Shannon here: Caryl McAdoo shares a devotional and her inspiration for her Endtimes Fantasy novel, Turst and Obey. Comment or answer the question in any post dated Feb 3rd – 14th to enter the drawing for an e-book copy of King David’s Tabernacle (Year One in the “Days of Trouble” End Times series), plus 3 other titles. Deadline: Feb 21st, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Caryl:
Trust and Obey
Does your relationship with Father God, Who is Love, reflect a trust that passes understanding? Has He proven Himself over and again to you? Has He ever asked you personally Do you trust me?
I can answer yes to all three questions, but it wasn’t always like it is now. There was a time in my young adulthood days when I crawled under the desk (in the place where your knees go when you’re sitting at it) with my six-month-old baby, a pillow and quilt, and a big knife! My fireman husband spent every third night at the station, leaving me alone.
I thought I heard something. My heart beat so loud I could hear it, and controlling my breathing came hard. I stared into darkness and imagined all kinds of evil. My fears weren’t completely unfounded as someone left footprints outside several windows, but still . . . what does the Word say?
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Fear is a spirit, an evil spirit not from God! So, if He didn’t cause us to be afraid, who did? Satan, that’s who! The spirit of fear is a servant of the devil that works against us trusting God. It tells us lies, and we believe them. We think on all the bad things that can happen . . . will happen . . . leaning to our own understanding and are fearful, instead of trusting God.
“Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.” Isaiah 50:10 His servant that swells in darkness and has no light would be . . . ? Right, the devil.
It is of paramount importance we trust God, especially in these perilous days we are living where sin abounds. (as in the days of Noah??) Listen to this if you don’t believe me!
“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8
Fear and worry are cousins with anxiousness—they are the opposites to peace and joy. Do not accept
them. Denounce them and declare your trust in God Who is Your protecter and strong tower to run into when you are in trouble!
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10
“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.” Proverbs 29:25
We are to trust . . . and obey. Obedience is our way to “show” God how much we love Him. It’s easy enough to tell Him, “I love you, Lord.” We sing songs of love to Him, but it’s much harder to show our love for Him by our actions of obedience. I’ve said myself, “If I only knew what He wanted me to do, I would obey.”
But we do know. We have His written Word—the logos—we call this the Bible. We could also call Him Jesus.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” John 1:1
“And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God.” Revelation 19:13
There’s also His spoken—the rhema—Word. Of course, we must have ears to hear Him speak, right? So many Christians say, “He doesn’t talk to me like that. He never tells me anything.”
But . . . He said—and we know He never lies—“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28 Are you His sheep? I certainly am. I will live forever—not my flesh, but my spirit and my soul. I’ll get a new body!
The prophet Samuel knew how important obedience was. “And Samuel said, ‘Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken better than the fat of rams.’ ” 1 Samuel 15:22
This is why I chose this hymn, Trust and Obey as the first book to open my newest MAP (multi-author project) that just debuted February 10! Believing that a Christian life may be boiled down to these two actions: trust God and Obey God, I hope my story will draw readers inro a closer relationship to the Father.
The title is set at some future date and also serves as Year Two in my “Days of Trouble” End Time series. I am convinced we are on the precipice of the end of this age, that Yeshua our Messiah is coming soon . . . early for the sake of the elect, but there is still much to see before that happens!
I hope you will all enjoy it! There’s romance, adventure, prophesy, and miracles as His people trust and obey through the second year of the tribulation!
Reader Question: Do you agree that we are near the end times? What do you think about trusting God . . . or obeying him? Do you have a testimony to share?
February Book Bundle #1
Lilly’s February Love by Kelly Irvin, Amish Romance, print
The Wayfaring Widow by Casey Cline, Historical Romance, winner’s choice print or audiobook
Romancing the Elements by Ellen E. Withers, Romantic Novella Collection, print
King David’s Tabernacle by Caryl McAdoo, Contemporary Fiction, e-book
About Caryl: Best-selling author Caryl McAdoo, praying her story gives God glory, loves God, husband Ron, their children, and THIRTY grandsugars, and writing books—eighty-three published! Her historical family sagas are loved around the world. The McAdoos live in Clarksville, Texas waiting expectantly for God to open the next door. Learn more and connect: Caryl’s Website
About the book – Trust and Obey: Hymns to Stir the Heartstrings Collection is a multi-author
project inspired by those timeless hymns that have comforted, guided, and strengthened generations of believers. Each story, titled after a cherished hymn, weaves a message of faith, hope, obedience, or redemption and creates fiction that echoes in readers’ hearts. Though spanning a variety of genres, every tale reflects the enduring truths found in the beloved songs. The stories invite all to slow down, listen closely, and rediscover the power of those hymns that still stir the soul.
This Title: Trust and Obey
When the world falls silent, faith must speak louder.
In the wake of a devastating plague that has swept across the globe, blind Miriam “Miri” Coppell clings to one truth: obedience to God’s quiet voice is the only path to survival. Caring for her spirited younger sister Vivi, Miri learns to navigate a world gone dark—both literally and spiritually.
Far from them, Boyd Kitzmiller, a prophet compelled by the Holy Spirit, journeys east into the heart of desolation. His divine mission: to gather the faithful and guide them west to a safe haven in Red River County, Texas, where remnants of hope still burn bright. He sends one young man, Everett “Rett,” west to meet up with Miri and help the girls get there. Faith is tested, hearts are stirred, and destinies intertwine. Together they must learn what it truly means to trust and obey—even when every step forward feels like walking into the unknown.
TRUST & OBEY, the first book in the Hymns to Stir the Heartstrings Collection, is also in McAdoo’s personal End Times series, the Days of Trouble, Year Two, a futuristic romance of prophecy, courage, and the kind of love that can only grow in the darkest of times.
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Interested in Caryl’s other titles?
Need extra copies for gifts? Get your copy/copies now!
Come back Feb 14th for Shannon’s Book Bargains Roundup!
Matthew 24:36 (NIV) tells us
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
We are definitely nearer to the end of time because each day means one less day! So many of the prophecies are being met, even as I type this answer, and I am seeing things that I never thought possible. So much discord, so much hate, and God’s Word being twisted to meet someone’s personal agenda. Will I live to see it? Only God knows, but I know that I am the person responsible for making sure that I am!
Yes ,I feel we are nearing the end of time. We should put our faith/trust in God to see us through the hard times.
Yes!
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
I don’t know if we’re in the end times or not. I think people have always believed we were. But I know we should always trust and obey God no matter what.
I have a winner! Julie Dahl won this drawing. I appreciate Caryl for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.