Showing posts with label Our Call. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Our Call. Show all posts
Monday, July 26, 2021
Thursday, May 9, 2019
SHIPWRECKED IN MALTA
SHIPWRECKED IN MALTA
by Daneille Gray Snowden
What does your 'minds-eye' see when you read the word; SHIPWRECKED? I see a ship tattered, of personally being hurt & wounded, cold, wet, and alone. There is also a sense of hopelessness, with thoughts such as;
"Is this it? Is this where my life will end? I was on a journey of purpose and now what?"
I recently heard of what is called the
'KINGDOM-SEQUENCE'-
1.) A season of multiplication. Saved, seeing doors open a newness.
2.) To a storm (& even more storms).
3.) Then a greater measure of miracles and purposes.
Take this into account with the life of Paul in the book of Acts.
Paul is being 'sentenced-to-death' as he was innocent of the accusations laid upon him; but this was his journey.
Acts 26:31 "...and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.”
YET Paul, still by God's sovereign Will, had to accept this path by trusting in His Lord.
What's incredible; Paul was STILL ON HIS WAY TO WHAT GOD CALLED HIM TO DO!
Our family was on our way TO WHAT GOD CALLED US TO DO as we went to Mozambique. As hard as it was - we knew that God called us there.
There is nothing like a 'focus' on God's Purpose for our lives; we go regardless of the circumstances that are taking us there.
Paul was a prisoner! He was in a stinky, cold, dark ship. If he didn't have sea sickness, I am quite sure others did!
He was not respected for all his education and Roman citizenship. He was just a prisoner to others.
Paul KNEW THE ONE WHO called Him into the life of a servant and apostle. He had to be where God told him to be.
People, we must NEVER ALLOW what others may say or think; TAINT what God's purpose is for our lives.
He made you, He formed you...you are His! He formed in your heart a person for a unique task to touch particular souls on the road He has created for you to walk.
Let's read Acts 27 (click)
As we read in this journey we see that they had to steer their ships (for Paul took more than one) under the shelter of different land barriers; for the winds were blowing hard.
WINDS OF OPPOSITION
As we take our journey in God's direction for our lives; winds of opposition will blow. Many times they don't 'let-up!'.
The enemy of God does not want His Will to be accomplished. He doesn't want souls to come to know Jesus as their Savior and for all to be encouraged.
Thus; the oppositions do come!
-What are the winds of opposition for you?
⠈sickness ⠁people criticizing ⠁failure ...etc??
We keep going ... (Paul - he even kept looking-up to the Face of Jesus). LOOK UP my friend, Seek His Presence & His Voice!
SAILED SLOWLY & WITH MUCH DIFFICULTY! (v.7-8)
Oh my goodness...can we ALL identify here? The path of purpose, with it's winds of opposition is LONG and HARD!
PAUL WAS IGNORED! (v. 9-12)
Have you ever been ignored after sharing what you knew for sure was right?
As I have become a bit older, and have walked some roads those 1/2 my age are now walking; I share warnings, or nuggets of wisdom to them. There are times I try to share when I am totally ignored and they listen to those who are in the same chapter of life as they.
What happens...they get in a 'pickle!' OUCH!
"Sometimes we are in storms because people ignore our warning!" (C. Houde)
THE SOFT WINDS
13 "When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete."
-UNDERESTIMATING A SOFT WIND:
We blow off the 'yank' of the Holy Spirit as He tries to pull us in the right direction.
Here, the captain chose to listen to others instead of Paul (even though he did like Paul).
IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE SOFT WINDS they put the ship out to deeper sea close to Crete.
DRIVEN INTO THE TEMPEST
In this fierce storm that lasted for days; having to throw their supplies overboard and being without sustenance...
GOD SPEAKS TO PAUL!
-A REVELATION IN THE STORM! (v. 21-26)
Even when life is CRAZY...WHEN THINGS ARE COMING AT US FROM EVERY DIRECTION...GOD STILL WILL BRING YOU A REVELATION!
He sends His messenger to Paul and he in turn encourages the others.
MY FRIEND...USE THE BOLDNESS GOD GIVES IN THE TIMES OF DIFFICULTY TO SHARE GOD'S WORDS OF HOPE!
God told them; they ALL will indeed survive! Yet, NOT THE SHIP! The vessel that was to TAKE PAUL TO HIS PURPOSED DESTINATION was going to be destroyed!
SOMETHING TO PONDER:
Think about this; we all know we are called to 'do this or that'...for us it's to be missionaries. We have to be carried there somehow...what if that vessel is destroyed?
- it doesn't seem to make since does it...why would this happen?
- But, it does sometimes; not all the time. Then what?
Paul took one moment at a time didn't he.
He focused on the souls in front of him. Speaking words of hope and pointing to Jesus as the way the truth and the life!
-We had to come home from Africa due to some issues with our daughters health. Plus other situations as well.
-God is leading us one step at a time. He is in no hurry. In this path we do all we know to do:
POINTING TO JESUS AND GIVING HIM ALL THE GLORY!
