Morning Moments

“I love the Lord because He has heard my cry….”
“This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him….”
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord….”
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart…and He will direct your steps….”
“There is none good, no not one….”
“The fruit of the Spirit is…”goodness….”

It is my custom NOT to ask the Lord for “signs” but to read the “signs” He gives along the way as confirmation of His leadership. As some of you know, Fred Kornis and I, along with 3 others are leaving for India on February 3rd. God’s leadership in this effort has been absolutely amazing. I am to teach in three different Bible schools there.

As with any major decision, I ask the Lord for confirmation from the Word – He has given it, through godly counsel – He has given it, through my companion – He has given it, through conviction of conscience – He has given it, and through circumstances – He has given it. I honestly “trust in the Lord with all my heart and do not lean to my own understanding…”, so HE WILL direct my path.

God has placed on my heart the desire to take about two hundred copies of one of the best books I have ever read called, “Lead Like Jesus.” My desire is to teach in 3 or 4 different areas: “How to study the Bible when the Bible is all you have,” “How to keep your appointments with God,” How to make and maintain godly relationships,” and “How to teach and train others in Bible study.” Because I will be teaching leaders, it is really ON MY HEART to leave in their hands the book “Lead Like Jesus.” PLEASE PRAY with me that our gracious God and Father will provide the funds for this project.

BUT here is what I wish to share with you today about God’s leadership in my journey. Occasionally my friends who own a local funeral home will call and ask me to “help out.” Because of my recent eye surgery, I have been unable to do it, but night before last I received a call to help yesterday and agreed to do so.

Last night, I was with a family for what is often called “the viewing” or “visitation with the family.” Understand that I did not know these people, but upon their arrival, I learned that this woman who had was deceased loved Jesus. Before their friends came, they asked if I would pray with the family, so I did. After the prayer, one of her sons said to me, “I wish I could have the assurance my mother had.” Well, the funeral home did not ask me to pray and preach but that comes with the package. Take me, take my praying and preaching. Long story short, he left with the absolute assurance of knowing Jesus.

Then there was a young man who was visiting with his mother who was a friend of the family. When I saw the young man I KNEW the hand of the Lord was upon him, so I said to him (with her mom standing there), “Son, look into my eyes and listen to the words of this old man. You do not realize this, but the hand of God is upon your life and God has great things for you. You must give Him your heart and follow Him from this point on. Will you do it?" Remember I had never seen him before in my life. His mother was saying quietly, “Thank You Jesus. Thank You Jesus.” His response was, “Yes sir, I will do it.”

But here is the clincher. A young lady came to may her respects to the family. She name is Ann. She only knew the deceased, not the family. I mentioned that I was there because my friends who own the funeral home asked if I would help. I said, “I am a minister with Heartland International Ministries out of Kansas City, MO, and will be going to India February 3rd.

The young lady, Ann, responded, "My brother is married to a girl from India." I remembered that my sister had called a couple of weeks ago about two young men from India that her fiancé had met and invited to dinner. So, I’m thinking, “Father, you are immersing me into India.” Thank you for confirmation after confirmation. But the best is yet to come –

Ann continued by saying, “My brother will be here soon. You may wish to speak with him.” I said, “Thank you, Ann.”

When Ann’s brother came in, I knew it was he. I knew in my spirit that this was Ann’s brother, so I said to him, “You must be Ann’s brother.” “Yes, I am,” he replied. “Well, I continued, “I would like to speak with you later about India.”

About an hour later (Notice the timing), he comes out and we converse. As we are talk about India, he informed me that his wife who is a native of India is trying to get a visa to come to the states, but it having some difficulty getting it.

WHILE he and I were talking, my cell phone rings and who was calling but Fred Kornis, my friend and brother with whom I will be travelling to India. So I put Fred, who has been to India several times on the phone with the young man who is also in ministry and he gives us important ministry leads in India. By the way, his wife lives in one of the cities we will be visiting.

I thought, “God is all over me in this India thing.” Then, God spoke to my heart and reminded me that He wants to lead every step of my life to this extent, to which I simply responded, “Lead on, O King eternal.” End of story.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, it is so easy for us to become insensitive or uncertain about Your daily leadership in our lives, so teach us to just trust You every step of the journey. Others may not understand, agree, or care, but we can trust you to guide our STEPS and our STOPS. Thank You for being so real and so caring.