Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Look what the Lord has done
Life Spring Church is trusting God to have His way in us in 2010. None of us know what tomorrow will bring. That means that to make choices in life can sometimes be risky. However, when those risks are set toward advancing God's Kingdom in the hearts of others, the risk is good. God is always speaking to us in that still small voice, but are we hearing His call? You have friends that a hurting. You have loved ones that are lost. That stranger in need didn't cross your path by coincedence. Let's listen to God, take a step of faith in obedience and then trust Him for the results. You can't go wrong! Your success isn't dependent on results, but rather your faithfulness. However, we do believe that if we trust God, good things will happen. We'd love to hear about those good things. Let us know by posting your stories in the comments section below. By the end of 2010, we'll be able to look back and say collectively, "Look what the Lord has done!"
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On the last day of work before Christmas, I found out that a co-worker had his car broke in to. He not only had his car stereo sysyem stolen, but gifts totalling over $200 that he had purchased for his children as well. Another co-worker, Christi, and myself immediatly thought the same thing, God would want us to help.
ReplyDeleteJust days earlier, Becca Glass had asked me if I knew of anybody in need because they had been blessed with a lot of items that she and Guy felt could be best used elsewhere. I decided to call Becca to see if she was still able to help. She graciously offered to take some of the items back to Wal-Mart in order to exchange for an $80 gift card to give on behalf of the church. I decided I would add some money toward his needs as well.
Christi, the woman who had desired to help, typed an email to all of her closest friends and family. What resulted was amazing! Her friends began to ask other co-workers about helping this stranger they had never met. People were not only willing to help, but wanted to help.
After gathering funds from a few co-workers ourselves, including our boss, we had over $500 and a letter giving God the glory as well as sharing the gospel message.
Our co-worker had no idea. He was having a horrible day as well. When Christi delivered the envelope he didn't open it right away, but when he did he was overwhelmed. Here is a guy who questions many things about God recieving a gift from God's people for God's glory. It was beautiful! I don't know what God will be doing in his life in the future, but I am grateful that we got to be a part of what He did that day. Romans 2:4
I have often thought strange that I have passed out tracts to strangers in the world but never minister to the people who live right next to me in the neighborhood! So this Christmas, my Christian sister and I were wrapping Christmas gifts and discussed this shared burden. We decided to bake homemade Christmas goodies and place them in a pretty container with tracts, Bibles, and small books regarding the true meaning of Christmas. On Christmas morning we delivered the baskets to their homes with smiles and prayers that the Lord would use what we had done.
ReplyDeleteI felt led to write a friend who grew up in church yet has now rejected Christ. We had an on going conversation for a few days. In the end, he still rejected Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, but I feel confident God will use it in the long run. I'm glad that reached out to him regardless.
ReplyDeleteOne day I was at lunch sitting in a deli near my work. I had ordered a club sandwich and was sitting studying the Bible for an upcoming lesson or sermon when I noticed a man at another table across the way. There was something peculiar about the guy though I couldn’t pin point it. He wasn’t homeless looking, but seemed rather troubled. In fact he looked to be thirty something in age and was dressed kinda preppy or casual. Still, there was something that drew my attention to him. I couldn’t tell if for good reasons or bad. He looked uneasy and stressed or tired, but also gave a vibe that made me feel uncomfortable as well. I remember thinking to myself if I would be able to love him like Christ loved so many other “different” people. Well, I would get my chance.
ReplyDeleteHalfway through my meal, he approached me. Nervously, he asked, “I hate to ask you this, but do you think that whenever you are done with your meal, I could have whatever is left over?” I have to be honest, I didn’t feel right about the guy. However, I remembered that Jesus said that we should give to those who ask of us. I wasn’t about to tell him to get lost. The only thing I could think of to do was to stop eating and give it to the man. He immediately said, “No, no, no. I’m not trying to take your food. Just if you have anything left over…”
All I could think of to say was… “Jesus” as I was trying to give it to him. I felt stupid because that just confused him. So I told him to sit down.
