We are here, and we hit the ground running! We, and our luggage, made it here as planned. Pastor Moses’ car broke down on the way to the airport. It needed a new battery and he took care of that yesterday. We had our first conference today. It went all right. It takes a bit to get in the swing of things, especially with jet lag, but so far voice and health are doing fine.
The meeting with the people from Lifeway went very well yesterday. It was a very encouraging time of sharing, fellowship and planning. It seems they want to use my books to provide a mini-library for pastors throughout India. They are great promoters with many resources. They want to make videos of me teaching the conference sessions and feature them live and on the Internet. We’ll see how they develop it all. It’s exciting and also very humbling. Who would have thought? Thanks so much for praying, and keep praying for this as you think of it.
God has protected and provided for us in many ways already. Psalm 91:3 says “Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare.” Think about that word “FROM.” It could be taken in two ways: Before we get caught in Satan’s traps He delivers us. He prevents us from being ensnared. It could also mean that when we are entrapped He releases us and frees us from the trap. I think the verse means both. He helps us avoid the traps of the enemy and when we don’t avoid them, when they are sprung on us unawares, He frees us from the traps. Whatever happens He covers us. The Psalmist says He will “surely” do it – it’s a sure thing! Sounds good to me?
I can see the snares of the enemy He has delivered us from, things like car problems, health difficulties, etc. What I can’t see are the things He prevented, the traps that never materialized, the attacks that were beaten back by His angels before we ever knew about them. I need to thank Him and praise Him for those things as well as the ones I recognize. I think sometimes He allows us to find ourselves in terrible situations so we can appreciate His deliverance. It is much better to stay aware that He is preventing more than we can ever imagine. Suppose He let Satan have his way with us, I can’t imagine what that would be like. Fortunately I don’t have to, and neither do you. What snares set for you might He be thwarting at this very minute? (January 25, 2019 Hyderabad, India)
Psalm 91:3-4 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
What has God delivered you from in your life? Thank Him for every one.
What has He prevented from happening that you aren’t even aware of? What would Satan have done to you had God not prevented it? Thank God for this as well. And every time you feel God isn’t near or helping you, remember all the snares He is continually saving you from.
Jerry Schmoyer
Christian Training Organization ©2019