Don’t Override the Alarms

Don’t Override the Alarms TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “The Lord will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life.” (Psalm 121:7, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Do you ever feel an inner “alarm” going off when you know you shouldn’t be doing something? As soon as we feel that uneasiness, we need to stop and evaluate what’s going on. Too often, people override that feeling thinking they’ll sort it out later, but then they have to deal with things that God could have saved them from. The time to respond is the time when you sense the alarm. You may be in the middle of a conversation and the alarm goes off. You know you’re supposed to walk away. Don’t ignore it. Or, you’re about to purchase something. You’re about to make some plans and you feel that check, that uneasiness, that alarm. That’s not random. That’s God talking to you. Pull back and see what God is saying. If you will learn to listen, God can keep you from trouble. He can keep you from danger. Don’t ignore it and make life more difficult; instead, quickly obey. Follow His leading. Don’t override the alarms so you can partake of the blessing, favor and protection that God has prepared for you. A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father, thank You for Your promise of protection and provision. I am Your sheep. I hear Your voice, and the voice of a stranger I will not follow. Teach me to trust You and follow Your leading all the days of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.

God Gives You Abilities to Help Others

by Rick Warren

“Now you belong to him who was raised from death in order that we might be useful in the service of God.” (Romans 7:4b TEV)

God created you to help others. Regardless of your job or career, you are called to full-time Christian service. A “non-serving Christian” is a contradiction in terms.

The Bible says, “He saved us and called us to be his own people, not because of what we have done, but because of his own purpose” (2 Timothy 1:9a TEV).

Peter adds, “You were chosen to tell about the excellent qualities of God, who called you” (1 Peter 2:9b GW).

Growing up, you may have thought that being called by God was something only missionaries, pastors, nuns, and other full-time church workers experienced, but the Bible says every Christian is called to service.

When you use your God-given abilities to help others, you are fulfilling your calling. The Bible says, “Now you belong to him who was raised from death in order that we might be useful in the service of God” (Romans 7:4b TEV).

Talk It Over

• How are you using your God-given abilities to help others?
• What is God calling you to do that you’ve thought you were not qualified to do?
• How can you encourage other people in your small group, church, or community of believers to serve in ministry?
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