Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord rescues them from them all. I chose to celebrate Thanksgiving 2019 at home alone. I would have loved to be with family and friends, but the details and coordination for the day did not come together as needed for me to go to my parents’ home in Arizona or to spend time with friends and family locally. Part of me was happy to have some quiet time to relax and study to prepare for final exams and papers. I also gave thanks that I did not overeat to the point of gluttony. Ha-Ha. No, but for real. I was able to reach out and call a friend and catch up with him. He told me that he walked out on his job a few days ago after making a mistake that a novice truck driver would make. He told me that he did not want to subject himself to the work counseling and training and penalties that were required after the accident that he had. The same day that he lost his job his partner left him and blocked his number. My friend told me that his partner told him not too long ago that there seemed to be distance between them, but other than that the break-up and how it was done was a surprise to my friend. He was also concerned about how quickly he would be able to get a new job with his new degree after he passed his certification exam. I listened to him share his problems and I gave him some pointers and advised that I would be praying for him.
My friend decided he did not want to be a Christian anymore in the winter of 2017. My friend shared a lot of his frustration around how he thought that God failed to answer his prayers regarding issues that caused him pain in and out of the church. In 2017 when my friend denounced Christianity, was utterly shocked and saddened by his decision. Still, I determined that I would pray for him and continue to love him with the love of Jesus Christ. I know that the LORD uses willing vessels to minister to those who have left Jesus Christ. I also believe that the LORD uses unfortunate situations to get the attention of those ELOHIM created to drawn them back into divine relationship. I believe that my friend has a strong mandate on his life. He has been embattled by the cares of this world, the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. I believe that some of the problems that my friend is enduring now are directly resulting from poor decisions. Even he agreed that this was true when we talked. One of the most beautiful things about ELOHIM is that my LORD does not hold our failures over our heads to taunt or belittle us. The LORD knows are frailty and is careful to love us, chastise us as needed, and then build us up to make us better. THANKS BE TO GOD! I count it an honor and privilege to exemplify the nature of the LORD to my friend on Thanksgiving and the days to come. I want my friend to fulfill his destiny. God desires this more than I do. So much so that God gave His only Son for my friend's life... ...and every other life that has been, that is, and that is to come. Prayer: Gracious LORD and Savior, please draw my friend back to You. May Your doings be upon him to change his heart. I pray that he turns to You out of devotion and desire in his heart. Please do not let it be out of devastation. My prayer for my friend is not that You would only bring him out of the difficulty he is facing. My prayer is for the complete work of salvation and deliverance and ministry to be done his life. Heal his heart, mind, and spirit, LORD. I thank You for saving his soul. Thank You for saving the soul of the one reading this post now. Thank You for saving the souls of the lost. Thank You for empowering laborers who will help Holy Spirit reap a harvest of souls! I believe this to be done in the mighty Name of Jesus Christ. Amen. _____ written by Myrina K. Robinson Duke Divinity School MDiv 2022 Guest Blogger for BWET Blog
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AuthorWords of wisdom to live by from our Senior Leader, Bishop Earnest E. Robinson, Sr. and other guest writers. Archives
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