GOD SAID TO PAUL: "... saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar;"
GOD WILL ALWAYS CONFIRM HIS WILL IN YOUR LIFE!
HERE'S THE TICKER...READY-
v. 26 "...we must run aground on a certain island.”
I will just have to tell you right now, if God told me ahead of time I would have to face some of the 'storms' in my life I have and my ship would be destroyed; I simply would have 'JUMPED SHIP!' 😊
Paul held firm on his HOPE in His God...and was used to be a source of strength, wisdom and hope to all the souls on this ship!
v. 36 "Then they were all encouraged,..."
Stay-the-course dear friend; YOU ARE ON YOUR WAY TO WHAT GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO DO!
Read Acts 28:1-8 (click)
MALTA
After all of this; God takes Paul to Malta.
- On an island of people who served false God's.
- Where Paul could not speak or understand the language.
- Far from where he was called to be.
- Cold & wet v.2
WHERE DO WE FIND PAUL? SERVING!
v.3 carrying wood for the fire
STILL SERVING GOD in any way possible.
"a viper fastened upon him..." a poisonous snake basically BIT HIM!
"The heat (the fire) will always bring out the vipers!" (C Houde)
- Heat of sickness, hurts, being betrayed, failures...all will come and BITE US!
"WE MUST SHAKE OFF THE SNAKE TO ACHIEVE THE SUPERNATURAL!" (C. Houde)
The people WATCHED him! Paul (who couldn't speak their language) testified of God's great power just by his actions.
HE WAS APPROVED BY GOD!
WHERE DID THIS LEAD PAUL?
TO PUBLIUS - "a leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. (v. 7b)
**From a prisoner to the house of the leader of Malta!
His pain and storms, all leading up to this moment.
28:7-10 Where Paul prayed for Publius' father who was healed! And many more were healed as well.
"A wounded hand became a hand of healing!" (C. Houde)
**Paul was in Malta for 3 months. A 3 MONTH MISSIONS TRIP!
YOU SEE MY FRIEND...IT'S THE JOURNEY!
It's a Malta in our lives; that prepare us.
It's not just about 'us' too!
It's those who are in the ship with us. Those who are at Malta and even those at Rome!
Paul
Was not focused on himself; but the plan of God! He was led by the spirit; serving others.
Let's see the 'other-side' of the shipwreck!
Friday, May 18, 2018
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
FRIEND, WILL YOU WALK JUST ONE MORE MILE WITH ME?
copyright(c)2017 Daneille Gray Snowden
2017
FRIEND, WILL YOU WALK JUST ONE MORE MILE WITH ME?
by Daneille Gray Snowden Inspired by the Holy Spirit
Many years ago, almost 40 now I was asked by God to do something and be something I truly NEVER wanted to do. Yet, I was crying tears of joy when He asked! For in that moment, He became EVERYTHING to me: the One Who sacrificed His all for me, My source of all joy and peace. The One Who loved me more than anyone!
As this happened, His Heart started beating within me...and each beat of His Heart was:
PEOPLE!
From that moment on, MY LIFE HAS NEVER BEEN THE SAME! I was 12 years old. The journey was not what I thought it would add up to be...yet, the Lord did take me into the life of ministry. Mostly in the place as a Co-Pastor with my husband Brad.
Recently, in the past 10 months of our lives, God has spent us around having our family take a HUGE step from Pastoring in the United States to being Missionary Pastors... title is:
'Pastors to the Pastors (& Missionaries) in Mozambique.'
As with anything in life; we all are not meant to do this ALONE. First and foremost; we have Jesus by our side, remember the scripture:
Heb. 13:5 "...for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!”
Yet, we are to be THERE for one another...always encouraging, affirming, and helping in anyway we possibly can!
Phil. 2:3-5 "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,"
A speaker at a ministers meeting spoke on the difficulties missionaries face in the journey of simply raising support . The task itself is phenomenally HUGE! Wise missionary organizations, with years of experience and knowledge have 'SET' a budget for missionaries that secures them in the task God called them to do. Simply said...but truly not simple to do.
This speaker encouraged his fellow pastors to not walk the other way when they see a missionary coming towards them. To answer and return their phone calls and HEAR THEIR HEART!
Many missionaries don't want to ASK for HELP FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT...prayer is easy to ask for...$ IS NOT! It steps on places that seem to be quite sensitive for many reasons.
The speaker shared his stories how when he was a missionary that he faced loneliness as he was pushing toward the MARK OF HIS CALLING. For us, and our friends who are missionaries all concur this is quite the fact.
Matthew 5:41 "And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him two."
A Roman mile is about 1600 yards, that deals with proportional fatigue, and hardship. This passage is defined as; “to press into service as a courier” for the royal post." It is: Going Beyond Obligation!
"By law, a Roman citizen or soldier could compel a subject from one of the conquered lands to carry his backpack, or load, for him for one mile, but one mile only. As Jesus was preaching His Sermon on the Mount, I have often wondered if He inserted the reference about the second mile when He saw an object lesson unfolding before Him and His hearers." Dr. O.S. Hawkins
"The first mile is required of us, ... it interrupts your schedule!"
