For Such A Time As This...

Recently, we went to the capital for a Dr.'s visit and caught up with some friends who were also in the area. They briefly mentioned that our other friends had applied for their new baby's visa and only received an 'exit stamp', which meant they had 31 days to leave the country and they (well, the baby) couldn't come back unless they got approved for a new visa. We didn't discuss this much at all with them, it was mentioned and then we went on to chatting about other things, but the Lord used that simple comment to GREATLY stir up our hearts about how we use the time we've been given in this INCREDIBLE country. 

We believe He was reminding us to focus our eyes on the things He is doing and to devote ourselves to 'being about our Father's business' for however long He has us here. First, He reminded us of WHO we are:

"You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth and called from its farthest regions and said to you, You are MY SERVANT, I have chosen you and have not cast you away." -Isaiah 41:9

"You are MY WITNESSES says the Lord and MY SERVANT, whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the Lord, and BESIDES ME, THERE IS NO SAVIOR." -Isaiah 43:10 & 11 

"If One died for all, then all died; and HE DIED FOR ALL, THAT THOSE WHO LIVE SHOULD LIVE NO LONGER FOR THEMSELVES, BUT FOR HIM WHO DIED FOR THEM AND ROSE AGAIN." -2 Corinthians 5:14 & 15

Then, we were reminded of WHY He chose us:

"I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, Those who sit in darkness from the prison house. I am the Lord, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images." 

-Isaiah 42:6-9

Looking ahead, as we'll have our baby in January (Lord Willing), we could face the same predicament as our friends. We know that He is sovereign and in control of ALL things (including visas). However, we couldn't help but ask ourselves a few tough questions after that conversation with our friends. Some included:

-What if our baby doesn't get a visa? 

-What if we have only 31 days after s/he is born to leave the country and not come back? 

-Would the way we've spent our time here be pleasing to Him? 

-Did we spend real, quiet time in His presence and prayer?

-Did we listen/ask for how He wanted us to use our time? 

-Did we obey the things His Spirit prompted us to do? 

-Was our focus on the things that were seen or unseen?

We know we will ALL one day give an account of EVERY aspect of our life (1 Corinthians 3:12-15), so we were really challenged and encouraged to make the MOST of every opportunity given, WHEREVER we are. We wanted to encourage you with the verses below and join us in asking Him to show us if we're making the most of ALL that we've been given (time, talents, treasures, influence, etc.) Our time on this earth is short. Seasons of our life are even shorter. Are we abiding in Him and doing our part to share His Kingdom? I pray we are! Each of us are in the places we are by His appointment (Acts 17:26). And who knows if we have been put in our place for SUCH A TIME AS THIS! 

"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, REDEEMING THE TIME, because the days are evil." 

-Ephesians 5:15 & 16

"Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. YET WHO KNOWS IF YOU HAVE COME TO THE KINGDOM FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS?" -Esther 4:13 & 14

"'In an acceptable time I have heard you and in the day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, NOW is the accepted time, TODAY is the day of salvation." -2 Corinthians 6:2

"PREACH THE WORD! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching." -2 Timothy 4:2

 

"For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the POWER OF GOD TO SALVATION for EVERYONE who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." -Romans 1:16

"Be kindly affectionate to one another; not lagging in diligence,FERVENT IN SPIRIT, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality" 

-Romans 12:11-13.

A God Who Acts for His People

A week or so ago, I (L) wasn't feeling good at all. My throat & head was hurting, I was really tired and I just needed to rest. I felt like Father was saying to take that day to just rest in Him; worship Him, pray, read and BE STILL before Him. However, there were a few ladies in our community that I had REALLY been wanting to meet with, but because of different events, this day happened to be my first real 'opportunity'. After battling back and forth in my mind, whether to actually rest or to go out and try to meet these ladies, I decided it'd be better for my health (and spirit!) to stay in for the day.

Z continued on with his regular schedule of language class in the afternoon, while I laid down in our bedroom, still not feeling good. I specifically prayed for each of the ladies that I had so badly wanted to meet (and was beating myself up a bit because I wasn't out there GOing to meet them). That lasted for about an hour or so, when a knock at our door interrupted Z's language practice. It was one of the ladies that I had been praying for and wanting to meet! She said she was visiting in our area and couldn't stay long (which is SUPER UNcommon for our people, who usually visit for hours!) She was literally in our house just long enough to say hello and exchange phone numbers so we could meet again. SUCH AN ANSWER TO PRAYER!!!!

After that, I was so excited and just rejoicing and thanking Father for His goodness to hear us when we called to Him and to answer in His time. I also prayed more fervently and expectantly for the other lady I'd been wanting to meet. As I did, I recalled many of His promises to us, some of which I've shared below for our encouragement.

Isaiah 64:4- "Since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen any God besides You, WHO ACTS ON BEHALF OF THE ONE WHO WAITS FOR HIM."

Psalm 62:1- "Truly my soul silently waits for God. FROM HIM COMES MY SALVATION... My soul WAIT SILENTLY FOR GOD ALONE, FOR MY EXPECTATION IS FROM HIM... Trust in Him at all times you people, pour out your heart before Him; GOD is a refuge for us. 

2 Chronicles 16:9- "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, TO SHOW HIMSELF STRONG on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him."

Proverbs 20:3- "It is honorable for a man (or woman) to STOP STRIVING.

Psalm 46:10- BE STILL and KNOW THAT I AM GOD. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. 

Psalm 37- "Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord and He  shall give you the desires of your heart... REST IN THE LORD AND WAIT PATIENTLY FOR HIM." 

After Z finished language class, I was feeling a little bit better and decided to go outside to get some fresh air. As soon as I did, a girl who lives on our street literally grabbed me by the hand and said "Come with me, I want you to meet this little boy's mom". The little boy's mom happened to be the second lady I had been praying for the opportunity to meet. HE IS SO FAITHFUL!!!! I was really reminded of how He can bless our simple obedience abundantly and can accomplish WAY MORE on our behalf than we could ever ask, think, imagine, or strive for, even as we simply "rest" in His presence. What an incredible, faithful God we serve!