Tonight, I pray that I can communicate the power of the word
of God. My prayer for each reader is
that the God of glory would stir faith in your heart, as you seek to trust him
more. My prayer is that the Mighty One,
the one who is, who was and who is to come - my savior and sustainer, would
reveal himself through each word, that I write.
Who is like this Holy King?
Who or what can compare to his great love? What trial, what sickness, what trouble, what
broken relationship, what pain, can withstand his loving kindness or his steadfast
faithfulness? Nothing - I say it again -
Nothing can separate us from his great love.
He formed you in your mother’s womb and you are fearfully and
wonderfully made. No scheme of the evil
one can pluck you from his hand, if you are his and the very Spirit of the
Living God is holding you together, even now, regardless of what you feel or
think.
You were created for his glory; you are being sustained even
now for his purposes and He won’t give up on you. He created you for him, and He will pursue you
until you are found. One who never
leaves you nor forsakes you, the one who numbers your days, the holy one of
Israel, and the one who willingly gave himself up, so you and I could be
free. No more shackles, no more chains,
freedom in Christ, no more pain.
Tonight, many of us gathered in downtown Norfolk, for our Saturday
night outreach. We partnered with New
Life Providence – Ghent Campus - and labored in love. Each person was so important; each person was
the hand and feet of Jesus Christ. I
arrived on the scene to witness many people laboring to make sure that our
homeless friends were treated as royalty.
I witnessed a man helping another man write a resume, I witnessed
another - from a staffing agency - interviewing my friends with hopes of
finding them steady employment. I noticed
another man working tirelessly over the grill, and a couple creating an
atmosphere of worship with their singing and strumming. Noah and I had the opportunity to drive
around the inner city and shuttle our friends -those with no ride - to the
event. I witnessed another man preaching
passionately. It was the love of God not
only in word, but in demonstration.
Meet my friend Richard.
Richard was brought to me at the end of the evening, and he was serious
about getting off the streets, tonight.
He was affected by the preaching and I could see God moving in his
heart. Richard confessed that he had
used all of his allotted nights at the Salvation Army and he was banned 2 years
ago from the Union Mission for getting in an argument with another resident. Richard was convinced that the Union Mission
wouldn’t allow him back in, but I was in faith that God would be merciful to
Richard. So… we hopped in the car and
drove towards the Union Mission.
It’s important that you know that it’s not often that once
you are on the banned list at any of the area shelters, you are allowed back
in, but tonight as Richard responded to the word of God, God was faithful to
his son.
We arrived at the front desk of the Union Mission, where we
were greeted by the receptionist. I
said, “Sir, I hope you’re doing well, and I’d like you to meet my friend
Richard. Unfortunately, Richard made a
mistake a couple of years ago here and has been placed on the “banned”
list. I understand that he violated the
rules and he understands that too, but we’re wondering if you’ll give him
another chance.” The man responded
without hesitation, “Well, we know who the King of Mercy is, so why wouldn't I
offer him another chance? I’ve been
given many chances in my lifetime.” He
was smiling as he responded. Richard
looked at me in shock. I smiled. J
I could tell Richard was totally not expecting this man to
let him in, especially so easily. He
waved me off to the side and said, “Can I talk to you?” He said, “Jimmy, I really appreciate you
bringing me over here and for going to bat for me here, but I’m not sure I can
respond right to authority and I don’t want to make you look bad.” I’m not that good with authority and I don’t
mean to sound harsh, but sometimes it comes across that way, even though I don’t
mean it. He said, he didn’t want to
stay, because he was afraid he’d make me look bad. I told the man at the desk, I needed to talk
to Richard and we’d be back. We drove
off…
I said, “Richard, I really appreciate your honesty and your
ability to be able to recognize your flaws enough, that you would deny a place
to sleep tonight, to protect my reputation.
That’s commendable! I said, “I’ll
take you wherever you want, and I’m not upset that you don’t want to stay at
the Union Mission, tonight. He asked me
to take him back to where I picked him up.
As we were driving, I had an opportunity to share the gospel
with Richard. I told him that out of the
40 + people that we served tonight, God had his finger on him, specifically. I told him the story about the paralyzed man
who lay at the pool for 38 years, before he was healed and touched by God. My word to him was simple, “Do you want to be
well?” That’s what God wanted to ask
Richard tonight. I told him that “RIGHT
NOW” the past could be erased and he could be a new man in Christ. He said, “How can everything I’ve done be
erased, right now?” I said, “Richard,
don’t be like that man who laid at the
pool for 38 years crippled questioning how.”
God wants you to walk today, but he’s asking this question, “do you want
to be well” and you have to settle that first.
I said, “He’s already showing you that he’s erasing your
past and that’s why the man behind the desk at the Union Mission is letting you
in. The old has passed away, Richard!”
As we pulled up to the spot where I picked him up, he looked
at me and said, “Take me back to the Union Mission, I want to be well.” Jeremy preached about not questioning who God
is and he shared the story about the man who was drowning in the middle of the
ocean and was praying that God would send him a life boat. He explained how a boat pulled up, asking the
man to get in and offering help, but the man refused the help and said, “God
will save me.” Richard said, “This is my
boat!” You’re my boat, the Union Mission
giving me a second chance is my boat and I’m not going to miss it. J
In that moment, God’s word (Jeremy’s preaching) accomplished
its work. That word was the very word
that caused Richard to return to the Union Mission tonight. I dropped Richard off, prayed for him and
blessed him with a humble, meek spirit as he walked away.
He’s so awesome!
Blessed be the name of the Lord!
Pray for Richard tonight, please.
Jimmy Foster - I am "A Church Without Walls"
