STORIES FROM THE TRAIL: Finding God in Everyday Life

By Cliff Hargrove

I spent some years in my early Christian life struggling. Those early years were anything but wonderful. I knew I needed to read through the Bible and have an early-morning quiet time. I just couldn't connect the dots between what the Bible said and what was happening in my real life.

What I needed was a story (devotional) that would relate to my life and also point to the truth I was reading in the Bible. I noticed I had more joy reading the Bible when I was reading those daily scriptures along with a short story that helped the scriptures "come alive," so to speak.

You may find some of my stories outside the mainstream of "church thought." However, they will bring you into the life of another person and hopefully help you connect the story with the truth of scripture. I pray some of them will help you find God in your life's situations and circumstances. If one story touches one person, I'll consider that a success.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fulton Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 24, 2024
• ISBN: 9798887311869

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About the Author

cover.jpg

STORIES FROM THE TRAIL

Finding God in Everyday Life

Cliff Hargrove

Copyright © 2023 Cliff Hargrove

All rights reserved

First Edition

Fulton Books

Meadville, PA

Published by Fulton Books 2023

ISBN 979-8-88731-185-2 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88731-186-9 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

I want to thank my wife Kita.

Kita always has faith in people and encourages them to do their very best. As we've traveled down this trail of life together, since we were in 7th grade, she has been right there with guidance, encouragement, and love. Thank you, Kita! I love you ALL the numbers.

1

Trust

Trust in the Christian life is important to you and God.

He was hired to remodel the hometown bank. When it came to relocating the bank vault, Mr. Banker said, Red, you are not qualified to move the vault. We will have to hire someone else to relocate the vault.

Those words would prove to be very troubling to everyone involved. I do not believe Mr. Banker intended to hurt Red's feelings or to question Red's abilities. But Red took those words of Mr. Banker to mean that Red was a nobody and not qualified.

God wants people to know that it is all about Him and not others. God gives gifts to His people, so God may be honored and worshipped.

God has a purpose for choosing you in His call. You have been gifted by God to represent Him with your life and your words. You are qualified to do what God is calling you to do for Him. Kingdom work is supernatural work, regardless of your occupation. As God's called ones, we Christians represent Him every moment of every day, with our life and our words. Remember, God's call on you is not about you. It is about Him.

I was with Red that Saturday morning early. He parked his Chevrolet pickup in the middle of the street and told me, Whatever happens, stay in the truck. Red went into the bank. In a few minutes, he was back in the Chevrolet pickup, and we were driving away. Suddenly, everything in the world was rocked, even that blue Chevrolet pickup truck. Yes! Red had placed dynamite strategically around the vault, and that Saturday morning, unqualified, Red moved the vault.

If you trust in the Lord instead of your human wisdom, God will show you the right path to take.

Proverbs 3:5–6

2

Humble

I wonder what would happen if we would humble ourselves.

Are you praying? Let us increase the number of people praying for the Christian influence in America. Let us let others know we are living according to God's will and word. Invite someone to pray with you daily. Invite someone from your church, outside of your local church, outside your county or city, outside your state, maybe even outside America. Maybe you cannot meet physically, but you can stop at an appointed time of the day to pray together. And you can text, I'm praying with you.

The Bible says you are the salt that keeps things from completely rotting away. The Christian and the church are the preservatives in this nation. I do not mean a building when I say church—church, the called-out ones. There is hope for America. Let us see what God can do with praying people.

2 Chronicles 7:14

3

Came to Himself

Sometimes we can only find ourselves when we look in uncomfortable places.

He wanted to go home. He prepared the speech he planned to make to his father about being a servant instead of a son. You probably know the story from Luke 15. The son took his inheritance and traveled far from home and his father's influence and spent all his money with reckless living.

He came to himself and decided home was the place he needed to be. He braced himself for rejection, but he received his father's loving embrace.

Do you know who God is in your life?

God is aware of who we are and what we may have done. God desires a genuine personal relationship with you. God has done His part in the relationship for you and your benefit. What have you done about that relationship?

God counts you as priceless. He sent His Son to die for you.

I pray God will open your eyes to see the priceless value of every living soul. Seek God today for yourself and for others.

Luke 15: 1–32

4

Love

What is it to love someone with all your heart?

The Bible says loving God is the most important thing we can do for others. Our love for God is especially important to everyone in our life. Maybe the best thing we can do today is look at the way we love others and allow what we see to have its effect on us.

What place does God hold in your heart? Ask God today what He would have us do with His love. God's love is the greatest love ever shown.

Matthew 22:37–39

5

Actions

What do my actions say about me and my belief?

There is today a spiritual battle being waged among Christians concerning the nature of saving faith.

One group says, People can be saved and have no evidence confirming the life changed in faith. Another group says, Salvation produces some evidence of a changed life through growth in godliness.

Just my thoughts here: Obedient faith hears God's Word and acts on His Word in faith.

