7 Days and a miracle - 7 Days to go

Monday – 7 Days to go

Today marks exactly 7 days away from when I should be leaving for the Generation of Youth for Christ (GYC) conference, in Houston Texas. I just got back from a mission project  in Venda to assist with a part of the mission training and it has been a blessing. Right now, within the next few days, I’m really praying on God to do what He does best:  perform a miracle.

As things currently sit, I’ve really seen the hand of God in leading me to this point. So far, the registration for the conference has been covered, I’ve arranged the accommodation and I received my approved Visa today. I take these as signs of God’s providence and faithfulness  in leading to this point; and He who has began the good work will be faithful to complete it.

I almost can’t believe that this is actually all happening, especially noting that I didn’t know where and how I would arrange some of the things: ie travel funds, visa etc. I've wanted to be at GYC for just over 5 years. Last year I was really eager to go, but I didn’t really take the matter to God; this year I thought to try Him with His promises, that if we “delight [ourselves] in the LORD… He shall give [us] the desires of [our] hearts.” Ps. 37:4

As things stand at present, I’ve raised about a quarter of the funds needed for the plane ticket. I’m still waiting on a couple of promises from a few individuals regarding what’s remaining but my dependence right now is on God. My effort to raise the means through some of my own methods hasn’t proven successful and I believe that is because the dependence in those has been mostly on myself, not on God. I’m encouraged, though, by the assurances that “the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof” (Ps 24:1). If God wants me at GYC, He will get me there.

With all the developments so far, I do not doubt that God has something planned for me; so I choose not to worry:

“Worry is blind, and cannot discern the future; but Jesus sees the end from the beginning. In every difficulty He has His way prepared to bring relief. Our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us, of which we know nothing. Those who accept the one principle of making the service and honor of God supreme will find perplexities vanish, and a plain path before their feet.” Desire of Ages p.330

I look forward to seeing what plan God has in store. “In every difficulty,” even in this one, “He has a way prepared to bring relief.”

7 Days and a miracle - 6 Days to go

Tuesday – 6 Days to go

“Your shoes are already wet, as though you are oblivious of the raging Jordan.” These words served as a surprising encouragement as I was having a conversation today with a pastor friend of mine. He was asking how the arrangements are going in this final week of preparations for GYC and I let him know of how everything was pretty much covered, besides the one critical item of the plane ticket. His words were a response to me expressing the confidence that “nothing is too hard for God.” (Jer. 32:17)

I’m exactly 6 days away from when I should be flying to the USA and I’m still praying on a miracle for the plane ticket.

The beauty (and sometimes the burden) of trusting in God is that our dependence on Him is based more on who He is as a faithful and providing God, and not at all on how the current circumstances appear to be looking. In the “raging Jordan” incident that my friend refers to, the nation of Israel were on their way to the land that God had promised to give them. They were a small and feeble nation without any real resources to defend themselves; them making it to the Promised Land, especially by crossing the Jordan, seemed pretty impossible.

On the event that they were meant to cross the river Jordan, God instructed the priests--who were at the forefront of the nation--to set the soles of their feet into the river before it would split (Joshua 3:13). Unlike the parting of the Red sea, which took place roughly 40 years before (Exodus 14), this experienced required a serious level of faith on the part of the Israelites. Under the leadership of Moses, they had seen God part the Red sea. Now they had to trust that God could do the same thing again, under Joshua’s leadership. Them being commanded to set their feet into the Jordan, before it parted, would have been their expression of faith in the promise that God would make the waters separate.

As with the Israelites at the Jordan River, I too am at a point where I am to move based on a steady confidence in God’s ability. The circumstances at hand seem somewhat adverse, but I have seen enough of God’s leadings throughout this whole year (2016) to have me confident that He can part the few minor barriers I currently face.

A statement that’s keeping me going:

“Let nothing hinder you. Fate has not woven its meshes about any human being so firmly that he need remain helpless and in uncertainty. Opposing circumstances should create a firm determination to overcome them. The breaking down of one barrier will give greater ability and courage to go forward. Press with determination in the right direction, and circumstances will be your helpers, not your hindrances.” Christ’s Object Lessons p.331

There hasn’t been much evident progress since yesterday, at least not as I see things, but God is still to make a way. I spent much of today working on sourcing the remaining funds for the flight and I’m still positive that things will unfold as the week progresses. I know that Jesus is concerned with all that one goes through and that the current circumstances, regardless of how they may appear, are not an indicator of what God has in mind. 

