I just saw a cardboard testimonies video made by a church, and was pretty wowed. There are all kinds of stories told by these simple signs, and honestly it’s not a surprise that God is able to do this stuff. However, it was just so moving to see these people get up and testify that in the deep, deep pains of life, they have experienced God’s faithfulness and His personal love for them. Some of these people are still in the middle of their circumstances; you’ll see mixed testimonies here. An older couple had no children, but adopted a son; another couple lost their daughter. Unwanted children found a home with a special woman; another family lost their sister. One man was healed of cancer; another is trusting God in the middle of his ordeal with cancer, no matter the outcome. Life is tough, full of distress, but God is faithful. (By the way, that’s actually the title of a book by Sheila Walsh; I ran across an interview with her and was touched so I looked up more; has anybody ever read any of her books? If so, what did you think?)
Christ’s grace invades all of these circumstances, and these folks got up and testified before thousands. Every testimony is different, but they all had the same message, watermarked by the song “How He Loves Us”: “God was enough for me; He’s enough for you, too.” I hope stories like these sink deep into our hearts, and that when we come through our trials and our valleys, we can join the cloud of witnesses and cheer on our brethren who are next in line. May God add to this body more and more souls, who can experience His unfailing love in the midst of a world whose love has grown cold. Yes, there will be a cup of suffering, but His will is not hindered, and His words will be fulfilled. Wherever we are, I pray we can raise up our banners before men and say, “His banner over me is His great love. His love, His love, His love.”
There are circumstances in life where God calls us to do something or go somewhere, and we move forward in obedience, and then the unexpected occurs. We are faced with a fiery trial out of our control, and we wonder what’s up. But then God speaks and shows us that He still has a plan, that He works even the worst out for a greater end. It’s just what God does with disaster! It seems I’ve been coming across these kinds of stories a lot, Richard Wurmbrand, Russell Stendal, and this man who faced an extremely dark circumstance in Iran. Yet God showed him His greater plan! Check it out!
Whew! I made it for this week’s Inspiring Story, hosted by Miss Szymanski at In Defense of the Christian Faith! This week it is a video about a World War II soldier, who through unbelievable circumstances turned around and became a missionary to the nation whose government oppressed him. But there’s more! Check it out, be challenged and encouraged!
While this story is incredible, it is not exactly applicable and practical to us ordinary folk; that is, we are not soldiers in a big world war, missionaries overseas who see our persecutors come to Jesus. BUT, all of us with the Spirit of God in us can love. Scripture says that love is more important than faith, hope, speaking in tongues, prophesying, and knowledge. And all of us can do it! If the Spirit of God is in us, we do love, but we must increase in it, so that it does not grow cold and our light be removed from us. (see Revelation 2:1-7)
Pray for the strength and the grace to love, pray that you will love the brethren, pray that you will love people in need of it, pray that you will love people even if you are not loved back, pray that you will love the lost, the downtrodden. Pray God will open your eyes as to where your love needs to increase. It will be worth it! Whether or not you see the fruits of your labor, it will be worth it because love is of God, and love lasts forever. So look at this story and be equipped and encouraged!
Whoopie! I made it to this weekend’s Inspiring Story! Yay! I was sorry I have been missing the Something Beautiful Mondays. Oh well; maybe next week.
This week I would like to share two stories of healing and forgiveness that come from Africa.
The first is from two Rwandan men who were reconciled by the love of Christ after one had killed members of the other’s family.
The second is the journey of one Lost Boy coming out of the civil war in Sudan. He once was separated from his family, but following his arrival in the U.S., he had the opportunity to go back and meet them again!
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Oh well; maybe next week. 