Topic > Christian Beliefs > God > Waiting on God >
How do we get ready for spiritual catastrophes?
Whether it’s an earthquake, a tornado, or a hurricane, it’s a good idea to have a disaster plan in place. Today we continue our study in the book of Acts for tips on preparing for spiritual catastrophes.
Marist College's Assistant Men's Basketball Coach, C.J. Lee, has experienced God at work in some pretty significant ways. His story of complete trust and reliance on God can help you…
ListenWhy Me?
Written By Jason Chen, Taiwan (Originally in Traditional Chinese) Why Me? That was the grabbing title of a book I read recently; a question which triggered a lot of memories. Implied in those two words is the larger question: Why does God allow people to suffer unbearable pains? There was once I asked God that […]
Bible Reading: Proverbs 3:1-8
I worry a lot about everything. I am afraid that things won't work the way I want. From the book of Our Daily Bread, 2008 edition, I read the devotion entitled "Surprise me!". As I went on to read, it really surprised me that, God spoke to me through that book. He said, 'Do you like surprises?', "Yes I do", I answered immediately. Then I felt suddenly worried when I read the next line, 'Would you ever dare say, "SURPRISE ME! to God?'. It's true that many of us are somehow scared to do that. And before I read that book, I was one of those who were scared to say that. Yes, I have faith that God is good and that He loves us. Yet I am afraid I won't like what He chooses for me. Remember what God did to Job? God had allowed
Satan to do everything he wanted to Job except kill him. What was Job's reaction? "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him" (Job 13:15). His love and reverence for God took precedence in his life.
In the end, God blessed Job with twice as much as he had before. God allows things to happen for His reasons, whether or not we understand them. Above all, however, we must remember that God is good, just, loving, and merciful. Often things happen to us that we simply cannot understand. However, instead of doubting God's goodness, our reaction should be to trust Him. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your way acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight". (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Read
I feel God has spoken to me again and again to write to you about my story. Finally, I am obeying.
This story is about a painting I created.
SOW THE SEED, MY STORY
Not knowing where to begin, or what specific points God wants me to express, I’ll just write in chronological order.
- September 2011
I developed allergies, resulting in permanent lung damage. It became necessary for me to leave my employment due to allergens in the work environment. As time went by I realized this lifestyle change was actually a blessing. Now I had time to read the Bible, to learn Scripture and to seek God each morning. I began journaling which evolved to written prayer/communication. And, now I had more time to paint – something I have longed to do since childhood.
- January 2012
I began an oil painting – an image I had painted previously and titled Bequeath. I decided to title the new painting Bequeath II. I prayed almost every day about this painting, asking God to guide me in all ways with my work, but especially with my reason for painting it. I asked to paint it for His Glory rather than my ego.
- February 6, 2012
While quietly working in my studio, the words “Sow the Seed(s)” came thundering into my head. It wasn’t a voice or a vision – it was unlike anything I’d experienced before. It was so intense, but calming.
An excerpt of my journal entry for that day reads, “This afternoon I felt God told me what to name this painting . . . “Sow the Seeds”. It’s so perfect! The name just was told to me while I was in the studio. It says it all – We must sow the seeds for our Lord – I’ll find Scripture tomorrow. The message is clear it is so perfect! Thank you Lord. As I write this I realize – You have given me the perfect name . . . “
At this point the painting isn’t finished. And, I’m only beginning to dig into His Word. As well as praying for the painting to bring God glory, I prayed that I would complete it in a masterly manner and in time for jury entry into an Oil Painters of America annual exhibition.
- February 18, 2012
I was very anxious about the title for the painting because I was uncertain, did God say, “Sow the Seeds” or did he say, “Sow the Seed”. I fell asleep praying about what title to enter. The deadline to enter is February 24, 2012! Ultimately, I submitted the painting into the Oil Painters of America National Exhibition with the title, “Sow the Seed”. Jury notification results would be made March 21, 2012.
- February 27, 2012
My growing concern about the title is evident in an excerpt of my journal entry for February 27, 2012, it reads, “did God say “seed” or “seeds”? I wasn’t certain and I began to try to make more sense out of the title . . . with gardening you plant more than one seed, so it should be “seeds” and yet sowing “seed” made sense too. “
As always, during my daily Quiet Time, I read the daily devotional, Our Daily Bread. The Scripture noted to read for February 27, 2012 is Galatians 3:19-29. I opened my Bible and my eyes fell directly on verse 16:
“The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed” meaning one person, who is Christ.” -Gal. 3:16
I almost fell off my chair! I wasn’t familiar with this Scripture. I thought, WOW, I have to write to the people at Our Daily Bread to tell them this story. But, I didn’t.
- June 2014
In preparing for the July 1, 2014 Canada Day Salmon Festival (as the Art Show Coordinator of this festival which brings in approximately 100,000 visitors), I thought it would be wonderful if I could hand out copies of Our Daily Bread to those who stopped at my booth. I contacted my Pastor, a few local Churches and a Christian bookstore to find copies, but to no avail. Next year, I thought to myself, I will write to the people at Our Daily Bread and ask them for copies.
Shortly after this, during one of my Quiet Times I opened an envelope from you which enclosed a 60 day introductory addition of Our Daily Bread. The picture on the front cover reminded me of my Grandparents’ farm and somehow this led me to daydream/visualize my painting, Sow the Seed on the cover! I was excited about this idea and thought I should write to them and ask them if that would be a possibility. But, I didn’t.
- December 2014
I received the January issue of Our Daily Bread and noticed the invitation to write to you to tell one's personal story. This again confirmed what I felt God has been asking me to do for almost three years. But still, I didn’t.
