The Enemy may try to prevent it
The Unbelieving may try to refute it
The Ignorant may try to ignore it
But God is going to fulfill it!
_________________________________
We've observed recently an advertisement for a program on television called "Survivor". The title made us think of our present situation in the world.
In the account of Paul's shipwreck at sea when everyone on the ship lost everything (Acts 27), Paul nearly went to heaven too early. But Paul knew when he was to officially "go to heaven" and it wasn't at Satan's whim but when God showed him he had finished his task and completed his assignment. He then decides but not before. Read what he said in Philippians 1:24-25 and 2 Timothy 4:6,7. "I have finished my course". God's people must claim their long life and all of the promises of our New Covenant in order to fulfill their calling.
It is amazing the number of Christians that roll over, surrender to their circumstances and conditions like as if everything is God's mysterious will for them. It is understandable from the human point of view because of the hard knocks that the devil and life throws at us on earth. (John 10:10). That is the reason many say "life is not fair". Of course, it's not. Look at the treatment of Jesus. So while we live on this earth "trouble and turmoil" are the terrible twins we all confront because it's a hostile world we live in (Romans 8:20-22). Whether we are born again or unsaved, righteous or unrighteous, the sun shines on the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 5:45).
So don't feel too bad about yourself if adverse circumstances have presently knocked you out of the ball park. The game is not over, you'll be back for the next line up looking as good as ever. God does restore the years the locust have eaten (Joel 2:25,26).
If anyone could have said "I've arrived" it could have been Paul with all of his accomplishments, academic, spiritual and intellectual. He even outshone NASA before the rockets were invented - when he went right past the Moon, Mars and Jupiter. But there he was in heaven having a look around (2 Corinthians 12: 1-4). Was Paul immune from trouble? No way. Back he came to preach the only "good news" that ever was or is, Jesus Christ, crucified, risen and alive for ever more, the only Way to the Father. Jesus is our life line and everything we need.
You know storms don't last for ever (except in hell). Hold your head high, you who love Jesus, you are coming back "super charged", everything restored that can be restored and more. Let's start the game again. Amen!
And our ministry is coming back again too. Our ministry has had a temporary set back in the financial realm, but we're not slowing down. Like Paul said to the Thessalonians, "I would have come to you but Satan hindered me". Temporarily, of course! We've had a set back but we are set to get back! So here Barbara and I stand saying, "Here we are Jesus", just send us more partners. We are ready, we've got our "Survivor's "shirt on! Oh no ... we have put on our "OVERCOMER'S" shirt" instead. (Revelation 12:11) Amen!
To the "overcomers" the Lord would remind us of Jeremiah 17:7 & 8:
"Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat [recession] cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful [anxious and worried] in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit [enjoying an abundant harvest in every area of life].
There are two powerful words Jesus told Jairus in Mark 5: 36: STOP FEARING, ONLY BELIEVE !
We want to thank everyone who phones, e-mails and writes us with so many words of encouragement. Thank you faithful partners for your continued faithful support. Your labor is not in vain in this ministry.
