Christian Living

---

Larry Lilly's Letter Thursday July 9, 2009

On page 22 of my book, "Lasting Friendships In 30 Days" I quote J. Austin Bennett's great statement on the bonds of friendship:

"The bonds of friendship that are forged in conditions of adversity are perhaps the strongest of all."

The corresponding article in the book goes into depth of the deep meaning of Austin's statement. I depart from that article today, adding to it in the hopes of encouraging you or one of your loved ones or friends.

I do not believe that the experiences of life are a waste if we choose to use them to help others along the way. In the current financial situation being faced by many Americans, Joyce and I are being used of Jesus to help several families survive in spite of suffering things they formerly thought would surely kill them.

Long years prior to the current crisis our family as Paul states, "suffered the loss of all things." This loss included the humiliating loss of prestige, all material things, and opportunities, being forced to seize opportunities, not only dressed in work clothes, but so far beyond the pale that only a truly desperate person could read any hope at all in them. I am happy to report that our seeing hope through the eyes of desperation has turned out to be the eyes of the Lord on the future, for now we are sought out by terrified people as to "How" to survive while maintaining sanity. As we talk with, study scripture and pray with folks who are waiting for the sheriff with eviction/repo papers, our story of the Lord's faithfulness in seeming loss is being used to put a gleam of hope and courage back in the heart of nice people who never dreamed such could happen to them in America.

No, I do not know how to stop the process short of winning the lottery. I do tell folks that I won the Scottish Lottery for one million dollars which pays out $1.00 per year for a million years. Banks are not interested in me signing over the proceeds.

A forgotten doctrine in our time is that the Lord is with us in our trials, be the trials physical, fiscal, or of whatever nature of trial you are facing. When God put His people through the test in the Old Testament Isaiah recorded this for God’s people throughout time:

Isaiah 43:2 "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."

Whatever "fire" you are walking through, Christ is with you and will use you.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2009 Use with credit

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE