me if I’d be interested in joining a bible study with her at her new church. She said “its a video bible study of the book of “Esther” by a lady named Beth Moore”. I almost screamed “Yes” into the phone. Well let me tell you, nothing will keep me from that bible study. We only meet once a month, and even when there was terrible flooding and I had to turn around and try to find another way into the little town of Muncy, PA, I eventually got there albeit 10 minutes late.
I could tell you so much about myself and my journey, but the most important thing is that I’ve been approached by my own church to start a parenting group for parents of pre-teens and teens. We have a very successful youth program but not much for the parents other than individual men’s and women’s bible studies. My husband and I have raised our own 7 children, with many joys and challenges. I have a heart to help people through their struggles, and to encourage them through God’s word as they raise their own children. But I lack faith in myself and my ability to do the job well. Sometimes I think other people and God have more faith in me than I do myself. And yes, I just recently bought your book about Insecurity, haha. But during the Esther study I realized that maybe I was born for this and that God has been preparing me since the day I was born for this purpose. And all those ups and downs of raising wonderful but not always perfect teens, and getting my heart broken on numerous occassions was all in preparation for this moment in time. I learned to trust Him more and more as he spoke to my heart telling me to just love them and He would take care of the rest. Our youngest child who is almost 18, was born premature and has severe cerebral palsy, so I am also a full time caregiver to her. I’m going to hold the study at my home because its easier for me not to have to find someone to watch her or to take her out anywhere if I don’t have to. I could really use some prayers for strength, guidance and wisdom right now. And for some self assurance too.
In Him,
Brenda
Brenda: you are living our the Titus 2 woman…go read about her again…and realize anew that God loves using our life experiences to mentor younger women…it’s been His plan all along. Godly counsel for our young wives/moms is vital in the world we live in today. May God richly bless your efforts.! –joyce
Divine wisdom from God came to me in July 2000. I was teaching and living in the same town I grew up & thought I’d retire there. BUT GOD provided an opportunity for a new job here in Columbia, MO. I don’t always do well with change and it was a real struggle for me to consider leaving the ‘safety and security’ of my hometown. For some that not may seem like a big deal but I really wrestled about the move. I earnestly sought the Lord and wanted His will. Long story short, I received peace from God (sure sign of doing right thing) and accepted the new job. Best decision I ever made! But it was only through God’s wisdom and peace that I made the decision. I have been so thankful for His provision!
In an ongoing display of God’s provision, there have been many times when I needed His wisdom in what words to say to someone. Sometimes it’s a planned conversation I need to have; sometimes it’s—BANG—right now! God’s faithfulness to give me the words to say is a lifesaver. I know it’s Him speaking (and, therefore, His wisdom) when I’m hearing what I’m saying for the first time as the words come out of my mouth. They are not words that I formed in my mind ahead of time. Realizing that also gives me incredible peace that I’m not botching up the conversation. He is my Supplier in all things! –joyce