Lent 2018
Lent is the 40 days before Easter, not including Sundays. It is a time set a part to give consideration to the 40 days Jesus spent fasting and being tested by satan in the desert before He began his ministry. Even Jesus set Himself apart for a time on several occasions to call on and be strengthen by God as an example to us that in our busy lives. We need focused time with God to live in this lost and broken world.
3-9-18
March 9th
When I was asked to write this and the theme was to be about miracles I just set and thought for a good while. I first thought of the things that God has done in my life that I put and hold in my heart as miracles. All believers have a miracle we share and that is our salvation, God’s grace upon all those who chose His son Jesus Christ as their savior. Lost souls that are saved and inherit their promise for eternity in heaven, which is our own personal miracle.
However, I thought the best way to share about miracles is to share one that I saw in someone else’s life. I was just privileged to be witness to it. The miracle didn’t happen to me but I saw with my eyes the “Works of God” in someone else’s life. Most folks this day in time may be so self-centered that if it is not about them they may seem to be blind to something happening, even a miracle. This is the miracle that I saw happen and it continues each time I see a certain person.
This person is my friend, hunting partner, fellow member at church. His name is Donnie Hines. We spent many hours going turkey hunting years ago and talked about those crazy birds we chased, our work, our family and then God would find His way into our conversation. He would take over by putting the Holy Spirit inside the cab of the truck with us. It was very evident God had plans for my friend Donnie. Donnie would seem to end out trip and conversation with saying he wanted more God in his life.
The miracle was the walk that God took Donnie on. I could see and hear the change in Donnie grow to where I feel sure to say he has God as the ruler of his heart and life. He has become the hands and feet of Christ on earth and allows the Holy Spirit to lead him. As I watched the change in my friend he was drawn to a ministry called Outreach Outdoors. They reach out to young kids using mature as their church building by taking them hunting and fishing. Some of the kids do not have a parent to teach them about God’s creation and even about the Creator. Donnie has such a passion for these young kids to know about Jesus and wants them to desire more. Donnie’s face lights up like the North Star when he shares with me about a child giving their life to Jesus during one of the Outreach Outdoors events. He has a huge smile, a “miracle smile” because God has given him more and more. The miracle is within Donnie, God is in this brother of mine. I love Donnie Hines but I love God more because of the miracle in Donnie’s life. God bless
Psalm 77:14 You are the God who performs miracles; You display Your power among the peoples.
Skip Hopson
