Hope: A Courageous Journey of FaithSample

DEVOTIONAL - TODAY'S DISCUSSION   Today, what is God's purpose for you?  Wouldn’t it be nice if you received an email each morning telling you God's will for you today?  During the great Isrealite exodus from Egypt, God led Moses and the Israelites each day by a pillar of cloud ... "By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.  Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. " (Exodus 13:21-22 NIV)   Today, we do not have pillar clouds to guide us, but we do have something far better, the Holy Spirit!  As we listen to the Spirit through bible study, prayers, other Christians, or that nudge you get that can only be Him, the light turns on.  God speaks to each of us in His Word, and through our walk we learn to see Him and hear Him.   "Coincidence" can be God speaking to us and saying, "Here I am."  Once we hear him, we can then begin our journey of Christ-centered purpose.  Faith must be involved in this process as hearing and doing are different.  Sometimes when we hear God and it's not convenient for us or we're unsure of what we are hearing, becuase of our circumstance, so we don't act in faith.   Remember, God loves us and everything through him serves His purpose and is for His glory!  If He brings you to it, he will bring you through it! FROM "TAYLOR'S GIFT" THE BOOK Father Alfonse flipped through the blank pages. “Look at that, there’s a Scripture at the bottom of every page.”  “Yep,” Peyton said proudly. Let me pick one and read it,” Father Alfonse said. He randomly flipped to a page and read, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28.” He finished reading and then slowly looked up, glancing first at Bernie, then Tara, and then me. As the words he read sank in, it was as if they struck a match. The Scripture was illuminating the darkness inside of me, and I wasn’t sure what to do with it. I looked at Tara. From the expression on her face, I could see she felt the same way. It could have been a mere coincidence that out of all the pages in the journal, he opened to this one, but we didn’t believe in coincidences. It was clear to us that God was trying to tell us something. Could there be a purpose in this? Could Taylor’s death be used for good in some way? TODAY'S REFLECTIONS Do you look for purpose even in times of sorrow or pain?  Pray to the Lord, cry out for Him and He will give the answer "Here I am." Pray today for God to reveal His purpose for you and quietly listen for His answer.  If you hear an answer that seems unreasonable, pray for the faith to continue in your purpose and God will be your rear guard.