GOD NUDGES

Do you ever get God-nudges? 

·         “Speak to that person.”

·         “Stop and help that family.”

·         “Buy that lady’s groceries.”

·         “Call ‘so-and-so’ and see how they’re doing.”

·         “Don’t sit where you always sit.  Today I want you to sit with ‘so-and-so’.”

·         “You’ve got a little money left this month.  It’s not a big amount, but why not give it to ‘so-and-so’?”

·         “Before you get into your day, why not scribble a note to ‘so-and-so’; remember their prayer request on Sunday?”

They’re easy to ignore.  You can always use the excuse that you’re too busy.  You’ve learned from experience that nothing happens if you ignore these God-winks.

EXACTLY!

Nothing happens! 

But what might have happened?

Whose life might have been impacted?

How might your intervention have changed someone’s life?

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I just finished reading the Old Testament book of Jonah [it’s only four short chapters].

Here’s a synopsis:

·         God tells Jonah to go and preach to the people of Ninevah.

·         Jonah boards a ship and goes in the opposite direction.

·         God raises up a massive storm that threatens the ship.

·         When confronted by the crew, Jonah admits that he is the cause because he disobeyed the Eternal One.  He tells them that if they throw him overboard, they’ll all be saved.

·         They delay doing so, but eventually heave him over the side.

·         Immediately, the storm ends and the sailors make sacrifices to the Eternal One!  [Interesting that God uses Job’s rebellion to convert a bunch of sailors!]

·         Jonah goes to Ninevah and tells them to repent or God will destroy their city..

·         The whole city begins to fast and pray – including the king.

·         Job gets angry with God [It’s important to know that the Ninevites were enemies of Israel and had a brutal reputation.]

·         Job camps where he can watch God destroy the city.  When it doesn’t happen – he sulks and God reprimands him.

THE POINT:

God knew that the Ninevites were ripe to turn from their evil ways and follow Him.  He clearly chose Job to be the one to go and preach to them.  Job tried his best to take a pass on this mission!

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When God whispers to us, we almost always fail to realize that God knows things that we don’t know!  He has been working in a person’s life and may want to use us to move them along in their surrender to His way.

But, all-too-often, we are too busy, or distracted, or uncaring, and we simply ignore God’s call.  How sad!  I wonder what we missed?  How many continue to wrestle or struggle because we failed to be obedient? 

How easy it is to shake off these God-appeals!  We never stop to think that God may be moving that person (or group) toward repentance and simply wants to use us to participate in His persuasion!  The very action God asks us to take may be the very thing they need at this instant in time to bring them into a dynamic, resolving, transformative relationship with the King of the Universe! 

But no.  We took a pass because we were too busy.  How sad!

RESOLVE TODAY – RIGHT NOW – THAT NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN RESPONDING WITH FAITH AND OBEDIENCE TO THOSE GOD-NUDGES!!!!!!

And when you do, and God accomplishes something through you, I’d LOVE to hear about it!  😉