WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO CHANGE A LIFE?

Dear friends,

Our household move is now complete and I am looking forward to publishing more articles on a variety of subjects, not the least of which are "THE END TIMES"! Information is flooding into my computer daily that clearly indicates a significant trend toward possible fulfillment of several key scriptures. Also, during this time of household transition, I have stored several very provocative questions sent in by readers. In fact, so many that I have to figure out a way to both answer them and continue with my articles.

Today however I want to take the opportunity to introduce you to a new STAFF WRITER addition to this ministry. As a long time pastor, I have always encouraged the women of my congregation to exercise their God given talents and make their voices heard for the kingdom of God. I realize there are those out there that think women should not teach but frankly that is foolishness. Those that think that way are basically throwing fully half the Saints of God away as somehow unworthy simply because they were born female. Some of the greatest leaders of all time have been women and there are several well known ladies within the Body of Christ who are excellent teachers or pastors. Two of the most anointed evangelists I have ever known are women. Why am I belaboring this point? Because I am enlisting some very talented people as STAFF WRITERS and they will be chosen because of their gifts and anointing's in the Body of Christ, not because of gender.

I had intended to do a follow up today on the earthquake phenomena that seems to be increasing worldwide in both frequency and intensity. Don't worry, we will get to it but for now, I have received lots of comments on an earlier article having to do with "NOT GIVING UP"! It was entitled "CHOOSING TO BE AN OVERCOMER". The article you are about to read is by a young lady by the name of Hannah Koppers. She served for several years in my prior ministry and now writes for PROPHETIC SWORD.

Hannah grew up in Southern California. She has been living in Baja California as a missionary since September 2005. She has been writing independently for several years. Her desire is to glorify God with the abilities He has given her in every capacity possible, no matter how small. Hannah believes that God has many adventures in store for her, hopefully spanning many different countries in the future.

And now, may I introduce to you with great enthusiasm, Hannah Koppers...

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO CHANGE A LIFE?

What does it mean to change a life? All over the world lives are being changed. Some are given a second chance-or a first- that utterly alters the shape and tone of their lives for the better. Others, in heartbreakingly large numbers, watch as their lives are changed irrevocably for the worse, as nature destroys homes and addictions destroy families.

What do we do to staunch this hemorrhage of pain and sorrow? With our tiny hands and feeble attempts at goodness, what good can individual humans accomplish in this world? As I live my life on the mission field, these questions often come to mind, and must be considered. What, really, is the point? When we give, are we really expressing the love of Christ, or are we just teaching the recipients how to beg? Will it last into eternity? Do we leave changed lives in our wake?

I was eating ice cream the other day with some friends, enjoying the rare treat of a scoop of mocha almond fudge and laughing at a private joke, when a tiny, shabby Indian couple caught my attention. They were at the age where they should be sitting in their children’s homes, telling stories to the grandchildren sitting on their laps. Instead, they shuffle around checking trashcans for recyclables that they can trade for a few pesos.

My ice cream turned to sawdust in my mouth as I watched them walk away. I wanted to run after them, to offer them an exorbitant amount of money for their tiny bag of aluminum cans. But as my hand reached into my purse, a wave of hopelessness engulfed me. Why bother? They would still be poor. In a few days, they would be hungry again. Attempting to help in a tiny way seemed so presumptuous in the face of the great need I witness day after day.

We build a house for a woman who has been left alone with three young children. This is a good thing. We give food and clothing to all who ask. This too, is a good thing. But houses fall down, clothing wears out, and food is consumed and forgotten. Where is the good that lasts?

Edmund Burke said, “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” We all have experienced the aftereffects of pain and loss. We see suffering and hate and poverty. We know the outcome of bad men walking the earth. We work, sometimes only a few, against this evil, with what tools we have in hand. Every act of love, of kindness, no matter how small or how great, helps counteract the outflow of pain.

“I was hungry and you gave Me food. I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.”

Goodness has not lost its power. No kindness is too small to change a life. The eternal value is not in clothes and buildings. The lonely soul is warmed when it knows that it is not alone. The unlovable person is changed when they realize that they are loved.

The real question we must ask ourselves, and indeed, the one that the world is constantly asking the church, is this: are you doing something, anything at all? It is not the size of the gift that must be taken into account; it is not how skillfully or swiftly you may build a house, or how eloquently you might speak. We envision big things. We see the end of world hunger and the fall of human trafficking. But we forget that the fount of action sometimes starts with the merest trickle. We sigh in defeat when our participation is relegated to a few tiny dollars, or a few short hours, a little paint and a smile, forgetting that we are a single part of a great tapestry being woven that will answer the cries of suffering humanity. Be encouraged, you who feel little, weak, ill-equipped. The clumsy, the shy, the bumbling and the ignorant can bear the face of Christ to the lost just as well as the skilled and the talented, and -in the end- what matters is that they see His face, not the instrument that carried it.

Written by Hannah Koppers

Author / Contributor to Prophetic Sword Ministries Website & Blog

In closing today I would like to share with you a rather poignant thought! All human beings are sometimes adversely effected by tragedy, illness, financial reverses and a veritable plethora of other things that can change our lives for better or worse. Let's agree to simply set those things aside for a moment and concentrate on "ATTITUDE"!

As I was going through a small mountain of mail today, the envelopes had already been opened and I noticed a small pink note float out of the stack and onto the floor. I have no idea where it came from or who sent it but the simple message it contained fits very nicely with Hannahs article.

It said simply: "Get over it" A loosing person focuses on what they are going THROUGH!

A winning person focuses on what they are going TO!

To some this may seem somewhat crass but it does never the less smack of truth! This well of wisdom will certainly not dull the pain of injury or suffering as we go through problems in our lives. BUT If we have a true relationship with Jesus Christ, we are guaranteed an eternity without end where there will be no sorrow or tears. It is there that we must place our focus!

God bless you all,

Pastor Rance.