Reaching Out

I got a call today, it came to me as a surprise;
I hadn't quite expected it, I wouldn't have surmised
That this particular old friend would likely take the time
To stop what he was doing and do something near sublime....

As interrupt his hectic day and take a moment to
Reach out; he knows the things that I can do for him are few.
Position, rank, authority, importance I have not;
He doesn't seem to care about the things I haven't got.

And then I started wondering about what I have done.
How many people have I called? -- the answer (gulp) is none.
I could have reached out to the people who would have been blessed;
Of all the bright ideas I've had I think this is the best:

I do resolve now to become proactive in my stance
I'll step out from inside my shell, I'll do more to enhance
The friendships which I sadly took for granted; now I see
How clearly I could foster more by thinking less of me.

I'll write a note or make a call, I'll send that email now;
I won't put off connecting with my friends -- I've made a vow --
I'll not permit my dilatory way beguile me
Lest then, distracted, I might see my friendships atrophy.

God, help me see the blessings that those friendships are to me;
I must encourage, nurture them as you have nurtured me.
I now resolve to take that step; Lord help me to be bold
As I embrace these people whom you value more than gold!

God Work

1. TRIALS ARE PART OF GOD’S WORK.

​God never says, “Oops.” (My Bible professor used to always say this.) God is in control of the trials. God is not on his throne wringing his hands as he waits for the outcome of events. Even if I can’t see how, I can be confident that God is working for his glory. This helps me to stop worrying about how things are going to work out. My heart is peaceful when I remember that God promises to work for his glory and our eternal good.

Pain is not without purpose. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10). “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28).​

2. TRIALS PUT GOD’S POWER ON DISPLAY.

When God allows me to step into a trial, he may be getting ready to work for his glory. Historically, this is how God prefers to work. Remember Gideon? He started off with an army one-fifth the size of the Midianites—and then God made the odds even worse.

“The LORD said to Gideon, ‘The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, “My own hand has saved me”’” (Judges 7:2).

God uses trials to show that he alone deserves the credit. Trials make it clear to the world that I am not in control. Everyone can see that I don’t have the ability or strength to overcome the problem. Therefore, when God works he gets all the glory, not me.

3. TRIALS PREPARE ME FOR SERVICE (EVEN LITTLE TRIALS).

Here is the bad news. When God works in a big way, it often involves one of his servants facing a big trial. So we need to be ready for big storms and trials. How can we be prepared? Little trials.

I want God to trust me with his big tasks, but God doesn’t give us the big tasks without testing us in the little things. Every trial God sends, even our daily frustrations are meant to test us and grow us stronger. If I want God to use me for big things, I must pass the little tests. If I don’t pass the little tests, why should I expect God to trust me with greater things?

As I look back over the last decade serving in Africa, God has continually used trials. If I wasn’t in one, I was getting ready to begin one. Much like our physical body grows stronger through the trials of exercise, our soul grows stronger through the trials of life. Without trials our body and soul become weak. Seth Godin says, “Soldiers realize that it’s war that makes generals.”

“We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3-5).

4. TRIALS SANCTIFY ME.

I don’t always handle trials well. (I think one of the reasons God moved me to Africa was to teach me how impatient I really am.) When things don’t go as planned, traffic is endless, ministries struggle, paperwork abounds or health suffers; I realize just how impatient I am.

It’s war that makes generals.

Seth Godin

The trials don’t cause me to sin by being impatient, angry or complaining, they simply reveal what is inside. If you cap a volcano the lava will blow out the side. If you try to cap your anger by not getting upset at your kids, it will probably blow out in another area like yelling at your dog or getting mad at other drivers. Trials reveal weaknesses. They reveal our inner sin. Only once I see my sin can I allow God to work inside of me. The greatest battle is the one that is inside of me. Because of this, God’s trials have been his greatest instrument of growth in my life.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4).

5. TRIALS MAKE ME DEPEND ON GOD.

God uses trials to turn my dependence fully on him. He wants me to cling to him and find peace in him alone. The greatest battle that is waged each day for the glory of God is not the one around me, it is the one in me. My sinful heart doesn’t want to relinquish control. Trials are God’s tool to break my dependence on self so that I will trust in him alone.

Trials and weaknesses keep me from embezzling God’s glory. They make it clear that God alone deserves the recognition and honor.

