The moment a person receives Christ by faith, they begin a journey of discipleship. The road can filled with trials but believers can rejoice knowing their God is orchestrating every event, every hardship, every struggle for His glory and their good (Rom. 8:28).

Everyday believers are faced with the choice to live for God or to live for self. Christ desires that we believe His Word and trust Him, even though doing so means making sacrifices and living without the “comfort” of being in control (which, of course, we never truly are).

I am reminded of the decision that Johanan, along with the small remnant left in Israel, had to make (Jer. 42-43). Babylon had invaded Jerusalem and taken most of its inhabitants captive. Only a few people were left in the land and they approached the prophet Jeremiah to ask him what God would have them do.

God’s Word was clear and direct: “If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you. . . Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom ye are afraid; be not afraid of him, saith the Lord: for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand” (Jer. 32:10a, 11). The Lord also gave the people a warning: they were not to go down to Egypt. If they did so, God would no longer protect them; they could be certain the Babylonians would destroy them.

Unfortunately, the people chose to reject God’s Word and went down to Egypt anyway. They decided it was better to run from certain hardship and possible famine (remember that the city had been destroyed) to Egypt where they believed they would be safe from further invasion. In essence, they chose to live by sight and not by faith in what God had promised them.

Too often, we make the same wrong decision. Rather than trusting God, even in difficult circumstances, we run to places of comfort and safety—and right out of the will of God!

May the Lord help us walk by faith today.

Terri Grover, wife of Pastor Todd Grover of Maranatha Baptist Church in Ashland, Oh., shared her moving testimony of how God has done a great work in her life. Having a life placed into Christ, shaped and molded her into the wife and mother she is today.

            Fun and games? Oh yes, we had fun! A very interesting lady from south of Caldwell sang an altogether unique rendition of On Top of Old Smoky! Some of the more intellectual ladies came up with some amazing definitions for their team in the game of Balderdash. At 10:00 p.m. the night was still young and many of the ladies continued to enjoy a time of fellowship and games.

            Saturday, the 6^th, came bright and early with another beautiful day. After a wonderful breakfast, we gathered together for another precious time around God’s Word. The Lord used Terri to open our eyes again to the Savior. The day continued with workshops, another Amish lunch, more of God’s Word, and of course, shopping.

Everyone that went truly enjoyed herself in a beautiful, restful setting. But the most important of all was a renewed spirit in the things of Christ!

Submitted by Cassandra De Leon. Cassandra is the wife of Michael De Leon, pastor of Lighthouse. She is the mother of eight children and enjoys homeschooling and being a wife and mother.