When You Feel the Nudge, Don't Ignore it!

     While I was tagging along with a friend, for what I thought was a typical grocery shopping trip, God was up to something in the midst. We found ourselves picking up not 1 bag of apples but 2...Not 1 thing of bananas but 2...Not 1 box of macaroni and cheese but 2. You get my point. After we left the grocery store, we saw a lady walking along the road, crying. As we drove by, I couldn't help but look behind me wondering is she okay? What does she need? How can I help? We both felt a nudge that we just couldn't ignore.

     As we made a U-turn to find this lady, it turns out she was walking to a nearby preschool, to borrow diapers for her baby. We just so happened to have diapers in the car to give her as well. We went on and asked if she needed a ride anywhere, and back home is where she was headed. Of course as we are driving this lady back home we are getting to know her story. Her and her husband have 5 children, and are doing everything they can to provide for their family. They are just caught in a rough time.

     There is no doubt that God was orchestrating our day, time, money, and even the amount of groceries that were purchased. A small nudge with a little obedience can go a long way. Not only were we able to bless this lady with diapers and wipes, a short car ride, and a few groceries, which none of it she asked for, but it also opened up the door for conversation about being the church. As Christians, our calling is to help those in need.

     Hebrews 7:7, "And without question, the person who has the power to give a blessing is greater than the one who is blessed."

     God is constantly wanting to use us for His glory! I share this story, not to put myself or anyone else on a pedestal, but to encourage you to look for an opportunity to be a blessing to someone today!! When you feel the nudge, don't ignore it!

Outlook Determines Outcome

     "For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast." Proverbs 15:15

     If your mind is filled with troubles at the start of the day, more troubles will come your way. If your mind is filled with hope, blessings will be sure to come your way. It truly depends on your outlook. "If we see only the problems, we will be defeated; but if we see the possibilities in the problems, we can have victory." ~Wiersbe

     We cannot always choose which circumstances come our way, but we can choose our outlook for every situation. The secret to a happy heart is filling our mind with thoughts that are true, pure, noble, and lovely. (Philippians 4:8) As we face the struggles of daily living, we must look at our attitudes and then examine what we allow to enter our mind and choose to dwell on. This is important because our mind is one of Satan's greatest targets to attack. Why would he attack our mind? Warren Wiersbe said, "Because your mind is the part of the image of God where He communicates and reveals His will to you." When Satan has convinced us to believe his lies, he has accomplished his purpose.

     So often, we let the outcome of life determine our outlook, when really our outlook determines the outcome. Not knowing what tomorrow holds, or understanding the reason for everything happening today, we must trust that "God works all things for the good of those who love him." (Romans 8:28) In Christ, we can look at the future with eyes of confidence and hope. 

     When your outlook is based on Christ, it is then that your life becomes a continual feast!