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November 11, 2004 Encouragement for Today Want to Come With Me? Ramona Davis, Proverbs31 Speaker Team Member Key Verse: No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 (TLB) Devotion: "Want to come with me?" my Daddy would ask. I loved and adored my father. Where else in the entire world would I rather be! My dad earned a living as a carpenter. Many Saturdays he would do odd jobs for family and friends, the perfect opportunity to climb in his truck and accompany him. I didn't care where we were going, I only cared that I was going with him. These trips with my dad were not filled with constant conversation. My parents were deaf so I learned sign language before I learned to talk. We communicated when we needed to but a peaceful silence often filled the truck as we went on our merry way. He often had a purpose and plan for the stops he had planned but sometimes he invited me to get in the truck just for the pure fun of it. Our mailbox was located at the bottom of the short, steep hill where we lived. I remember playing in the neighborhood and hearing my dad's truck at the end of his workday pulling up to our mailbox. It was as if we were playing an unspoken game. I listened for the sound of his truck and he revved his motor to signal that he was home. I would run to the bottom of the hill, ecstatic to see him. Smiling, he would wait for me to climb in the back of the truck and sit down. Then he would give me a ride to the top of the hill. I was secure in his love and protective care of me. I didn't have to think about driving the truck. He had perfect control over where we went and how we got there. My purpose as his little girl was to love him, trust him and obey him. Isn't this like our relationship with our Heavenly Father? He desires that we love, trust and obey Him and asks us, "Want to come with Me?" We have a choice, we can refuse and miss untold blessings or we can "get in the truck". We don't need to spend our lives seeking our calling. Our calling will be fulfilled when we love and seek Him. We can then rest peacefully in His everlasting love and fiercely protective care for us. We can rest in the security of silence because we will communicate when it is necessary. He knows where we need to go and how we need to get there. When we love and seek Him, He guides and directs. You won't even have to worry about "driving the truck" if you trust Him to "sit in the driver's seat". Oh, He will take you by the most beautiful places you will ever see. You will absolutely squeal in delight over some rides that are for the sheer fun of it. He will take you to people with gifts you need and He will take you to people who need your gifts. You will be amazed at His plans and be in awe over the purpose you both will share. When you hear Him ask, "Want to come with me?" Don't hesitate. Say, "Yes!" Climb in the truck, roll down the window and sit close to your Constant Companion. My prayer for today: Lord, I want to love you with all my heart, all my soul, my mind and my strength. I want to trust you fully and surrender myself to your plans and agenda each day. I want to cooperate with you in every way. Lead me Lord, to a closer relationship with you. Application steps: Prayerfully consider anything you may be withholding from Jesus. List in your journal what it is. Write a prayer asking Him to help you release it to Him. Reflection points: Read John 10:10 Do you believe that Jesus wants to give you a life on earth that is of great quality? Do you consider that Jesus wants to share moments of laughter, fun and pleasure with you? Read Proverbs 3:5 - 6 Do you honestly trust the Lord with all your heart? Power Verses: Trust in the Lord, and do well; dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:3, 4 (NKJV) Is anything too hard for the Lord? Genesis 18:14a (NKJV) Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow Me". Matthew 16:24 (NKJV) "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 (NIV) Additional resources: Becoming a Woman Who Listens to God by Sharon Jaynes http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/womanlistens.html Radically Obedient Radically Blessed by Lysa TerKeurst http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/radical.html >>> Share the good news <<< Please forward this message to a friend! FREE Christian Book http://l.salemweb.net/swnoffer0203/ ____________________SUBSCRIPTION INFO_______________________ * This newsletter is never sent unsolicited. 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