Don't Stagger

It Is Well!! You know what? I just got off the phone with a friend who was sharing how he has been giving his time to full-time ministry, even to that through the Southern Baptist Convention. He was disappointed, because the pecuniary matters around ministry aren't working fairly in his favor -- and I emphasize fairly. He expressed his frustrations surrounding the paradox of Christian ministry coupled with other issues of race. If you're from America, I'm sure you understand. If you don't understand, then count yourself uniquely blessed.

Well, the Spirit of the Lord led me to pray for him and to remind him of the faith of Abraham. Romans 4:19-21 states, "And being not weak in faith, [Abraham] considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded, that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

Based upon this scripture, I was able to encourage him, and hope to do the same for you and me, to not be concerned with the appearances of defeat from our terrestrial realities; rather, to continue to trust God who promised to provide for us and see us through every bad situation. Therefore, let us first remember the promise of God (whatever promise God has made to us regarding our survival for God's sake). Then, we should stagger not at that promise, knowing that "He who has begun a good work" in us will also perform it, even unto the day of Jesus Christ.

God bless,

Michael D.