Caught Off Guard
We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. — 1 Thessalonians 1:2
This Fall is special for me because I go into the woods and bow hunt. This past year, I took my two grandsons. I decided to hunt between both of them. I strapped my stump chair next to a tree and leaned back.
It was warm and the wind was blowing one evening. Nothing was moving, so I took my phone and pulled up the Greek New Testament. I began to read where we're studying now. I was picking up words and extra phrases that God would have me share. I was writing and taking notes.
Suddenly, I looked up and six to eight steps from me was a buck just staring at me. He looked at me and wondered what kind of phone I was using. He just turned and walked away. I let him walk because he was smaller than I wanted to harvest.
I realized that there are times when things catch us off guard.
I pray that God's Word would catch you off guard in a good way and give you great joy. The Book of 1 Thessalonians is a power book. God has a word for you today. He wants to encourage you and speak to you at your deepest need. Even though you may not know what your deepest need is, He does.
Sometimes we're so focused on what we're looking for that we miss what God is trying to show us. I was looking for deer, and one walked right up to me. You might be looking for answers in all the wrong places, and God is standing right in front of you, ready to speak.
Are you reading God's Word expecting Him to show up? Are you coming to church anticipating that God will surprise you with exactly what you need to hear? Or have you become so familiar with the routine that you've stopped looking for God to do something fresh?
The Word of God is alive and active. It has the power to catch you off guard in the best possible way. Open it expecting God to meet you. Listen for His voice. Watch for His movement.
He's closer than you think. And what He wants to say to you today might just take your breath away.
This Fall is special for me because I go into the woods and bow hunt. This past year, I took my two grandsons. I decided to hunt between both of them. I strapped my stump chair next to a tree and leaned back.
It was warm and the wind was blowing one evening. Nothing was moving, so I took my phone and pulled up the Greek New Testament. I began to read where we're studying now. I was picking up words and extra phrases that God would have me share. I was writing and taking notes.
Suddenly, I looked up and six to eight steps from me was a buck just staring at me. He looked at me and wondered what kind of phone I was using. He just turned and walked away. I let him walk because he was smaller than I wanted to harvest.
I realized that there are times when things catch us off guard.
I pray that God's Word would catch you off guard in a good way and give you great joy. The Book of 1 Thessalonians is a power book. God has a word for you today. He wants to encourage you and speak to you at your deepest need. Even though you may not know what your deepest need is, He does.
Sometimes we're so focused on what we're looking for that we miss what God is trying to show us. I was looking for deer, and one walked right up to me. You might be looking for answers in all the wrong places, and God is standing right in front of you, ready to speak.
Are you reading God's Word expecting Him to show up? Are you coming to church anticipating that God will surprise you with exactly what you need to hear? Or have you become so familiar with the routine that you've stopped looking for God to do something fresh?
The Word of God is alive and active. It has the power to catch you off guard in the best possible way. Open it expecting God to meet you. Listen for His voice. Watch for His movement.
He's closer than you think. And what He wants to say to you today might just take your breath away.
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3 Comments
wow that was a powerful message
Amen!! Thank you for sharing God's word with us today.
There was a time when I thought I had learned everything I needed to know to be a Christian. But,I still learn new things all the time. The Bible is new to me every day. It is like opening a book that continues on and on forever. He speaks to me afresh each day.