As a believer in Christ, ever wish you could get a "that a boy!" or a "that a girl!" from God? I know I have. I've wanted this on many occasions, even before I was a true believer - but especially now that I am truly seeking His will in my life and His purpose(s) for me. I'm not really looking to hear, "Hey Lloyd, you're perfect - you make my job so easy" from Him - but I want some kind of 'sign' or something that lets me know that, at least, I'm on the right path. Can you identify with any of this?

Well, if you do identify with this - good news! I am coming to realize that God means what He says (always), but, for purposes of this message; He means what He says when He tells us "Ask, and you shall receive" ... So, ask Him to show you in someway if you're on the 'right path'... and be prepared for His answer - a sign - something - cause it will happen. Here's my most recent example:

Yesterday, I was visiting with a client of mine, a Christian bookstore in Lumberton, NC. While talking with the owner, he (outta the blue) told me he had felt 'led' to offer me a NKJV bible, a whole bible commentary and an exhaustive bible dictionary. So, he takes me to the back of his store into their storeroom where he keeps some inventory, that for whatever reason, cannot be sold. In this instance, the bible's cover had been seamed on 'upside down' - a page or two from the whole bible commentary was seamed in too close, where some of the words on these few pages couldn't be read, and the bible dictionary had a few lose pages that didn't get seamed into the binder at all. Big deal, right? They're perfectly good books, but, in their condition, the store couldn't sell them to the public. Well, the owner explained that he had already gotten 'credit' for the damaged books from their respective manufacturers and the books were just sitting on the shelves. Here' the cool part:

I'm in the middle of a semester of a How To Study The Bible class at a local bible college here in Fayetteville. In this class, there are 'suggested' reading materials that we may want (and are encouraged) to purchase so that we'll have the tools necessary to study the bible - not just for class - but for life. These books, although essential, aren't free. But, for me, outta the blue - they were given to me freely by a friend who felt 'led' to give them to me. How 'bout that?!

Over the past couple of years, (although I've been 'saved' since 1990), I have been diligently seeking a real relationship with God. I had been hearing this phrase, "It's not a religion, it's a relationship". Well, being in the advertising industry - that, at first, sounded neat - kinda cool. But after a while, the intention of that message finally started to sink in. Although a 'baptized believer' - I started sensing that I didn't really have this 'relationship' I'd been hearing about. I had been, more or less, doing the 'religious' stuff - but without really understanding what I had been missing from not having a 'real relationship' with God.

I can now tell you that I'm experiencing this relationship with Him, and it's sooo AWESOME! He is more real to me (and getting more real to me every day) than I ever imagined possible. So, naturally, as I pray and seek His will for me daily... there are times I want to know I'm on the right path... an "atta boy!" ... Are you seeing where I'm going with all this? I ask that God puts people in my life that will lead me closer to Him, and, that, if He sees fit, to put people in my life that I can lead closer to Him as well. I ask also, that He'll, from time to time, let me know if He's pleased with my direction (and when He's not, so I can change directions). Well, whenever I get an encouraging word about my show, or about a comment or something I've done or whatever - I can't help but to Praise God, and thank Him for His blessing me what I asked for... an "atta boy!".

Yesterday, getting some costly materials that I had intended to get on my own for bible study - over time when I could afford them individually.. from a friend of mine who felt 'led' to give them to me freely... was an "atta boy". The bible says, "Ask and you will receive". Need an "atta-boy!" or an "atta girl!"? Take God's word for it... and Ask. You will receive!