“God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God… as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord’” (1 Corinthians 1:28-29, 31).

6. TRIALS SHOW OTHERS THAT GOD IS DEPENDABLE.

As I go through trials, others are watching. They are watching to see if I respond in faith. Having peace in the midst of comfort is normal. Having peace in the midst of trials is not. Trials give me an opportunity to speak about the hope that I have. If I complain or have a bad attitude when facing trials, I forfeit my opportunity to speak of the greatness God!

God entrusts us with trials so that we can be a light. Let’s not waste these opportunities.

“But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:14-15).

7. TRIALS SHOW US AND OTHERS THAT GOD IS INFINITELY VALUABLE.

As I go through trials or loss with peace and joy, others are watching. They are watching to see if I respond in joy. When I have joy in the midst of loss, it shows the world that Jesus is better.

Unfortunately, joy in the midst of loss is not my default setting. I think my default is complaining, self-pity and seeking sympathy. So, before I respond in joy God has to teach me that Jesus is better than anything this world has to offer. He teaches through trials and loss that He alone is my treasure and great reward.

This doesn’t mean I laugh it off. Loss hurts, a lot. But my joy is in something that cannot be shaken. We can feel incredible loss and unshakable joy in God at the same time.

Even if we lose everything, God is still enough. Through tears we can say with Job, “the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:25-26).

“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength” (Habakkuk 3:17-19).

8. TRIALS ARE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR REWARD.

God entrusts me with trials as a gift. If I respond to the trials in faith and holiness, I can have joy in the fact that I am storing up rewards in heaven. If I respond to the trials with fear or complaining, I miss the opportunity for reward.

“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7).

9. TRIALS MAY BE SPIRITUAL WARFARE.

A few years ago when we opened the AIDS Care Home in South Africa we came under attack. On opening day, Heather came down with mono, which lasted a year, and soon I began suffering from debilitating migraines. Later, Heather needed a serious tumor removed, and we had a demon possessed worker and patients (one even attacked Heather). Crazy stuff.

But I am a little slow. It took another missionary and a Zulu pastor to point out that we may be facing spiritual warfare. For some reason, we Westerners are often slow to consider spiritual warfare (at least I was). When my life and ministry are carrying the gospel into the dark places of this world, I am entering Satan’s strongholds. He won’t go down without a fight.

I don’t need to fear, because Satan is like a dog on God’s leash. He can only do what God allows (remember Job). God may allow Satan to harm me (or even kill me), but it always has a purpose and it is always for my eternal good. When trials come, I must keep my eyes on God, but I need to be aware of Satan’s tactics “so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs” (2 Corinthians 2:11).

Satan wants to discourage us so that we give up. He will attack our health, our family’s health, and will send a myriad of trials to take us out of the fight. Don’t let him. Keep your eyes on God. If you are getting bombarded with trials, take heart, it may be because Satan is not happy with your life and ministry!

“Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14).

“[H]e who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

10. TRIALS MAY BE FOR DISCIPLINE.

Start with the heart. Even though this is listed last, I always start with examining my heart. God often uses trials or sicknesses to get our attention and reveal sin. As a loving Father, he wants to restore us to fellowship with him.

Best Laid Plans

Christ taught the crowds and healed their sick
Some thousands He would feed
"Dispatch the Romans!", "Be our King!"
The multitudes would plead

From country side and town to town
He seemed to be content
Not ruling from a lofty perch
But serving as He went

The devil stood not idle by
His plan was under way
To undermine the work of God
And lead more men astray

Religious leaders fanned a flame
Of envy in the heart
This wedge was driving each of them
And Jesus Christ apart

The more He served, the more He taught
With true authority
The more it stoked the fiery flame
Of burning jealousy

Accuser of the brotherhood
Surveyed with much delight
The efforts of his handiwork
All carried out just right

Come now phase two of secret plan
Betrayal of a friend
As Judas signals with a kiss
Which one to apprehend

The trial held was farcical
Those who once held Him high
Esteemed Him as the King of kings
Now each yelled, "Crucify!"