7 Days and a miracle - 5 Days to go

Wednesday – 5 Days to go

Earlier today, I got off the phone with a brother/friend of mine who I hoped would be able to help a great deal in covering the flight ticket for GYC... unfortunately things on his side didn’t pan out quite as I thought. I can’t say I’m not disappointed, but I’m encouraged by the reminder that:

“We need to have far less confidence in what man can do and far more confidence in what God can do for every believing soul. He longs to have you reach after Him by faith. He longs to have you expect great things from Him.” Christ Object Lessons p.146

I am not upset at the disappointment; if anything, it is a reminder of the responsibility of trusting in God first, and not in hunanity. “Blessed is the man that trusts in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.” (Jer. 17:7)

Not long after the call, I received a text notification of another major deposit that came in towards the project… The timing was really perfect, especially in lightening the disappointment from the call. I believe that things like that are the reminders of God’s leading to remind me that He is still in control and that He is not moved. As encouraging as the sms notification was, I’m still less than halfway from being able to get the return flight ticket-- I'm still in need of a miracle.

I may not be able to say exactly how at the moment, but I know that God will make a way, even where there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see and He will make a way for me... [Those are actually the lyrics of a song ;)]

A statement comes to mind as I review the current circumstances:

“Take the word of Christ as your assurance. Has He not invited you to come unto Him? Never allow yourself to talk in a hopeless, discouraged way. If you do you will lose much. By looking at appearances and complaining when difficulties and pressure come, you give evidence of a sickly, enfeebled faith. Talk and act as if your faith was invincible. The Lord is rich in resources; He owns the world. Look heavenward in faith. Look to Him who has light and power and efficiency.”  Christ Object Lessons p.146

The beauty of having these statements ready, off hand, is that they really are a source of serious strength and encouragement. Faith comes by the word of God. 5 Days left...

7 Days and a miracle - 4 Days to go

Thursday – 4 Days to go

4 days until I need to leave for GYC and today has not been a great day. I received some unpleasant news this morning about the loss of a family member and the timing couldn’t have been worse. I won’t go into much detail to keep to the matter at hand and the sake of those affected…

In the midst of the sad news, I am still yet to book the flight ticket for the conference. I spent most of the day running errands in response to the news received and still trying to make sense of the occurrence. The decision to even still go to the conference is not easy.

Looking at the occurence, and the fact that some things still need to come together in a few short days before the conference, one may easily take these circumstances as indicators to abort the current plans. A major push to go, though, is the fact that some of the crucial things have already been booked and paid for. Some very kind individuals have already contributed a significant amount towards some of the major expenses, though I’m still far from making the whole amount. Deciding to not go to the conference at this point would mean a loss of what has been covered already, and I’m also not too happy with doing that in view of how God has led thus far.

With all that being said, I believe that if God wants me there, He will still make a way. If it’s His will, He needs to fit the bill; and I believe that He is able to do that...within the next 4 days.

7 Days and a miralce - 3 Days to go

Friday – 3 Days to go

The other day I was having a conversation with my mother about the things that still need to be covered for the GYC trip and she said something that I hadn’t quite noticed: “Even though these things are still outstanding, you seem so calm about it…” The calmness has not been without nervousness, I’ve just learnt the joy of taking things to God in prayer:

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all that He has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

This is really the greatest thing to keep me stable.

Earlier today, I received a few contributions from a few more kind friends which have brought the funds to a point where was able to get the flight ticket to go, but I would have to find a way to raise what was needed for the return ticket. I was not worried though, the fact that I was at that point was an evidence of God’s faithfulness so far. As noted earlier in the week: He is able to complete what He has started…

I’m still planning to leave on Monday (3 days from now) and where I am going is a bit cold; so today I have been washing a preparing my winter gear (scarf, gloves etc) for that. When I was doing this, I still wasn’t sure how we would raise the funds for the return ticket. Noting the time, at this point I was ready to book the departure ticket and see how God provides what was needed for the return.

During the day, I received a call for a last minute request to preach tomorrow (Sabbath). I was a bit hesitant to accept it. I didn’t feel as though I was in the best head space following the news received yesterday. After a bit of time praying and reflecting over it, though, I eventually agreed to do so.

Later in the day, while working on some other preparations for the conference, I received a call from someone whom I had informed about the conference plans. He was calling to let me know of the contribution he was willing to make and, by God’s grace, that amount was more than what was needed to cover the return flight costs. God had performed a miracle. I had prayed, planned and acted, in the hope that I would be booking the flight tickets today; and because God is faithful, all the funds came through in the right time!

