 |
 8/12/98 Good morning.... +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ We give credit to human wisdom
when we should give credit to the Divine guidance of God
through childlike people who were foolish enough to trust
God's wisdom... +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ Gooooood Morning Sweet Brethren!! Praise be to God on High!! May He be magnified in all the earth! Give thanks to His.......huh? What's that you say? Say you're feelin lower than a snake's belly and you don't feel like praising the Lord today? Weeellll, have I got a devo for YOU. (smile) Now..hang on..the fog is lifting..! See ya at the end!! Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jer 33:3 Do you believe that God not only loves you, but knows where you are and what you're doing every minute of the day? I certainly do after an amazing experience I had several years ago.At the time I was driving on 1-75 near Dayton, Ohio, with my wife and children. We turned off the highway for a rest and refreshment stop. My wife Barbara and children went into the restaurant. I suddenly felt the need to stretch my legs,so waved them off ahead saying I'd join them later. I bought a soft drink, and as I walked toward a Dairy Queen, feelings of self- pity enshrouded my mind. I loved the Lord and my ministry, but I felt drained, burdened. My cup was empty. Suddenly the impatient ringing of a telephone nearby jarred me out of my doldrums. It was coming from a phone booth at a service station on the corner. Wasn't anyone going to answer the phone? Noise form the traffic flowing through the busy intersection must have drowned out the sound because the service station attendant continued looking after his customers, oblivious to the incessant ringing. "Why doesn't somebody answer that phone?" I muttered. I began reasoning. It may be important. What if it's an emergency? Curiosity overcame my indifference. I stepped inside the booth and picked up the phone. "Hello," I said casually and took a big sip of my drink. The operator said:" Long distance call for Ken Gaub." My eyes widened, and I almost choked on a chunk of ice. Swallowing hard, I sais, "You're crazy!" Then realizing I shouldn't speak to an operator like that, I added, "This can't be! I was walking down the road, not bothering anyone, and the phone was ringing... "Is Ken Gaub there?" the operator interrupted, "I have a long distance call for him." It took a moment to gain control of my babbling, but I finally replied, "Yes, he is here." Searching for a possible explanation, I wondered if I could possibly be on Candid Camera! Still shaken, perplexed, I asked, "How in the world did you reach me here? I was walking down the road, the pay phone started ringing, and I just answered it on chance. You can't mean me." "Well," the operator asked, "is Mr. Gaub there or isn't he?" "Yes, I am Ken Gaub," I said, finally convinced by the tone of her voice that the call was real. Then I heard another voice say, "Yes, that's him, operator. That's Ken Gaub." I listened dumbfounded to a strange voice identify herself. "I'm Millie from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. You don't know me, Mr. Gaub, but I'm desperate. Please help me." "What can I do for you?" She began weeping. Finally she regained control and continued. "I was about to commit suicide, had just finished writing a note, when I began to pray and tell God I really didn't want to do this. Then I suddenly remembered seeing you on television and thought if I could just talk to you, you could help me. I knew that was impossible because I didn't know how to reach you, I didn't know anyone who could help me find you. Then some numbers came to my mind, and I scribbled them down." At this point she began weeping again, and I prayed silently for wisdom to help her. She continued, "I looked at the numbers and thought, 'Wouldn't it be wonderful if I had a miracle from God, and He has given me Ken's phone number?' I decided to try calling it. I can't believe I'm talking to you. Are you in your office in California?" I replied, "Lady, I don't have an office in California. My office is in Yakima, Washington." A little surprised, she asked, "Oh really, then where are you?" "Don't you know?" I responded. "You made the call." She explained, "But I don't even know what area I'm calling. I just dialed the number that I had on this paper." "Ma'am, you won't believe this, but I'm in a phone booth in Dayton, Ohio!" "Really?" she exclaimed. "Well, what are you doing there?" I kidded her gently, "Well, I'm answering the phone. It was ringing as I walked by, so I answered it." Knowing this encounter could only have been arranged by God, I began to counsel the woman. As she told me of her despair and frustration, the presence of the Holy Spirit flooded the phone booth giving me words of wisdom beyond my ability. In a matter of moments, she prayed the sinner's prayer and met the One who would lead her out of her situation into a new life. I walked away from that telephone booth with an electrifying sense of our heavenly Father's concern for each of His children. What were the astronomical odds of this happening? With all the millions of phones and innumerable combinations of numbers, only an all-knowing God could have caused that woman to call that number in that phone booth at that moment in time. Forgetting my drink and nearly bursting with exhilaration, I headed back to my family, wondering if they would believe my story. Maybe I better not tell this, I thought, but I couldn't contain it. "Barb, you won't believe this! God knows where I am!" God also knows where you are. Place yourself in His hands, concentrate on knowing His will for your life, and He will never forsake or forget you. -By: Ken Gaub- <>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<> We have the idea that God is going to do
some exceptional thing -- that He is preparing and
equipping us for some extraordinary work in the future.
