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 9/30/98 Good morning.... +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ Sorrow looks back. Worry looks
around. Faith looks up. +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ Hi Precious Brethren!! Hope this finds you all doing well! I am sending this out a day early due to the weather. Right now, we are getting rain, rain, rain! Hmm..reminds me of a song. I think we missed the brunt of Georges. I live in southeast Alabama. Let us continue to pray for those who are getting the heavy stuff. Speaking of storms, it just so happens that part of this particular devo deals with that issue. Are you weathering a storm of your own? If so, I pray this helps.. Please, read on, and be blessed!! See ya at the end!! Isa 41:10 <>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§>< I was watching some little kids play soccer. These kids were only five or six years old, but they were playing a real game - - a serious game -- two teams, complete with coaches, uniforms, and parents. I didn't know any of them, so I was able to enjoy the game without the distraction of being anxious about winning or losing - I wished the parents and coaches could have done the same. The teams were pretty evenly matched. I will just call them Team One and Team Two. Nobody scored in the first period. The kids were hilarious. They were clumsy and terribly inefficient. They fell over their own feet, they stumbled over the ball, they kicked at the ball and missed it but they didn't seem to care. They were having fun. In the second quarter, the Team One coach pulled out what must have been his first team and put in the scrubs, except for his best player who now guarded the goal. The game took a dramatic turn. I guess winning is important even when you're five years old -- because the Team Two coach left his best players in, and the Team One scrubs were no match for them. Team Two swarmed around the little guy who was now the Team One goalie. He was an outstanding athlete, but he was no match for three or four who were also very good. Team Two began to score. The lone goalie gave it everything he had, recklessly throwing his body in front of incoming balls, trying valiantly to stop them. Team Two scored two goals in quick succession. It infuriated the young boy. He became a raging maniac -- shouting, running, diving. With all the stamina he could muster, he covered the boy who now had the ball, but that boy kicked it to another boy twenty feet away, and by the time he repositioned himself, it was too late -- they scored a third goal. I soon learned who the goalie's parents were. They were nice, decent-looking people. I could tell that his dad had just come from the office -- he still had his suit and tie on. They yelled encouragement to their son. I became totally absorbed, watching the boy on the field and his parents on the sidelines. After the third goal, the little kid changed. He could see it was no use; he couldn't stop them. He didn't quit, but he became quietly desperate futility was written all over him. His father changed too. He had been urging his son to try harder - yelling advice and encouragement. But then he changed. He became anxious. He tried to say that it was okay - to hang in there. He grieved for the pain his son was feeling. After the fourth goal, I knew what was going to happen. I've seen it before. The little boy needed help so badly, and there was no help to be had. He retrieved the ball from the net and handed to the referee - and then he cried. He just stood there while huge tears rolled down both cheeks. He went to his knees and put his fists to his eyes - and he cried the tears of the helpless and brokenhearted. When the boy went to his knees, I saw the father start onto the field. His wife clutched his arm and said, "Jim, don't. You'll embarrass him." But he tore loose from her and ran onto the field. He wasn't supposed to - the game was still in progress. Suit, tie, dress shoes, and all - he charged onto the field, and he picked up his son so everybody would know that this was his boy, and he hugged him and held him and cried with him. I've never been so proud of a man in my life. He carried him off the field, and when he got close to the sidelines I heard him say, "Scotty, I'm so proud of you. You were great out there. I want everybody to know that you are my son." "Daddy," the boy sobbed, "I couldn't stop them. I tried, Daddy, I tried and tried, and they scored on me." "Scotty, it doesn't matter how many times they scored on you. You're my son, and I'm proud of you. I want you to go back out there and finish the game. I know you want to quit, but you can't. And, son, you're going to get scored on again, but it doesn't matter. Go on, now." It made a difference - I could tell it did. When you're all alone, and you're getting scored on - and you can't stop them - it means a lot to know that it doesn't matter to those who love you. The little guy ran back on to the field - and they scored two more times - but it was okay. I get scored on every day. I try so hard. I recklessly throw my body in every direction. I fume and rage. I struggle with temptation and sin with every ounce of my being - and Satan laughs. And he scores again, and the tears come, and I go to my knees - sinful, convicted, helpless. And my Father - my Father rushes right out on the field - right in front of the whole crowd - the whole jeering, laughing world - and he picks me up, and he hugs me and he says, "John, I'm so proud of you. You were great out there. I want everybody to know that you are my son, and because I control the outcome of this game, I declare you -- The Winner." "The Winner" <>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§>< Life is not a sprint but a marathon: and the only way in which to perform is to fix my eyes on the One who ran the perfect race. Eyes focused on the goal, with aching muscles and labored breath, I strain toward the prize. My crown will not be of gold or fame. But, "Welcome Home, My Child. Well done." May the mind of Christ, my Savior, Live in me from day to day, by His love and power controlling All I do and say. May the Word of God dwell richly in my heart from hour to hour, so that all may see I triumph only though His power. May I run the race before me