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A Costly Gift
2 Samuel 24:24 ( NASB) "However, the king said to Araunah, 'No, but I will
surely buy it from you for a price, for I will not offer burnt offerings
to the Lord my God which cost me nothing.' So David bought the threshing
floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver."
Over a decade, God called one of my best friends to go to the Mission
Field. I was mad at God for calling him and mad at him for listening.
He was pastor of a large, influential church about 100 miles away from
where I served. He was my pastor. When I had a problem, I turned to him
for counsel. If I was discouraged, I'd call him and when things were going
well we celebrated together. Then God ripped him out of my life.
One afternoon, before their appointment, he asked me to talk to his
wife. The Mission Board was hesitant in appointing them to their assignment
because his wife, though she was willing to go, had some doubts. As we
began to talk, I heard God's voice. I was tempted to encourage her doubts
so I could keep my friend, but I clearly heard God say to me, "Don't interfere
with what I'm doing!"
Obedient to the Lord, I fanned the embers of her faith and watched a
passion to follow God's will begin to blaze in her heart. I've lost my
friend. He is an undercover missionary and cannot have substantial contact
with religious leaders in the states. I grieve the loss, but now I feel
I've really given something to missions. I've given something that has
cost me something.
As the Christmas Season approaches, I want to ask you, what will you
give to missions this year. Can our missionaries count on your prayers?
Can they count on your gifts? Can they count on you? If God calls you,
will you go?
Read the Sermon
that Corresponds with this Devotional.
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Dr. James L. Wilson
          
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