Apron Strings Devotional Special Edition for 4/13/2000

4/13/00

Good Morning....
Jesus loves You!!

+†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+

Hi Dear Friends!!

I have a wonderful surprise for you and I just had this feeling that it could not wait another month, so we are calling this issue a "Special Edition." I got a phone call the other day from my friend Lori, ( the one that writes the awesome poems ) and she shared the following experience. She knew she should "put it in writing" and I totally agreed!!

I received a copy this morning by email, printed it off and headed out the door to take my son to the dentist. While waiting for him, I sat back and started reading. Even though she shared this same story with me by phone, I found myself just sitting there in wide-eyed amazement as I realized that this story ( with a superb poem to boot! ) will touch many lives. In fact, I believe there are some right now that will receive this as a fresh word from the Father.

It is with great pleasure and unspeakable joy that I present to you "His Grace" by Lori Campisano:

<>@<><JEÂ§UÂ§><<>@<><JEÂ§UÂ§><<>@<><JEÂ§UÂ§><<>@<>

His Grace

2 Cor 12:9
"My grace is sufficient for you, and My strength is made perfect in weakness."

I need to tell you a story of God's awesome love and faithfulness. Too many times we get caught up in what's going on around us. Our turmoil is too great to feel the presence of the Lord. But as believers that's where our faith is both tested and stretched, when we can prove to ourselves and to God that we will stand fast on His Word.

Job 13:15 says, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." This is the scripture I hold on tight to when I feel like I'm losing everything that means anything to me, when everything seems to be going wrong.

Lately it's been one of those times. My world was crashing all around me. Relationships that I thought had a solid foundation were shattering - easily and seemingly painless to everyone but me. Friends were turning their backs on me. Co-workers were backstabbing me. Clients were cursing me. My family, all unsaved, were each going through their own personal devastations and sin - each one slipping deeper into their black holes, each one turning their eyes from me for lack of involvement. (But Ephesians 5:7-8 says, "Therefore do not be partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.") And to make things completely unbearable to my heart, I ended up unintentionally hurting someone that I deeply love. And suddenly fear gripped my heart. What if I lose the one person in my life that means everything to me? When that last emotion hit me, I fell hard...

In desperation I got in my car and just starting driving. I didn't know where I was headed. I just knew I had to go. I knew I had to search the Lord out, somewhere, anywhere. And typically when I hit that low point, the only place I can run to where I can feel His presence and peace is a body of water. So I drove straight for the ocean.

Now, aside from my emotional state of mind, you need to understand the physical environment I was surrounded by. The previous day was beautiful - sunny and warm, in the mid 70's. Spring had finally arrived! To wake up the next morning to a short-lived but snowy blizzard was a shock to everyone. It threw mother nature into a tailspin. When the snow ceased early in the afternoon, the bright sun faded in and out, the bitter wind pushed the streetlights sideways, and the bright blue sky had strange gray clouds moving to and fro. And anybody that's familiar with the Jersey shore during weather clashes like this knows one thing: rough seas ahead and high winds, so batten the hatches! But I was no stranger to the ocean. I was raised there and had no fear of the bottomless sea. The unpredictable conditions did not deter me from wanting answers from the Lord. So off I drove.

The Jersey shore is also famous for it's long stretches of boardwalk. The one I stood on began at the rock-strewn inlet on my left and stretched two and a half miles to my right, where amusement rides, arcades, concession stands, and restaurants were all strategically placed about. And being a summer resort area, an April Sunday afternoon offers a very desolate and lonely oceanfront.

