Yet to be Given a Home

A 15-year-old orphan boy desperate for a home exposed the heartbreaking state of adoption in the United States recently when he swallowed his fear and stood before a packed church and begged anyone to adopt him but someone is yet to give him a home.--LEONARDO BLAIR 

The weight of mountains sits on my heart.  Conviction grips me as I realize the state of the church--and of myself.  Jesus asked, "Which of these...proved to be a neighbor?"  I keep rereading this article--a young man yearning for love, reaches out to God's people.  He receives hugs.  He receives encouragement.  But in a church of over 300, "someone is yet to give him a home."

"Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?  And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked and clothe You?"

"Truly I say to you to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me."

It is easy to hug, encourage and even to write a check.  And maybe God isn't calling anyone in that church,  to take in a young man such as this. But if He was, can we hear Him? Are we even listening?  Or are we tuned out, worried about our own self, our spaces, our jobs, our time, or anything else that drowns out God calling us?  Are we convinced we are not in the right place, right time, right circumstances?

God told Noah to build an ark in the desert--not seeming to be the right place, time, or circumstances.  But we know the story.  What if Noah said he would build it once he finished the addition on his house, and his wife was done with school and he had adequate savings?

I weep for this young man.  I weep for the state of the Church of today.   And I weep as I realize that I too am guilty of gladly serving from a comfortable distance, while being too busy for the involvement Christ is talking about. God forgive me!  Lord, I pray I hear You above the "noise" of this life, see those you wish for me to serve and be willing to overlook my perceptions of the right place, time, and circumstances, and answer when You call!

I pray Davion's prayer is answered.

Waiting

"I will lift up my soul to you, LORD.

2I trust in you, my God,

do not let me be ashamed;

do not let my enemies triumph over me.

3Indeed, no one who waits on you will be ashamed,

but those who offend for no reason will be put to shame.

4Cause me to understand your ways, LORD;

teach me your paths.

5Guide me in your truth and teach me;

for you are the God who delivers me.

All day long I have waited for you.

6Remember, LORD, your tender mercies and your gracious love;

               indeed, they are eternal!" 

There is so much going on these days that I find it extra comforting that God is in control.  As I wrestle in prayer and petition the Lord over certain things, I have to keep reminding myself that the Lord's timing is always perfect...and its never mine.  So, I will wait on the Lord, because I trust Him.  As I wait, I pray He will teach me and guide me.  I know the Lord will provide.  His mercies and love are forever.

Make the Best Use of My Time

So, then, be careful how you live. Do not be unwise but wise, making the best use of your time because the times are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. -Eph 5:15-17

With so much to do it seems impossible to make the best use of your time.  My down time, like tv, surfing the internet, video games, etc. can take up an awful lot of time without our realizing it.  I'm not saying some down time isn't necessary.  But I always need to ask myself, am I spending more time goofing off than I am on focusing on the Lord?  One look at the headlines, and it reads like something contrived decades ago-so sensational it makes no sense.  But the days are evil.  And now, more than ever, it is so important to focus on things of the Lord.  If I want to know the Lord's will, I mustn't be foolish.

Here's to Stepping Out.

"Sometime our lack of faith is uncovered by a delayed answer.  God keeps us waiting, and our faith, which ought to be strengthened by this testing, begins to fade and wither.  Either we give up praying all together or we pray on without any real confidence.  At other times we continue steadfastly in prayer, despite the waiting time, until something happens which seems to knock the bottom out of our hopes.  Casting away our confidence, we conclude too readily that we must have been mistaken, and so the debris of another unanswered prayer is swept into the rubbish bin of 'Couldn't have been the will of God'.  This is not God's way."--Arthur Wallis

Over the years I have had regular prayers for certain people and have seen nothing happening but the worsening of situations.  Recently I have had some fervent prayers that seem to fall flat, going nowhere.  In reading "Pray in the Spirit" by Arthur Wallis, I am encouraged once again.  Having faith is easy, keeping faith is hard.  Faith can vacillate with our circumstances due to our human nature.  It is only through the Spirit that we can obtain victory.  I will continue in my repeated prayers knowing that God hears, and that I must not only have faith, but believe.  I have faith that rope bridge over the deep chasm will hold me.  But do I believe enough to take the first trek across?  Here's to stepping out.