| What can we do when troubles keep pummeling us one after the other, like waves of the sea? What can you do, dear reader of this email? I think we can follow the example of Paul in terms of understanding, even as he uttered one of the most peculiar statements in all of Scripture. As he chronicled the unending nature of the afflictions he continued to suffer in this world, He made the outrageous declaration that “death works.” How odd it is to hear Paul say this! What in the world did he mean? What does “death” do? It causes us to rely upon Christ.
“we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-12
All the King’s Horses Ministry will continue to teach Paul’s lesson of allowing our difficult afflictions to cause us to rely upon Christ more and more, and on our own puny strength less and less. Nothing “works” quite as effectively as “death” to deepen our reliance upon Christ in this world. We have no say in avoiding the afflictions God allows to come, but we do have the choice to trust in Him with all our heart and to forsake leaning on our own understanding as we deal with those “deaths.’
As we depend upon Him more and more, Jesus doesn’t promise to give us a Google Map of the next 100 miles in our journey. However, He does give us the wisdom and strength we need to take the next step … and then the next. What a glorious journey this becomes, with “victory” guaranteed (as Jesus defines victory – not as the world does) to all who look to Him and follow Him.
“Although the Lord has given you bread of privation and water of oppression, He, your Teacher will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher. Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.” Isaiah 30:20-21
Below are some photos of Bryson’s latest step of victory. He is so very excited to have a job at Vinni’s Pizzarama here in Wayne. Initially, he will work one hour each week, assisted by our faithful helper Lindsey. We hope to expand this to a second hour on a different day in the coming weeks. This is increasing Bryson’s self-esteem, and providing him with a sense of purpose. Below are photos of Bryson working with our faithful helper Lindsey, and a photo with Antoinetta, Proprietor of Vinni’s.
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