Let Us Not Become Weary

Have you ever had the experience when you don't hear from a friend for a while and you start freaking out about it? You may think, "Did I do something wrong? Is she mad at me? I wonder if he  is okay? Maybe my friend got in a car accident...what if she died?!?"

As funny as that may be, you know it's true. Today's culture has gotten us accustomed to instant gratification. We live in a world where messages can be sent and received within a few seconds. Because of this mindset we will literally jump to the assumption that our friends have died if they don't respond to a text message within a certain time frame. I was thinking about this recently because I realize that this mindset of needing to be instantly gratified can easily affect other aspects of my life.

I can be so impatient, especially if things aren't going the way I had hoped. However, something happened last week that helped me to see the importance of not becoming weary.

A few posts ago I shared a testimony about Melissa, the woman that works at the Salvation Army. Things looked like it was absolutely
perfect. She was all set to come to the Revelation Seminar. She even came to the opening night and LOVED it. However, things seemed to go south.

This time of year is extremely busy for the Salvation Army because of Angel Tree and the Kettle Ringers, all of which Melissa happens to be in charge of. Unfortunately because of this, she wasn't able to make it to any of the other nights of the seminar. I'd stop by her work place where I usually met up with her and I always seemed to miss her. I kept praying for her and pleading with the Lord for her to come out to the meetings. At that moment, my prayers seemed to go unanswered.

Three weeks later, after the Revelation Seminar had completed, I decided to stop by the Salvation Army once more. This time Melissa was there. Melissa invited me into her office and our friendship picked up exactly where it left off. She updated me with things going on in her life and how crazy things had been. I told her how I missed seeing her and she responded, "I know I've missed you too and I was so bummed that I wasn't able to make it out to that seminar. But I have been watching them online."

"You've been watching them online?" I thought to myself. Instantly I felt rebuked for ever questioning and doubting whether God had this situation in His control. We talked about what she was learning from the videos and she expressed how she really liked how John Bradshaw just showed everything from the Bible.

For some reason, I wasn't able to go down to the Salvation Army at the usual day and time that I normally go. It's strange because normally I make sure I get down this but this time it was as if something was stopping me from going. My phone rang that afternoon and to my surprise it was Melissa.

When I answered the phone, Melissa started saying, "Hey girl. I was just thinking about you. I was just wondering what you were up to. I realize how much of a positive influence you are to me and I just really like being around you."

We talked for a bit and then she said something that I wasn't expecting. Melissa continued saying, "You know, I was thinking. It's been really busy around here and I was thinking maybe you could just come over to my house and we could study the Bible there."

I literally couldn't believe what I had just heard. I had been trying to get Melissa to do Bible studies with me since I met her in the summer. However, the she never wanted Bible studies for herself. Yet now in this time where I felt like nothing was happening, God was really working on her heart. I just couldn't see it.

 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Galatians 6:9

Puppy Devotional

I’ve never really been a dog person. I like the idea of dogs. I’m familiar with the phrase “dogs are man’s best friend” but never comprehended it. There’s simply one reason for that, I’ve always owned cats. Cats are great. They’re super low maintenance. They do their business in a box. They can be playful but most of the time they’re super chill and just want to sleep. 

Well this weekend I feel like the Lord decided to soften my heart by having me dog sit (or more like dogs sit). This weekend I’m watching four dogs for two of my friends. There’s Motica, the needy white poodle that looks and acts like an old lady. Percy, Motica’s daughter, the black poodle who looks completely innocent and adorable but is really the biggest trouble maker. There’s Lucy, the black and white chihuahua, she’s a hyper active puppy that is the most adorable when she’s sleepy and cuddly. And then there’s Cleo, who’s bread is a mixture of things to equal a white fluff ball with little black patches.

I realized a couple things just from the first night of watching them. They either always have to go to the bathroom, or they’re hungry (even if they’re not hungry, they just want food). I literally told the Lord in my mind, this must be what it’s like to have kids. 

Normally the first thing I do in the morning is grab my Bible and just start reading. But this morning I didn’t, as soon as I got up, I took the dogs outside so they could use the bathroom, and then I got to read. Even while I was trying to read I was constantly getting interrupted by the puppies. Percy just wanted to stare out the window downstairs and bark at leaves. Cleo wanted to chew on my some electrical wires so I had to put her in the crate. Motica couldn’t jump on the bed and wanted me to drop my hand off the side so I could pet her while she laid on the floor. And Lucy just wanted to be cuddled. 

