Two Prayers For Sister Sara

Recently Sara’s home was broken into while she was at work.  Fortunately, she had a home alarm system and the thieves were not in her place long.  Being a single woman, she was understandable having a difficult time obtaining peace over the break-in. 

Due to Sara’s work schedule, I met her mother at the Sara’s house.  She is a gracious woman in her 60s.  She recently had undergone extensive foot surgery and was in a wheelchair.  She was having difficulty moving about with her leg extended outward.  Being compelled by compassion, I assisted her with moving where she could rest her leg.  She then began attempts to put on her lower leg brace.  I insisted on helping her to minimize the pain that she was experiencing.  Being grateful, she kept saying thank you over and over.  I said that wasn't necessary because it was my pleasure. 

I noticed some Christian books and a bible in the house.  I asked if they were believers in Christ and she confirmed their faith.  She spoke of the difficulty of staying there because of the break-in.  I retrieved a daily Bible and presented it to her.  She began crying.  She said that she had prayed that the Lord would help them through this turmoil.  I said that the Lord knows and feels their pain.  I explained that with daily reading of God’s word that it would transform her mind to have Peace & Strength because of God’s care and promises.  I have prayed healing for both of them.

If we abide in Christ, he uses use as his hands and feet to care for his children in the smallest of details and bring a word of Peace to the weakened soul.  It is something that I could not do apart from his Love and Grace.

Then and Now

The last time I saw Donna was at her home in 2012.  She was distraught.  Her home had been burglarized and she felt violated.  Being a single woman, she also felt vulnerable in her own home.

Fast forward to December 2014.  When I met Donna at her house again, I immediately recognized her and she as well remembered me.  We briefly spoke about her prior burglary.  I then informed her of my brush with death and being shot by some petty thieves.  She was amazed at the circumstances that had occurred.

In speaking about our recovery, we were both fascinated at the similarities of how the healing process was attributed to much prayer and forgiveness of our transgressors.  Donna now has no malevolence towards the perpetrator of her burglary.  I shared a study Bible with her.  We parted ways again but this time with a shared belief in a sovereign God.

Take Me To The King

I’ve noticed that people that are blessed with a beautiful singing voice can also hum a tune and it sounds nice.

I was at a house and met with the homeowner’s daughter.  As I was inspecting the house, she was walking through and humming and it sounded good.  I caught my attention because it’s something that I don’t get to hear much anymore because everyone walks around with something stuck in their ears listening to music. They don’t create their own song.

I stopped her as she passed by and asked what she was humming. She said it was the Blues. So I figured that if she knew Blues music that she probably knew some Gospel.  I ask her and she confirmed that she did.  I ask her what was one of her favorite gospel songs. She said “Take me to the King”.  I asked if she could sing it to me.  Of course she looked surprised and said “right now?”  I responded with a “yes please”. Then like a sweet instrument her voice began singing that song. The lyrics immediately began to make me smile. I could feel my spirit’s pleasuring hearing the lyrics of humility and despair before his throne. Then they turned to confidence and adoration in his strength and glory.

I thanked her for singing. I was able to share a daily Bible and a study Bible with her. I’m including the YouTube link for that song.  I hope that whatever may be on your heart that you would take it to the King and place it before his throne then rest in his assurance of care and provision.

http://youtu.be/wU3qgPn3bGA

Theft From The Body

I met Mr. Mosley for a theft claim. He had been putting in many hours renovating a house to make it a rental property. As he was relaying the circumstances of the theft, he expressed discouragement. You see, he was a giving person and to have someone come and steal property that he worked hard for was a blow to his altruistic nature. That was on top of knowing his insurance coverage may be limited.  Then from his heart, he expressed his faith by stating that he “had faith in the Lord’s provision”.  I later asked him if he had a study Bible. He actually has four different ones.  His daily reading, however, was from multiple sources.  I shared a daily Bible that reads a little from the Old Testament, Psalm, Proverbs and the New Testament.  

Before I left, I invited him to my church to hear great expository teaching at Houston Northwest Church.  I told him that our church was very blessed to have leaders that displayed love to our community and our neighbors regardless of skin color. We both agreed that as a Christians, each person has a role as a member of the Body of Christ. To limit our love based on race would not be love at all.  In today’s world, where darkness succeeds at racial divide, the Followers of Christ must make every effort to show love across every nationality. To do otherwise would be theft from The Body.

