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Proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ |
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January 2007 Newsletter |
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Rev. James and Jody Lewis
Happy New Year 2007!
If you would like to participate with Faithful Christians all around the world by joining together, Hand in Hand to help publish the Gospel message, You may contact us here at Word of Life.
We are looking forward to what the Lord is going to do in this new year! James and Jody Lewis |
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St Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye
desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have
them. This story is taken from an old devotional book called, "Streams in the Desert", compiled by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, that has really been a blessing to me from time to time. I thought I would share this devotional with all of you. I pray it speaks words of encouragement to you in your times of believing God for the things you desire.
When my little son was about ten years of age, his grandmother promised him a stamp album for Christmas. Christmas came, but no stamp album, and no word from grandmother. The matter, however, was not mentioned; but when his playmates came to see his Christmas present, I was astonished, after he had named over this and that as gifts received, to hear him add, "And a stamp album from grandmother." I had heard it several times, when I called him to me, and said, "But
Georgie, you did not get an album from your grandmother. Why do you
say so?" There was a wondering look on his face, as if he thought it
strange that I should ask such a question, and he replied, "Well mamma,
grandma said, so it is the same as." I could not say a
word to check his faith. A month went by, and nothing was heard from the album. Finally, one day, I said, to test his faith, and really wondering in my heart why the album had not been sent, "Well, Georgie, I think grandma has forgotten her promise." "Oh no, mamma," he quickly and firmly said, "she hasn't." I watch the dear, trusting face, which, for a while, looked very sober, as if debating the possibilities I had suggested. Finally a bright light passed over it, and he said, "Mamma, do you think it would do any good if I should write to her thanking her for the album?" "I do not know," I said, "but you might try it." A rich spiritual truth began to dawn upon me. In a few minutes a letter was prepared and committed to the mail, and he went off whistling his confidence in his grandma. In just a short time a letter came, saying: "My dear Georgie: I have not forgotten my promise to you, of an album. I tried to get such a book as you desired, but could not get the sort you wanted; so I sent on to New York. It did not get here till after Christmas, and it was still not right, so I sent for another, and as it has not come as yet, I send you three dollars to get one in Chicago. Your loving grandma." "As he read the letter, his face was the face of a victor, "Now, mamma,
didn't I tell you?" came from the
It is so human to want sight when we step out on the promises of God, but our Savior said to Thomas, and to the long roll of doubters who have ever since followed him: "Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed."--Mrs. Rounds.
This months Hand In Hand Publication is entitled, "An Encounter with God". Written by Rev. James A. Lewis of Word of Life Ministries in Ohio. This message tells of an encounter Jacob had with God one night while he was all alone. God loved Jacob, but he saw the inward struggle that had went on in his life for quite some time now, and He wanted to do something about it. When God looks at us, He looks on the inward part of us, He looks at our heart. As I ponder over this story of Jacob, God wrestling with him, I cannot help but wonder what are some of the things in our life, that God may be wrestling with us over? It may be something in our past that has caused us guilt and shame, even as it was for Jacob. Or it may be something that we are doing now, and just cannot get the victory over. Take heart my friend, for in the midst of your struggle, God is there. You can read more on this message by clicking on the Hand In Hand Publication link listed above.
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depths of a heart that never
doubted, that, "against hope, believed in hope" that the stamp album would
come. While he was trusting, grandma was working, and in due season
faith became sight.