This article was originally published in the January 2014 edition of ITMI Monthly.
Dear Team,
In Moments of Peace in the Wisdom of God, we read the following, “Some things are small, but powerful. An ant, for example, can lift fifty times its own weight. With that kind of power, you cold toss an automobile around like it was a toy!” (Baker Publishing House)
“In the same way, your words may seem unimportant, but they carry tremendous power.”
Just the other day God brought into my life some words that at the time were insightful and interesting to me, but they absolutely jumped off the page when I needed those words to help Jahim process the gunfire, lack of sleep, fear and death of the current conflict in South Sudan’s capital of Juba.
Maybe one of you sit there and read this newsletter and you are also in a difficult situation with little to no idea how you are going to get out of it. This was Jahim’s situation.
The words I shared with Jahim came from a Nashville, Tennessee pastor named Robert J. Morgan. Pastor Morgan was also in a real tough situation and in this situation God shed new light on the Bible story of the Children of Israel as they exited Egypt.
They ended up in a major jam, the Red Sea was before them as impassable as the Pacific ocean, and the Egyptian army was hot on their rear flanks. These Egyptians didn’t have good thoughts on their minds and intentions. Hopeless!
Yes, it was looking quite hopeless! Can’t you just visualize the despair that was wafting over and through those Israelites? Well they needed to hear what Pastor Morgan calls, “The Red Sea Rules.”
Allow me to share them with those of you who are in a fix, or will be in a fix before you know it.
THE RED SEA RULES
1. Realize that God means for you to be where you are.
2. Be more concerned for God’s glory than your relief.
3. Acknowledge the enemy, but keep your eyes on the Lord.
4. PRAY!
5. Stay calm and confident, and give God time to work.
6. When unsure, just take the next logical step by faith.
7. Envision God’s enveloping presence.
8. Trust God to deliver in His own unique way.
9. View your current crisis as a faith builder for the future.
10. Don’t forget to praise HIM.
Pretty good insight and reminders!
We encourage you, like we did with Jahim, to really practice owning these nuggets of truth.
Allow me to close with some great news at the Evers’ home, our youngest son Luke recently married his best friend of six years, Lacey McMillen. We are glad to have Lacey as part of our family.
We at ITMI are also exceptionally glad that we have you as part of our family and as partners in reaching the world for Christ. Thank you!!
In HIS Service,
Baker Publishing House. Moments of Peace in the Wisdom of God. Bloomington;1 October 2011. Print.
Steve Evers has advocated for and served the ITMI partners as ITMI Director since 2001. Approximately once a year, Steve visits with ITMI partners in their countries and brings stories back to encourage supporters. Steve enjoys photography and mechanics, (both hobbies that have greatly benefited ITMI partners!) Prior to becoming ITMI's Director, Steve served on the Board of Directors for 12 years. Steve lives in Arizona with his wife, Darlene.