I just completed reading the 2 books and the workbook/study guide I was working on. When there's something that speaks to my heart and Holy Spirit wants me to partake in, it is as if I am driven to complete the task at hand. I love when I am on adventures like that. I read and try to follow in the workbook with the corresponding chapter I am working on. I do not like so much wimpy, bare bones type of workbooks. I like workbooks that have several questions for the student to work on.
This particular workbook does not have the correct answer guide listed in the back somewhere to allow me to double check to see if I answered the questions correctly. So, with that assignment complete I felt led to stop at a Christian bookstore my hairdresser suggested to me. She thought I would like it there. The owner is a sweet lady, I think she said she was 80 years old. This is not a bookstore in which the books, music, etc. is at discounted pricing and they do not accept credit/debit cards but do accept the method of payment via cash or check.
I saw authors of books in which I attended a church, saw them or I could recommend certain books I had read as excellent. I selected a book by Dr. Bob because he went to church where we both attended back in Ohio, and he knows about nutrition. I then saw a study guide that struck my attention by Kenneth E. Hagin. When talking/sharing she mentioned how she used to listen to him on the radio years ago and how she would get so much out of his 15-minute radio programs. I replied how I used to also listen to him on the radio, small world isn't it. She shared with me how the Faith Library Publications Study Guide Course Series book I selected, that you could use it to teach a class/bible study. Imagine that. It is a book format with smaller font size print with Questions for Study at the end of each chapter. My kind of book that I like. The best part of all is there is a Sinner's Prayer, and it even has a section to sign & date it if you said the prayer. I sometimes wonder why churches do not have altar calls sometime during the service to offer salvation to the people through Jesus. I was always taught back in Ohio that anytime the church was gathering there should be an altar call before the service is dismissed. You just don't ever want to miss the opportunity to extend the altar call because we really do not know the person's life or if the church service, they attended may have been a cry for help from them. What if they came seeking God and in their time of distress no one offered the plan of salvation, and they then walk away without the altar call being extended to them. Pretty serious stuff when you look at it in that light do you agree.
Church, go back to offering salvation altar calls on a regular basis. And what is that all about only offering communion maybe monthly or quarterly, get the point! Jesus shed His blood for us to live with Him in heaven for all eternity if you invited Him into your heart. So, the church lessens the value of that shed blood of Jesus and only partake in communion on a rotation type of schedule. I can say this that when I was Catholic, they always offered communion. I think there was a season in my life as a practicing Catholic that I attended daily mass and received communion. The book is titled, "The Holy Spirit And His Gifts."
As I was checking out, I felt Holy Spirit nudge me to bring forth a word of encouragement to her. I silenced myself and stepped aside with my thoughts to let Holy Spirit flow through me. He was ever so faithful as the words came forth. I let her know if anything was not for her or she did not agree with it to let it fall to the ground. She replied that she received it all. As a confirmation of something spoken forth, she brought out some papers and right then and there I asked if I could lay my hand on them and pray in faith, and she agreed with my request. I stepped into faith and prayed and released blessing. Now, that is what I call a divine appointment, do you agree. If I would have never had the time of fellowship when at the hairdresser the other day, the conversation would have never brought up the bookstore and I probably would have not gone there. Holy Spirit is always on the move you just have to let Him capture your attention and then you have to be willing and obedient to follow through.
I love the adventures Holy Spirit goes on with me. When I came home, I found a thank you note waiting for me from a neighbor thanking me for baking. See, Holy Spirit has you where He wants you to be to bless those around you. How can He even trust you with any type of ministry if you cannot and do not reach out with the love and kindness of Jesus you share with them, your neighbors. I did deliver some dinner to a neighbor this evening and collected my container from the soup I left with them the last time. I will eventually get to my other neighbor's home to collect up the soup container I left for them a few days ago.
When I share with you, I do not do it in a boastful manner. I share with the hope you will extend kindness to your neighbors and take Jesus with you wherever you go. I do not even share all with you because some things are left for me to tuck within my heart. Holy Spirit knows when He sends me and it is my joy to do so at His beckon. He will then somewhere in time inevitably remind me of some of those acts of kindness. Start on your journey with Holy Spirit so you can then share your adventures with others to encourage them to share the love of Jesus with others.
No comments:
Post a Comment