strong and brave to face the foe, looking only unto Jesus as I onward go. -By: Kate B. Wilkinson- <>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§>< FATHER ARE YOU THERE <>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§>< Me again Brethren! This introductory story touched my heart so much. In some places of our Christian walk, we can relate to the father in the story, some places, the mother...and in many places, the child. How many times have we been in the place where we find ourselves shedding crocodile tears, because the situation we are in seem utterly hopeless..? Last weekend, my sweetheart Jimmy and I were traveling back toward home from Florida. Jimmy was driving, as usual. He likes to drive, and that's okay with me...cause I like to let him! I just kick back and enjoy the view while he's in control of the wheel. However, on this particular trip, about halfway home, he suddenly started feeling ill. I offered to drive and he pulled over so we could swap places. After I positioned the seat and mirror, and got my seatbelt on, I pulled out onto the road, only to notice for the first time what lay ahead. There was an ominous black cloud in my path, and it looked like my driving skills were going to be put to the test. I was concerned for Jimmy, who by this time, was scrunched in a halfway reclining position, with his eyes closed. So I started praying. Soon I found myself maneuvering in heavy torrents. It really didn't start out as sprinkles. It was kinda like I just jumped under the heavy buckets. As the truck lurched from the potholes and heavy winds, I felt fear grip my heart. This was the kind of rain that one should probably pull over in. For some reason, I kept going. Maybe to hurry and get on through it, coupled with the urge to get Jimmy home as soon as possible. So I drudged on, my white knuckles gripping the wheel with all my strength. The thing that really surprised me, was the length of this storm. It seemed like it was going on forever. What consumed my thoughts the most was my desire to see the end of it. We had a tape playing in the cassette player, and because my focus was centered on everything that was happening around me, I literally had it "tuned out." I used to be a telephone operator, and through that experience, I have learned to do that. I tuned out the surrounding voices of the other operators and my focus was on the customer I was dealing with. Believe me, that gift works really well when you have four kids! ( hehe ) In the midst of the storm, I felt the Holy Spirit tug my heart, and direct my attention to, not only the song, but the WORDS on the song. And so I did. Man, I am telling you that peace upon peace just flooded my soul! I felt such confirmation that He was with me, and we could make this thing together, no matter what! Here are the words I heard: " Do not be afraid for I am with you. ' Do not be afraid,' declared the Lord. Do not be afraid for I am with you, and will rescue you forevermore." I had a strong resolve to continue on, and a greater understanding of my Father's love for me, even in the storm! This really did something for my faith. You know something that was really funny? I wasn't even paying attention to the length of time it took to get through it after that. It didn't matter anymore. God was with me, and we were fellowshipping in the storm!! By this time, Jimmy was sitting up, and wondering what the goofy smile on my face was all about....and he was feeling better! I have to be honest with you. God can do a kazillion miracles in my life...and each time, I still have my mouth hanging open in amazement, now don't ask me why. He NEVER ceases to amaze me. A few days later, I found myself reading this scripture, and it really solidified some things for me: Isa 43:1-3 Would you mind going back and reading that again? ( waiting ) Did you see that?? He has called me by NAME. I am His! He has called YOU by NAME! You are His! We are His! He spoke to me in His Word, and confirmed that He was with me when I passed through the water! He revealed Himself to me, while I was there! I got a tiny glimpse of the joy and the surge that the three Hebrew children must've felt when they went through the fiery furnace. ( Now, I did say a tiny glimpse! hehe ) That story is located in Daniel, Chapter 3, by the way. ( Excellent read! ) The point is, He is there!! No matter what storms we face. No matter how many times the enemy shows his teeth, no matter what circumstances we face....our Heavenly Father is there...helping us to endure!! The endurance part is not so hard when we submit ourselves to His sovereign will. I didn't even care about the storm anymore! I was so consumed with His Presence, and the fact that He spoke to my heart through a song! He speaks to us through so many things. My, how we sometimes limit with our minds, the ways God can speak to us. I want to be in the place where, no matter how, when, or where He decides to speak to me...my heart is continually tuned in and softened to respond.. ( snapping my fingers ) IMMEDIATELY. You know something, Brethren? We CAN finish this race together. We CAN endure the hard places, and we CAN come out victorious!! We CAN come through fires without the smell of smoke on us! We CAN pass through waters with peace in our hearts, and JESUS by our side! Phil 4:13 Whatever your storm may be, I encourage you to reach out and call upon the Lord in this place. And just like the dad in the intro story, He will come running. He will comfort and encourage you with His Spirit. Don't be surprised by the way He chooses to speak to you. Take your focus off your storm, and listen. Tune out the storm and tune in to His Voice. The storm may be close to home, but He is closer to our hearts. Listen for the song that He wants to speak into your heart today. Open your spiritual eyes and ears, and submit your will to His. Allow Him to carry you through the rough places with His Holy Spirit orchestrating your inner peace. God sees things way ahead of us, and when we remember that, fear has no place. Let us continue on, looking to the Author and Finisher of our faith....singing praises to His Name...before, during AND after the storms in our lives. Amen? ( smile ) God Bless you sooo much, Brethren!!! In Christ!!
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