Interrupting a drug deal (unintentionally)
Intend-expect, have it in mind
Expect the unexpected, the Lord tells us, because our thoughts are not His thoughts. He ordains our days. He purposes each of our steps. He goes before us and asks us to follow.
When you intend to do the Lords will, you follow His footsteps because He promises to go before you. Seven months ago as I stepped out one sunny Saturday morning to hand out Gospels of John on the hard streets of Milwaukee I found myself directed to two men having a conversation. I walked quickly up to them and said with a smile on my face Good morning, would you like a Gospel of John? Just then I saw what I had interrupted, a drug deal. To my surprise both men looked at me returned my smile and said Yes, thank you. I turned to walk away as a car sped up to spot where I was standing. A man peered out of the passenger side, meth sores covered his face. He looked at me, dazed. I smiled and said Hello, would you like a Gospel of John? He smiled back and said yes. I handed him two, the second for the driver.
Ive learned that what we never intend is exactly what God has intended. What are you intending to do today? What is God really intending? Youll never know if you dont step out in faith.
John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
Is it a foolish thing to go to where drug dealers, prostitutes and the hopeless are? No, not when you are in the hand of God. Corrie Ten Boom, the dear Saint of God who was sent to a concentration camp for doing the will of God, describes the Christian as a glove; empty we can do nothing, but when God fills us we can move and do all things, touching the very hearts of those who have no hope.
1 John 5:4
For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith.
Intend-expect, have it in mind
Expect the unexpected, the Lord tells us, because our thoughts are not His thoughts. He ordains our days. He purposes each of our steps. He goes before us and asks us to follow.
When you intend to do the Lords will, you follow His footsteps because He promises to go before you. Seven months ago as I stepped out one sunny Saturday morning to hand out Gospels of John on the hard streets of Milwaukee I found myself directed to two men having a conversation. I walked quickly up to them and said with a smile on my face Good morning, would you like a Gospel of John? Just then I saw what I had interrupted, a drug deal. To my surprise both men looked at me returned my smile and said Yes, thank you. I turned to walk away as a car sped up to spot where I was standing. A man peered out of the passenger side, meth sores covered his face. He looked at me, dazed. I smiled and said Hello, would you like a Gospel of John? He smiled back and said yes. I handed him two, the second for the driver.
Ive learned that what we never intend is exactly what God has intended. What are you intending to do today? What is God really intending? Youll never know if you dont step out in faith.
John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
Is it a foolish thing to go to where drug dealers, prostitutes and the hopeless are? No, not when you are in the hand of God. Corrie Ten Boom, the dear Saint of God who was sent to a concentration camp for doing the will of God, describes the Christian as a glove; empty we can do nothing, but when God fills us we can move and do all things, touching the very hearts of those who have no hope.
1 John 5:4
For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith.