As I reached the boardwalk strip I immediately turned my car in the direction of the inlet. I knew without a doubt that I would be completely alone there. The closer I walked to the sandy beach, the more violently the winds blew. The wind was so severe that I could barely keep my glasses on my face. As I hit the edge of the sand, I leaned against the railing and just stared out at the awesome scenery before me. The sea was so turbulent that the waves were nose-diving and slamming into the shoreline, then bouncing straight up in the air. They had to be 16 foot swells. I was amazed at the force and the power that roared before me. I felt so small and insignificant at that moment - perhaps even moreso than when I first arrived. So I turned my attentions to the inlet jetty - the compilation of jagged rocks that separated me from the great sea. I realized in that moment that all I would have to do is stand up on those rocks. And in one swift gust of wind, I'd be blown into the sea and swallowed up instantly. No one would be around to see it happen, and with the strong undercurrent no one would ever find me.

As I moved closer to the rocks the winds seemed to lift me up off the sand and push me towards my destination. I was struggling to stand on my feet. But strangely enough, at the same time the forces of nature were shoving me forward, I felt an invisible hand holding onto the back of my jacket - keeping me from reaching the rocks. At that moment I heard a voice in my spirit say, "retreat." Confused by what I was feeling, I forged my way back onto the boardwalk, closed my eyes and asked, "Lord, what am I doing here? I thought you'd be here but I can't seem to find you. Do I stay or do I go?"

With pain shooting in my ears from the wind, the voice inside again spoke to me, "Head to the other end of the boardwalk." Still not seeing the significance, I thought to myself, "Why not. What's the difference. With all this wind I could never hear from the Lord anyway. I might as well try the other - less windy - side." So I got back in my car and drove one mile to the right.

As I stepped onto the boardwalk I spotted three guys to my left. With no one else around and concerned for my safety (ironic?) I immediately turned and walked to the right. When I sensed that one was following me, I steadied my steps, but he pressed on to catch up with me. He then shouted to me, "Can I read you a scripture?" I looked at him with his Bible in his hand and I thought, "Oh Lord. This is all I need. On top of everything else, now I have to deal with a Jehovah's Witness!" So I yelled back, "No!"

But he continued to follow after me. He then quickly asked, "Do you read the Bible? Do you know God?" My answers were short. "Yes. My Bible and my God." He responded with, "But there is only one God." And I said, "You're absolutely right. So have a nice day." He then gasped for breath and shouted, "But Jesus is the only way!!!" I stopped dead in my tracks. I turned to him and asked, "What did you say!?!" Again, he said, "Jesus is the only way. If you died today, do you know if you would go to Heaven?"

I was blown away. I stood there just staring at him. Finally I responded by telling him that I was a born-again believer. But he was not satisfied. He asked me to verbally confirm what exactly I believe in. As he said, "Many people claim to believe but are misinformed in their knowledge." So I willingly and easily proved to him that it was Christ's blood that was shed for me, that made a way for me to be reunited with the Father in Heaven, and that on Him I believe. I then further stated (to my own astonishment), "He suffered so that we may live; so that we no longer have to suffer." He and I then just stared at each other for a long minute.

It was in that moment when I looked at this young man that I thought, "Lord, you are here with me. Did You send this man to me?" Just then, four more people appeared by our sides - all born again believers!

In speaking with them I learned that they had been on a weekend retreat from their church in Garfield, New Jersey (about 1:30 minutes north of the shore), and the subject was evangelism. They decided to end their weekend evangelizing. Not from the area, they didn't know where to go. So someone told them to go to Point Pleasant. At first I thought, "How strange. Why would anyone suggest here at this time of year. Everyone knows how deserted it is." Then my second thought was, "Whoa. Who actually was the one who lead these five people here? An angel of the Lord?"

With all of that floating in my head, I bid them farewell, prayed blessing upon them, and decided to head back to the inlet. I thought, "Lord, you must be trying to speak to me. I better go back to the spot where it's only going to be you and me, so I can meet with you."

So there I went - back in my car, and back over one mile to the left.

But the Lord knows us better than we know ourselves. He didn't want me back over there to think about what all just transpired, for my focus would have turned back to the rocks. He didn't want me thinking at all. He wanted me to get a revelation!

