I'm Glad I Obeyed

One Sunday night at church, I recognized that my friend was discouraged. The Holy Spirit dropped into my mind the idea to take her to lunch the next day. But immediately I recalled that I was planning to spend that day cooking for a ladies' luncheon on Tuesday. I had a Better Homes and Garden recipe selected that would take too much time to leave until Tuesday morning.

But the idea was there, and I felt to disregard it would not please the Lord, so after church I suggested lunch the next day. We had a good visit and on the way out of the restaurant, I noticed a refrigerated case containing quiches. Here was my Tuesday lunch. I knew that was God's smile of approval on my obedience.

It seems that often the Spirit speaks through a spontaneous thought. Recognizing the Spirit can be as simple as the thoughts that remind us, "You haven't prayed today," or "She needs a word of encouragement."

Many of the spontaneous thoughts given by the Holy Spirit will be guidance for the sake of others. When we live like Jesus, we live for others. He will give us ideas of how we can pour out His love in practical ways.

In 1 Kings 17:7-12, God commanded the widow of Zarephath to care for Elijah. It appears that the widow did not know she had been commanded by God to feed him. Her only clue that he was her assignment was this stranger who showed up in her village and the little tug at her heart to respond to his need. She saw someone in need and had enough compassion to meet that need.

It is easy to rationalize and ignore His prompting. But when we do respond, we are never left with regret.

Jesus, please don't let me miss any of Your assignments for me today.

"As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers" (Galatians 6:9, 10).