Then we HIT that miracle mile that separates certain individuals from others!
"One cannot travel the second mile without influencing others. It only takes one second miler in a home to change the entire environment." Dr. O.S. Hawkins
This second mile is 'motivated by the love of Christ'
Remembering this; that Christ took the second mile.
Our motivation to serve our Lord is FROM HIM!
We are COMPELLED ..... TO GO the extra mile and carry the GOSPEL OF SALVATION & HOPE TO THE PEOPLE OF MOZAMBIQUE. We are honored to do this for God's Glory alone!
YET...we cannot do this alone. We need a friend, a brother and sister to come and walk with us not just one mile but that EXTRA MILE too! We were not meant to do this alone; God could whisk us there in an instant...remember Philip?
No, HE chose this method so many would catch the vision; and be burden for the souls in Africa. To see this as an opportunity to be a part of saving their lives from hopelessness to purpose.
When the wallet is released into the Hands of God; to give as He leads...wow; what He will do for all who are involved. From the giver to the receiver to those it multiplies and feeds!
So, I ask;
'FRIEND, WILL YOU WALK WITH ME ONE MORE MILE?' And send us to Africa by committing to some amount of monthly support?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
By clicking this LINK ... in easy steps you will be connected to our missions page.
Here is where simply you fill in the amount the Lord is leading you to support
us to go to minister in Africa.
One time gifts are a blessing.
YET...OUR BIGGEST NEED IS MONTHLY COMMITTED SUPPORT.
Is it $10 a month?
$20? $50? $100 (which is the average)
$77-$80 a month raises our support by one percent.
We are currently at 50% (as of April '17).
CLICK HERE:
THANK YOU!
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED
copyright(c)2016 Daneille Gray Snowden
2016
THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED
"Two roads diverged in a wood and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." Robert Frost
When my family was smaller (my husband, son & I); we went on a vacation into the lower Rockies. I have had the blessed experience of traveling through the Smoky Mountains; but this was an entire new adventure in itself. My husband knew my dread of heights and tried to keep me calm. But, how can one ignore the beauty of God's creation in such magnitude, as I inspected those mountains!
Then it happened; the road became narrow, space for two vehicles were squeezed tight and the shoulder -- where was the shoulder of the road? Ha! All we saw was 'NOTHING'!
My enjoyment of God's great beauty burst and what evolved was panic! It didn't help that the air was actually thinning as I felt myself hyperventilating! It was fun, adventurous, momentous even and I wouldn't trade that little (big) trip for anything! The experience was priceless! We saw places we had not seen together as a couple before and sense.
Twenty years later; in my time with the Lord, He brought me back to that summer and our needed vacation. Ya see, I was reflecting on our life, and ministry with all it's ups and downs. At that moment, I must admit- I was down. I asked the Lord;
"Why did we have to travel down a different route a lot of others haven't?" [I.E. - the smaller churches, challenges with being new in a community, financial, physical and the emotional difficulties as well.] Then God took me to the winding roads up the Rocky Mountains.
My dear Heavenly Father reminded me saying; "I called you, not you or others. I saw the lost souls, the unloved, the misunderstood that are not among the crowds but off by the way side. I needed One of My children to love on them. I knew you would do this.
Those among the wayside saw your struggles and that caught
their hearts attention. It was the 'net' that drew them to Me.
And your faithfulness has only drawn You even closer to my heart as well.
I know the road less travelled is long and quite lonely. Many don't understand you and the vision I have placed within your soul. Yet, I placed My Hand of Favor on Your lives; with that there is an eternal Joy that strengthens your feet to move on.
As you look back and see how far you've come, and all the many places + faces you've encountered - in your soul may your spirit rejoice seeing the fruit multiplied!"
This has been my encouragement as we are now on another winding road; to a place quite unfamiliar. All we want to do is LOVE those along the way. To stop and minister fully to them, filling all with His Hope and Purpose.
Our thrust is: trusting in the Lord's leading as the patriarch Abraham who took the step forward with His family obeying God's Voice to leave His kin and pursue the Call! Many didn't understand him, he left his friends and all he knew (from his culture) to please His God! [Acts 7:2-3 ] "Ur was justified in its boast of being a highly developed civilization. - he turned his back on a great metropolis, setting out by faith for a land about which he knew little or nothing and which could probably offer him little from a standpoint of material benefits." [link]
Genesis 12:1: “Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you.’”
__________
"By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going." Hebrews 11:8
As I gaze back in the beginning of my life-walk in the ministry;
I saw a willing and passionate couple who yet, had so much to learn and grow in (and still do). Both of us feeling like Abraham who, "...at the point of his call, he was a man whose faith was meager; real, but meager." [bible.org quote]
Are you on the 'ROAD LESS TRAVELED'? May I encourage you to 'STAY THE COARSE!' It is worth it; every single life touched, and faith that has grown will and is even now producing lasting harvest for eternity and God's Glory!
~Daneille
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)