My devotional

Streams in the Desert

June 26

I am today compelled to post this beautiful devotional and greatly encouraged by this truth.

Put Forth

"He putteth forth his own sheep" (John10:4).

Oh, this is bitter work for Him and us--bitter for us to go, but equally bitter for Him to cause us pain; yet it must be done. It would not be conducive to our true welfare to stay always in one happy and comfortable lot. He therefore puts us forth. The fold is deserted, that the sheep may wander over the bracing mountain slope. The laborers must be thrust out into the harvest, else the golden grain would spoil.

Take heart! it could not be better to stay when He determines otherwise; and if the loving hand of our Lord puts us forth, it must be well. On, in His name, to green pastures and still waters and mountain heights! He goeth before thee. Whatever awaits us is encountered first by Him. Faith's eye can always discern His majestic presence in front; and when that cannot be seen, it is dangerous to move forward. Bind this comfort to your heart, that the Savior has tried for Himself all the experiences through which He asks you to pass; and He would not ask you to pass through them unless He was sure that they were not too difficult for your feet, or too trying for your strength.

This is the Blessed Life--not anxious to see far in front, nor careful about the next step, not eager to choose the path, nor weighted with the heavy responsibilities of the future, but quietly following behind the Shepherd, one step at a time.

Dark is the sky! and veiled the unknown morrow Dark is life's way, for night is not yet o'er; The longed-for glimpse I may not meanwhile borrow; But, this I know, HE GOETH ON BEFORE.

Dangers are nigh! and fears my mind are shaking; Heart seems to dread what life may hold in store; But I am His--He knows the way I'm taking, More blessed still--HE GOETH ON BEFORE.

Doubts cast their weird, unwelcome shadows o'er me, Doubts that life's best--life's choicest things are o'er; What but His Word can strengthen, can restore me, And this blest fact; that still HE GOES BEFORE.

HE GOES BEFORE! Be this my consolation! He goes before! On this my heart would dwell! He goes before! This guarantees salvation! HE GOES BEFORE! And therefore all is well. --J. D. Smith

The Oriental shepherd was always ahead of his sheep. He was down in front. Any attack upon them had to take him into account. Now God is down in front. He is in the tomorrows. It is tomorrow that fills men with dread. God is there already. All the tomorrows of our life have to pass Him before they can get to us. --F. B. M.

"God is in every tomorrow, Therefore I live for today, Certain of finding at sunrise, Guidance and strength for the way; Power for each moment of weakness, Hope for each moment of pain, Comfort for every sorrow, Sunshine and joy after rain."

...In accordance with my life:

I think about how this pertains to my current situation and as I read this lovely message my ears were being entertained by Enter Into the Worship Circle. The song: "You turn my grief into a crazy dance, you cause my sorrow to burst into flowers, I cannot help but explode into song! I can't thank you enough I can't thank you enough I can't thank you enough!"

I must worship Him in spirit and truth daily even if the circumstances of my day stink.

Thank you Lord for your Mercy on my life. I am forever grateful for the way you help me take the next step with you at my side.

Viva Las Vegas

Viva Las Vegas....

I am so grateful to have gotten to come to Vegas and visit two of my most dearest friends: Martin and Eliangela... a lovely couple. I have never had a real reason to come to Vegas until these wonderful people opened their door for me to come. Martin and Eli spent three months with me in India in 2008 so we got to know eachother real well as living in another culture can do!

I ended up missing my first flight out of PDX and was told I would not be able to use the rest of my whole flight package I had purchased through Orbitz! Big big bummer!!!! I was so sad on Wednesday after sitting all day in the airport and trying to get another flight to Vegas....I ended up just getting a one way ticket and then once I got to Vegas, we arranged to pay a little to get my flights back! Thank you Jesus I was able to get it back.

My journey of not getting my origal flight worked out and I met some really interesting people on both of the flights to get to LAS. I was at the PDX airport and overheard a lady speaking a dialect I recognized from India. I asked her if she asked her husband to buy her a potato. She did indeed and was delighted to find out that I am a believer. She and her daughter and husband and I hit it off and talked the whole way to their hometown: Salt Lake. Once I got to Salt lake I sat by a girl about my age who...guess what she does for a living?! Massage therapy. Perfect! I picked her brain the whole way and she was overjoyed to share about her life! Everything works out for good!!!! I was so challenged to keep my eyes opened and not get discouraged about missing my flight although it was a bummer. I knew there had do be something good right around the bend, and sure enough!!!

I have been enjoying my time here greatly seeing my friend's world. I ended up arriving very late in the evening on Wednesday so after we crashed that night the morning brought a great opportunity to hike a well known mountain called Red Rock. Eliangela has been taking classes at the college here with two Chinese girls who ended up coming with us on the hike. That was a delight and such an amazing climb. We made it to the top and, in the words of those who speak Hindi or were on my last trip to India: "Kitti Mihan Vijay!" (Such Great Victory!). Yes, so, we spend the day with these girls and shared a good homemade 'Chinese' meal by Martin, and topped off the evening with a nice dinner and 'The Lion King' show! I highly recommend it!!!! It was such a blast and I found I have a deep appreciation for theatre. So well performed. Excellent.

The dry hot heat and bright light of the sun here is what I have needed for a long time. I am really soaking it up! Enjoyed connecting, chatting, poly-loging with some YWAMers today at the base and then went to a Celebrate Recovery dinner and group to scout out for a possible ministry to be started at the base here. Hit the Vegas Strip tonight and saw the water fountains dance to Shenia Twain! Art in Motion!