From a Pilot’s Vantage

Tears blurred my eyes and sobs caught in my throat as I grabbed an umbrella to hurry outside. I rushed to the grass-covered airstrip. Looking up, the sky had only thick ominous clouds. It was “last light.” If the small Cessna didn’t land now, then darkness would prevent it from landing anywhere in the jungle—and my family on board would die. I heard the buzz of the plane as the pilot tried to find the short runway near the village where we lived as missionaries in Papua New Guinea.
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A Fearful Queen

In a recent Bible study I was reminded again of the Old Testament story of Queen Esther. When faced with the choice to reveal her real identity and go to the king to protect her people, she was afraid. After all, anyone who went before the king without being summoned could be put to death, and it had been thirty days since he’d last sent for her. She knew her life stood in the hands of a king’s whim. Mordecai’s reminder that “who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this,” helped her to gather her courage.  For three days she prayed, fasted and called her people to do the same. In spite of her fear, she stood before the king to beg him for the lives of her people. God did intervene for Esther and the Jewish people because of her obedience.

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Under Watchful Eyes

Recently my husband, son and I were driving down a long country road to a conference, followed the entire time by a brown car. As we reached the outskirts of town, we decided to stop for gas. After filling up, we got back on the road but noticed police lights, sirens, and slow traffic up ahead. As we crept up to pass, we noticed the car that had followed us was in a head-on crash, and the driver was being placed on a stretcher. As we passed the scene we realized that it could have been us in the accident if we had not stopped for gas. 

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Ready With An Answer

By Carin LeRoy –

 

Last week while watching my grandchildren play and ride their bikes outside, a man in the complex where they lived started a conversation with me. When he learned my husband and I had been missionaries, he began to talk about God. Sharing a little of his life history, he told me he had been homeless several times and struggled with addictions. He wanted to talk about spiritual things and hear my thoughts.  He felt he was bound by His lifestyle and choices, and it was clear he desired life to be different.

As we talked about God, the Bible, and life, I struggled to find what might best speak to His heart. Several times in the conversation the Lord brought several verses to mind, so I shared those with him. Although he was familiar with the Bible, I challenged him to read the book of John again and claim a few specific promises for himself.  At the end, he thanked me for talking with him and said, “Pray for me.”

Although I felt inadequate for the conversation, it is our responsibility as Christians to share with others when the Lord gives us opportunity. The lost are searching, and we have God’s truth that will set them free and change their lives.

The Holy Spirit will guide us as we talk with others, but we must also be diligent. God wants every Believer to be prepared to answer questions about our faith in Christ. Be ready and study God’s word.

The memorization of Scripture will help equip us. Paul instructs us to, “Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately” (2 Timothy 2:15 NET). Let’s remember how important it is to know God’s word and memorize verses that will help us witness to others.

PRAYER: Father, help me to be diligent to study Your word and memorize Scripture. Give me opportunities to witness to those who do not know You. Guide me when I have an opportunity to speak about You.

“…I am sending you  to open their eyes so that they turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me” (Acts 26:17-18 NET).

Scary Times

By Carin LeRoy –

 

It’s not often that a pilot aborts a landing. Last year my husband, son and I went on a mission trip back to where we used to serve as missionaries. The long flights overseas generally went without incident as we headed to our destination in Papua New Guinea.

As the crew prepared for the landing in Port Moresby, the pilot began his approach. Things seemed to be going as usual—until the wheels touched the tarmac. Suddenly, the pilot gunned it, and we were in the air again.

What. Was. That?

A man to the left said, “Jesus, help us.” He looked like he was praying.

Nervousness was evident on many faces as we wondered what just happened.  In all my years of flying, I had never experienced anything like it. Did we have a flat tire? Was a dog on the airstrip? (That had happened before.) Did the pilot make an error? What was going on?

We circled around to make another landing. This time without incident. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief as we touched down and came to a stop. I believe the pilot touched down without enough airstrip to land safely, so instead made a decision to abort and try again. Plane rides can have their scary moments—just like life.

When life gets scary, where do we turn? To friends? To church? To a bad habit? Do we run or walk away from it? The guy in the plane on my left had it right: Turn to Jesus and pray. In those moments when life seems out of control, God does have a purpose and a plan. He will walk with us through it. Pray, trust God and claim His promises. Soon, we enter another season of life and will look back and know that God, indeed, was with us.

PRAYER: Lord, when life is unsettling and scary, give me faith to trust You. Help me to turn to You in prayer and to claim Your promises for my life. Thank You that You hear me when I pray.

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation” (Psalm 91:14-16 NIV).

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