A DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT by Lois Coady
At the beginning of the year the PGCC staff each chose a one year devotional to use. Today, Lois shares an inspiration and encouragement she received from the devotional she is using.
The devotional I have been using daily for the 10-days or so is called “Unshakeable” by Christine Caine. Christine “is an Australian-born, Greek-blooded lover of Jesus” who “founded the anti-human trafficking organization, the A21 Campaign.” She writes in her introduction, “Everything in our world that can be shaken will be shaken, from a global scale to our personal lives. And yet, the Bible assures us it doesn’t matter what happens politically, morally, socially, or economically in the world around us if we have Christ in us – if we have the kingdom of God within us – because with Christ and in Christ, we can have unshakeable faith.”
The devotional I read from this book today really spoke to me and stirred my heart. It is called, “JUST SAY YES.” The scripture referenced was I Thessalonians 5:24, “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” The gist of the devotional is that the people of God live a risky life as we believe Him, trust Him, and step out in faith. Living this way means that we often exchange “the known for the unknown, the predictable for the unpredictable, the comfortable for the uncomfortable” but all this comes with the promise that our God, the one who calls us, “is faithful and he will do it.”
Even though I have walked with God for 51 years, every time I entered a period of transition, fear begins to stir up in my heart and I start considering the “what if’s.” You know how that goes ... “What if things don’t work out as planned?” “What if he/she doesn’t keep their promise?” “What if I am not skilled enough to do the thing God has asked me to do?” What if? What if? Then, God gently reminds me of His faithfulness over our 51 years together and helps me refocus on my role which is simply to say, “YES!”
I imagine you have played the “What if” game as well at times. However, today I have been reminded that people of God are called to live a risky life. Sure, there will always be “What if's,” but “the one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” This has encouraged me today and I share it in hopes it will encourage you as well.
Here are the devotionals the staff have chosen to use this year. We share them in case you would like to join us.
Pastor Scott: Live in Grace, Walk in Love by Bob Goff
Pastor Phil: Hearing God Through the Year by Dallas Willard
Lois Coady: Unshakeable by Christine Caine
Brandon Young: Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon
Other Recommendations:
Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
You are the Beloved by Henri Nouwen
A Year with CS Lewis
My Daily Pursuit by AW Tozer
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
