"YET!"

Hello All,

Each week, I will be adapting an excerpt from our Thursday Night Bible Study and making a devotional out of it. They will be available at the official blog for the Bible Study. You can find it weekly at http://ctnbs.blogspot.com. This one is called "YET!"

"Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. And she had an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, 'See now, the Lord has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.' And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai."

Genesis 16:1,2

Sarai’s plan to obtain Abram's descendant was logical, but it fails in two areas. First, it was presumptuous. The word "presumption" has interesting origins. In the 13th century, it was used to describe "seizure and occupation without right." It also meant "taking upon oneself more than is warranted." Does that sound about right? Sarai has taken something that was not hers to take, namely the responsibility of bringing the miraculous Messianic child of promise into the world.

When last we checked, bringing this child into the world was something that God was going to accomplish. Here, Sarai presumes that it is hers to decide. After all, it's been at least a decade and there has been no child! It would seem that God needs a little help here, so why not go with a time tested, natural, solution from the World. Surrogacy seemed to make all the sense in the world to her.


What is missing in Sarai's methods is a clear reverance of the Lord.


"The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression."

Psalm 19:9-13

I was listening to a Pastor reminisce about hearing a televangelist say, "God needs you now like He has never needed you before!" That's true: He needs You and I like He has never needed you! He has indeed NEVER NEEDED YOU! For that matter, He has NEVER NEEDED ME! I completely agree: God does not need our help to bring about His plan for our lives.


Sarai's second flaw in logic was her assumption that because God has not acted, that He would not do so. When we wait, we all have the tendency to believe that God is unable or unwilling. Neither of which is true. I wish that Sarai would have employed just one word that would have helped her immensely: YET! The truth is that if He has promised, there is always a "yet" to add to each sentence.

Here is Sarai's sentence, with the "yet" added: God has not opened my womb...yet! See how helpful that is!? Yes, it's painful, because that "yet" means more waiting. That "yet" means that the fulfillment is still not here. But that "yet" also keeps your perspective in the right place. He has not failed you; He is making you wait, but that is not failure on His part.

So, try it with your sentence. Let me give you a few examples to get those creative juices going:


"I trusted God and my marriage has not been healed...yet!"


"I trusted God with my singleness and He has not brought a proper mate...yet!"

Doesn't that help!? Try one more:


"I have been waiting for the right job and He has not brought it...yet!"


Sarai's logic is desperate and fatalistic. With the Lord, we never need to get there. His power and wisdom is available and who knows if the change you seek is not just around the proverbial corner! It's coming, it's just not here...

YET!

Blessings...To Our Friends,
Frank Sanchez

...Go!...

Hello All,

Last night, we began our Bible study at the Gonzalez Center in Colton. I admit being completely overwhelmed the day of, mostly due to the anticipation. I had no idea what to expect. How many, if any, would come? Would they be young or old in the faith? How would the room feel? What songs would be appropriate for a group that has never worshipped together? Believe it or not, not knowing the answers to these questions really made it a difficult assignment. Usually, you at least know who you are speaking to, which is helpful in penning sermons. I was completely flying blind and the questions loomed large as the night quickly approached.

The answers came fairly quickly. 15 people joined us for the evening, spanning the spectrum from young and old, single and married, young and seasoned in the faith. It was a blessing to be there with them, most I have known for many years. A few were students that I met while they were in Junior High. A few I met when I married their daughter/niece! One couple I met in the first seconds of my life, though I do not remember that! One couple drove out from Cherry Valley, a healthy 35 minute drive, to be with us. Their presence, as well as the rest, encouraged my heart to know that we are stepping in the right direction.

We worshipped and then we studied Genesis 1:1. I had prayed and wondered about starting in Genesis. I wondered if it would be the right book. Once we got going, I felt that the choice was perfect and it set the tone for the weeks to come. (For those interested in the notes from the study, you can find them right here.) As I was teaching, I felt such joy and excitement to be able to share the Lord's heart, knowing that barring some extreme circumstances, I will not be interrupted in having the opportunity to continue week by week. There are no visa issues here in America as there were in Spain, and this is not a guest teaching experience! With the Lord's help, I will be able to build week by week with a group of people that God desires to sow His Word into.