Take This Message With You

I recently received my latest CD sermon from John MacArthur at Grace to you. I was planning on listening to it on a drive for a Fourth of July trip.  As that plan was canceled, I decided that today would be a good opportunity to listen to it while driving to Beaumont. What an awesome message titled “The Invincible Christian.” A study out of Romans 8 that if God be for us, who can be against us?

I met Ms. Ramirez for a roof leak claim.  She mentioned a few times during my inspection some of the things that she has had to deal with this year.  Later, after a few probing questions, she really opened the emotional reservoir that she had dammed up inside of her. She was struggling with the loss of her mother and her husband’s sudden liver illness.  She began speaking about her faithful God. How he was supporting her. Then she quoted Romans 8:28 “all things work together for good for those who love God, to those that are called according to his purpose.”

I then realized that the CD sermon was for Ms. Ramirez also. I told her about the message out of Romans 8 and how God had me bring it this very day so it would be a word of encouragement to her. I shared the CD, a daily Bible and a study Bible with her so that she may be encouraged, spend daily time in the word and search the scripture’s meaning.

The hope she displayed in Christ was inspiring to me. Please pray for healing for her husband.

A Burning Love

Mark 11:25  “And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."

I met Ms. Deane at her home that was now burned to the ground.  Although she had another place to reside, she had fond memories at this house and treasured keepsakes there that were now lost. Based on circumstances involved with discovery of the fire, there is a person that is now a suspect for committing arson of the dwelling.  Ms. Deane knows who the suspect is and believes the same person has broken into this house in the past.  As you can imagine, anyone might feel hatred toward someone for committing such a horrendous act.  

Ms. Deane says that it was not until last night during the worship service that she was able to forgive this person. At that point I shared my testimony of forgiveness with her.  As we sat in my truck, she began to cry as though she were feeling the freedom of forgiveness and confirmation from the Holy Spirit for her obedient act.  As for God’s timing, he again displayed such grace and sovereignty.  Prior to our meeting today, I set the inspection appointment one day later than usual. Without my knowledge, this allowed her to hear from the Holy Spirit the prior night in worship and experience blessed peace in her act of forgiveness.  Ms. Dean said it was a divine appointment today.  I agree.  I shared a daily Bible with her and gained a sister in Christ.

I ask for prayers for the capture of the suspect that he may placed where he could hear the Gospel, repent and believe.

His Eye is on The Sparrow

Luke 12:6     Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God.

I recently received a reinspection request to confirm completed repairs in a home.  When setting the appointment, the lady said in broken English that she couldn’t meet in the morning because her son had cancer.  I took that to mean that she had doctor appointments in the morning.  So the appointment was set late in the morning. 

As I pulled into the cul-de-sac, I began feeling that I have been to this street before.  The house looked very familiar.  Shortly after I arrived, the homeowner arrived and I meet her and her son.  He was obviously going through chemotherapy as he had no hair on his head.  I briefly discuss the claim and then ask the son Michael how his treatment is coming along.  He smiles and says that his body is responding to the chemo and the cancer is appears to be fading.  Although he smiles, you can tell that the battle has been difficult and the chemo tires his body.  He is a young 26 years of age.  He and his mother return to the vehicle to wait as the paint fumes make him nauseous.  As I’m completing my inspection, I’m prompted in my thoughts to ask him about his faith.  I’m hesitant to do this as I was listening to their conversation in Arabic. 

I complete my task and as I complete my final explanations, I ask him if he would mind telling me where he places his faith.  He smiled and said that he was Christian.  My memory now is complete.  I said “you’re Egyptian”.  He said yes.  I told that them I had adjusted a claim for them back in 2008.  Except for then, I had only met his father.  We had discussed Christianity in Egypt and the status of the country even back then.  I was able to share an ESV study Bible with Michael to compliment his orthodox study Bible.  I offered to pray for healing over him and he asked that I keep him in my prayers.  He mentioned not having patience in dealing with the insurance company due to his condition.  I said to have patience because as you can see, GOD is over all things.

I’m amazed how the dynamics such as time, distance and schedules never deter the plans of the Lord.  I guess because he controls all those things and everything else.  I’m thankful that he has his eye on Michael and brought someone to encourage him with a soothing word, a strengthening prayer and the Truth of his Word.