Tuesday, July 28, 2020

No need for an Eight Ball

When I was growing up I had a friend who had one of those big, black "Eight Balls."  Remember them? You could ask the Eight Ball questions like "Will I hit a home run in the Little League game?" or "Will my parents increase my allowance?" and then turn the big, black ball over and then wait for its answer.  As kids we never put much stock in the answers coming from the "Eight Ball."  But it was kind of fun to mess around with it.

You wouldn't have found an Eight Ball in the apostle Paul's traveling bag.  He traveled by faith, trusting in God's presence and power to help him finish the race and complete the task given him by Jesus - "the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."  (Acts 20:24)

There are times when a reliable Eight Ball would be helpful wouldn't it?  To have an answer regarding the wearing of masks or restarting our ministries or knowing an end date to the pandemic would be wonderful.  And I'm sure that answers about health or finances or the future of our kids and grandkids would be a great benefit to you.

How shall we then live? Paul offers a fine example for us.  Read Acts 19:1-12 & 23-41.  Paul explained to the Ephesians Christians that he did not know what would happen to him as he traveled place to place.  But he believed that the Holy Spirit would direct and help him.  He learned that he could trust God no matter where he might travel or whom he might meet.

We can do the same.  God has given us faith to trust in Him for forgiveness, new life and salvation.  We have God's promise that He will provide us with daily bread and help us meet our needs.  The Scriptures assure us that God is faithful.  His Word is sure and certain.  God bless you as you follow Him day by day!