I was typing out what I was learning in my devos when Percy decided to bark at a sketchy looking leaf and I noticed a chain reaction with the dogs. Motica barked once or twice but since she was in the room with me, she calmed down. Cleo was in her confined area and wasn’t affected. And Lucy who was fast asleep on my lap, didn’t budge or make a sound. 

You may be wondering, why in the world am I telling you this? Well it’s because God used it to add to my devos. This morning I was learning about how Christ is the Good Shepherd. In fact that’s what I was writing about when Lucy was cuddling with me. 

I was thinking about how the dogs were reacting in relation of where they were to me. Percy, the instigator, was downstairs, no where near me. She was the very dog that started barking. Motica barked but once she saw that I wasn’t concerned, she stopped. Meanwhile Lucy and Cleo were both in a safe place (either the crate where I put Cleo because it would be the safest for her or on my lap where Lucy was sleeping). The two dogs that were in a safe place, were completely unaffected. 

As one of Christ’s sheep, that made me think about how I respond to situations. Am I the very one creating the dangerous situation in my head? Do I react to the situation and then simmer down when I realize that the One in charge isn’t concerned? Or am I completely at peace because I know I’m in a safe place?

This made me think more about Psalm 23. As I read this Psalm I tried to visualize where the Shepherd is compared to where the sheep is. In verses 2-3, it uses phrases such as “He leads me.” That gave me the picture of the Shepherd in front of His sheep. Then in verse four when the sheep is walking through the valley of the shadow of death, the sheep doesn’t fear evil because the Shepherd is “with” the sheep. In verse five, the Shepherd is anointing the sheep with oil which gives me the imagery that the Shepherd is above the sheep. And lastly, in verse six, it says that “goodness and mercy shall ‘follow’ me.” Now the Shepherd is behind the sheep. It seems to me that the Shepherd position to the sheep depends on what is going on. It’s like the Shepherd knows exactly where He needs to be and will position Himself accordingly. 

The second thing I thought of was the hireling that the Bible mentions. In John 10, it talks about how no one will ever care for the sheep as much as the shepherd. In fact if the hireling sees danger, the hireling will run away and leave the sheep stranded to die. I literally asked God, “why do you even hire these guys?” 

Then He got me thinking. 

God: Why are you dog sitting right now? 

Me: Because my friends are visiting their parents in Florida.

God: Okay, so you’re watching them because they physically can’t be there. But you don’t like dogs. Why did you agree to dog sit?

Me: Well because I love my friends, but I still don’t know why they trusted me to watch their dogs?

God: You just answered your own question. They trust you because you love them. You may not care for the dogs as much as you could, but you love their owners. That’s the same thing with Me. The only hirelings that I trust, are the ones that love Me. 

Sunday Afternoon At Walmart

Have you ever had the experience where you know you need to go to the store, but you just don't want to? I feel like I have that struggle all the time. It's one of those things that you just have to do, but I'd really rather spend my time doing something else. It could very well be the reason why I enjoy online stores like Amazon so much. However, there's something special to a store in person. When you go to a store in person, you get to see people. This story takes place when I had to go to a store and I just didn't want to. 

I was in the Walmart parking lot one Sunday afternoon. I was about to go into the store but stopped. I don't know why, but I suddenly had this urge to pass out GLOW tracts right then. I like carrying around these little Bible pamphlets that "give light to our world." I normally keep it on me so I can pass it out wherever I am. I'll give one to whoever I talk to or even people that just happen to be around me. I wasn't in a rush to go into Walmart, so I decided

Photo Credit: GLOW FaceBook Page

to put some of the tracts on the driver's side door handle on the cars in the parking lot. I had about a hundred tracts so I figured once I ran out, I'd go into Walmart. 

Occasionally I would meet someone in the parking lot as they were leaving or just arriving in their car. When that would happen I would talk to them for a bit. Really I just made random conversation with them or I would hand them a tract and say, "this is just a little something for you," and I'd walk away. As I was putting tracts on the door handles I saw one car parked a far off all by itself. I walked over to the car and realized there was a young lady sitting inside. I knocked on the window, the driver rolled the window down and I proceeded to hand her a tract. The second she looked at the tract tears started to fill her eyes and she said, "I can't believe I just left in the middle of church." 

