Many people can be against us, causing us trouble and pain – even sorrow. “What then, shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) These have been, and continue to be tough times but God says, “Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 4:10)
Larry and Renee Watson were part of my first growth. Ozark Christian College in Joplin, MO, made a request to the Ark of Faith to teach their students prison ministry. At first, I said, “No!” I was a recent widow with two teenage girls and one preteen boy. Praise the Lord! I did ultimately say yes. Now after more than 30 years where we and Ozark Christian College all grew together, we are still growing!
Larry sent me a copy of his newly published book Churches of a Lesser God that he wrote with his friend, Ryan Bordner. (Affordably available on Amazon.com and Goodreads.) It is a most unusual book. After page 61, I could not put it down. Get it and read it for yourself. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and reveal His truth to you! Wait for the Lord!
“Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.” (Psalm 62:2). When I came to page 60, I could have put the book down rather than pray and ask for understanding. But immediately the Holy Spirit got my attention. I saw I needed some truth and clarity.
Please read 1 John 1:5-10. I want you to read for yourself. Focus on verses 8-10: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar and his word is not in us.”
Everything in the Bible is given to us to help us. God wants us to be happy and for our lives to be joyful. He wants to enable us to make possibilities for service flow freely through each of us. He does all of it if we will only wait for the Lord in whatever difficulty you are having.