Again, I didn’t feel right about this guy. As we spoke, I couldn’t help but think he was a con artist. On one hand he seemed a bit of an over actor, but on the other hand, as he spoke tears filled his eyes. He said he was self-employed and on a business trip when he was jumped, beat up and mugged by two other men. He never asked me for anything more, but I was on alert. Still, I felt God leading me to share the gospel with Him. He said he had grown up religious from hiss grandmother, but never understood quite clearly. He admitted to at one time being a bad man who would cheat people out of money. This only enhanced my suspicion. However, God called me to love him anyway. Once I shared, we prayed together and he tearfully asked the Christ to come in to his life and forgive him of his sins. We spoke a little more and then I left.
I’m not sure I’ve ever experienced anything quite like that. It was such a range of emotions. In the end, I was a little on edge, but felt a spiritual high for being obedient. I still don’t know if the man was sincere, or if he was a really good con artist. What I do know is that he received the gospel message. For that, I say thank you Jesus!
For Christmas this year we had an agreement with some family members that we would not exchange gifts. I felt led to give anyway. I spent a few hours (not dollars) and wrote a few letters from the heart. I made some custom cards and poured my feelings out. My wife bought some customized Bibles just for those family members and I included a paragraph about how God's Word was written directly to them and was just as personalized as the covers on their Bibles. Camouflage for one and pink leather for another.... Not only were the Bibles received with much appreciation, but they have been read everyday. 3 chapters a day, Praise God!
ReplyDeleteThere was a man who kept making eye with me in a fast food restaurant. I decided to give him a gospel tract as I left.
ReplyDeleteToday the Lord challenged me with one of the hardest challenges He has challenged me with yet. I have had struggles in my relationship with my father. We have barely talked to each other in about two years. The Lord had put it on my heart to talk to my father about his salvation about a couple months ago. At that time I had resolved with myself and God that I would call my father and speak with him about his salvation. Upon that day that I was going to call my father I had received a text message from my sister explaining that my father had become homeless and no one knew where he was. Today the Lord gave me the opportunity and the strength to talk to my father. My youngest brother called me at about 8:20 this evening and the Lord gave me the strength to not only give my Father the Gospel, but also my two brothers. I was able to explain to them the reason Jesus came and died on the cross for about 20 minutes. So please pray that the Lord does a work and maybe sometime this year I can post that they gave their lives to Christ. But I still praise God for giving me the opportunity and the strength that he gave me today.
ReplyDeleteThe Lord has blessed me over the weekend. On sunday night i was given a gift by a fellow bass player from another church. An old church friend. He told me that the Lord told him to give his best to me. He had a struggle and many sleepless nights until he listened to the Lord. When i came to church that night after he sang a song he interduced me to my new bass. It is a SWR 200 watt Bass amplifer. Totally amazing. Thank the Lord.
ReplyDeleteI ran into my neighbor at the store on Saturday. Although we've lived accross the street from each other for years, it's always the same thing....a friendly wave, a "hi, how are you?" and the occasional ten minute chat in the driveway or sidewalk on a nice day. I had mentioned to her at the store that I've always wanted to come over and talk and share a cup of coffee...we tentatively set something up for this week. I saw her this morning and chatted with her for a little bit. She's coming to the house in the morning for coffee :) I'm excited to get to know her and talk about the Lord with her. I praise HIM for this opportunity and for giving me the ability to take the "risk."
ReplyDeleteMy friend called. She was crying about her situation in life, and i was able to briefly talk to her on the phone about God and how she needs him, but the call was cut short because someone else was calling her that was on their way to her house. The call was cut short because of satan but he cannot stop me from still talking to her about Jesus
ReplyDeleteIn the midst of a very sad circumstance, God was at work this week. I was able to tell a man of God that I loved him and ask his forgiveness for something that deeply wounded him. I am thankful to be forgiven and I am thankful to God for working ALL things together for good (Romans 8:28). I am thankful for the healing that took place this week and for the obvious presence of Christ. I have hope that the Lord is continuing what was started this week and that many more will be healed.
