God’s Grace Is Enough
Thank you for your support and prayers! Together, we’re making a huge difference in Thailand. Two weeks ago, I was asked to speak at a church in Thailand and shared a message on how God’s grace is enough! It doesn’t matter what storm you are facing, what failure you have committed or what addiction you’re struggling to overcome; God’s power is bigger and can carry you through your insurmountable circumstance. I spoke about my own personal failures in life and how I didn’t think God could love me after doing some of the things I did. But God reached down into my world and embraced me; He forgave me and gave me a second chance at life! His grace was enough. You see, before the foundation of the world began, God knew sinners needed a Savior. He came to set sinners free and reconcile us back to God. The Bible says, “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs” (Matthew 5:3 NLT). When we understand that there is nothing good in us that deserves a relationship with God and we realize we can’t earn His love and favor, but must receive it freely by faith, we are blessed! God had to bring me to that place. It wasn’t because of my good performance that God was pleased with me. Instead, it was because I placed my complete confidence in the One who was good enough – Jesus Christ. I couldn’t just read about His amazing grace in a book either. God wanted me to understand it at a much deeper level – a level that I would never forget! When we come to that place, it changes us forever!
And just like God carried me through my difficult time, He will carry you through yours too! Lean on God and trust Him. We are more than conquerors in Christ!
At the end of the message, I gave an alter call and at least 8 people made first time decisions to follow Jesus Christ. It was a little unusual using an interpreter, but in a strange way, it felt completely normal. God gave me the grace or ability to walk by His Spirit the whole time! I was so amazed at how God could use my story to touch someone else and help them find God – to God be the glory!
Finished Destiny Rescue’s new website
I also am pleased to announce that we finished the new Destiny Rescue website. It took a lot of hard work and many long days to complete, but it is finally done! There was a great team of people that put forth a valiant effort to meet our deadline and we did it! Obviously, a website is always growing and changing, so the work is never fully done, but for now, we reached our first milestone! You can check out the new website at www.destinyrescue.org.
Live With An Eternal Perspective
Also, just over a week ago, I was in a motorcycle accident going between 40 and 50 mph. I was driving home late one evening after getting coffee with some staff members and decided to take the back way to my house. As I was driving, I ran over this little metal piece lying in the road and it made a little noise, but I couldn’t tell if it had popped my front tire. Not noticing anything wrong, I continued to drive my bike. About 100 yards later, my front tire blew out and I lost control of my bike, causing me to hit my head and shoulder against the concrete pavement. I then continued to skid on my back for another 30 feet. Gratefully, I was wearing a helmet and had decided to put on jeans and shoes. Unfortunately though, I was only wearing a thin t-shirt and scraped my whole back up! I started yelling for help, but thought to myself, “Who is going to understand what I am saying…I live in Thailand!!” Then all of a sudden, some other staff members that went to the café with me happened to be going home the same way that I did. They stopped and helped drive me back home where I got all bandaged up. I eventually went to the hospital and found out that I did not break any bones….Praise God! One week later, my scrapes are healing and my shoulder is feeling much better, as well.
Reflecting back on the night, I was amazed at just how fragile life can be and how in a split second it can be over! The Bible says, “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone (James 4:14 NLT). I am learning to appreciate each moment and be grateful for the time I do have on this earth. Each day we live is a gift from God. Let’s make the most of it! A good question to ask ourselves is: What am I living for? Am I living with an eternal perspective or am I living for momentary gratification? I want to encourage you to live for God today while you still have an opportunity to make a difference! I also realized that God still has a purpose for my life and as long as He has work for me to do on this earth, then I will be here! It’s comforting to know my future is in His hands…and so is yours!