Act is an action word indicating we believers must be doing something. Obedient faith responds by searching God's Word and allowing His Word to search me. Then we believers move into our community to share God's salvation. Sometimes we have to say something.

Psalm 19

6

A Small Lunch

Christ is the refresher of mankind.

God provides what you cannot. Do you remember Jesus feeding thousands of people with a boy's small lunch? The disciples knew how little food they had, but they kept serving food to the hungry crowd until everyone had been filled. And at the end of the day, the leftovers filled twelve baskets.

Our obedience, despite our limitations, is the platform by which He (God) works in and through us. God is glorified by using His willing people. What are you willing to do today with your obedience and faith? You do need to do something. Act on your belief.

John 6:1–14

7

God Is Our Rock

In 1972, I heard these words spoken by our Commanding General in Mainz, Germany, There is discontent among people around the world. It was spoken of all people around the world. Sound familiar? These words have been spoken again and again.

People have fallen for the things of the world, hoping things will change their lives for the better. Everyone is looking for something that will better them. God's Word teaches that life does not consist with the abundance of things. If you make things your god, those things will leave you empty.

Our true happiness cannot be found in things or in other people. We must look inside ourselves to find happiness. The path to reclaiming your happiness and possibly saving yourself is to look at what God has placed inside you. You are somebody created in the image of God.

Only God can give meaning and purpose to your life. You do know God is your rock of salvation?

Deuteronomy 32:31

8

Support

Support and encourage one another.

Feed on God's Word and be satisfied. Receive God's mercy and grace in a refreshing way, and you will be recharged.

God wants us to pour ourselves into the lives of people around us in service. God delights to use His people when we are willing. Be ready. Trust Him to use you today to speak a kind word or do a kind deed.

Always abide in Christ so you can faithfully serve when the situation is challenging. Learn when you need to rest and rely on God for support when you cannot take that time. Jesus said, Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.

Mark 6:31

9

Rely on God

Let us rely on God's strength.

I do not think it would hurt to have a renewed commitment to God and His Word. Renewal is a continual process for the believers. Renewal is a constant practice as we Christians seek to live lives that reflect Christ. Renewal is always available. When we sin, we can receive forgiveness. We can pray to have the joy of the Lord restored in our lives.

Let us be like Christ, who often withdrew by Himself to speak to God, and pray. Talking with God is a way to recharge and get ready for the work God is doing or is planning for you to do.

Luke 5:15–16, Mark 1:35

10

God at Work

God has promised to do wonders for His people and His church.

Are you praying for direction or purpose for yourself or someone else? What should you do? The Bible has many examples of those who were prepared by God to do something special. Living life out loud is doing something.

God has something good for you or that someone else you are praying for, but you must commit to prepare yourself.

Let us spend time this week in prayer, getting ourselves ready for God to use us.

Let us start by addressing what would contaminate our relationship with God. Do you need to repent?

Joshua 3:5

11

Faith

She was weak and all alone, and she needed help.

No one was on her side. Her only help was the legal system and the local judge. But the judge didn't fear God and did not respect people. She had no money or status, so she was not an important person to the judge. Because she could not do anything for the judge, he would not hear her. But she took advantage of every occasion to speak with the judge about her problem. Every time this judge rode his American quarter horse anywhere, this lady was riding her twelve-year-old Shetland right behind him, pleading her cause.

What is Jesus's point in this story?

If an unjust judge can be made willing to grant her petition, our God is much more willing to hear and answer the prayers of His people. Our God is totally just and fair. God wants to hear your voice.

Hold nothing back. God wants to give a voice to every concern in your heart. Let your voice be heard before our God. Do not let your voice be drowned out or overpowered by the world's noise. Encourage Christians to persevere in their faith against all odds. Trust God.

Luke 18:1–8

12

Communicate

I like my devices. I can hear and see those grandsons in Lubbock, Texas, anytime I like. I am so glad to be able to communicate with them live. It is not about being on the computer or phone; it is about communicating with the ones I love.

The Bible and prayer are good things, but it is communicating with God that is good and most needed. Have you ever planned without the counsel of God? Talking to God means pausing before a decision and looking expectantly to God in your heart and waiting to see how He may lead. Our focus is to talk with God Himself. You can pray, do a good deed, and live as an example of God's person. When you seek God, you find what you are seeking. Why should we want to seek God? Because His way and your ways may be a great distance apart. Pray and seek God.

Isaiah 55:6–7

13

God Does

Psalm 23 speaks of David, who was satisfied.

God fed David in the peacefulness of green pastures. God refreshed David with cool water from a still running stream. God provided so well; David lacked nothing.

David knew he had received God's lavish care all his life. David is pointing all people for all times to Jesus, whom he knew as the Good Shepherd.

This psalm is familiar, reminding its readers that God is the providing Lord. The focus of this psalm is not acquiring but spreading the message of God and His kingdom.

