When God Has a Plan For You, Nothing Can Stand Against It!

Good morning from Thomaston, Georgia. No rain this weekend and temperatures in the 90's. I am on call so have to stick around the house. Kai's birthday is coming up on the 31st. Can't believe this little man is 6 years old. I can still remember burping him, his first steps, his sleeping in my arm pit which was his favorite place to sleep. If you are blessed you get to see time marching on. Waine and I closed on our second building for ZOe-Barnesville on July 24th. God's blessings are chasing us down!

I am continuing my journey in Acts 27 verses 1-44 "When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment. We boarded a ship from Adramyttium about to sail for ports along the coast of the province of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us. The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs. From there we put out to sea again and passed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against us. When we had sailed across the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia. There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board. We made slow headway for many days and had difficulty arriving off Cnidus. When the wind did not allow us to hold our course, we sailed to the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone. We moved along the coast with difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea. Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Day of Atonement.So Paul warned them, “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest. 

When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure, so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along. We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved. After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.” 

On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet deep. Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away. Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. Altogether there were 276 of us on board. When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea. When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach. But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf. The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely. Amen and may God add a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.

I had never read this chapter or account before. I have never heard anyone preach about it either. What struck me is 1) Paul's faith and 2) God use of circumstances to lead other to Him. We just need to get out of the way. God wanted Paul to stand before Caesar and in this way give Paul a wider audience to whom the Gospel could be preached. Remember Caesar was the ruler of most of the free world at that time. There were many ways God could have done this, however He always works through people and the context of their lives. Christianity was so new--following the Inner Voice of the Holy Spirit was a concept that had hitherto not been experienced by the people Paul was preaching to. The Jews only new the power of keeping the law and the Gentiles had their pagan practices. The Power of God through Christ was a belief system that was in its infancy and God was going to work through Paul and his circumstances to spread the Gospel.

God does have themes for His faithful. The "ram in the bush" is ever present. He protects His chosen from calamity by providing natural circumstances of assistance. When Abraham was going to sacrifice Issac, God provided him a ram caught in the bush. When the soldiers were going to kill Paul, God provided the Centurion who said no. When you are in God's Will, like Paul, relax and eat. You don't have to worry. The storms will come, the waves of life circumstances will come, your "ship" may run aground, but there will always be daylight if you keep your faith. Its during these times that our faith is tested and God will never forget you or forsake you. Waine and I are living examples of surviving the storms and waves of life, to experience the Favor of God. He wants to bless all of us through our faithfulness and through our faith! We started ZOe with 12 patients on our first day and we closed this week having served 527! God's blessings are chasing us down. We now are able to provide employment for 26 families! Who would have thought that on our 1st day. God's love is so Powerful and overwhelming. Hallelujah!

To know Him is to love Him. To love Him is to serve Him. To serve Him is to love you. Now may the Lord bless you and keep you. May  the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

Stephanie



How Long Does It Take to Become A Christian?

Good morning to all on this wonderful Sunday morning. Waine celebrated his birthday on Friday. I actually think we have been celebrating all weekend. My birthday was last weekend and Freddie, Kai and Hailie came down to celebrate with me. Many things have happened since my last blog entry. We were able to purchase the building that our Thomaston practice is in. Aleron completed the purchase of the Atlanta house and our offer for the property to move the Barnesville practice to, was accepted. I think we are scheduled to close in a couple of weeks. Thank you all for your prayers for us. Continue to send them our way. God is a Good God and continues to bless us and you.

I am continuing my journey in Acts, chapter 26 verses 1-32 " Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense: “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently. The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead? I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.  And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.  Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.  On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.  I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ 

So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.  First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to His own people and to the Gentiles. At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.” “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable.  The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.” Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” Amen and may God a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.

God always brings Good out of the evil intent of men! The Pharisees and Sadducees that wanted Paul dead actually ending up spreading the Gospel of Truth to even a larger group of people, even the Jewish King. King Agrippa's question, "Do you think in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" says it all. The King had been listening to Paul and was being convicted by the Holy Spirit--I am sure the king had heard of all the converts that were accepting Christ as Savior and was not ignorant to Paul or his ministry. However, when the king was confronted with the challenge to turn from his own sin and turn to God, he could not humble himself to accept Christ as Lord. The King's question shows you the mind-set of the Jews. Since they were caught up in the Mosaic Laws, where they were commanded to live in a certain way by obeying laws, the king couldn't imagine that salvation was so easy. That's the key to salvation. It is free and easy! The hardest part is the FIRST step of faith when you humble yourself before the Cross of Jesus and then accept His forgiveness for your sins. Once you do that the Holy Spirit dwells in you and begins the work of transformation that allows others to see The Light--The Candle of faith. Our job at that point is just to let the Light Shine.

