Choice

The upside of living alone is that I have lots ot time to think.  The downside of living alone is that I have lots of time to think. Making the decision not to lean to my own understanding is a choice I must make every moment of every day. As I watched the Republican candidates I saw displays of righteous anger and some display of UNrighteous anger. Some years ago one of those was among a select few who were invited to dinner in New York with Billy Graham. There in the short time it took to dine he was graciously offered the Way of salvation. From his attitude it seems that "the deceitfulness of riches and the desire for other things choked the Word and it became unfruitful." A friend and I prayed just before the debates: "Oh, dear Lord, let the redeemed of the Lord say so!" . ...and some did! Praise Him for their courage not to deny Him.

My mind goes back to the late 60's and 70's when the Jesus Movement was in full swing across this nation. People of all ages were coming to Christ in our little city of Bakersfield. Many were pouring into our church to be fed the Word of God. The head of one of the most militant right-wing movements, by his own admission not a Christian showed up at our church to see what was going on. Ted challenged him to read the Book of John and report back if he discovered Who Jesus Christ was and is. He opted instead to start at the beginning, reading Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. ...then invited Ted to lunch and announced:  "I've been your blood brother now for several weeks!" We rejoiced!  He put a great deal of pressure upon my husband to preach political messages, but my husband did not let anyone trump the Holy Spirit's leading about what he would teach. He and his wife brought with them many others from their patriotic organization and we welcomed them. One Sunday morning this leader angrily confronted Ted as soon as my husband walked off the platform. Pointing to the cover of a popular magazine with a picture of Billy Graham at lunch with the president of our country at that time he shouted: "How can you believe that Billy Graham is a Christian? Look who he's with!"

God knows how many emotional stamps He has allocated to each of us. When we ask Him, He gives us wisdom about how to spend them. Be angry and sin not. UNrighteous anger siphons off 'way too  much energy.

When I was twenty years old I was invited to have lunch with Billy Graham in Chicago, Illinois. In one short hour he offered to me a cup of cold water and I received it.  Jesus was with the Samaritan woman for an hour or so before the boys came back from lunch in town.  News of the miraculous transformation in her life spread throughout the city. Never underestimate the eternal effects of an hour spent with a thirsty person.

We do not know what our future as Americans holds, but we know Who holds our future. Will the gates of hell prevail against His church? No, of course not.  At the risk of their lives. in many places in our world millions of Christians secretly meet. As you are reading this some are being tortured and beheaded because they will not deny Christ.

"Consider it all joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." 

...a couple of Ted'isms: "I doubt if sheep need a shepherd if they're going to hang around the barn." One more: "God knows when the last one, before He comes to fetch us will come to Christ. At that exact second, He will say: 'I'm wrappin' it up and bringing you Home!' "  As always, when I write or speak Ted's words the tears slide down my cheeks.

This hymn brings us such encouragement.

               HE GIVETH MORE GRACE

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater;
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase.
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father's full giving is only begun.

His love knows no limit;  His grace knows no measure.
His power has no boundary known unto men.
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

Love,  Jo