So often I ask myself, "God, what are you doing?" "What are you up to?" It is easy to question God when things don't seem to be going the way we thought they would go. The fact that God doesn't always move the way we think He should either shows us that God is not in control or that we have a false sense of having any control? (It is definitely the latter!)
I, and my family, have been on this journey onto the mission field. We have been through a variety of trials and frustrations, but we have also seen miracle after miracle of God providing emotional and financial support. But, even more than that, we have experienced God awesomeness in all of this! God has put incredible people in our path given us new friends! We could have never seen any of this coming. It has not happened like we thought it would happen. However, we are so blessed! As we continue this journey, God's ways will prevail and we will be more grateful and be in more awe at what He will have accomplished! If I could encourage anyone by what we have been through, this is the message that I would love to convey: God's ways are higher than ours! We still don't know how all this will work out?! We know what God has called us to, but as to the timing of it all, that is His business. I would encourage you to continue to seek the Lord and rest in Him. Amen
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God's ways are not our ways! You may have heard that statement before, but it is always comforting when that you see it come to pass. When things are not working out the way I thought they would, I catch myself doubting what is going on. "God, why? Why this or that?" But when, something is done in such a way that only He can receive the glory, I am thankful! So thankful!!!
So often, I just want to see something go my way, which I think is the only way. Ultimately though, I WANT GOD TO DO WHAT WILL BRING HIM GLORY! A couple of years ago, I did not think this way. I wasn't looking out for God to do His way. I'm not sure why, but it just wasn't the priority. I was doing my thing and God could do His. I believed that He was in control and that I was functioning within, but I was looking for His way with anticipation. These days, I am learning to anticipate and long for His ways. Now, the hard part about this is when His ways mean suffering or discipline. When it is one of those two, I just ask Him to reveal what is it that I am to learn or how am I to bring Him glory? When you go through times or seem to be suffering, do you ask God to show you His way and how you are to grow through it? Or are you looking for the easy way out? We have received blessings one after another, but then when one thing happens that doesn't fit under that category, I'm asking God for an explanation. As if I am due one?! Our purpose as a follower of Christ is to bring God glory. Last night, the Wabash Valley Baptist Association voted to approve us for the work that lies ahead for us. It was an important vote for the work that will be done up there. This showed the Association's approval for us to work with and through the local churches of this Association. It was a great "stamp" of approval! The work to continue to raise support is still in motion. We are currently focused on preparing our house for the "market." Our support goal for relocation is within reach. We just must continue to press on.
Wow! What a day on Facebook! The opinions are flying! So many different angles from patriotic to spiritual. As an American who appreciates justice, I applaud our troops and am thankful for them and their pursuit of justice! As a Christian, a Kingdom citizen, my heart is still burden for those who are not known by my God. I would encourage all of my friends who are followers of Christ, to remember that we are Christians who happen to live in America. To be a follower of Christ means that you are a first a citizen of the kingdom of God (John 18). And we must not forget that if we were ever shown the justice that is due us, our fate would be the same as his (Rom. 1-3; Matt. 5-7; James 2:10-11). Thankfully, Christ took our justice and we were given grace!!! Christ is our Redeemer and His message must carry on no matter what country, culture, or religion someone claims. God's grace is marvelous! The fact that God saved us and not others, should only bring compassion and passion to share with those who don't know Him the Gospel of good news in truth and love. The truth is that sin cannot exist in the presence of a perfect and holy God. The perfect plan is that Christ was the penalty bearer of the justice that was due us. We needed a Substitute that was perfect and sinless. Christ had to be both fully God and fully Man in order to make the perfect Substitute. If He was one without the other, He would have not been enough. All of this was done to show God's love towards us (John 3:16). We have a sin problem (we disobey God without trying by our nature)! Therefore, we could never obtain an eternal Rest here and in heaven without someone taking the penalty of our sin. Ultimately, we have got to see those, like the man who was brought to justice, with compassion and love and that they need to hear this Message.
Please be in prayer with us! This Tuesday night, the local Wabash Valley Baptist Association is having an important meeting to discuss what the Lord might lead them to do in relation to Baptist campus ministries (both American and International students). We are excited to see what God is doing amidst the Association! We don't know how God will move the Association? It is up to God's decision and direction in leading their decision. We are simply praying that God will grant them the faith to follow what He might lead them to do. We are keeping our expectations low, but our faith is in the Lord that He will work mightily within all of these churches within this Association!
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AuthorDennis Runner- a witness, a follower, a student, and a lump of clay in the hands of my God and Savior. Archives
May 2016
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