It is just that easy and for many just that hard. They can't imagine that they are not in control of their own destinies. They can't imagine that it only takes, faith the size of a mustard seed to move mountains. This life for Christ is not hard at all--as I grow in my own faith the hardest challenge is just to leave my cares and burdens with Him and get out of the way. When problems come, I don't have to waste time trying to fix them. I only need to 1) take them to Jesus (the act of faith), 2) believe that Jesus will take care of my problems, 3) live as if my prayers have been answered, and 4) not take back the problem from the feet of Jesus when I think He is taking too long.  God's plans are not based on us--His plans will go forward despite of us--His desire is for us to be part of the process through our faith. That is all we have to bring to the table--our Faith. It allows God then to work miracles in us and through us.

When God put it is our hearts to establish ZOe, there was no earthly way to be successful. This meant that Waine and I had to rely on the promises of God DAILY. We had to pray for patients, we had to pray over staff, we had to pray for income to meet the obligations of the practice. We had to pray over every aspect of the practice, Hallelujah! Even as I write this blog entry, I was bothered by a couple things concerning the practice and this profession of my faith brought clear thinking to me. When I finish with this entry I am going on my knees and leave these items at the foot of the Cross of Jesus and will trust that God will bring us through. Even though ZOe is up and running, He wants me to trust Him with the small and the large decisions that are made. ZOe continues to be God's BLESSING to me and my family. ZOe started as a thought and a prayer and continues to humble me. God isn't finished with me yet. He continues to do great thing for me and through me. Yes it is just that easy to be a Christian and easier yet to be the son or daughter that God intended when we humble ourselves at the Throne of Grace daily.

To know Him is to love Him. To love Him is to serve Him. To serve Him is to love you. Now may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

Stephanie

What is Everyone So Afraid Of?

Good morning to all on this Tuesday morning July 8, 2014. My mother, Hisako, was born on this day in 1923. She would have been 91 today but was called home many years ago. I have very fond memories of my mother which is how she lives on. She lives on in the lives of her children and grand children which is the measure of our worth as mothers. Waine and I were attending the funeral of his 1st cousin Carlin in Dallas over the weekend. She died very suddenly on June 25, 2014. She awoke like she did every day, went on the treadmill and then died. She at the moment saw and crossed the River Jordan like all of us will. 100% of us will have that moment and when we do, we should all be sure that our crossing will be with Jesus, the Lamb whose blood buys us safe passage. Death is a very sure thing as is life with God through Christ. We have to choose wisely while we have the chance.

I am continuing my journey in Acts 25, verses 1-27 "Three days after arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem, where the chief priests and the Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul. They requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way. Festus answered, “Paul is being held at Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon. Let some of your leaders come with me, and if the man has done anything wrong, they can press charges against him there.” After spending eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he convened the court and ordered that Paul be brought before him. When Paul came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They brought many serious charges against him, but they could not prove them. Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.” Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?” Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!” After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!” 

A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner. When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned. “I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges. When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in.  When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges. But when Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.” Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.” He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.” 

The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high-ranking military officers and the prominent men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. Festus said: “King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man! The whole Jewish community has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. I found he had done nothing deserving of death, but because he made his appeal to the Emperor I decided to send him to Rome.  But I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of this investigation I may have something to write. For I think it is unreasonable to send a prisoner on to Rome without specifying the charges against him.” Amen and may the Lord add a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.

At first I wasn't going to post this chapter because "it was just a story" of Paul's imprisonment. I got to thinking then why is it in the Bible. Why did God chose to include this chapter so that I could read it on July 8, 2014. Paul is JUST DOING HIS JOB--He is preaching the Good News that Christ lived, He died and then ......................He lived again. The Jews were so angry with him (Paul) they sought to kill him over this simple message. Paul represented the mirror through which the Jews and now the Romans would have to see themselves. The Jews in their haste to kill Paul made it possible for the Roman High Court and command to hear the gospel of Christ. Without meaning to, the Jews were helping Paul spread the Gospel. Hallelujah! When the scriptures tell us that God brings Good out of everything, even evil intent, you should remember this chapter in the Acts of the New Testament. When you are falsely accused for God's sake, you don't have to fear because your faithfulness will withstand all the fiery darts of the devil. when you feel besieged by what people may say or do, take heart for the Good Work that God has begun in you and through you, will come to completion. No one said our journey would be easy; in fact if they persecuted Jesus who knew no sin, we should count it joy that we are presecuted when we in faith, exercise our faith. Hallelujah. This chapter has given me lot's of perspective. The victory in this life has nothing to do with out effort--just our faith. Words are powerful and the profession of our faith though Words is the most powerful. That is what satan is afraid of. He puts obstacles and threats in our way so that we will be quiet--at those moments we need to shout louder that Jesus is Christ. Christ is the Redeemer and the Redeemer liveth so that all can come to God through Him. Jesus is the Way Maker.

No matter where you find yourself today, do not be afraid. The same God that delivered Paul will deliver you. God loves all of us the same. He loves us with Passion and Compassion. He withholds nothing from us. We block our blessings through sin and un-belief. The simple and yet hardest thing is just to believe. What are you afraid of? What are you holding on to? Let it go and trust the Hand of God to lead you.

To know Him is to love Him. To Love Him is to serve Him. To serve Him is to love you. Now may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

Stephanie