"Are you okay?" I responded. "Is there anything I can pray for you?"

"No. I'll be okay. But thank you for this, I really needed it." She replied as she held up the GLOW tract. 

I prayed for her in my head as I walked away from her car. I continued passing out the tracts until I ran out. As I was about to head into Walmart, I had this overwhelming that I needed to see whether that woman was still in her car. I went on a way round about way to get back to my car so I could pass by where her car was parked and found her still there.

I lifted up another prayer as I walked over to her once again. She rolled down the window again and I said, "I just wanted to let you know that I offer free Bible studies and I wanted to ask you if that's something that you'd be interested in."

"That would be great! I used to read my Bible all the time but I stopped and I've been having a hard time starting up again." She responded. 

We made plans to meet up later that week and the Lord led in a powerful study on how we can have victory in our spiritually low points. Afterward she texted me saying, "Hey! Thanks so much for the Bible study today. I really enjoyed it. I needed that message." 

We've been studying every week since then and it's amazing how the Lord has been working on this woman's heart. Also it showed me how God can literally take any circumstance (even something you don't feel like doing), and turning it into a witnessing opportunity. 

One Man Planted, Another Watered, But God Gave the Increase

A couple months ago It Is Written's School of Evangelism, SALT had its Summer SALT session. This was by far the largest Summer SALT class we've ever had. We had students from all over the community and also from all over the country as well. We had a specific time for outreach where the students went into various neighborhoods knocking on doors. They were asking people about different interests such as health seminars, cooking classes, and finance classes as well. The last question the students asked at the doors was, "have you considered turning to the Bible for yourself," in essence they were asking them if they were interested in studying the Bible. This story started back in the middle of summer when the Summer SALT students searched for interests in the Chattanooga area.

Two men knocked on Melissa's door. She wasn't interested in studying the Bible for herself but she was interested in having a Bible study offered at her workplace. Melissa is a manager at the Salvation Army and wanted to offer classes there. Since then, I've been going down to the Salvation Army every Wednesday and the Lord has opened up doors to study with several people since then. However, God was putting the burden on my heart that the real reason why I was at the Salvation Army was for Melissa.

One week, Melissa called me on Monday telling me there was someone specific that she wanted me to study with. The Lord had something amazing planned because all of the sudden my car started acting up. By the time AAA came and revived my car and I made it to the Bible study I had about 20 minutes before our time would be up. Melissa decided to sit in on the Bible to be moral support to the young woman I was going to be studying with. As I was driving over there, I was praying that God would show me what I should study with them and if it needed to be different from what I had originally planned. He indeed had me change my study last minute and I didn't realize the impact of it until the closing prayer. As I prayed, both Melissa and the woman I was studying with burst into tears. After the study when Melissa and I were alone, Melissa said, "you know, it's crazy that you did that study, because that's exactly what I needed to hear."

Every time I go to the Salvation Army and no one comes to the Bible study, Melissa and I somehow end up in a super deep conversation. I almost feel like God has me giving her therapy sessions at times. One day, I was hanging out with Melissa in her office and out of the blue she asks me, "hey do you know anyone giving Revelation Seminars?" If you could've seen the inside of my mind, my facial expression would've had my jaw dropped on the floor. I responded, "yeah, the ministry that I work for is actually doing one this October." Melissa had been asking around for a while, "who does Revelation and Daniel seminars?" And someone told her, "The Seventh-day Adventists do." She immediately thought of me and decided to ask me the next time she saw me. Needless to say, I was amazed. God was showing me little by little why He had me at the Salvation Army this entire time.

A couple months later, God was putting on my heart to share this testimony at the It Is Written Partnership Weekend in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. I got on the stage and shared this story and a few minutes after returning to my seat, I saw my friend and supervisor, Michelle, running over to me saying, "Janelle, come here, you need to hear this." I quickly followed Michelle and found a man sitting across from the program director of SALT, Greg, with tears following down his face. As I approached Greg looked up at me and said, "this is the man that knocked on Melissa's door."

