Angie and I are taking an Old Testament class this fall and it has been really good. We started out with an in depth look at the description and geography of the land and climate of the setting of the OT. What we discussed was very helpful in seeing how God provides for His people. He placed His people in a key piece of real estate so they would have influence on the world around them. He also put them where they would have provision, but not be totally self-sufficient. They had a river, but not one that they could use for irrigation, which meant that they had to look to God for his provision of rain at the right time for their agricultural lifestyle. They needed rain not only to start the planting process, but also for the growth of the crops and for it to stop when it was time to harvest. 

We have seen this in our ministry personally, both in our neighborhood and church relationships. He placed us in the neighborhood and church that we are currently in and we have seen Him use those placements in our lives and the lives of those around us. We are also trusting God for his perfect placement as we look to our transition to the Dallas area next year. Knowing He has a perfect place for us to land in the Dallas area brings great comfort. We know there will be difficulties during this transition but that will be a reminder to look to our provider and trust He will have us right where He wants us.

Our vocational ministry working at FamilyLife, and any ministry for that matter, all depend on God’s provision. We can produce the perfect event and proclaim His truth, but for the results to be fruitful His spirit must move in the hearts and minds of the people present. We have to be careful not to focus so much on the part of the ministry that takes our effort and skip the getting on our knees to ask Him to do what we cannot. Without His provision our ministry would not and will not be able to produce lasting fruit.

In His presence is the most important place we can be if we are going to be effective in our ministries and lead people to receive God’s promises. Our ministry efforts must start with time spent in the presence of God. The time we spend in the presence of God is more important than strategies. While strategy and methods are important, God can take the worst strategy and method and use it to do magnificent things. If our ministry efforts are coming out of time spent in His presence, He will use us to do more than we could ever imagine.

"FamilyLife has literally saved our marriage & family. After surviving the blow of infidelity on both ends, we have come to the full realization of God's complete, redemptive faithfulness in Restoring, Renewing & Refining Us in Him. Since then, we've considered ourselves to be Agents of Change donating hope wherever we go while promoting Oneness in Him. We are fully convinced that if God can save us, He then can & will save ANY marriage."  Adrian &  Carmen

"My heart was softened, opened and broken all at the same time." Volunteer Summit participant

• • • • • • Pray for us as we take our Old Testament class. We are halfway through and really enjoying this study.

          • Pray for us as we continue to lead a small group from our church.

          • Please pray for Rachel and her housemate situation, it has been and is difficult.

          • Pray for our FamilyLife leadership as they lead us during these uncertain times.

          • Continue praying for peace and healing in our nation. Spiritual, relational and physical healing are all desperately needed at this time.

Love Like You Mean It - sneak peek live (new video series based on 1 Corinthians 13). 

• • • October 29 - Love is Patient - Dave & Ann Wilson

    • November 5 - Love is Easy Going - Ron Deal

    • November 12 - Love is Honest - Ray & Robyn McKelvey

All sessions begin at 7 PM CST and are in the FamilyLife Marriage+ group on Facebook.