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WEEKLY ENCOURAGEMENT
Updated: Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Have you ever heard the expression, "when it rains, it pours"? Well sometimes in life it certainly feels that way, and at the moment it feels a little like that for me.

As you know, my husband and I are missionaries living in Germany, working with German national people. We are supported by Baptist churches in America, so our income is in dollars and then has to be changed into the currancy here, the Euro. Our three children, 12 grandchildren, mothers and siblings all live in the U.S. Now that you know some about our situation, I will share with you the "rain" that is falling around us.

Our newest grandchild of two months, was admitted to the hospital on Sunday with RSV. Our daughter-in-law has been having some major female problems and the Doctors feel it is probably endeomitrioses, but will not be certain that is the only problem until she has surgery which is scheduled in April. Before all these medical problems developed, they had purchased tickets for the whole family (including four of our sweet grandchildren) to come visit us here March 13. However, this could be in danger now, depending upon her health.

An angry, disgruntled family in our church has deceided to make our life as miserable as possible. To add to the "rain", our dear dollar is at it's all time low here in Germany. When you exchange one dollar, you receive 66 cents for it. I have been fighting a cold for over a weak and can't seem to get rid of it.

I am sure my storm is much lighter than what some of you are going through. But what is wonderful, and what I really want to share with you. Our help is the same, no matter what the storm is.

As I sat reading my Bible this morning, I was so impressed with the faithfulness of our Lord. Over and over again God stated the fact, "I have spoken it, I will bring it to pass." You can read examples of this in Isa. 46:11; Ezk. 12:25 and Hebrews 10:23"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)."

In fact, Bible history is nothing but proof over and over again that God does exactly what He says He will do! So, since God does not change, He is the same God today as He was back then. and He is faithful.

So let us connect some dots.

  1. In the old and new testements, over and over again we see that God did what He said He would do! He is faithful. "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:9
    "That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:" Hebrews 6:18
  2. Scripture tells us that God does not change.
    "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." Hebrews 13:8
    Therefore, the mighty wonder-working God of the Bible is my God today.
  3. He has the power and the control to do what He promises. "But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26
    "Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it? " Isiaha 43:13
    "But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased." Psalms 115:3
  4. Then I can fully trust Him to do in my life, today, what He has promised to do, not based upon my worthiness, but based wholly upon who He is!

That means, when He says I will care for you, He will take care of you! When He says, I will guide you, He will guide you! When He says I will keep you and never leave you, that is exactly what He will do. When He says nothing can seperate us from His love "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Rom. 8:38-39, nothing,not my past, not problems, not health, not the opionions of others, not even sin can seperate me and you from His love!!

The last dot to connect, is our choice. It is up to us to choose to believe what we have just read. God's side is clear, how does your side look? For me, I have choosen to believe. I have choosen to give all my "rain" into His hands, and can see His rainbow of promise to meet my need and that ALL things work together for my good because I am His child through Christ and I do love Him.

I hope these thoughts will encourage you today, to put God in front of all your problems and situations and claim His promises. It is wonderful to experience the peace and comfort that the Holy Spirit will minister to your heart. Can you see the rainbow by faith?

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

- Sandy Hastings
March 4, 2008
If you wish to contact me personally, e-mail me at sandy.hastings@gmx.de