MISSIONAL WOMEN
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God Makes Me Smile

7/6/2011

18 Comments

 
I am reading through Exodus. In chapter 14 I am struck by the graciousness of God to tell the Israelites that Pharaoh and his army are going to "pursue them." And encourages them, "But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord." (V.4)

Seriously! How awesome of God to prepare them. But...  what happens? They don't listen or forget or something. When Pharaoh starts pursuing they freak out. But seriously, don't you and I do the same thing?! He promises us things... "in this world you will have trouble"... "Go, make disciples of all nations... and lo I am with you always..." And we freak out when it's in our face.

Good thing God knows how to continually motivate us, move us, speak to us. We are desperately dependent on Him, good thing He makes Himself available to us.

I put together a helpful tool to help people discern and be confident in God's Will. 
And since I talk a lot about  how to and how not to discern God's voice in the link above, I'm just going to share a neat story. I think God takes great pleasure in communicating with us, in surprising us and showing off in neat ways.

Here's my new Bible.
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Here's my old Bible, the reason I needed a new Bible.
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God Shows Off

I went to the Christian bookstore and of course there were so many to choose from. I was narrowing it down to the version I wanted (I like to do a different version than the one I had before) and then went from there. I was asking God which one He would like me to have. Finally I found the one I wanted. I had pulled it off the shelf and looked through it and decided this was the one. But something nagged at me. No, I want more crinkles on the cover. So I looked at all the covers staring at me from the display case and I decided on the one on the top shelf corner.
 
I pulled it down and took it out of the see through box.

At the bottom of the box was a handwritten small piece of paper with nothing but LAURA written on it. I am so thankful to serve a God who not only knows how to make me smile but also does.

Here it is

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Laura, the creator and host of Missional Women is married and has four kids, two of whom are adopted. Laura and her husband have been missionaries to college students for 11 years serving with Master Plan Ministries. Laura is the Staff Women's Development Coordinator and has discipled over 150 girls, led over 30 Bible studies and speaks 10-20 times a year. Laura is an award winning author of a 12 week Bible Study on First Samuel, Beholding Him, Becoming Missional, recently released Reach; How to Use Your Social Media Influence for the Glory of God, and A Devotional Journey through Judges, a devotional to accompany the free online Bible study at TheBookofJudges.com. You can find her on facebook,twitter, pinterest and youtube.

18 Comments
Georgia link
7/6/2011 01:14:05 pm

thank you so much for joining our meme!!! i love your post and the cute pics of your kids on the side :0)

Reply
Praising mom link
7/6/2011 01:23:50 pm

This post spoke to me tonight! I have fallen in the freak out mode many times. That verse is such a great reminder! :)

I liked your facebook page. :) Thanks for the encouragement today!

Ps...your kiddos are adorable. :)

Reply
Ronald Jay A. Remiendo link
7/6/2011 03:38:52 pm

Your post is awesome!! God wants you to know something. He wants to reveal you more visions, more revelation.God bless!!

Reply
Living So Abundantly link
7/6/2011 09:07:00 pm

That is incredible! He showers us with blessings all day, doesn't He? Love your story! Thank you so much for linking up and the tools you shared with us. ;)

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Nikole Hahn link
7/6/2011 10:37:29 pm

Okay...that gave me chills.

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Lisa notes... link
7/6/2011 10:37:33 pm

Love that story, Laura. God knows us by name and deals with us accordingly. I am desperately dependent upon him too (as we all are; sometimes we just recognize it more than other times!).

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meg Isaacs link
7/7/2011 12:21:33 am

Oh my.. I love that story, God is amazing isn't He? I love following fellow Christian moms. Have a great day!

Meg <><

PS
It would be great for a follow back :)
http://agemmoment.blogspot.com/

Reply
Miss Kathy link
7/7/2011 01:07:58 am

Awesome story, Laura! God knows just how to meet us in such a personal way. That little name tag was pretty personal! Hope you;re enjoying all the other Words He wrote in that new Bible. My husband is a career bookseller and something of a Bible expert. He has no greater joy than to put the just right Bible in an individual's hands. He buys them, enjoys them, and gives them away. So, what about that "crinkly cover" - which edition/translation?
Bless you, milady!
Joy!
Miss Kathy

Reply
Daisy Girl link
7/7/2011 01:40:42 am

I really enjoyed this! I love it when God does that. It's always nice to meet a fellow Christian. I'm your newest follower.

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alittlebitograce link
7/7/2011 03:42:13 am

Very cool! God does such interesting, unexpected things!

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April link
7/7/2011 03:50:44 am

Thank you for sharing with us! My mom's Bible looks like yours, you can view her post on it at http://chasingrabbits11.blogspot.com/2011/04/my-bible.html

Reply
Pamela link
7/7/2011 05:42:09 am

Oh how I smiled reading this! God has enjoyed all of us reading your post and being awed by Him,I'm sure.

With joy,
Pamela

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Kelly link
7/7/2011 10:51:13 am

Whoa! I got chills. Literally chills. God is amazing. Amazing. :)

Kelly

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imperfect prose link
7/7/2011 01:31:51 pm

oh, i love your walk with God, the way it is so intimate and real. thank you for sharing it with us, friend.

Reply
Pamela link
7/7/2011 05:03:57 pm

Oh, I love God so much! How beautiful, the way He guided you, to reveal your name, to show you how He loves you! Thank you, Jesus! And thank you, Laura, for sharing!

Reply
Doylene Brents link
7/7/2011 08:44:20 pm

I enjoyed your post very much. Always good to meet another Christian. I'm a new follower from Thursday Blog Hop. Doylene

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Karenee link
7/8/2011 06:57:58 am

Oh, these are the moments that just bring tears to the eyes because they are so rich with the realization that God is present and active in the smallest things just as he promises. I appreciate that you shared this moment and spread that joy. Thank you.

Reply
Blue Cotton Memory link
7/15/2011 12:55:47 pm

I Love it when God does something like that!

Reply



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  • Home
    • Ministry Resources for Women >
      • Beholding Him Freebie
    • Contributors
    • Statement of Faith
  • Blog
    • Ministry >
      • Evangelism {Win}
      • Discipleship {Build}
      • Living Missionally {Send}
    • God's Word >
      • Bible Study
      • Prayer
      • Devotionals
      • Bible Studies
      • Apologetics
    • Relationships >
      • Marriage
      • Singleness
      • Dating
      • Family
      • Friendship
    • World >
      • Social Justice Issues
      • Internet & Social Media
      • Politics
      • International
      • Science Revealing God
    • Life >
      • Image & Idenity
      • Health
      • Fashion
      • Food
      • Organization
  • Bible Study Resources
  • Prints
  • Stickers
  • Quiet Time Journals
  • Courses
    • Discover God's Calling
    • Women's Ministry Training Promo
    • How to Study the Bible
    • Women's Ministry Training Course
    • Growing in Your Faith Mini Course
  • Retreat
  • Video Bible Studies
    • Matthew
    • John
    • Galatians
    • Philippians
    • Know your Purpose
    • Creation Reveals
    • Ministry
    • Heart Growth
  • You Are Unshaken Book
    • Unshaken Groups
    • You Are Unshaken Paint Party
    • Unshaken Freebies
  • Shop