Chambers 3-24-23

We are embarking upon a new and needed ministry for the greater Greenbrier Valley...the Greenbrier Pregnancy Center.  Here we will be ministering to desperate women and men trying to decide whether to kill (abort) their baby or bring that baby into the world as their own child, or give that precious gift to a family praying for an adoptive child.  But this ministry is far more than just a humanitarian effort.  We believe God has brought many of these folks to a crisis point in their lives so that they may be drawn by the Spirit to the Lord Jesus Christ.  While we lovingly care for the needs of the pregnant woman (physical, emotional, functional), we understand our main objective throughout our interaction with them is to be Ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19-23).  In other words, this ministry presents us with a golden opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ leading to the salvation of souls....

Keep your behavior excellent among the [unsaved] Gentiles [conduct yourself honorably, with graciousness and integrity], so that ^[a]for whatever reason they may slander you as evildoers, yet by observing your good deeds they may [instead come to] glorify God ^[b]in the day of visitation [when He looks upon them with mercy]. (1 Peter 2:12  amp) 

The point is...we need to understand that God brings folks to “crisis points” in their lives for the purpose of bringing them to Himself.  Whether it be unexpected pregnancy, financial, medical, relational, occupational “crisis points,” God often uses “crisis” as a means to turn hearts toward the Savior.  We must understand that as we minister to folks.  Today’s My Utmost for His Highest reminds us and exhorts us to be mindful of how God works:

“If you become a necessity to someone else’s life, you are out of God’s will. As a servant, your primary responsibility is to be a “friend of the bridegroom” (John 3:29). When you see a person who is close to grasping the claims of Jesus Christ, you know that your influence has been used in the right direction.  Over and over again, we try to be amateur providences in someone’s life. We are indeed amateurs, coming in and actually preventing God’s will and saying, “This person should not have to experience this difficulty.” Instead of being friends of the Bridegroom, our sympathy gets in the way. One day that person will say to us, “You are a thief; you stole my desire to follow Jesus, and because of you I lost sight of Him.”

Beware of rejoicing with someone over the wrong thing, but always look to rejoice over the right thing. “…the friend of the bridegroom…rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:29-30). This was spoken with joy, not with sadness— at last they were to see the Bridegroom! And John said this was his joy. It represents a stepping aside, an absolute removal of the servant, never to be thought of again.

Listen intently with your entire being until you hear the Bridegroom’s voice in the life of another person. And never give any thought to what devastation, difficulties, or sickness it will bring. Just rejoice with godly excitement that His voice has been heard. You may often have to watch Jesus Christ wreck a life before He saves it (see Matthew 10:34).”

Why is that?  Why does God bring folks to “crisis points” before they come to Him?  It’s because of our stubborn, rebellious, sinful hearts.  God needs to break down the pride within us because of our sin natures and bring us face to face with the fact we are slaves to sin and are in desperate need of the Savior.  What a great opportunity we have to reach out to folks experiencing “crisis points”...loving them, caring for them, and sharing with them the gospel that will radically change their lives for good and for eternity.  My prayer for you and me this morning is this:  Lord, no matter what the ministry is You call us to, we know our job is not to be “amateur providences” in trying to make things better, but rather, we are Your ambassadors representing our Lord Jesus with the message of reconciliation to God.  Help us to see all our interactions with people from that perspective.  Thank You for the reminder.  To God be the glory.  Amen.

Walk with the King today and be a blessing.