The Lord knows how to care for you. Seek His kingdom and His righteousness, and everything else will be provided to you. Do you have a personal experience with God through His Son, Jesus Christ? I pray you do.

14

Prayer

Prayer does not presume to command God. God knows prayer is for our good and His glory. God will do what we ask. Do you ever wish you could pray and instantly God would show up with His answer? God needs strong men and women who stick out in their witness against wickedness. God needs you, who see clearly and feel deeply His purpose. God desires you to allow Him to accomplish His purpose in your life. God demonstrates His grace, love, and purpose in your life. God is good. Are you obeying God with your life?

Our needs should drive us to pray to our great God, who alone can deliver us and those we pray for. God is great in power, love, grace, and mercy.

Psalm 86:1–10

15

What Is Right?

How concerned am I with people who are perishing without God's Son, Christ?

We have been praying for county officials, Texas state officials, and federal officials. I am asking God to give every elected official who does not know salvation in Jesus Christ an invitation to accept His salvation. If that lost official says no, I am praying God will remove that official from the elected office. This prayer is for federal, state, and county officials. Christians should have such a burden for those who are without Christ that we are driven to ask God that all people may be reached with the good news. Jesus gave Himself as a ransom for our sin.

Pray for every official who is a Christian, that he or she would stand up for God and what is right for our country, state, and county. The Bible makes special mention for praying for officials in authority.

Pray for the church, that we would stand for God and what is right.

1 Timothy 2:1–4

16

Lost

Lost, what does it mean?

Every Thursday, I pray for missionaries and all their efforts to reach the world of lost people, wherever they may live.

On a sightseeing trip, a lady was reported as missing. Word spread, and a large search party began the search. Everyone has a description of her clothes, her age, and her hair color. The woman, who had changed her clothes and did not recognize the description of herself, joined the search party. The search was called off after a few hours when it became clear the missing woman was accounted for and was searching for herself. Without Christ, we are like the woman—we are lost, removed from God, and we don't realize our lost state.

We all need Christ to show us the way to God the Father.

Can you remember a time when you chose to be separated from God and His salvation? Without Christ, we are hopelessly lost.

Without Christ, there will be a Christless eternity. You do not want to know what that means.

Luke 15:4–7, 8–10, 17–24

17

Honor God

David was determined to honor God. We all know the story of David and Goliath.

Everyone else focused on the size and power difference, but David's focus was on God. David knew God as his problem solver. Do you want to be the person God uses?

Please come before God and talk to Him about your needs. Get honest with God, and He will use you for His glory.

You can become the person God uses for His glory. In God, you are a winner.

David walked out on the battlefield confident that he would win.

1 Samuel 17:49–51

18

What Can I Do?

I was asked this question, After a person becomes a Christian, what does that person do? Most people do not want to be a preacher, and most do not want to be a singer. What is left? Here are some things that every Christian is called to do:

Worship. Your worship happens every day when you love God more than anything or anyone. Loving God is displaying Him in your everyday life.

Relationships. Join a Bible study group and be faithful in studying your Bible with other people. The Bible is God's Word for you.

Disciple. Be a part of changing lives. Be kind. Be open. In every situation, reflect God. Your actions will change someone's life.

Make an impact. Live the Christ life every day.

2 Corinthians 5:17

19

Unaware

A parking control officer came upon a Cadillac illegally parked. The officer wrote out the ticket. The officer completely ignored the man seated behind the wheel of the car as he put the ticket on the windshield.

The driver was dead. The officer, preoccupied with writing tickets, was unaware of anything out of the ordinary.

What should catch our attention most about people is their need, not their offenses. What everyone needs most is our Savior. Are you sharing Christ, your Savior, with others? We engage with conversation that leads to truth and salvation.

John 4:27–30

20

Which Way?

When he ran to seek Jesus, Jesus sought him. When he expected judgment, he was met with love. When he expected rejection, he found acceptance. Zacchaeus had discovered a mystery. God was seeking him. Men may not be able to discern the real need, but God sees and knows all your needs. What did Zacchaeus need? He needed Jesus's salvation. Jesus even said, For the son of man came to seek and save what was lost.

Maybe Zacchaeus kept his tax-collecting job, but he was different. God needs Christ followers in every walk of life. Zacchaeus could not ignore the longing to see Christ. Zacchaeus was changed. That change is available today to everyone who will call on Christ. Today take steps to seek God.

Christ is our way to God and His forgiveness. Starting today, praise God in all things. Not only do we have something to praise about but also what a wonderful God we serve. Our praise of God helps us to encourage those who are around us.

Luke 19:1–9

21

Special

Pray for Bible study teachers and leaders.

Do you have special glassware and plates that you reserve for special people or special days only?

I want to tell you, start using those glasses and plates, because there is no more special person than you. Please do not think that guests are more special or worthy than you and your family.

We live in a self-absorbed world. As Christians, we have been taught to never focus on ourselves but to put others first.

Nowhere in the