Encouragement
As I approach my 81st birthday in July, I sometimes wonder if my thoughts are still ministering to people. I also wonder if my thoughts will continue to come.
I know that God can/will continue to give them to me....
but sometimes they're a little slow in coming to my mind.
So lately I've been drawing upon some thoughts that I've shared before and pray that they will minister to you.
This morning as I was thinking about this, we rec'd an e-mail from a friend who lives in the southern part of our state.
He wrote:
"Love your website articles....keep them coming as long as u can. Love ya, Gary"
When Abraham was 75 yrs. of age, God basically said, "I'm not through with you yet!"
Gary's encouraging note reminded me that God is not through with me either!
In Genesis 12, God told Abraham:
"Leave your country and I will make of you a great nation...
and I will make your name great and you shall be a blessing."
Abraham obeyed all the way and even at 100 yrs. of age...
he and Sarah were still seeing miracles of God come to pass.
Like Abraham and Sarah, we must walk by faith, no matter what age...
nor whatever God calls us to do.
Abraham found that God's Promises are equal to His Presence!
On July 13th, the devotional from 'Streams in the Desert' spoke of this kind of faith.
"God calls things which be, not as though they were. (Romans 4:17)
Abraham dared to believe God....even though it seemed impossible to leave his country and later at 100 yrs. of age, to have a child.
Yet God called him 'Father of many nations'....BEFORE there was sign of a child.
So Abraham called himself 'a father' because God called him so!
That is faith - it is to believe and assert what God says!
Faith steps out on seeming void and finds the rock beneath.
Only 'say you have' what God says you have....
and He will make good to you, all that you believe.
The words 'step out on faith by void and find a rock' brought back a memory for me.
While serving as a missionary in Korea, I was trying to get to some of the 20 churches I ministered to. It was August which was the rainy season and I was unable to get across the Naktong River.
Soon some U. S. Army trucks came and forged the river with ease, so I decided to follow in their wake. As I followed the last truck, the water rose and soon my faith was almost replaced by fear.
But then I realized that the Army had built a crossing of rocks which were 'unseen'....
but were very real. Crossing the river then was made possible.
As God by His Words and Deeds promised, He has built for (and beneath us) a firm path to follow.
Matthew 7:24-27 says that Jesus is our Rock Foundation for life.
This Abraham did at 90 yrs. of age and I hope to continue for as long as God gives me the strength to do so.
Whatever age we are...
it is time that we 'get off the perch of distrust and onto the wings of faith'.
By faith, I've claimed:
~ God's Promises
~ His Power
~ His Presence.
However anxiety may enter in when the physical body/mind begins to decline with age.
I read a quote by C.H. Spurgeon who only lived for 58 yrs. (1834-92).
"Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows...
but only empties today of its strength."
I love Moses' last words to Joshua and the people.
"Thy shoes shall be iron and brass and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.
The Eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the Everlasting Arms of God....
and He shall thrust out the enemy before you." (Deut. 33:25-27)
"Abraham against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, 'So shall thy seed be' and being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body when he was about 100 yrs. old and that he and Sarah would have a child. He staggered at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God and being fully persuaded that what God had promised, He would perform." (Romans 4:18-21)
The key to faith is to know God personally by:
~ Salvation in Christ...
~ Repentance
~ Faith in Him
Then spend a lifetime:
~ Learning the Promises
~ Leaning on them
~ Living them.
This takes faith, but as long as God is The Giver and we willingly receive them...
the supply will never run out and we will be a blessing...no matter what age we are!
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Don't you ever stop writing! Your articles are blessing so many people. Just look at the number of times this one has been read since last Wednesday. Wow....God has given you a precious gift. Thank you for using it for His glory and I pray he continues to give you the words....
In Christ's Love,
Julia
but only empties today of its strength."
Amen and Amen! You are still a bright light in a very dark world - Dad. Your words have never been wasted. Be encouraged and keep serving. As we both know, the reward will be GREAT! We love you!