We will have another very special addition to our day with a very special visitor. Today we have with us Trai Evans of the North MacArthur congregation in Oklahoma City. Brother Evans has made the decision to devote his life as a whole in service to God and Christ. He will be beginning his studies with the Bear Valley Institute this fall and we have the privilege of helping provide some of his financial support as he makes this great change in his life. He is here so you can get to know him and he will be preaching for us in our afternoon service.
I can tell you, from personal experience, that this is a huge decision and change in one’s life. Most people have a “plan” for their lives in one way or another. Most people know what they want to do and where they are going to do it. They know where they will live and work for most of their lives. But, once one makes the decision that this young man has made, he has no real idea where he will end up or work. It is simply leaving one’s life in the hands of the Lord and being willing to go wherever He wants you, needs you to go. It is a life that can be both, extremely stressful and extremely fulfilling all at the same time. Please keep Trai in your prayers as he prepares for this tremendous change in his life.
Yet, as great as this young man’s sacrifice is for the Lord, we see thousands of Christians all around the world that are making sacrifices every bit as great for the Lord. We see men and women who are working full time jobs, raising families and yet, they are there for the Lord’s church no matter what! They sacrifice personal time, family time; they sacrifice financially and give up many things in this world in order to work for the Lord in every way possible. They are doing exactly what the Lord described in Luke 9:23 when He said, “And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” These people give up a lot of the things of this world just to serve God, their brethren and to make every effort to reach out to others to save their souls for eternity. It is because of brethren like this that the church grows and prospers.
Until next week, I love you all,
Dan