But as we grow in His grace we find that God is
glorifying Himself here and now, at this very moment. If
we have God's assurance behind us, the most amazing
strength becomes ours, and we learn to sing, glorifying
Him even in the ordinary days and ways of life. <>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<> I've Never Been Out of His Care <>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<> Me again, Brethren!! You know, I look at where I am in my own life, and my particular set of circumstances...and I realize that God's Hand is definitely on me...just as His Hand is on you. I have no idea what is happening in the lives of the multitudes that read this, but I do know this one thing..He is there. He is there. Sometimes, we get to the place when we doubt the purpose of our existence. We wonder why we were ever born. "Is this dismal life supposed to glorify God? Give me a break!" I challenge you to consider something if you are thinking those thoughts. Why would God NOT choose you? Why would God not fulfill His purposes through you? Is it something you have done? Or something you have become? Do you feel so far away from God, that perhaps He has lost directions to your person? I have to be honest. There have been times when I have felt that way. The last thing I wanted to do was pray, or pick up a Bible. And so...I existed. I felt like an empty shell, but nonetheless I relied on my own wits.. And as those days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months...I became my own enemy. I began to hate who I was and what I had become. This scenario can happen to anyone, and it takes ONE DAY to get it started. First of all, I consciously have to realize that, yes, indeed, it does take "effort" on my part to stay focused, to stay on the path. There are some days, when I am "flying high" and on the upswing. On those days I pick up the Bible with zeal, and feast on the Word vigorously! Then when the weird days come along and uncertainty creeps in...I start wondering what is going on, and where did that peace and wonderful assurance go?? You know what I have learned? It is still there. Now, this is the part where one might be thinking: "Hey, I tried reaching out to God, I tried praying and reading the Bible, but nothing happened! I am still in that place!" Picture this for a sec: You are hanging on the edge of a cliff. You cry out to God, and extend your hand. He extends His Hand... Isa 59:1 You are hanging onto the cliff for dear life. Your hands are getting sweaty. The hand you extended to God made contact. A firm, but gentle clasp confirmed that He has your hand. Now, He gently asks you to give him the other hand. You hesitate. You look down. The circumstances below are so overwhelming..and you think that if you let go with the other hand...it just might slip. So with all your might, you continue to hang onto the cliff with one hand...and onto God with the other. We have to give him BOTH hands..despite the way we "feel," and despite what we see with our natural eyes. God's way is not always the easiest way...but it is by far the BEST way. These hard places are actually stepping stones that take us into a "deeper" relationship with Jesus. If everything were "hunky- dory" all the time, who would need God? If you haven't noticed yet, I love the quotes of Oswald Chambers. Look at this one: "God does not give us overcoming life. He gives us life as we overcome. The strain is the strength. If there is no strain, there is no strength." In the midst of the strain, I should reach out to Him...ANYWAY. The strength will come. It's like driving through a fog. If you have ever driven through a fog, you know that it eventually clears the longer you keep driving. Keep driving, Brethren. Press in. Give Him BOTH hands. Don't look down. Look up! God IS doing a work in your life. God CAN and WILL use you. You DO have a purpose and a calling. See? John 15:16 He chose me! Me! A sinful, no-good person, and he still wanted me. Imagine that! I have come to the place in my life now..( and believe me, it took some time getting here ) that when the negative thoughts come flooding in, and I am overwhelmed by a sense of "hopelessness," that I IMMEDIATELY and willfully put on the "mind of Christ." ( 1Cor 2:16 ) I tell you something else too, Brethren. Memorizing scripture, is like building an arsenal and preparing ahead of time. For when the attacks come, and the enemy puts the negative thoughts in our head, we have within us a power that cannot be matched with human abilities. Isa 54:17 As we continue to hide His Word in our heart, we have the power to counter- attack every negative thought that rears it's ugly head. But, again..we have to let go of the cliff. What does your cliff represent? Fear? Loneliness? Inadequacy? Money? Depression? Alcohol? Drugs? Pornography? The list is endless. Whatever it is, it's not too big for Him. Let go and Let God. I love you guys so much...and Jesus does too!!!!! In Christ!!
Graphics, design & hosting by: Free Sites for School Bible Clubs ionanet home | About | Awards | Contents | Rings | Services Author: Carol Skipper. |
