Good morning, saints,

The story is about a minister who had served over 30 years and struggled intensely with entering into ministry. His brother, Dallas Willard, writes about the struggle:

“One evening, he faced a major decision that had to be made the next day. He prayed into the night, falling asleep only to be awakened as the “room lit up with the glory of God. I saw a figure. I did not see a face, but I recognized it to be the person of Christ. I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I heard a voice that said, ‘Feed my sheep.’” The presence of God almost overwhelmed his consciousness, and it also transformed various aspects of his personality. He was suddenly living in the study of the Bible, memorizing without trying to do so, even though his days were spent in hard physical labor. His painful addiction to tobacco was removed without asking. The “aroma” of that room full of God’s presence has stayed with him ever since. Many others would testify that it is so.” 

Only he and the Lord know what he saw, but I can attest to the fact that God does what is needed in a believer's life to bring them to the point of surrender. Jacob, in Genesis 46:2, needed God to speak to him regarding settling in Egypt. The verse says, “² And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.”

I don’t know what you are going through, but He does. He will show you what He desires for you to do; the hard part is waiting on Him. However, if you do, I know you will be satisfied.

Here’s to knowing He is watching over you!

¹³     The Lord looks down from heaven; 

he sees all the children of man; 

    ¹⁴     from where he sits enthroned he looks out 

on all the inhabitants of the earth, 

    ¹⁵     he who fashions the hearts of them all 

and observes all their deeds. 

    ¹⁶     The king is not saved by his great army; 

a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. 

    ¹⁷     The war horse is a false hope for salvation, 

and by its great might it cannot rescue. 

    ¹⁸     Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, 

on those who hope in his steadfast love, 

    ¹⁹     that he may deliver their soul from death 

and keep them alive in famine. 

    ²⁰     Our soul waits for the Lord; 

he is our help and our shield. 

    ²¹     For our heart is glad in him, 

because we trust in his holy name. 

    ²²     Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, 

even as we hope in you. 

Blessings,

Gene