Please Give Me a Sign, Lord!
by Avis Ward(39)GeoVi's Home for Pregnant Teens
Have you ever prayed for God to give you a sign about something that has perplexed and challenged you during the decision-making process? I have done that but I'm working on not doing it because of what John 10:27-28 KJV says, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."
Psalm 84:11 helps me out, too. "For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."
I love how the Lord requires us to walk uprightly by giving us a guide to follow and a voice to recognize. We also have grace available to us when (not if) we stumble. Even if we fall and stay down for a while, his grace is not retracted. That's love!
I was without Internet service for 20 hours yesterday. I did not sleep one wink last night. When daybreak brightened my bedroom, I was listening to Christian television. Joyce Meyer was speaking in Australia, I believe. As usual, her practical teaching of the bible and her life as an example of what God can do for us, IF we ask, commit, accept and work with him to do it, is a beautiful testimony.
I have handwritten signs with affirmations, scriptures and inspirational quotes on one wall in my office. As I stare up from the monitor, they're staring at me. I recite them throughout the day and will add to them.
I've been praying specifically about some things and patiently waiting to hear from God. He showed up and how! I was in awe at what He has given me to do. Joyce Meyer shared with her audience, we should always be in awe by what God does for us because he does more than we can begin to articulate. I'm paraphrasing this as I didn't take notes.
Okay, there was the first sign that I did not even ask for yet God knows me even if I didn't ask him for a sign. Joyce Meyer's program came to an end and the announcer began to talk about the ministry's women's conference coming up in September. The theme for the conference is, The Love Revolution.
I am a columnist at On Such Things' sister site, SearchWarp, too. My column is called, Love Revolution. It's been that for months!
Okay, there was another coincidence? My God is deliberate and with him, there are no coincidences. I am not trying to connect the USA and the UK with a 2x4 that's two feet in length. In other words, I'm not grasping at straws. I had already received what I was told in answer to my prayer. I had already been in awe of God's instructions.
I may come across as strong, having it together, and as one reader said, arrogant but I sought another opinion on that one. *chuckle* Seriously, what I'm getting at is this, my confidence and assurance is in God, not me. I face challenges that are much bigger than I but not bigger than the God I serve. As Psalm 27:13 states, "I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." I'd wimp out if it were left up to me but it isn't.
I am moved by the Word of God. Serving him doesn't insulate us from suffering. He didn't prevent His only begotten Son from suffering unto death. So, we can expect trials, struggles, challenges and difficulties but we can also expect to pull through if we remain steadfast in our faith, with or without a sign.
Jesus lives! There's your sign!
Article submitted Thursday, July 02, 2009 & read 480 times.
Leave Your Comments:
» left by Anonymous (250 days 19 hours ago.)
hi avis,oh, i can relate to this article.i have been places in my mind and heart where i have never been before, going through this divorce. friends and family helped immensely, but God is who i turned to in my greatest hours of need, and He was always there. i have been blessed,thank you for sharing,my best to you,suei am sorry about your sister's husband.Respond to this comment
» left by Avis Ward(39) (250 days 17 hours ago.)
Sue, thanks for being supportive and a credible witness to what I've written. I know you can relate to this. I'm thankful for your support system but even more thankful you knew Who to cling to "in my greatest hours of need." Without making it a monumental task but with the intent of completing it someday, I hope you can begin your manuscript now that the divorce is behind you. You could start by using what you've already penned and extract from it a place to begin. Let's say you decide to write 180 words a day in a journal. Some days you may write hundreds or none. No worries. No pressures. Just go with it. I believe it will catch like the sparks that start a wildfire. How about this for a title to begin: "Desperately Seeking Susan and I Found Her."
My best,
Avis
About my sister's husband, thank you.
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» left by Michelle Mackin (250 days 19 hours ago.)
Hi Avis,Excellent article and scripture references. I can remember too many times where I had been guilty af askng for a sign instead of standing on God's word and listening. When I reflect back I must have looked so silly as there were signs all around and I was too blind to see.Hugs, love and blessings,MichelleRespond to this comment
» left by Avis Ward(39) (250 days 16 hours ago.)
Hiya Michelle,
Thank you kindly and sincerely. Growing in grace is a blessing from above, isn't it? I'm thankful you got something from this article, Michelle. I pray it is liberating and not binding. The enemy plays tricks on us with guilt. I pray for you always and will call you by name. When that happens, I know it's God.
Take special care, my sister.
Returning the love, hugs and blessings,
Avis
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» left by Fran Larson (230 days 8 hours ago.)
Avis, I have certainly been there...that is at the place where I really would like some kind of sign. However, you are right, we should patiently wait on God. His timing is always perfect. Thanks for reminding me of how God is always with us. Fran Larson (your fan)
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» left by Avis Ward(39) (229 days 13 hours ago.)
Fran, thank you ever so much. I always marvel at how He delivers His reminders to us. I admire your openness to receive them. That's big! *smile* From one fan to another, we're in this together. I like knowing that!
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» left by Isobel Anderson from Ottawa, Canada (210 days 12 hours ago.)
Sue,Recently I was asking God to answer me, I said to Him Lord "I know you are speaking to me I see your lips moving but I don't hear a sound what you are saying". The answer I got back was "if you stop talking long enough so that I can get a word in you'll hear me"IsobelRespond to this comment
