KINDNESS AND FAITHFULNESS!!

Greetings in the Name of the Lord Jesus!  What a great Easter week we had recently.  I am still in awe of God’s goodness and the work of so many around here.  But especially the Work of God Himself!  We do serve a risen Savior—He’s in the world today.  We know it is true, don’t we?

The Bible encourages us to remember God’s kindness in the morning and His faithfulness in the evenings.  Let me encourage us to think on this for a few moments as you read this.  Jan and I had an interesting experience with the Lord a while ago, back in December of 2007.  Let me share what He shared with us, and you see what you think.

Jan and I had a very very busy Christmas season that year, as is the case with church ministries.  We then celebrated our own Christmas with our families, and had a few days off before heading back home to start the new year again.  We thought we could take a weekend off and just spend it with the two of us, relaxing and doing something different.  You know what I mean.  Well, God had other plans for us.

It turned out that Jan became very sick during this time.  By the time we arrived at our destination, she was getting worse and had to spend the whole time away in bed trying to recover.  It was a disappointment to both of us.  But we made the best of it, as she mostly slept and I mostly read and watched some TV.  One of the special things we wanted to do while away was to attend a church service on Sunday morning in this new location.  But of course when Sunday came she was still very ill and we decided to reluctantly stay put and not go out.  I was a little frustrated and disappointed and was wondering why God was working things this way.  I know that none of you ever do that.  Anyway. . .

So, somewhat begrudgingly, I turned on the TV to see if there would be a good church service to be seen.  My attitude was not bad, but just not good.  Right??  I was very pleased though to find Charles Stanley and thought this might turn out better than I thought.  So Jan slept and I watched.  And God spoke to me strongly.  In fact, what He showed me on that day became the foundation of some of the things He recently has made clear to me about new steps of faith for us now.

Here is the summary of it.  The sovereignty of God is perhaps the greatest doctrine about God in the Word.  He is in control and guiding our lives and the whole world.  Psalm 103:19 reads, “The Lord has made the heavens His throne; from there He rules over everything there is.”  That means He is in charge and we are not.  I need to remember that truth, don’t you?  Here then is a principle:  the more difficult the path before you, the clearer God will make His sense of direction.  Amen.  God has the power to get us where He wants us when and how and no matter what other people think!  Amen and Amen.

What then is our responsibility?   It is to obey God and leave all the consequences to Him!  Success spiritually is moment-by-moment obedience to God.  See Joshua 1:6-9.  God has His surprise visits in our lives.  We are to walk in the middle of the road and follow the yellow (or white) line.  His best will be ours!!  I should keep my eyes on God and not on the lions (Daniel and the lions den).  OK.  Hmmm.

That day God had come to me and met me where I was.  He knew what things were on my heart and what I needed most in my life right then.  He gave me the message.  When He did so, I knew it was from Him and I knew what the message was.  It clicked.  Ever since that day, I have not forgotten it, and have tried to remember always the kindness and the faithfulness of God.  I have continued to claim Proverbs 3:5,6:  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”  What He showed and refreshed in me that day became the springboard to what He recently made clear to me about Africa and Grace Church.  One led to the other.  One is the ideal, one is the actual.  His faithfulness is outstanding!!  Wow.  And to think, it happened because Jan was sick and we did not go out to church.  We watched it on TV.  I would not recommend staying home to Christians usually.  Ha.  Even pastors.  But. . .

Thanks for hearing,

dave