It Always Happens on the Way to Serving Jesus

I got home from Rwanda. I'm just catching my breath. Beginning work on the next three conferences and it happens once again.  I have been doing this for 12 years, and without fail, before I leave - something unusual happens and my faith will be stretched.

This past week, I'm in the office and out of nowhere I began to experience heart pain.  It didn't go away.  Other symptoms developed.  So I call Sarah and off to the ER we go.  Three days later I finally get out of the hospital.

This should have involved two days at the most. Instead there were multiple delays and false reports which turned into 2 nights and three days.  Why?  They lost my records after the early morning stress test. Finally the results were found on the third day. The doctor made an evening trip to read my one report and  announced everything is fine - so I was released around 8pm.

Then I return home, celebrate my 69th birthday Sunday and receive final responses from two of the African leaders. All is on track, except due to a loss of a teaching team member, I now have to raise an additional $500 more. I learn last night that now I remain $5500 short of the necessary goal for the three conferences. Ouch.

Ok Lord, I know that you can handle this.  It is Your Work alone.  I'm just going where you are sending me. So...

I should know by now after all these years that the degree of challenges and hardships will be directly proportionate to the amount of blessing that will come from the hand of the Father.  Surely this will be a Spirit-filled movement of God as we teach through Ephesians.

God uses all these challenges in our lives not to drive us into despair but to cause us to draw near to Him.  He completely hems us in in order that He alone will get the glory when He works and provides.

So...after this week of unusual things...here I am at His Throne calling out to him.  The table has been set, the food of God's Word is ready to be served, the team is gathering to go.  All that is needed is His provision.  When it comes, I know this much, He Alone will be thanked. This is how the Father always works.

So urgently stand with me in much prayer.  Time is close and funds need to be sent soon in order to finish preparations in Uganda.

Ephesians 1:19-23
...and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that He worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things under his feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

This pretty well says it all.  Christ is ruling in behalf of His Church.  We get the privilage of participating in the work. Please join me in praying for the Ugandan Churches and leaders.

Joel McCall
Equipping Leaders International