Out of all the testimonies I could've shared, He had me share that one, and also out of all the Summer SALT students that could've been there in Gatlinburg to hear it, He placed the man who knocked on Melissa's door to be there.

I really believe that we really don't know the impact we may have when we are working for God, but sometimes He'll give us glimpses, like He did for the man who knocked on Melissa's door. Don't ever stop reaching out to others. God needs seed planters, He may need people to water that plant, but ultimately He is the one in charge of making sure it grows.

"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase."

1 Corinthians 3:6

Prayers For Chattanooga

Exactly one month ago I decided to go to a certain strip of businesses. I wasn't sure exactly where I would start but there's tons off HWY 11 and continues onto Brainerd Rd in Chattanooga. I took the first exit off the 153 and found a strip of businesses. These business included a cellphone carrier called Cricket, some restaurants, and a bunch of military recruiting offices. I don't know why I decided to start there but all the times I passed it, it was like God was telling me "start there."

In Cricket I talked to several of the employees who were interested in cooking classes and financial seminars and I then proceeded to go towards the military offices. There are several offices, each for a different branch of the military and I went into each one to talk to the officers. My ultimate purpose for going into these businesses was see if people were interested in Bible Studies. Although no one was interested in studies, there was interest in other things such as Bible Prophecy Seminars. Most of the officers tried to recruit me and a bunch of the recruiters gave me their cards and I in turn handed them a GLOW tract.

After finishing that strip of businesses I got in my car to drive to the next strip right around the corner, but before I could leave the parking lot I had an overwhelming conviction that I needed to put GLOW tracts on the cars. I didn't know why but the thought wouldn't leave me. I got out and put some tracts on the cars and then proceeded to drive out. But then I saw more cars and the conviction hit me again. As much as I tried to just continue on, I just couldn't, and ended up parking once again and passed out more GLOW.

I didn't think much about it, but yesterday that day suddenly came to my mind when I heard about the shooting at those exact same military recruiting offices. It had been about a month since I was there but it feels like it was just yesterday. The faces of all the recruiting officers flashed vividly in my mind as I listened to a news broadcast about the shooting. I wondered if that's why I felt like God was telling me to pass out those little tracts that would tell other about God. Then the thought crossed my mind, "What if I didn't listen?" I don't know whether the men who were killed actually read the tracts, but God gave me peace to know that God helped me give them an opportunity to get to know Him.

Yesterday I kept thinking, "I wish I did more." On my lunch break I decided to watch a live broadcast of the news to see if there were any updates. The newscasters announced that several churches were opening their doors for prayer vigils. They related back to 9-11, and how in tragedies people feel their need for prayer the most. I remember watching George W. Bush making an announcement asking the nation to pray. I was reminded of that when the newscasters were openly announcing the community to pray and to come to the prayer vigils.

Suddenly an idea popped into my mind. I grabbed my phone and texted my friend and fellow It Is Written Bible Work partner, Yaniz, and asked her if she'd like to join me with this idea. "Several churches are holding prayer vigils, what do you think about going? We can pass out GLOW and talk to the people." Yaniz agreed and we drove to several different churches holding the prayer vigils. The newscasters were right, when tragedies occur, people suddenly feel their need for God, especially when the tragedy happens so close to home. The truth is, especially right now, people are hurting, and now is the best time to reach out. Are you willing to reach out and let God use you to help this hurting community?

You Need To Open That Door

When following up Bible study interests, you get familiar where people live, especially if you go to a house more then once. The summer SALT students had knocked in this area that I was working and since there were several interests in that very neighborhood, I quickly started getting familiar with the roads. I had an interest that I needed to visit again because no one answered the last time I was there, so today I decided to go again. 

I knocked on the door...waited a few seconds...knocked again. I normally knock about three times and wait about three minutes before leaving. Still no answer. I turned around and started walking back towards my car. Suddenly I heard the door open behind me. Since I was a decent distance from the door I quickly ran back. I didn't want them to think I had ding dong ditched their house. It was an elderly woman who answered the door and when I mentioned Bible studies, she let me inside.

I began explaining how the studies work, "I can either just drop off the study guides, or I could personally study with you, which do you prefer?" 

"I could use all the help I can get." She replied. 

