A WOW MOMENT [DEVOTION OF THE WEEK ~ SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2013 TO SATURDAY 2 MARCH 2013]

NOTICE: The following article is written by the author itself and not by me, I am not trying to violate their copyright. I will give some information on them.

PAGE TITLE: CBN Daily Devotional

ARTICLE TITLE: A WOW moment

DATE: N.A

AUTHOR: Mike Dyson

AUTHOR INFORMATION: Mike Dyson is a small business owner and minister currently residing with his wife in Pensacola Florida. He is called to encourage, to activate the gifts and callings in peoples' lives and to help people reach the God given destiny that resides inside. He and his wife minister wherever the Lord leads and have seen many miracles. God has placed a Love in Mike for those that are hurting and just need a touch from Heaven. You can contact Mike at info@newlifepensacola.com or visit their website at www.newlifepensacola.com.

URL: http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/devotions/dyson-wow.aspx

Have you ever had a WOW moment? One of those moments that really takes you by surprise. Maybe it was getting an unexpected check in the mail when you believed that somehow God would work out that financial issue. Perhaps it was seeing your child or grandchild doing something for the first time. It could be a new job or getting a raise. There are so many things that can produce one of those WOW moments.

Sometimes I tell people that when I say WOW I can even say it backwards. (I know a little humor, probably very little). Today was different. I really felt grieved in my spirit, and to tell the truth was a little disappointed. However, as I was exercising it came to me that this was a WOW moment. Notice I didn't say it felt like it was a WOW moment, but that it was one. 

We can easily identify a WOW moment when something good happens; but I don't think I have ever seen it the other way, at least not like the Lord was showing me. 

I have been through many valleys in my life and am sure to go through even more. I know the place we cling to Him the most is during troubled times, but I never really chose to see it as a WOW moment. 

The New Testament book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb 13:8). The backwards WOW may not feel the same, but it really is a much bigger moment. Faith is required much more when things don't turn out as we had hoped or planned. Many times we fall into the exact opposite of faith and begin to feel disappointed. Disappointment comes from being result oriented. Sometimes we don't get what we want and then we get disappointed. 

So, how could today be a WOW moment day? The answer is simple. God is still on the throne. Here are a few helpful Scripture verses that illustrate this point well:

• We serve a mighty God and the Holy Spirit reminds us of all the promises that are in His word. If God is for us who can be against us (Rom 8:31).
• Conversely, 'Eye hath not see, nor ear heard, nor entered into the heart of man the things God has planned for those that love Him.' (1 Cor 2:9).
• 'Goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our life.' (Psalm 23:6).
• 'All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.' (Rom 8:28)
• 'For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans to prosper you not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.' (Jer 29:11).

As hard as today can be, with unmet expectations, as Christians, it really is our decision on what we choose to believe. Today, as with any other day, may not be the result we wanted but God's ways are not our ways. Nothing shakes Him on the throne and we need to continue to trust that He will finish the work He began (Phil 1:6). 

The disciples thought that it was over when Jesus was on the cross (John 20:9), but it was anything but. As we know, His resurrection three days later showed that this was not the end but only the beginning. 

Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Heb 11:1). The enemy always wants to lead us into hopelessness or out of our faith. Stay hopeful even though the situation may seem to be just the opposite of what you would think God wanted and realize that, "WOW, what a mighty God we serve"! There will be other things we will face in the days and years ahead but remember what Jesus said: "In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)