Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Success”
Our Bible verse for today: “The man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence indeed is the Lord, is blessed.” Jeremiah 17:7 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “When it comes to having success, our trust must be in the Lord.”
On Friday I told you a little about the mission trip I am currently embarked on in the Amazon Jungle of Peru, and I asked you to pray for the safety and success of our team.
Often international mission teams go to places that are remote and even dangerous. Our team is currently in the Amazon but in truth, CERT International has had teams here countless times over the last twenty-five years and we are familiar with it and fairly comfortable here. On all those mission trips over all those years we have had few serious problems and no serious injuries.
But there are innumerable other short and long-term missionaries, currently serving in even more remote and more dangerous locations, all around the world. They are in war-plagued Syria and Iraq; they are bravely serving Ebola patients in Liberia; they are in refugee camps in Sudan and Somalia.
How do they do that? How to they go to places like that, endure the hardships and the risks, and experience success in the process? The primary reason is that they trust in the Lord. Philippians 4:13 says, “I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Notice that the faith expressed there is in God, not in the individual, or in the circumstances, or in resources. Faith in God is the key.
Alexander MacLaren once wrote, “Each of us may be sure that if God sends us on stony paths He will provide us with strong shoes.”
A war zone in Syria or Iraq, a refugee camp in Sudan or Somalia, could certainly be termed a “stony path”. But God does provide the strong shoes.
Whether you’re serving as a missionary in some far away place, or if you’re just living your regular day-to-day life in hometown USA, your success depends on God. Look to Him, rely on Him. He will provide all you need to accomplish all He has ordained.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 