His Ways Past Finding Out

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! ~ Romans 11:33


Here's what I read this morning by Oswald Chambers:

We have no conception of what God is aiming at, and as we go on it gets more and more vague. God's aim looks like missing the mark because we are too short sighted to see what He is aiming at. Naturally, our ambitions are our own; in the Christian life we have no aim of our own. There is so much said today about our decisions for Christ, our determination to be Christians, our decisions for this and that, but in the New Testament it is the aspect of God's compelling that is brought out. "Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you." We are not taken up into conscious agreement with God's purpose, we are taken up into God's purpose without any consciousness at all.

God's purpose has been on my mind a lot lately. I have been praying for certain people in my life for what feels like quite some time. And it seems like God just isn't moving. You know what I mean? Nothing is happening. At least from my point of view. (I already know that God wants them to walk with Him, but they are choosing not to, and He has given them that free will.)

At times I start to feel, "What good are my prayers when they have a free will to do whatever they want anyway?" And on the other side, "If God is sovereign, then what good is it to pray earnestly for these people?"

Of course, Jesus taught us to pray and not to faint (Luke 18:1). Paul taught us to pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17). And "God is not unrighteous to forget [my] work and labour of love..." (Hebrews 6:10).

I have a long way to go in understanding the doctrines of predestination, foreknowledge, and sovereignty, but I do know that God wants me to pray. I don't know God's purpose. I don't always see where He is working in someone's life. And I don't always see what He is doing in my own life through learning patience in prayer! But I can be sure, He is good and up to something good! And He will work all  things together for good (Romans 8:28). Why? To conform me to the image of His Son Jesus (Romans 8:29)!

There was a rough period in my life when my mom would often start singing this song to encourage me:

Though you cannot see and you can't quite understand,

Remember God is still in control;

He has promised to bring you through somehow,

And He's working even now!

God is working, He's still working,

God is working even now;

Though we often don't know just how,

God is working, He's still working,

God is working even now.

Carol Cymbala, sung by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego come to mind. In Daniel 3:17-18, they answered King Nebuchadnezzar, who had threatened to throw them into the fiery furnace:

"If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. BUT IF NOT..."

What if we took this attitude toward prayer?

I am asking for certain things, God, and I believe You are able and willing to ________. BUT IF NOT, (if You don't choose to allow it to happen the way I would like), I will still love, live for, walk with You, and trust in You, because You are sovereign and You are good.

What Am I Living For?

Darrell and Louise Champlin are one unit of the Grings-Champlin family who are serving the Lord as missionaries all over the world.

Louise herself grew up in the Congo, Africa, suffering shipwreck with her family on the way to the Congo when she was just a young child. She lost her mother on the mission field. Her father is also buried in the Congo.

After marriage, she and her husband Darrell returned to Africa to continue the ministry, and in more recent years, have been serving in Suriname, South America.

It is Dr. Champlin's desire to die (and be buried) on the mission field of Suriname. Mrs. Champlin is there with him, still working in ministry with their children and grandchildren, and caring for Dr. Champlin in his declining years.

She is an inspiration to so many, writing thousands of letters by hand to those she regularly encourages. I feel honoured to be among them.

Here is a portion of a recent letter, which she hand wrote inside an old church bulletin by covering the printed portions with white paper in order to reuse the bulletin and utilize its inspirational quote and poems. (She is one amazing lady!):

"...It is so wonderful how God knows our hearts--our desires and reveals truth when we are ready for it and enables us to discern what isn't. I 'tried Saul's armour' so to speak and found it was not for me, but that there was more when we 'walk with the Lord' so kept on my knees, kept seeking and memorizing Scripture--I John--the LOVE epistle and the dual 'in'--me in God and Him in me--what a marvel! How can it be? God perfects His love in me--we have fellowship--I don't have to be ruled by sin. I walk in the light that God is in, we're right there together and our joy is fulfilled. My salvation verse John 1:12--child of God when I was 8 has always been a delighting reality to me--I belong!"

Dr. and Mrs. Champlin's photo on my refrigerator is a continual reminder to me: for what--or more importantly FOR WHOM--am I living? Am I living for the "here and now"? Or do I seek a City whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:10)? How do each of my decisions throughout the day reflect what I am living for?

Lord, it is my heart's desire to be consumed with YOU and only You.


In the secret of His presence how my soul delights to hide!

Oh, how precious are the lessons which I learn at Jesus' side!

Earthly cares can never vex me, neither trials lay me low;

For when satan comes to tempt me, to the secret place I go.

~ unknown

___________________
Here is a portion of a letter from the Champlins concerning their extended family serving the Lord around the world:

God has watched over us through the years as a family and we recognize His grace and goodness to us with both the Champlin and Grings. Louise’s oldest brother Bob [Grings] is still out in the Congo at age 88. He still rides his bicycle to teach Bible classes and travel the jungle trails. His son Dan and family are there with him as well as daughter Becky and her husband. Other members serve elsewhere in Africa and there are great grandchildren as well. Youngest brother Mark [Grings] at 77 was called Home to Glory in June [2008]. Wyla [Mark's wife] stays on in South Africa with daughter Esther and her family to keep the church and radio ministry going. Sister Bessie and her husband also help with that. It’s good to have four Champlin units here in Suriname to continue the ministry. Please pray for older grandchildren in the States in Bible College, and our daughter Debbie with the direction God has for her. Darrell’s brother Russell and wife continue their Bible encyclopedia literary work and publications in Brazil. Son Charles and wife work with Indian people. Their family is divided - two with them and two in the US.