Obstacles
July 19
Pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.
Matthew 5:44
"We are never more Christlike than when we choose to forgive."
David Egner
July 20
The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped. Psalm 28:7
"The one who lives by faith trusts that good things can happen because God wants good things to happen."
Lewis Smedes
Boo thought: The word on my mind is obstacle:something that impedes progress or achievement. The cell phone rang yesterday and it was a recording from USAir stating our flight was delayed 94 minutes, therefore we would not make our connection to the flight home and we needed to call. Calling the 800 number we were simply told there were no more flights we could get on that day. While on hold I had my son pull up flight options from other airlines on the computer, so we could ask to be put on those flights. One flight required us being at the airport an hour earlier than planned, so while on hold we headed to his car, but our cell service was disconnected in the garage. When out in the open we had to start the whole process again. We reached the airport in Minneapolis before the airlines ever came back on the line!
We chose to be proactive and trust in the Lord to work this out. He did, we took two other airlines and arrived home two hours ahead of our originally scheduled time. On top of that we got to sit together, which hadn't been possible on the USAir flights. We also enjoyed visiting with the Dean of Students of Liberty University. Two other delightful Christians were on board and one is attending a wake board tournament on our Lake today, so we invited him to church here Sunday.
Faith building takes a giant leap forward when we watch God work out details to overcome obstacles. The Bible is an instruction manual for how this is possible...the ark, the parting of the Red Sea, Joseph in the pit, David on the run, Moses in the basket, Joshua at Jericho, Hannah being barren, David and Goliath, Gideon and the Midianites, how about Job, Ruth and Naomi, and of course our Lord overcame the obstacle of death...He rose from the dead!
Joseph summed up how the combo of the two verses above today work so well when he forgivingly addressed his brothers: Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:19-20
We finagled some flights yesterday, but God is at work finagling lives to come to a point where they recognize His amazing love for Him. Ah, that we would not be slow learners.
Let's Pray: Lord, there is a pretty good chance we will face some obstacles today. It may be an outdoor wedding that gets rained on forcing people inside and to have to bump into someone that has joy to share with them. It may be a flat tire or a need for directions that ends up with someone being invited to church tomorrow. Maybe a hospital or doctor's visit will bring estranged family members back together or those who have been separated from You Father will look up! Thank You, that you are always about our business, may we return the favor and join You in yours. In Jesus Name, Amen
Pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.
Matthew 5:44
"We are never more Christlike than when we choose to forgive."
David Egner
July 20
The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped. Psalm 28:7
"The one who lives by faith trusts that good things can happen because God wants good things to happen."
Lewis Smedes
Boo thought: The word on my mind is obstacle:something that impedes progress or achievement. The cell phone rang yesterday and it was a recording from USAir stating our flight was delayed 94 minutes, therefore we would not make our connection to the flight home and we needed to call. Calling the 800 number we were simply told there were no more flights we could get on that day. While on hold I had my son pull up flight options from other airlines on the computer, so we could ask to be put on those flights. One flight required us being at the airport an hour earlier than planned, so while on hold we headed to his car, but our cell service was disconnected in the garage. When out in the open we had to start the whole process again. We reached the airport in Minneapolis before the airlines ever came back on the line!
We chose to be proactive and trust in the Lord to work this out. He did, we took two other airlines and arrived home two hours ahead of our originally scheduled time. On top of that we got to sit together, which hadn't been possible on the USAir flights. We also enjoyed visiting with the Dean of Students of Liberty University. Two other delightful Christians were on board and one is attending a wake board tournament on our Lake today, so we invited him to church here Sunday.
Faith building takes a giant leap forward when we watch God work out details to overcome obstacles. The Bible is an instruction manual for how this is possible...the ark, the parting of the Red Sea, Joseph in the pit, David on the run, Moses in the basket, Joshua at Jericho, Hannah being barren, David and Goliath, Gideon and the Midianites, how about Job, Ruth and Naomi, and of course our Lord overcame the obstacle of death...He rose from the dead!
Joseph summed up how the combo of the two verses above today work so well when he forgivingly addressed his brothers: Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:19-20
We finagled some flights yesterday, but God is at work finagling lives to come to a point where they recognize His amazing love for Him. Ah, that we would not be slow learners.
Let's Pray: Lord, there is a pretty good chance we will face some obstacles today. It may be an outdoor wedding that gets rained on forcing people inside and to have to bump into someone that has joy to share with them. It may be a flat tire or a need for directions that ends up with someone being invited to church tomorrow. Maybe a hospital or doctor's visit will bring estranged family members back together or those who have been separated from You Father will look up! Thank You, that you are always about our business, may we return the favor and join You in yours. In Jesus Name, Amen
