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You Said What, God?  Keeping Your Ear Open to God’s Prompting

Orginally published on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at 6:03 AM
by Todd Rhoades

Dave Ferguson from Community Christian Church in Naperville, IL tells a great story about a recent prompting he had from the Holy Spirit. He shares how he was prompted to share something with a gal he'd never met that was a newcomer at CCC. His story reminds us that we need to be alert and listening for a God who still prompts and moves among His people. Dave writes...

“I walked into one of our celebration services at our Naperville Yellow Box this weekend and took a seat toward the front on the right side of the room.  I was there a little early, music was playing and people were still filing in.  The seats quickly filled up throughout the room and also around me.  As we started singing Salvation Is Here I was introduced for the first time to a young women sitting next to me who was a newcomer to CCC.  Nothing unusual so far…

As we sang through the first song and into the second song I kept getting this strong impression that seemed to be from God.  And the thought kept coming to me, “I have something really big planned for her.” This re-occuring thought was clearly about the young lady sitting next to me whom I had never met. I tried to focus on the worship but the same thought kept coming to me, “I have something really big planned for her.” For three songs that same thought kept coming to my mind and I knew that I was supposed to tell her.  So, I did…

What I had no way of knowing was that the Big Idea that night was something that God meant specifically for her.  I also had no way of knowing that she had just decided the previous Monday for the very first time that life was worth living.  I had no idea about a number of things she told me.  And several things she told me seem to confirm that what I heard was from God and that I was supposed to tell her.  Wow!

The whole experience (and some parts I can’t yet share) was really amazing.

1. She left our conversation very encouraged and affirmed.  Since she sees me as a spiritual leader, those words were very encouraging to her and affirming of the direction that her life has recently taken.  The timing could not have been better.  I’m amazed at the power of well-timed encouragement.

2. I walked away from the experience reminded that God does talks to us.  There is knowing that God talks to us and then there is KNOWING THAT GOD TALKS TO US.  After that kind of experience it makes me want to listen more carefully and act more quickly on the promptings I get from God.

3. I wonder how often God is prompting us.  I wonder if God isn’t always talking to us and that only occasionally are we listening close enough to hear what He is saying to us. John 10:27 tells us, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

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You can read more here at Dave’s blog.

FOR DISCUSSION:  What has God been nudging you to do lately?  Do you have any examples/experiences you’d like to share?


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  There are 2 Comments:

  • Posted by
    Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at 10:23 AM

    In a sermon a couple of years ago my hubby preached, he talked about how God had been nudging him and our family to ask our waiter/waitress how we could pray for them. Most of the time we do this… I ask and he prays if we’re together on a date, with friends, or out as a family.

    Last night Trav, Park and I were out for dinner. Hubby and Aus are at Student Life Camp. The boys saw our waiter walking over to us and said, “Wow. He’s a cool one.” He walked over to our table and I looked him straight in the eyes and said, “Hi, my name is Camey. These are two of our sons - Travis and Parker. What’s your name?” The look on his face was priceless. He told me his name (Coulder) and we talked about how unusual of a name it is. He took our order. I then told him we were going to be saying a prayer and asked how could we pray for him. Again, the look was priceless. He shared how one of the band members from his church died this past weeked. No longer did he look “cool” for the reason he had before. There was pain. There was a deep sadness. He thanked us and said how much it meant to him. He then went on to place our order. As per usual in small town Texas - I saw some friends and walked over to talk with them. I shared about Coulder and the guy dying and was asking them to pray. About that time, Coulder was walking past me. He stopped and talked with us. He looked at me and said, “I knew you and your sons would pray. But, wow. Thanks for asking others to pray for all involved too.” I continued to talking with the friends for a bit. When I walked back over to the table, the boys shared with me that they had been talking with Coulder. He had apparently gone to our church before going to this other one. And we had many people in common. When he returned to our table with our food, he spilt Park’s drink on him. He was completely embarrassed. I looked him in the eyes again and told him there was no reason to be embarrassed - it wasn’t a big deal. He proceeded to give us the wrong check when time to pay the bill. I walked over to where the waiters were and pointed to him. He walked over and I said, “My friend, you gave us the wrong bill. I’d be happy to pay it but it is a lesser amount than we owe.” He gave me the right one and said, “You and your sons are just what I needed tonight.” When I went to pay the bill, the cashier was watching me sign it. She then looked at me and said, “You realize you gave him a $10.00 tip right? He wasn’t the best waiter you could of had tonight.” I told her I meant to give him that amount and said, “He’s a great guy. I’ll be asking for his table again.” Then I told her, “Have a blessed night. I already have.” Coulder was standing right behind me.

    Why did I mention that about my hubby at the beginning? Well, God nudged him first. I don’t normally ask guys when he isn’t with me. But I do females. Sometimes they end up sitting down with me and really talking..... Sometimes they bring their co-workers over even. My hubby sets the example for our boys. Last night - it should they’ve been paying attention as well. Park says to me as we’re getting in the vehicle, “Mom, that was one of the best dinners I’ve had even if I did get all wet.”

  • Posted by
    Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at 4:29 PM

    Okay. I’m going to share another one that just happened today.

    The pool has been open now for almost a week. I’ve dreaded going because ever since my dad passed away - we’ve been getting “special” treatment from the club. And since I’m not a country club type person any way… that bugs the heck out me. (Ut oh… I said heck...) Ever since 10:00 a.m. this morning I’ve had the “go to the club pool” ringing in my ears. I fought it.... Then, I submitted to it. We’ve just returned.

    I sat on a different side of the pool than I normally do. I had not been sitting there 2 minutes when a woman two empty seats over from me started talking. We’ve been talking off/on at the pool and the elementary school for two years now. She then proceeded to pour out her pain...... PLEASE pray for her and her two young boys. PLEASE pray for her soon to be x-husband and all else involved. This has gotten her and the boys back to a church. She had been away for so very long. I gave her my number and told her call any time. She thanked me and said, “I’ve been sitting here wishing I had someone to talk to. I looked for you when we first got here but you weren’t here… yet.”

    Thank you God for country club pools.

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