Then Pilate starts to wash his hands
His conscience he relieves
And orders Jesus crucified
Between two other thieves

How well all things were working out
The devil's plan, phase three
The Son of God is mocked and jeered
While hung upon a tree

"Forgive them for they do not know
This thing which they have done."
Was Jesus' cry before He died
The bruised and beaten Son

Exulting in his finished work,
The enemy rejoiced
But not for long before the song
Of some concerns were voiced

The sky grows dark, the earth it shakes
A feeling very strong
There's something that we may have missed
That we were very wrong

But three days hence the truth revealed
Their part in God's own plan
To raise from death the One they killed
And share His life with man

Today the devil still recalls
How God played him the fool
And how the very best laid plans
To God are just a tool

Healing

Dear God,

We confess our need for you today. We need your healing and your grace. We need hope restored. We need to be reminded that you work on behalf of those you love, constantly, powerfully, completely. Forgive us for trying to fix our situations all on our own. Forgive us for running all different directions and spinning our wheels to find help, when true help and healing must be found first in You. Forgive us for forgetting how much we need you, above everyone and everything else. We come to you and bring you the places we are hurting. You see where no one else is able to fully see or understand. You know the pain we've carried. The burdens. The cares. You know where we need to be set free. We ask for your healing and grace to cover every broken place. Every wound. Every heartache. Thank you that you are Able to do far more than we could ever imagine. Thank you for your Mighty Power that acts on behalf of your children. We reach out to you, and know that you are restoring and redeeming every place of difficulty, every battle, for your greater glory. Thank you that you will never waste our pain and suffering. We love you. We need you today.  In Jesus' Name, Amen 

Accord of Three Strands

It is better with two than to be all alone,
since your labor combined could produce more success.
Should one fall, then the other could aid their distress;
make a better defense than could each on their own.

We were chosen to live all together as one,
since we all are a part of the body of Christ.
For a cord of three strands that are braided and spliced,
will not easily break when the pulling's begun.

If we live in the light as God is in the light,
we can share with each other a fellowship sweet.
Let us practice: confession -- forgiveness -- repeat;
being patient and gentle and kind and polite.

As your faith will help me, and my faith will help you,
I must make the allowance for how you might live.
As the Lord has forgiven, so we must forgive;
seek the best in each other in all that we do.

Healing Prayer

Father God, many of us need healing. I need healing for past hurts, random physical pains that I allow to waylay my days and Spiritual healing for various reasons. I reach up to You to receive this healing so that I may be whole and that I may be able to then minister to others in a way that brings You fullness of glory. How wonderful to be able to worship You without stain or blemish and to be totally healed. Show others Your healing power so that they may also be healed and walk in wholeness. In the precious name of Jesus. Amen! -

A Glad Homecoming

Jan Bagwell is with Hazel Bagwell.

August 13, 2015 at 11:56 PM

A Glad Homecoming
I knelt by the bedside
Of my elderly dying saintly mother.
Her body was frail and weak.
Her voice was soft and faint.

"I'm going home," she whispered.
"I already see the light.
I hear the beautiful music.
The angels are in sight."

It seemed her strength renewed
As she tightly squeezed my hand.
She said, "Just keep the faith
'Til we meet in Glory Land.

My heart felt so very heavy,
And I knew I should be sad,
But as I beheld that Godly saint,
Her homecoming will made me glad.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !

LOve you Mother

Prayer for Healing

Dear God,

In this quiet moment,

I feel divine healing energy moving throughout my body and mind.

Your energy, your healing power flows within every atom, cell, and organ of my body temple. There is no condition greater than your power to heal, dear God, and there is no reason for me to doubt that healing is coming forth right now.
I trust you, dear God.

I feel stronger and healthier and filled with the peace of knowing that healing is taking place within me right now.

True healing is mine through your Spirit.

I surrender to you, God, in total faith and total peace.

I trust you, God.

I rest in an awareness of you, knowing that I am being renewed, restored, and revitalized.
In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.

As Thread is to Needle, Prayers are to Heal

Jagged, ragged, torn to shreds
Tattered to shattered, worn through threads
Sewn into prayer, frayed into Christ
The weave of His shroud, such a loving entice

As thread is to needle, prayers are to heal
While life grabs and tears and rips in zeal
Prayers of love, leave not a shred of doubt
We are woven to Him, our life throughout

Thank God for those who’ve prayed today
More than once, the attempt to walk away
Healing prayers which mend the torn
Wrapped in Christ, the fabric of life reborn