Tomorrow, for the preaching assignment, I plan to speak on the subject of Biblical faith. This has been my experience this week, and it’s what is on my heart. When I was sharing the day’s experience with a big sister of mine, she was touched by the reminder that if God is able to perform these kinds of miracles (flight ticket and every other thing I needed for the conference), it should also give us hope in His ability to deal with sin in our lives. If anything, today has been a blessing in that regard.

Things are somewhat bitter sweet in light of some of the painful things that have happened in the week, but in all, God still remains faithful. I plan to make the booking for the flight ticket after church tomorrow. 

7 Days and a miracle - 2 Days to go

Sabbath – 2 Days to go

Today has been a comforting day. By God’s grace I managed to preach and I believe the subject of faith was a very timely one. During the sermon, I was impressed to share a bit about what God has personally done for me, with one major point being the developments in this week. I believe that part of why God pulled through when He did was so that I could be able to share the testimony in the sermon. The concepts of scripture are powerful when they are realised in the everyday life of an ordinary person.

Following the sermon, I had a brief conversation with an elder of mine who let me know of some family he has living close to where the conference will be. He shared the idea of me possibly extending my stay in the USA; and that they would happily host me.

Looking back, I believe it was quite providential that things panned out as they did. I was planning to book the ticket yesterday, but due to how late in the day the final things came in, I planned to do all that tonight. Had I booked the ticket yesterday, the idea of extending the stay wouldn’t be possible because the return flight would have been confirmed; the delay offered me a chance to extend my stay.

I’m not sure what the trip has in store for me, but I have learnt that “a man’s heart devises his way: but the Lord directs his steps.” (Ps. 16:9) I am confident that the Lord has greater plans in store than what I may have anticipated and as long as one is faithful, God will continue to take care of us.

At the moment, I have booked the flight ticket for departure. (God is good!) I’m planning to stay for the week after the conference following confirmations with my kind elder’s family. Things are falling into place and it has all been God’s doing, He provided for me through one of His thousand ways.

With all His goodness thus far, in times of pain and in times of joy, the least one can do is to be faithful and obedient to God as a sign of gratitude for His faithfulness towards us.

“Praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with goodness.“ Psalm 107:8-9

7 Days and a miracle - 1 Day to go

-- No post for this day -- 

7 Days and a miracle - Going to GYC!

Going!

Right now I’m on the plane, on the way to GYC, and that is because of how God has led..

Exactly a week ago, I didn't know exactly how this would happen, but I firmly held on to the promise that “our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide of which we know nothing.” I knew that God would be able to perform a miracle and He has proved Himself faithful once again.

All that has led to this point makes me believe, without a doubt, that God has a plan in mind with the conference. I have a few personal  things that I’m praying for in relation to the conference, mainly dealing with direction in the near and far-ahead future. Earlier this year I attended a similar conference in Zambia and the experience was quite alike: miraculous circumstances surrounding how I made it to the conference, together with a handful of specific prayer items which were all clearly answered by the time the conference ended. I’m looking forward to seeing what God has in store for me there, as well as what I can take away to be of benefit to ministry personally, and back home. 

There are two major lessons I draw from the experience. The first is a reminder of God's power, and how He works through such experiences to give us confidence in His power to deliver from sin. 

This was the lesson Jesus taught when He healed a paralytic man. When performing the miracle of healing, Christ spoke these words:

“But that you  may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, (He said to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto you, Arise, and take up your bed, and go your way into your house.“ Mark 2:12

When Jesus healed the man, He also wanted to impress him, and those around him, with the truth if His power to save from sin. The miracle He performed was to be a reminder of that fact. In sharing this personal experience, it is a testimony to God's power, and how we can get to experience it when we have faith in His promises. 

The second lesson draws from something Christ said to His disciples during an interaction with a Roman Centurion. When the Gentile Centurion came to Jesus for a favour,  his confidence in Jesus' power to help him made Jesus say these words:

“Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” Matthew 8:10

Jesus marveled to see a non-Jew having more faith than all the Jews He had ever met before. This thought brought to mind the point of the little faith that exists, even among those who profess to be believers. I experienced this around me when I would share with others about my prayer for going to the conference. Granted, it was a relatively ambitious project, but there's nothing too hard for God. 

Something I've found to be the case is how easy it is to cover unbelief through statements such as "let's be practical" or "let's be realistic." While those are good, sometimes trusting God means doing so when the circumstances seem hopeless. This was Abraham's faith, and it must be ours also.

This experience is a reminder that God can do above all that we ask and imagine, and we may trust Him enough to put Him to the test. In these 7days, God has performed another miracle for me; and while this may seem like something big in my eyes, it is only a drop in the ocean of what God can do for all who out their trust in Him. Note Jesus' promises:

"Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 9:23

"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Mark 11:24