BUILD AN ARK

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Noah did everything just as God commanded him.  Genesis 6:22

My family and I just watched the movie “Evan Almighty”.  Evan was depicted as a modern-day Noah whom God had instructed to build an ark during a drought.  He provided the land, the materials, and the tools necessary including an “Ark Building for Dummies” book.  Evan was ridiculed by the townspeople, his coworkers, and even his family questioned his sanity.  Despite opposition, Evan was committed and continued building.

It was an inspiring story, which made me realize that God actually has an ark for each of us to build.  The ark that God calls us to build may not affect the entire world as was the case with Noah, but it is an opportunity to serve and obey Him which will have an impact on the lives of others.

This blog is my ark, which began construction two years ago when God used a spiritual gift test to reveal that He wanted me to begin writing.  During that time, I have experienced many feelings of fear and inadequacy as I began writing devotionals that I felt reluctant to share.  At a recent meeting, God used a casual conversation to guide me to creating this blog.  It has been difficult at times, but I feel a strong need to commit and follow through with the task.

Maybe God has revealed an opportunity for you to serve, but you have been reluctant to start building your ark because it seems impossible to achieve.  When we are serving God, it won’t always be easy.  We can expect opposition anytime we are doing something significant for God, but Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  No job for God is without risk, but we can move forward with the strength and courage He offers.

In the movie, ARK stood for an Act of Random Kindness that changes the world.  You can be assured that if God asks you to build and ark, it will unquestionably be used to further the kingdom of God.  The most important part of building an ark is found is Psalms 37:5, “Commit everything you do to the Lord.  Trust him, and he will help you.”  What is the ark God is calling you to build, and are you ready to commit to Him?

WHAT IF

  

You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me, for you O God, are my place of safety.  Psalms 59:9  New Living Translation

As children, we’ve all played “Hide & Seek”.  Sometimes we would be so unsure of our safety that we would run to find a better hiding spot only to be seen in the process.  We may have actually had the perfect place of hiding if we had just waited patiently for the game to play out.

We all face times of uncertainty in our lives.  We find our minds plagued with many “what if” questions which make it difficult to concentrate, sleep, or just make it through the day.  Questions of uncertainty often bring feelings of complete desperation causing us to want to run to a new hiding place which may actually be an unhealthy or dangerous situation.

The above psalm was written by David when he feared for his life because Saul’s men were coming to kill him.  Just as Saul was seeking to destroy David, Satan also wants to destroy our faith by strategically planting these “what if” questions in our minds to confuse, distract, and discourage us.  Surely there were many “what if” questions running through David’s mind, but he also knew that God had a plan.

Although we may know in our heart and mind that God is in control and that He has a plan for our lives, we can still feel completely consumed by the situation.  Lamentations 3:22 says, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail”.  Just as David waited for God to save his life, we can count on our Father, who loves us, to provide that fortress of safety when we feel consumed by the “what if’s”.  His love is the perfect hiding place!

Related articles

• Hiding in God by Mark D. Roberts (trinityspeaks.wordpress.com)

SHARE YOUR HOPE

We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. Psalms 78:4

Karen’s husband had made some decisions in his life that had caused a lot of pain and struggle in their marriage. After a few years, God delivered him from the hold that Satan had on his life. Karen and her husband were both ashamed of the turn their life had taken and did their best to keep it secret.

One day, God brought a family into their lives, which was experiencing the same trial they had. God impressed upon Karen’s heart to share how God had given her strength to stand by her husband and support him through his addictions. She was unaware, but her husband felt the same conviction and had also shared what God had done in his life. Their courage and obedience gave someone else hope at a time when it was needed most.

It is important that we share with others how God has helped us through trials. Oftentimes, it is very difficult to share the deepest pain and frustration of our lives, but it is necessary “so each generation can set its hope anew on God” (Psalms 78:7).

Simply sharing our knowledge with someone having struggles similar to what we have been through will encourage them. We all have a tendency to feel that we are the only one who has ever experienced our current problem, and it is true that no one else has experienced exactly what another has. However, we do often share similar circumstances. Just knowing that someone else has been there, survived, and grew closer to God through it can renew our hope and even our faith in God. Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint”. When hope is renewed, strength and courage will follow.

Without people sharing what God has done in their lives, others may not know what God can and will accomplish. They may not know about the hope only He can offer.