Encouragement

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It may sound strange, but I want the word 'Serendipity' on my tombstone.
Please read on...

We were privileged to have my two brothers and their wives visit us this past year.
We met at a local restaurant for lunch where La Moyne's sister and son also joined us.

My brother Edsel has been a Christian businessman for most of his life.
He and his wife Peggy live in Altus which is our hometown.

After pastoring First Baptist Church, Altus, for 30 yrs. Keith and his wife, Linda,
retired and moved to Lake Humphreys near Duncan, Okla.

Keith and I were talking that day about a little known word, 'Serendipity' and how I've always been fascinated with that word.
Keith said that J. Wallace Hamilton wrote a book entitled 'Serendipity' on the subject.

I found that book in my library and inside the book's jacket, he says:
"Every time the three Princes of Serendip went on a journey, something unexpected happened. This has happened in medicine, science, astronomy, and psychology where exciting discoveries are found when searching for something else."
(Sir Horace Wapole coined the word 'Serendipity' from the Persian fairy tale.)

We should not be surprised that life and the search for the unknown should hold happy surprises. In fact, Jesus gave us the greatest Serendipity:
"Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you".
Jesus seems to be saying, "Make this your aim, your goal and your life's pursuit.
In the process, you will find something unexpected (unlocked) along your road of life".

At our ages (79 and 74) La Moyne and I could say 'Amen' to Matthew 6:33.
In many of our 161 articles, we have shared some of God's Serendipities that have come to us along life's way.

We have found that:
1) God's POWER has not diminished.
The Holy Spirit is STILL the greatest Power in the world.

2) God's PRESENCE is still with us...never to leave nor forsake.

3) God's PROMISES have not ceased and are equal to His Presence...
but they must be learned and believed, by Faith.

4) God's PLAN has not been altered.
God's Will is the greatest discovery in the world and to do it, is our greatest achievement.

Someone has well said:
"We are not significant because of what we do...as much as 'whose we are'.
We are special in body, yes!
Hopeful in mind, but important because of the signature of God on our lives."

In Your Presence God, I can hear You.
In Your Presence, I draw near to You.
In Your Presence, I find I need You more.

I heard a song recently which told of people watching a man who was running.
He was asked, "What's going on with that crowd down the street?"
He replied, "Ask the blind man.....he saw it all".

I thought of:
Daniel as he left the lions' den...
the 3 Hebrews leaving the fiery furnace...
and Lazarus as he left the tomb.

Praise the Lord, we all have the privilege of telling others about Someone Who left a tomb and this Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever!
(Hebrews 13:5-8)

The word in the Bible that is nearest to the word 'Serendipity' is 'Grace'.
Grace is like the word 'Miracle'....something that can't happen..until it does.

Here are some 'happenings' that can happen to us, by God's Grace:
1) We're SAVED by Grace through Faith, not by works, but it is a gift of God's Grace.
Then we become God's workmanship unto good works. (Eph. 2:8-10)

2) We're SANCTIFIED by Grace through the work of the Holy Spirit.
"I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me and the life I now live, is by Faith in the Son of God Who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Gal. 2:20-21)

3) SUSTAINED by sufficient Grace.
"My grace is sufficient for you for my strength is made perfect in your weakness"
(II Cor. 12:9)
My deficiencies are to be replaced by His sufficiencies.
Always remember that Christ in you is your hope and He is the best object of your hope!

4) SOWING Grace is a part of "as you are going, make disciples" but sowing takes:
planting, watering, tending and praying for the harvest.
"You who sow in tears shall reap in joy for you are God's farmer/workman".
(Ps. 126: 5-6)

5) GIVING Grace
The 'forgotten' Beatitude is not listed in Matthew 5, but is listed in Acts 20:35:
"It is more blessed to give than to receive".

CONCLUSION:
Enjoy all of God's Grace...and live in expectancy of all of His Blessings.
Please do not miss the Serendipities....
and remember that you are a minister of God's Grace. (Matt. 20: 26-28)

A song that 'Moyne and I used to sing as a duet was 'Grace Greater Than Our Sin"
(Words by Julia H. Johnston and music by Daniel B. Towner)

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.

Chorus:
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin.

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide.
What can avail to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,
Brighter than snow you may be today.

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?

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