ReplyDeleteA co-worker and I found a man reading his Bible in a Subway sandwich shop and decided to visit with him. It is small, but just being able to encourage a fellow believer made it well worth it.
ReplyDeleteFor the ones that may not know that there has been a huge fight between the two biggest drug trafficking gangs in Mexico. Just recently they had closed all borders lining Mexico. I want to share this because I believe the Lord works miracles all the time.
ReplyDeleteWell, the news has been reporting that it is better over there and that things have calmed down they say. This Easter weekend most of Nancy’s brother and sisters that live in the U.S. travelled to visit there Mom in Reynosa, Mexico. They had no problems entering Mexico or while they were there. The ranch is located on the south end of Reynosa. They have built a new ramp that helps with traffic that flows from the south straight to the border. Last time I was there it was not complete, but when Nancy’s brother passed this weekend it was open.
When her brother Balda left he took this new route which was the scariest he and his family have ever been. As Balda made the turn around there were men in the street holding machine guns blocking the road. They ordered Balda and his wife out of the vehicle put the guns to there heads and threatened them with there lives. They had both of there young children with them. The gang asked them a lot of questions as for where they were headed, where they lived, yelled saying are you lying. Then the baby in the back started crying. And the gang opened the back door up and put guns to the kid’s heads. When you think there is no way out, look upon the Lord.
The Lord opens a door and allowed the gangs to pass Balda and his family unharmed. Only God can do something like this. We are so thankful that the Lord protected Balda and his family. That could have been Nancy and I on our way back from a mission trip. I am so thankful the Lord has protected us every time we have travelled over there.
We love you.
I've seen first hand at what the Lord can do in someone's life. My husband's 1st cousin was raised knowing the Lord. Both grandfathers were pastor's. Unfortunately, life took him a different direction after his father, a police detective, killed himself. He grew up to become a very angry alcoholic. For many years my mother in law continued to pray for her nephew, that he would return to the Lord. This prayer warrior never gave up asking the Lord to do a mighty work in his life. And as she continued to be a beacon of light for God's glory, she began to see changes in this man's life. He began, at first, simply by attending church with his friend. Then, after some encouragement by her, felt led to join the choir. Recently, he heard the Lord's voice calling him forward and he gave his life to Christ. He will be baptized on Easter Sunday. Praise God!
ReplyDeleteThe Lord has recently placed a wonderful Christian woman in the life of a loved one very dear to me. I'm thankful to the Lord for not just knowing peoples needs, but meeting peoples needs. I'm deeply grateful to the Lord for this wonderful woman and for the encouragement she's been to my relative. I praise the Lord for those who are wholly devoted to Him and who extend His love and grace and kindness to those around us. I thank Him for His providence.
ReplyDeleteThe longer I serve the Lord the more I realize that His hand is in EVERYTHING. I'm talking about the little things. He cares about small details of our lives that sometimes we wouldn't really even think twice about. He desires to conform every aspect of our lives to the image of His beloved Son.
ReplyDeleteTake for instance the woman's Bible study we're doing at Life Spring. Not only are things Beth has been referencing in Scripture recently been part of the Bible Reading Challenge at Life Spring, but a main verse in last weeks study was in Romans 12....which we recently covered on a Sunday morning. Coincidence? I think not. God weaves everything together in a perfect way. He's never doing just one thing. If we'll open our eyes to what He is doing, we won't miss out on seeing His sovereignty in all areas of our lives.
I praise Him for allowing things to take place in a time in our lives that we need it most. I praise Him for sending someone to give some much needed encouragement on days where Satan has made me feel like a failure. I praise Him for seeing the big picture in my life and doing whatever is necessary to see me draw closer to Him.