Learning more lessons on the field.
God has been laying on my heart that we need to trust Him, either more, or again!
I think it is a lesson we need to be re-taught now and then when we become too
reliant on self or man.
We make plans, others make plans, hoping to accomplish what we plan.
But it doesn't always work that way.
It reminds me of the verses in James 4 that say:
13Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."
When we depend on man, groups, our own plans, etc. to accomplish things,
and it may not or does not happen the way we think or will or plan, we need to remember what Proverbs tells us, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."
Many times it is the Lord's will, but we may not be doing it in His way or in His timing.
We are back to trusting ourselves to make the plans succeed.
There is a quote: "If you depend on man, you get what man can do; if you depend
on prayer, you get what God can do."
I think God is telling us, "depend on Me." The plans of man don't always come through and if you depend on that, you will be sorely disappointed. So trust Me, that I will make a way where it seems to you there is no longer a way, or the way you thought it was going to happen is no longer. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
There are others I know experiencing this same lesson in their lives; making plans,
trying to do what they believe God wants, only to have those plans thwarted. But
take heart, God is in control!!!
Our lives are His, the ministry is His, the church is His and He
will never leave us, fail us, nor forsake us. Wow---what a promise!
I think that this lesson that He is teaching me is relevant for others as well,
no matter what country you live in.
There are good works to be done, there are needs to be met, there are
buildings to be constructed, medicines to be given, food to be distributed, but more
than that there are souls that need a Savior, there are weary brothers and sisters
who need encouragement and to find rest for their souls. We must trust God in
what He would do, through whom He chooses to do it, and His timing as well as
His way.
With so many things happening all around the world it seems so insignificant to
ask for help for our little part of the world, but God's Word says, "we have not
because we ask not." So I am asking for your PRAYERS. We so much need your
prayers that God would give us wisdom, discernment, peace, power, and strength to
do His will and His work in the ministry here in Honduras. There are many wonderful
things happening here and many needs to be met and many souls to be saved,
and brothers and sisters who need to be strengthened, so I ask for your prayers.
There is nothing like the power of prayer. God works through the prayers of
His people.
"The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing
from prayerless studies, prayerless work, prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil,
mocks at our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray."
It is my prayer that the lessons I am learning about depending on God will encourage
you also.
We serve a mighty and wonderful God.
May His blessings and peace be on all of you.
Thank you for your love and prayers and encouragement.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart!
In Jesus love and service,
Christine