I am working on documents, but wanted to reflect on my Phone Fiasco...
I am usually very careful not to corrupt my phone or my computers with links. Yesterday (?) I mistakenly thought that I was updating an existing app, but the link carried a virus. I started having problems with my phone, but it went totally berserk very quickly. I could not do anything without several ads popping up and taking over my entire phone. I deleted some apps, which I thought might be the problem, but it only got worse.
I was really bothered by this. I could not communicate, I could not search, I could not study on my phone. I have enough problems with computer issues, which eat up far too much time, therefore I did not need this phone problem to make it worse. In fact, I have often thought about doing away with all internet activities because the problems are so time consuming. However, I hang on and make the sacrifice because I use my internet for teaching and outreach.
But this phone problem almost made me throw in the towel. However, some folks made themselves available (and I greatly appreciate your availability). I took up brother Wade's offer to help me get things back under control. This not only got my communications and ministry back on target, but it also brought me incredible relief (mental, emotional, energy, time). Sometimes it can feel like we are at our wit's end.
I needed help, urgently. I had prayed and ask God to provide, but I also know that God often takes care of our problems through a human instrument. In the meantime, I was deeply concerned about the time it was taking out of my life.
I cannot tell you how relieved I was when the phone returned to normal. I am not exaggerating. I faced the fact that I might have to reset my phone, losing a lot of hard work. I realized it could actually cost me money, which I don't have. I take being a steward of God's blessings very seriously.
Okay, some of you are saying that it was not that big of a deal. I am sure you are right. But it was for me. I needed help, I needed help "now."
As I reflected on my problem and God's provision through a friend, I also thought about other people who face much greater problems and suffer terribly.
I can't do much in life, but I can give answers to most of life's pressing needs. I can tell people how to get past the impassable and how to do the impossible, when the answer is found in Jesus and His word. In fact, I know beyond any shadow of a doubt that if a person takes the Biblical counsel I offer, then they will be delivered from their nightmare, from their torment, from the enemy of their soul. Biblical answers are available for spiritual problems and will always give victory in time of impending loss.
I don't always see Biblical answers solve people's problems, but that is not God's fault or the fault of God's word. It is the fault of the person who refuses to accept God's answer, God's offer, God's directives, God's requirements, God's enablement. Again, if obedient faith is actively aligned with God's truth, victory will come. But without faith there is no victory, in fact, without faith it is impossible to please God.
Whoever accepts the provision of God will find deliverance, will find peace, power, love, victory.
God allows us to have our own weaknesses, and God allows other people to provide needed support and help. In the trials of life, we may suffer because of the lack of ability or willingness of another person to help us. There is more victory available than most people experience. Sometimes there is more suffering than people should have to experience because someone else is not reaching out to help the person in need.
None of us can do everything, and none of us can help everyone, but we can all do something for someone.
Someone has said,
“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”
God says, in Galatians 6:10
(10) As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
This includes doing for the church, doing for the ministry, doing for the body, doing for the outreach.
The agenda of the possible does not include everything for everyone. It only calls for the doing the possible. Make sure that you are giving away that which God gave you to give to someone else. In some sense of the word, we are all, "Debtors to all men." Don't simply say, "Be ye warmed and fed." In fact, don't excuse your failure to give of yourself by saying, "I will pray for you."
Quoting God again,
"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."
I cherish the opportunity to spend my time giving the lifesaving truths of the Bible to people. It takes time. Be sure to carry the load God wants you to carry, so that your pastor can do the work God has called him to do.
I am usually very careful not to corrupt my phone or my computers with links. Yesterday (?) I mistakenly thought that I was updating an existing app, but the link carried a virus. I started having problems with my phone, but it went totally berserk very quickly. I could not do anything without several ads popping up and taking over my entire phone. I deleted some apps, which I thought might be the problem, but it only got worse.
I was really bothered by this. I could not communicate, I could not search, I could not study on my phone. I have enough problems with computer issues, which eat up far too much time, therefore I did not need this phone problem to make it worse. In fact, I have often thought about doing away with all internet activities because the problems are so time consuming. However, I hang on and make the sacrifice because I use my internet for teaching and outreach.
But this phone problem almost made me throw in the towel. However, some folks made themselves available (and I greatly appreciate your availability). I took up brother Wade's offer to help me get things back under control. This not only got my communications and ministry back on target, but it also brought me incredible relief (mental, emotional, energy, time). Sometimes it can feel like we are at our wit's end.
I needed help, urgently. I had prayed and ask God to provide, but I also know that God often takes care of our problems through a human instrument. In the meantime, I was deeply concerned about the time it was taking out of my life.
I cannot tell you how relieved I was when the phone returned to normal. I am not exaggerating. I faced the fact that I might have to reset my phone, losing a lot of hard work. I realized it could actually cost me money, which I don't have. I take being a steward of God's blessings very seriously.
Okay, some of you are saying that it was not that big of a deal. I am sure you are right. But it was for me. I needed help, I needed help "now."
As I reflected on my problem and God's provision through a friend, I also thought about other people who face much greater problems and suffer terribly.
I can't do much in life, but I can give answers to most of life's pressing needs. I can tell people how to get past the impassable and how to do the impossible, when the answer is found in Jesus and His word. In fact, I know beyond any shadow of a doubt that if a person takes the Biblical counsel I offer, then they will be delivered from their nightmare, from their torment, from the enemy of their soul. Biblical answers are available for spiritual problems and will always give victory in time of impending loss.
I don't always see Biblical answers solve people's problems, but that is not God's fault or the fault of God's word. It is the fault of the person who refuses to accept God's answer, God's offer, God's directives, God's requirements, God's enablement. Again, if obedient faith is actively aligned with God's truth, victory will come. But without faith there is no victory, in fact, without faith it is impossible to please God.
Whoever accepts the provision of God will find deliverance, will find peace, power, love, victory.
God allows us to have our own weaknesses, and God allows other people to provide needed support and help. In the trials of life, we may suffer because of the lack of ability or willingness of another person to help us. There is more victory available than most people experience. Sometimes there is more suffering than people should have to experience because someone else is not reaching out to help the person in need.
None of us can do everything, and none of us can help everyone, but we can all do something for someone.
Someone has said,
“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”
God says, in Galatians 6:10
(10) As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
This includes doing for the church, doing for the ministry, doing for the body, doing for the outreach.
The agenda of the possible does not include everything for everyone. It only calls for the doing the possible. Make sure that you are giving away that which God gave you to give to someone else. In some sense of the word, we are all, "Debtors to all men." Don't simply say, "Be ye warmed and fed." In fact, don't excuse your failure to give of yourself by saying, "I will pray for you."
Quoting God again,
"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."
I cherish the opportunity to spend my time giving the lifesaving truths of the Bible to people. It takes time. Be sure to carry the load God wants you to carry, so that your pastor can do the work God has called him to do.
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