So as I stepped up to the boardwalk once again, I was immediately approached by five more born again evangelists! And again, the one girl, named Kristine, asked me, "What do you believe?" And again, she made me verbally confirm what I believed in. Then she asked, "Do you need prayer? Is there anything we can pray for you about?" At that point I could only smile in amazement. I then introduced myself to her and explained to her that I just met her friends on the other side. I didn't tell any of them why I was truly there, but somehow I believe they knew.

As my conversation with Kristine had ended, the original group had shown up. And there I was, standing on a deserted boardwalk with treacherous winds, near the place where I contemplated jumping, surrounded by nine born again believing evangelists! I was blown away, to say the least. I kept thinking, "Is this really happening???"

The Lord's goodness just astounds me. Here I was feeling all alone and without value. I had been asking the Lord for weeks to show me some sign that He was aware of everything going on in my life; begging for answers to situations. And it was like He said, "You want answers from Me, well here's nine of them!"

How awesome, how faithful, how loving is the God we serve, that He would do all of that for me, a tiny grain of sand? If I lost everything, what would it mean as long as I still had the Lord? But if I lost the Lord, then where would I be???

I believe those nine people were there as messengers of the Lord to remind me of who and where my focus should be placed. Had my eyes turned towards man so much that I failed to see Him anymore? Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." The Lord was saying, "My child, I am the One here with you. I am the One who died for you. I am the One who loves you. Am I not enough? Seek Me and I will provide all of your needs."

Just looking at those nine young people was worth a thousand words. Their main purpose and focus was to tell everyone they met about Jesus. With Holy Fire abandonment, a relentless Spirit, and an abundance of joy in their hearts they were not looking to their left or their right. They were looking up. It didn't matter how many people rejected them that day. Their only concern was to do the work and will of the Father. It didn't matter to them that they were not received in love. They knew they were loved - just like "Penny" knew in this month's Apron Strings devotional. Those people held the secret - God loves me!

Is there no circumstance that He can't see us through? Is there no way that His loving arms can reach out and hold us? When we're hanging in the balance between life and death, like I was that fateful Sunday by the ocean, you simply realize this:

Thus says the Lord, "My grace is sufficient for you, and My strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor 12:9)

If you feel without love today, know that your Heavenly Father loves you! And He is always there with you, to protect and guide you, even when you don't feel Him near.

<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<>

In The Deep Blue Sea
04-11-00

Yes, come to the river
My sons and daughters
and I'll replace your tears
with refreshing waters.

Though you may not see Me,
believe Me, I am there.
I have gone before you.
The place I have prepared.

My child, in your weakness
My strength is made perfect.
So come to Me broken.
I will heal and I will mend.

With natural eyes you see
the hopeless state of things.
But I will help you rise above,
mounted with eagle's wings.

I love you and am here for you.
My grace is sufficient.
Keep your eyes focused on Me
and I will bring peace and rest.

On My Word you can rely.
It is only for you that I died
so that you may live freely
and dance in the river of life.

In the deep blue sea
call out to Me
and My face you will see.
My love is all you need.

I am the God who frees
eternally.
In the deep blue sea
come to meet Me.

-Lori A. Campisano-
- Poet4JC@aol.com -

( Carol here ) I only have one thing left to say: "AMEN!!" ( smile )
Thank you so much Lori!! You shared the reality of Christ in such a
beautiful and eloquent manner!

And on behalf of Lori and myself, ( From Bama to Jersey! ) we thank YOU Dear
Friends for indulging!

<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<>

( Carol here ) I only have one thing left to say: "AMEN!!" ( smile ) Thank you so much Lori!! You shared the reality of Christ in such a beautiful and eloquent manner!

And on behalf of Lori and myself, ( From Bama to Jersey! ) we thank YOU Dear Friends for indulging!

God Bless You All!!
And remember..
Jesus loves you and I do too!

In Christ!!
Carol
Justaservn@aol.com

Graphics, design & hosting by:

Please also visit:

The Bookery Christian Bookstore

Handmaidens Christian Women's Webzine