PUBLISHER’S Corner
Walking in faith, not by sight
Those who came before us, who walked with Him, By Sandy Jones some even led by His Flame, could get so caught up The Israelites were freed from slavery. They in their own moment that they lost focus. How can walked through the Red Sea; had manna fall from we expect ourselves to be any different? We need heaven; drank water from a rock. Just a few of the to be gentler with ourselves when we stumble. It’s hands-on miracles they lived through, and they still important that we get back up, dust ourselves off, lost their focus on God. Moses had to feel like he and come once again before The Throne. Confess was herding cats, as easily as they got distracted. our sins and shortcomings, and trust that God, Who When Abraham was told he’d be the father of nasees and knows all, knew this was coming, and He tions, he was 75 years old, and Sarah was 65. They will carry us through. didn’t exactly walk the path of faith; Sarah ‘knew’ We recently celebrated Easter, the resurrection of she was barren and sent Abraham to her servant, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I’d like to ask: Do Hagar. That turned out well, didn’t it? After 25 you know Him personally? Do you know He died years, Abraham had sons from both Hagar and and rose again because He knows and loves YOU? Sarah; the repercussions are still playing out today. He wants to have a relationship with you. God offered David’s son Solomon anything when John 3:16-17 NIV assures us: For God so loved he became king. He asked for, and was granted, the world that he gave his one and only Son, that wisdom. Despite having every advantage, he was Sandy Jones whoever believes in him shall not perish but have led astray by his 700 wives and 300 concubines and eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the chose to worship their gods. Solomon made a real mess of things world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. when he too lost his focus on God. As we walk through this unique and difficult time, I’ll admit that I love how Proverbs31.org shares this message: there have been times when I took my eyes off The Prize. Got mes“The Bible tells the story of God's love for people. In the beginmerized by the media, and how fast things changed. Got transfixed. ning, God created us to reflect His image and to have a relationship Became numb. Couldn’t focus. And, yes, found there were days with Him (Genesis 1:27). We were created good, and then sin enearly on when I didn’t know what to pray — other than ‘protect us tered the world. We essentially chose to try life on our own without and please end this virus’ and had to simply ask God to listen to my God, instead of living our lives for God as we were designed. heart. “God loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the Perhaps too honest? Perhaps disappointing to hear that from someone in ministry? I’m being authentic, because I do not believe I cross to pay the price for our sins and bring us into a relationship was the only one. with Him. Through Him, we can know the promise of eternal life I’ve mentioned that as we send one edition to print I begin praying and experience the joy of knowing God here on earth! over this column, and what message would God use me to deliver “If you would like to have a relationship with God, the Bible tells next time. This issue is no different, but what was different this time us that the first step is acknowledging that we have sinned and that was that God, through the Holy Spirit, spoke these three stories to there is nothing we can do to earn God's love (Romans 3:23-26). me, almost immediately. Next, we believe and confess that Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9) and Often I’m praying fervently at the last minute, saying “God, I’m allow Him to guide our lives. Where we once wanted to control our not hearing You” — basically, ‘here I am, send me,’ with no direcown futures, we now invite Jesus into our hearts to be Lord over our tion to go. I think He likes to remind me that it will always be in His lives. perfect timing. I had these stories in February, but wasn’t sure why. “Knowing God's peace, perspective, and purpose for your life At first I thought I was to write about judging and being judged, begins with a personal relationship with Jesus.” accusing and being accused. You see, I’ve had some life lessons laying heavily on my heart. If you have questions about having a Savior that loves you unconThen this virus started to spread through our nation, and finally ditionally, please don’t hesitate to call me at 208-703-7860, or the hit our beautiful Idaho. Whether we like it or not the mainstream Idaho Chaplain’s Association prayer line at 208-968-1991. We’re media was as hypnotized by it as everyone else was. The speed at here for you. which the numbers climbed: tested, treated, hospitalized, and, yes, Until next time…. even the death toll. I think we were all transfixed. God Bless! It wasn’t until I sat down to actually write this and went over these It’s true that without our advertisers, we can’t do what we do, but Bible stories once again that it dawned on me — God was preparright now, for many of them, their support of this ministry has been ing me, reassuring me, that I’m normal. And I believe He wants sacrificial so that we can bring you this bit of God’s hope and promyou, our readers, to know you and your struggles with all of this are ise. Please support and thank them! n normal too.
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4 May / June 2020 | Christian Living
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