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