What is now distributed to thousands of subscribers worldwide had its start with the idea of an old-fashioned answering machine and a single phone line. But that's just the technical side. Its spiritual roots extend deep into the previous century with a young man's interest in computing.

You can read the full story here.

Great things happen when someone uses their gifts and talents. Incredible things happen when faithful people listen to and obey a nudge from the Lord.

One of my guiding verses is Ephesians 3:20 – "Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." (NLT)

God is able (and willing) to use us. What are you into? God can channel it into something that serves His kingdom. Like the towering tree that comes from a tiny seed, it's far beyond what we can do in our own abilities.

Who knows how it might be used?

Pandemics are nothing new. But no one was expecting a new microscopic virus to spread around the globe and affect virtually every human life in a matter of months. In this pandemic, we're finding that a daily devotional is more vital than ever. It's a vital daily dose of scriptural wisdom. As some readers attest, this ministry has kept them grounded in Christ in a world which has become somewhat unhinged.

God works in ways that we cannot imagine, preparing a foundation, piece by piece. Because of the sovereignty and providence of God, whenever we do something, however simple, we never know where the Lord will take it, or what effects our action will have.

Consider this: a spark of interest in a young person 55 years ago was the seed which produced a ministry which serves many people in a profound way.

Danniebelle Hall put it so well in her song, Ordinary People:

God uses ordinary people. He chooses people, just like me and you, who are willing to do as He commands. God uses people that will give Him all, no matter how small your all may seem to you, because little becomes much as you place it in the Master's hands.

No matter how small that spark of interest, fan it. In God's hands, it can burn brightly for quite some time.

1 Corinthians 2:9 – That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." (NLT)

Thought to ponder: God has provided gifts and talents for a reason. Ask Him how they can be used for His purposes.

Prayer: Father, help us to see our lives as works of art created for Your divine purpose. Help us be channels of Your peace and perfect will. Amen.

I know for certain that this preacher didn't choose this passage just to mess with my head. He had no way of knowing my reading plan or where I was with it.

What are the odds? Consider that my Bible plan includes the entire Bible, not just the Gospels or well-worn passages. There are 31,103 verses in the Old and New Testaments. There are 365 days in a year. A mathematician can calculate the odds. I'm sure that they are slim.

Then, I considered the fact that I started using this particular Bible reading plan on February 19, 2016, not January 1, like many other folks. I've completed it five times, and I'm on my sixth go-round. God knew that my preacher friend would choose that exact passage for that message on that day. God knew that his congregation would invite him into their sanctuary on that particular Sunday. God led me to that reading plan and ordained that I would start it that very day.

Scoffers and skeptics may brush this off as mere coincidence. But I know better.

This happens quite often for me — a devotional, an article, a commentary, or even a conversation will include a passage that appeared in that day's Bible reading plan.

Far from scary — for me it's just another reminder that we worship a God Whose hands are responsible for the vastness of outer space but Whose hands are involved in tiny logistical details.

If this kind of thing just happened with me, it would be awe-inspiring. But I am not the only one. There are simply no words for this.

The prophet Isaiah tells us that the Lord says, "At just the right time, I will respond to you." (Isaiah 49:8a NLT)

"Just in time" is a wonderful tool for businesses that seek to operate at a high level of efficiency. Now take that and apply it to the vast universe and every single living soul.

Awesome indeed!

I started my Bible reading plan by obeying a nudge from the Lord. I have seen the fruit, not only in my deeper understanding and knowledge of Scripture but also because it provides another opportunity for our awesome God to display His vast, all-knowing power.

God works in ways that we cannot imagine, preparing a foundation, piece by piece. Because of the sovereignty and providence of God, whenever we do something, however simple, we never know where the Lord will take it, or what effects our action will have.

When God nudges, obey!

Thought to ponder: Always say "yes" to every invitation from Jesus to be obedient to His call.

Prayer: Father, Your power is immense; Your ways are beyond our ability to comprehend. You are the God of infinite space, and You are the God of microscopic detail. Help us to be still and allow Your mighty, all-knowing hands to work within us today. Amen.