- January 2015
I received the February issue of Our Daily Bread and again noticed the invitation to write to you to tell one's personal story. This once more confirmed what I felt God has been asking me to do for almost three years. Again, I didn’t.
- February 2, 2015
The organizer of the Salmon Festival emails me to remind me the festival is six short months away. Yes, I think, I should write to Our Daily Bread. But, I didn’t.
- February 3, 2015
This morning during my Quiet Time, before I began to read today's devotional in Our Daily Bread I noticed on the back Cover the story about "Dan" the man who requested 10 copies so he could hand them out and that how he now distributes 150 devotionals every three months. OK Lord I know you're talking to me! I have to write to the people at Our Daily Bread.
I then turned to today's devotional February 3: At the bottom in bold print of today's devotional are the words in boldface type "We sow the seed -God produces the harvest.
I don't know how much more clearly the Lord can speak to me. It's time for me to obey him and write to you. So, this is my story.
| Sept. 2011 | He gives me a lifestyle to do what I want to do most (to work as an artist).
|
| Feb 6 2012 | He gives me the name of a painting that I have prayed will bring Him glory.
|
| Feb 27 2012 | He gives me (through Our Daily Bread) the Scripture for the title of the painting when my memory fails me – IN WRITING, the morning after I pray about it.
|
| June 2014
Dec 2014 Jan 2014 Feb 2 2014 |
He reminds me again and again and again to write to you.
|
| Feb 3 2014 | Again, IN WRITING (through Our Daily Bread), He reminds me about the title He gave me, and to write to you, so that indeed, we may Sow the Seed
|
SOW THE SEED
Recipient of:
ACCEPTANCE – 2012 Oil Painters of America National Exhibition
FINALIST STILL LIFE – Art Renewal Center, 2012-2013 ARC Salon
BEST OF SHOW – 2013 National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society
FINALIST WINNER – Raymar Art Annual Final Art Competition 2011-2012
BEST STILL LIFE AWARD – Federation of Canadian Artist, Annual International Representational Show – 2012
FINALIST – Raymar Art Annual Final Art Competition August 2012
THIRD PLACE – Bold Brush Painting Competition August 2012
FAV 15% BADGE – Bold Brush Painting Competition August 2012
SECOND PLACE – Federation of Canadian Artists, 365 Juried Competition – 2015 Calendar
Is this story a string of coincidences? I don’t believe so. God has blessed me with a lifestyle so I can do what I have come to believe is my purpose in life – to share the Good News through what I am most passionate about.
I want to “Thank you” for Our Daily Bread. Those words though, don’t seem near adequate. Your devotional has changed my life!
In gratitude,
Tanya Bone
PS: Please do not hesitate to contact me should you decide to use my image, Sow the Seed. I would be honoured and pleased to provide you with a high resolution jpeg for reproduction purposes.
ReadOf recent, I think last month, I was so depressed and downcast because the project I’m working on wasn’t progressing. There was no result and I was almost giving up.…
ReadJoy was tempted to become bitter when an accident left her confined to a wheelchair for the rest of her life. But instead she chose to trust God’s goodness and…
ListenStanding On The Edge
My little girl stood apprehensively at the pool’s edge. As a nonswimmer, she was just learning to become comfortable in the water. Her instructor waited in the pool with outstretched arms. As my daughter hesitated, I saw the questions in her eyes: Will you catch me? What will happen if my head goes under?
Delay May Not Mean Denial
My sons’ birthdays are in December. When they were small, Angus quickly learned that if he didn’t receive a longed-for toy for his birthday at the beginning of the month, it might be in his Christmas stocking. And if David didn’t receive his gift for Christmas, it might appear for his birthday 4 days later. Delay didn’t necessarily mean denial.
Amazing Guide
When actors and actresses make a movie, it’s the director who sees the “big picture” and the overall direction. Actress Marion Cotillard admits she didn’t understand everything the director was doing in one of her recent films. She said, “I found it very interesting to allow myself to be lost, because I knew that I had this amazing guide. . . . You abandon yourself for a story and a director that will make it all work.”
the silence of Jesus
Silence. That’s all he gave them. Silence. And some strange scribbling in the sand.
Learn To Wait On God
Cha Sa-soon, a 69-year-old Korean woman, finally received her driving license after 3 years of trying to pass the written test. She wanted the license so she could take her grandchildren to the zoo.
I Am Not Forgotten
Waiting is hard at any time; but when days, weeks, or even months pass and our prayers seem to go unanswered, it’s easy to feel God has forgotten us. Perhaps we can struggle through the day with its distractions, but at night it’s doubly difficult to deal with our anxious thoughts. Worries loom large, and the dark hours seem endless. Utter weariness makes it look impossible to face the new day.
the long wait
Forty years ago, as the violence in Vietnam rained down on his village, an explosion killed Ho Van Thanh’s wife and two of his children. In fear and desperation, Thanh scooped up his infant son, Ho Van Lang, and fled into the jungle. For 4 decades, father and son lived far from civilization, carving a rudimentary life out of the land. Recently, villagers exploring some 25 miles from their homes happened upon the two. Thanh, now 82, was very ill, and the villagers reached out to help him.
Believing In Advance
In a German prison camp in World War II, undiscovered by the guards, some Americans built a homemade radio. One day news came that the German high command had surrendered, ending the war. Because of a communications breakdown, however, the guards did not yet know this. As word spread among the prisoners, a loud celebration broke out. For 3 days, they sang, waved at guards, and shared jokes over meals. On the fourth day, they awoke to find that all the Germans had fled. Their waiting had come to an end.
