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 3/18/98 Good morning.... +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ As victory is the result of
Christ's life lived out in the believer, it is important
to see that victory, not defeat, is God's purpose for His
children. +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ Good Morning Brethren!!! I thank you soo much for the wonderful feedback and confirmations that you sent regarding the schedule change! I know that "for now," this is the right decision. I have some eye opening revelation for you today, and hopefully, once applied, you won't have the same outlook when "unexpected inconveniences" occur in your life. Please, read on and be blessed! And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Rom 8:28 The only survivor of a shipwreck washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stung with grief and anger. "God, how could you do this to me!" he cried. Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied. It is easy to get discouraged when things
are going bad. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God
is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and
suffering. Paul wrote, "...I have learned the secret
of being content in any and every situation, whether well
fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want"
(Philippians 4:12). Paul had confidence that good would
come out of everything (Romans 8:28), so he learned to be
thankful, not bitter, even when he was suffering. Who
knows? Remember next time your little hut is burning to
the ground it just may be a smoke signal that summons the
grace of God. Cheer up. Help is on the way! JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§ Trusting God Whether it's a financial crunch, a sudden illness, or a personal defeat, if you fix your heart on praise to God, then you have offered a sacrifice. If you've ever cried during those heartbreaking difficulties, "Lord, I will hope in You and praise You more and more," then you know you have offered words that have cost you plenty. Praise in those circumstances is painful. I've been told that the Hebrew word for awaiting means "quiet trust." Those words don't sparkle with effervescence. It's like saying, "I have prayed about this burden, and now, Lord, I will quietly wait on You even before I see the answer. I expect it. And this is my sacrifice of praise to You-------I believe and trust." Please remember this: Most of the verses written about praise in God's Word were voiced by people faced with crushing heartaches, injustice, treachery, slander, and scores of other difficult situations. They knew that the sacrifice of praise was a key to victory on their spiritual journey. By: Joni Erickson Tada Seeking God JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§ HE'S ALWAYS THERE We can't foresee the turning of the tide JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§ Me again, Brethren!! What I would like to share today, is something that happened last Sunday afternoon. Jimmy and I were scheduled to meet another couple for pre-marital counseling. They are getting married soon, and they asked Jimmy to do the wedding. They live four hours away, and we made an agreement that we would drive two hours and they would drive two hours, and we would meet halfway. Well, we were about 15 minutes from our destination, when *it* happened. We were driving on the interstate, and this unmistakable "flap, flap, flap" noise occurred. We thought at first, we were driving across those little rocks that big trucks sometimes spill...but, then, we figured that wouldn't cause the power steering to go out. So Jimmy pulls over, RIGHT by one of those interstate call phones. ( What are the chances? ) We were so close to it, we could have pulled up right to it and ordered lunch! Jimmy gets out and evaluates the problem: busted fan belt. Well, guess what? We had one with us! ( Again, what are the chances? ) When our old belt was replaced many months back, our mechanic suggested that we throw that one in the back of the van for an occasion "such as this." Well, the truth is, we didn't have time to spare if we were going to meet the couple "on time," BUT we also knew that we were not on our own schedule...we were on God's...and if our fan belt was busted, then there was a reason. So, since we had no tools, we used that little phone, and then we sit, and wait. At this point, a scripture came to my mind...but I wasn't exactly sure where it was. I knew it was somewhere in the Psalms...and it was this one. "I will look unto the hills from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord." I quoted this scripture out loud..and the interesting thing was, we were sitting by some big hills. <God is so cool! He even gives visual aid!> So, as we continue to wait...we are both sitting quietly reading our Bibles...and suddenly, this huge truck comes by and shoots a wind in the window, causing the pages in my Bible to fly fast-forward. Well, when I looked to see where it came to, <after I moved all my hair outta my face>.....THERE IT WAS! Ps 121:1-2 Again, what are the chances?? Man, I really started getting excited then! Because I knew He was up to something...and sometimes that "something" may not be evident to my natural eyes right away. Just knowing He's there behind the scenes, doing things that we can't see, and working on our behalf, brings such a feeling of assurance to my heart! About a half an hour later, here comes "Charlie" with a wrecker. He looked just like someone that could be cast in an "Andy Griffith" episode...and I don't say that mockingly because I LOVE Andy Griffith shows! I had to bite my lip to keep from saying: "Gomer says hey!" So, Charlie repairs our fan belt, while we loved on him, encouraged him..and prayed for him. ( He mentioned that he never came across anyone who carried a spare fan belt before! ) After we said our goodbyes, we were on our way. We decided to check out the meeting spot, "just in case," but the couple was already gone. After the two hour drive back home, we called them, explained what happened, and rescheduled. Now, for the revelation! <smile> Did you think I was through? <hehe> You oughta know better by now! Jimmy and I saw God's Hand in this situation from the word "Go." And I guess one thing I want to bring out, is how sometimes, when "inconveniences" come our way...we find ourselves fretting, fuming....and as we say in Alabama, "ready to bite a ten-penny nail in two." I remember when we were at the airport recently, and the flight delays were announced...how some people got bent out of shape. It grieved my heart, because I wanted them to experience the peace that Jimmy and I were feeling. Let me give some more examples: Long lines at the check-out counter in the grocery store, and maybe you are on the tail-end of the line. Or, holding on the telephone, while the representative might as well have said: "Will you please die for 10 minutes?" Or, how about a two hour wait in the Doctor's office? How is it possible to "go with the flow," and not let these things get next to us, and drive us nuts? I have an answer...and I KNOW by experience, that this is THE answer: John 15:4-5 It all comes down to abiding in Christ. Here is the definition of the word "abide," according to Strong's Concordance: 3306 meno (men'-o); Man, I hope you are seeing this, because it is so exciting to me! As we continue, as we dwell, as we remain, as we stand WITH CHRIST...as He stands with US...we will bear much fruit....for without Him, we can do nothing! What are the fruits? Look! Gal 5:22 Wouldn't you agree that a dose of all these fruits would be handy in the situations I named above? Because, as these fruits are manifested in our lives...it is sufficient evidence, that we have indeed been "abiding in Christ." When we are "staying" with someone, do we communicate with them, fellowship with them, eat with them, get to know them? It's the same, Brethren! And therein lies the key. Give the firstfruits of your day to Christ, and then stay in Him....ABIDE in Him. Offer a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving...and watch as the day unfolds according to the Master's Plan. It is so cool to just hang on to His coattails and enjoy the ride. Because the assurance is there, that SOMEHOW the day is going to turn out for His Glory! Ps 91:1 I love you guys!!! And Jesus does too!!! God BLESS YOU....as you ABIDE IN CHRIST! ABIDING IN CHRIST TOO!!
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