At the end of the night, I was glad for what God had been doing in our midst. This morning, as I woke up, I began praying for each one, that God would allow His Word from last night, to soak deeply into their souls and that He would meet them in every one of their situations. I prayed specifically when I could and generally otherwise. It amazed me to experience the joy that that discipline brought to my heart, as well as the earnest desire to add to it next Thursday night.

What happens from here is a mystery. Will this be a long term Bible study or will this become a church body? I do not know. One thing is for sure : The ball is rolling! We have begun something that we pray will be a blessing to as many as God intends. With each passing week, we pray that the Lord would confirm that His hand is upon this. I am not worried about how many God brings, as that will always be His business. He is in charge of bringing increase. I'm just the farmer, sowing the seed. My concern is that those who come to the Thursday Night Bible Study will find an undershepherd waiting to feed and care for them. My bible college professor, Pastor Larry Taylor, said it best when he said, "Make sure that your sheep are the best loved, best fed sheep in the world." That is what I hope to live by.

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. Both prayer and encouragement continue to be welcome!

Blessings...To Our Friends,
Frank Sanchez

On Your Marks...

Hello All,

I meant to blog this a little earlier in the week, but computer problems have arisen over the last day that have delayed this. Perhaps this falls under the "better late than never" labels for this blog. Nevertheless, as my good friend Kim says, "I must needs" get this to you.

As I have previously announced, I am about to begin a Bible study in the city of Colton. I have said on more than one occasion that I have no idea what to expect, but that I expect to teach the Word of God and worship Him with whoever God intends to bring our way. Tonight, September 10th, we begin the process in Spirit and even in practice. Over the course of the next several weeks, I will be meeting with family and some mentors on Thursday evenings, for the purpose of prayer and worship. We are asking the Lord several specific items. For those who read this blog, or who have been directed here through Facebook, please take some time when you can, perhaps even this evening at 7PM, and pray through this list of items with us.

One of the main items of prayer is a suitable location in Colton to meet. We have a few "feelers" out there, but are currently unsure as to a good, solid location to congregate. I had originally believed that my family's home would suffice, but have become quickly convinced that the space would be too constrictive. I am hopeful that there is a much more suitable place, and will focus my attention on that aspect next week when a good friend of mine returns from his vacation (you know who you are!!). I pray that he might be a big help in that regard.

For now, here is the current list of items that we would love you to join us in prayer over. This is by no means, exhaustive, but it gets the prayer fires stoked. I consider it a launching pad toward even more effective prayer. Feel free to disseminate this to any prayer warriors that you know, especially those who know us. We can use all the prayer we can get!

• Strength, wisdom and clarity for Frank as he attempts to follow the Lord's leading.

• The annointing of God's Spirit to rest upon Frank, as he proclaims the Word.

• The strengthening of Frank and Lela's marriage and family.

• The stirring up of hearts in Colton and surrounding areas for the Word of God.

• Strong, supportive partnerships would develop.

• The casting down of spiritual strongholds within Colton.

• Spiritual protection from the attacks of the enemy for Frank, Lela and the kids.

• A smooth adjustment for our kids as they acclimate to new pressures.

• A strategic, inexpensive location to meet on a weekly basis. Either is Colton proper or Cooley Ranch...

• Redeeming relationships in the community among Colton's Pastors.

• Opportunities to make friends and evangelize inside of the city.

• Employment and financial provision for the Sanchez family.

• A devoted team of leaders and elders would be identified.

• God would draw the hearts of those that He would like to touch.

• God's name would be magnified and lifted high, leading to unprecedented blessing.

• God's vision of what this should be would be realized.

That is it! Feel free to leave what you feel led to pray in the comments section of this blog entry. We would love to see what the Lord stirs in our friend's hearts.

Blessings...To Our Friends,
Frank Sanchez