More Divine Opportunities
We don't know what the year 2009 holds for us, and given some of the grim economic forecasts, we can do without the speculative details. Worry over what's ahead isn't something the Lord wants us to do. In fact, it's both fruitless and faithless. Jesus would have us take heed to His words, which though heaven and earth pass away, they will not:
"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Which of you by taking thought [worry!] can add one cubit unto his stature? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew:6:25Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
See All..., 27, 31-33).
The Lord will cover us, yet He wants to do it through His followers, just as the Apostle Paul became the opportunity for the believers at Philippi to minister to him. Although he was in need, and appreciated their support, Paul was even more thankful that they could have the experience of being used of Lord bearing "fruit [that would] abound to your account [their eternal treasury]" (Philippians:4:10-19 [10] But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
[11] Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
[12] I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
[13] I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
[14] Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
[15] Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
[16] For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
[17] Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
[18] But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
[19] But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
See All...).
I pray the saints, whether they become the opportunity for others or see others as their opportunity to be the Lord's instruments of blessing, will take advantage of whatever lies ahead knowing that however we are involved, our participation "worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians:4:17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
See All...).
T.A. McMahon
Executive Director