Well I've been trying to keep it away from my blog but the truth is my family is under great attack. A great fiery trial that I was delivered from earlier this year has seemingly returned to try to take us down a second time. My employment is being attacked. Please be praying, for my faithfulness, and protection and provision for my family. I'm not going to get into details here. Although I admit it was wrong of me not to share that it was happening... seeing as this blog is supposed to be "On My Walk"....
As tough as this situation is the Lord did something that amazes me today. As I was sitting home at lunch feeling weak, wounded, even defeated in a lot of ways, an email came in with the title "Bless you Brother Kevin." What powerful words. The email it's self was short. It was a link to a beautiful picture of Brother Ricky's family and the simple question "How are things in Halifax?" Yes I cried and cried hard. Just this morning the Lord had been impressing on me how He is present. Now here was a Brother, and what's more an Evangelist (we are a singular crowd in case you don't know), asking such a simple question. It was like a touch from God Himself. If that sounds overly emotional, then you're in need of a touch from the Lord yourself.
Over a couple of emails, we exchanged phone numbers and decided to chat tonight. I've emailed Ricky a few times in the past but hadn't really gotten to know him. Turns out we not only have fellowship in Christ but our lives have many close links! I won't get into details because that would be to share my Brother's private thoughts but I was absolutely amazed at our conversation.
Isn't God good at giving you just exactly what you need at just the right moment?
7 comments:
Amen. Yes he is brother.
We are under attack brother. Satan hates us with a passion primarily because we belong to Jesus and also because we love and speak the truth and hold fast to the old rugged cross. Satan hates that. The saints of the most high God are being worn down as the book of Daniel says. I am so glad this blessed touch of the Lord came for you today and the saints can minister to you in this great trial. I understand the hardships you face as I am facing them myself but your situation is unique and God will keep you because you are precious in His sight and redeemed by Him.
I am so glad you shared this with us and I will pray, and so glad that I came by here as well and that you are open with us as it encourages me. I have also read your other posts and comments. I relate to so much of what you have said in so many respects as this blogsiphere seems to have done more to wear down the truth than to uphold it, but I am thankful for your witness. You and other brethren have encouraged me in dark hours as well.
Grace upon grace,
Brian
Hi Kev,
I've been praying for you in this tough situation. I just ask the Lord to watch over you and your family and to provide for you as He promises (Ps. 37:25).
On Sunday our pastor preached a sermon on doubt. John the Baptist was in prison in a very difficult situation, and he doubted (Matt. 11:1-3). What is the cure for doubt? Jesus pointed John to the Word of God (Matt. 11:4-6; cf. Lk. 24:19-27). It reminds me of the song, "the things of earth go strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."
Our pastor also pointed out that John was in prison. John couldn't physically go to Jesus. John had to send His disciples to Jesus. In answer to John's doubts, Christ pointed him back to the Old Testament prophesies He was fulfilling.
Similarly, Jesus isn't physically with us, but we have His Word. And that's what Jesus would point us to anyway. So I would say that although we will have trials like John the Baptist, Jesus has promised that in those trials, He will never leave us nor will He ever forsake us. And we have His Word on it (Heb. 13:5-8)!
Blessings,
JP
Hi Kev,
My friend posted on her blog (Marriage is a 3nity) this entry on 28/10 : Faith in His Shalom in the face of turmoil.
I found great encouragement in it and have taken the liberty of pasting it below. Hope that it encourages you too.
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Perfect love casts off all fear and anxiety- when you know how much Jesus loves you, you will come to be in His Shalom.
The word SHALOM means completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, and the absence of agitation or discord.
Remember that though the financial analysts and doctors paint a bleak picture, that you can choose to focus on what they say or on the promises your Heavenly Dad has made to you -
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."- Jer 29:11
We are in Christ, and as Christ is so are we in THIS world. It is interesting how bible emphasizes that it is talking about THIS world not the Kingdom to come. Healing, Provision is for THIS world. Many people think that the wholeness and peace is for when Christ comes again, but Christ knows our every need.
"The LORD is my shepherd, and I shall not be in want."
We are not in want of money because Jesus is our provision. We are not in want of healing because Jesus is our health.
By the stripes of Jesus, we are healed... the healing is taking place... pray FROM victory k? Remember WHOSE you are. Darkness flees where light is poured forth into. Pour light into this little patch of darkness and watch the enemy take flight seven ways with the illness.
Don't believe for one minute that your problems are God inflicted in anyway, trusting that God's plan is not to harm you. Our God is a God of LIFE and Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. BUT what God can do is take what the enemy means to stumble and harm you guys, and turn it around for even greater triumph and glory in His Son!
Believe in life. Believe in truth. Believe that Christ has cured the illness, and not just through right dieting - but because He already has when He finished His work on the Cross.
This illness or period of struggle, we believe with the Chans, is TEMPORAL and is healed/solved in Christ.
Believe in Christ above all things!!
Ian, Kae and I prayed and believed about Ian's Dad's glaucoma issue of many years, taking communion and speaking God's Word of Truth (not the doctor's word of fact) over his eyes. And the glaucoma cleared up totally - all praise and glory to Jesus!
Let's keep believing and trusting God for all things.
Just look at the original Hebrew for Jer 29:11 -
yada` machashabah chashab n'um Yhovah machashabah shalom ra`nathan tiqvah 'achariyth
What does the "gibberish" above mean? It is Greek... or rather Hebrew... to those of us who grew up reading the Scripture in English. The Chinese would put it this way - cheem OR deep.
To derive the fullest meaning of the phrase... I decided to dig deep for my dearest Chi Chi and her family (this post is actually a rephrasing of my comment on her blog. I felt I had to share here what I found out just half hour or so ago as I read up in the concordance for her too.) So here is what I derived from the fullness of the Hebrew. Take heart in it! =D
Yahweh ascertains by seeing (God can see into our future remember? He sees into our past, our present and future all at once) that His purpose that He has woven and valued for you says the Oracle of Yehovah, the Eternal and self-existent God, and He knows that His purpose for you is that of being in His Shalom (Completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, rest, harmony and the absence of discord or agitation) and not of causing you to dwell in wretchedness, evil (natural or moral), worse-ness, (sorry didn't know how else to phrase it), or wrong-ness. His aim is to give with the greatest latitude the lifeline, the expectancy, the hope that you long for as a reward for today and for posterity.
(this is how long and detailed the Hebrew is as compared to the short line we read in the English translation.)
So praise God! Keep those eyes on JESUS as you walk through the stormy waters of this world. We are in this world but NOT of this world. Amen??
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Shalom
Stanley
The Brethren are lovely.
Thank you all.
Kev
Stanley,
What a great post! I printed it off and read it when I was able.
Kev
Brian, the tenderness of your heart always encourages me.
JP,
Thanks for your faithful prayers Brother.
All Praying,
The Lord has given me rest today. Thank you for your prayers. We know the Lord hears our prayers, but today I can report seeing His answering them.
Kev
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