Tears started running down her face and she began to weep. She told me how her grandson had died in her arms two years ago in the very spot we were sitting in. He was only 24 when he passed. She took it extremely hard because she raised him since he was three months old. Since then life hasn't been the same. She's been extremely depressed and she desperately wants God to comfort her and to bring joy back to her life. 

I just listened as she told me everything that was on her heart. After she finished I told her that I may not be able to help her, but I can lead her to the One who can. I prayed with her and after I said amen, she began to pray.

"Lord, thank You so much for sending me this young lady. Thank You for showing me that You answer prayers. I was praying that You would help me and You sent me her."

My eyes started to fill with tears as well. It suddenly dawned on me that God used me to answer this woman's prayer. 

After she finished praying she told me, "You know, I never open my door. I heard you knock and I was determined not to answer. But then I got up and looked out the window and saw you walking back to your car, and something told me 'you need to open that door!' and I realize now that God told me to open it because He was sending you to me."

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Revelation 3:20

Second Chances With Some SALT

The following day, I couldn't wait to study with Melody, the woman that I got the email about while I was in my car. My friend Michelle Doucoumes, who also happens to be a teacher at SALT, decided to tag along with me. It was precious to see how mind blown Melody was by the study on Daniel 2 and how we can truly trust the God and the Bible.

At the end of the study Michelle said, "Melody, this entire time I've been trying to figure out why I recognize you and I just figured it out." It turns out that Melody studied with SALT students back in 2011. That year her health was at its worst and she never made a decision. However, even though she didn't make a decision yet, I've been seeing how God has been working on her heart.

The following week I stopped by to say hello to Melody. As we spent some time talking, Melody told me something fascinating. Four years ago, the parents of one of the SALT students that were studying with her, bought her a Desire of Ages. Melody was completely honest with me and she told me how that book sat on her shelf for four years, untouched. However, this past February (four months before the Summer SALT students knocked on her door), she picked up the book for the first time and began reading it. Melody then told me how she had received a Steps to Christ in the mail the day after we studied together. I told her how Ellen White was my all time favorite author and assured her that she would enjoy the books she had.

Right then it dawned on me that I had another Ellen White book in my bag. My friend Yaniz (another It Is Written Bible Worker) had just given me an illustrated copy of the Great Controversy that morning, so I pulled it out to show Melody.

"THAT'S THE BOOK!" Melody exclaimed.

"This book?" I replied.

Melody then said, "YES! I was watching 3ABN and someone was talking about the Great Controversy. I really want to read that book and it's the next one I want to get. I just haven't figured out how to order it."

"Well I'd be happy to give you this one." I responded.

Immediately Melody's eyes began to fill with tears. She hugged the book tightly to her chest. She just couldn't believe that I gave her the book she's been wanting.

Every time I see Melody I'm simply mind blown by how amazing God is and the things He will do to reach His children.

"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."

2 Peter 3:9

Before They Call, I Will Answer

When I left that house I was inspired and totally motivated. God gave me a glimpse of what He was doing and it revived my faith. Instead of calling it day, I decided to follow up on the rest of the cards and even re-visit some of the houses that were empty earlier in the day. 

I had a drop off study at a different side of town that I meant to go to earlier in the day, however because it was so far out of the way I didn’t get a chance to. After I finished up all of the cards, I decided to go drop off the next study.

As I drove up I saw a woman sitting on the porch next door talking on the phone, my natural canvassing instinct was urging me to talk to her right away since she was sitting outside, but something was telling me to wait until I went to the other house. The woman who wanted the drop off study ended up not being home, so I went to the house next door. By this time, Valerie, the woman who was on the phone, was now off the phone and invited me to come and sit and talk with her. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. I commented on a poem she had placed in front of her entitled “Footprints In the Sand.” The poem talks about how when we go through the most difficult times in life, God carries us. Ironically, that was exactly what Valerie was talking to her friend on the phone about.Valerie told me about how she felt God was trying to assure her that He is there for her especially through the difficult things she’s been going through. I offered to come by and study the Bible with Valerie and she accepted the invitation. 

As I was getting ready to leave, I asked Valerie if there was anything I could pray for her. Valerie began opening up about a burden that she has for her daughter. Her daughter is a troubled teenager, looking for fulfillment and happiness in the wrong places. I prayed for Valerie and her family, especially for her daughter. I remember specifically praying that Valerie’s daughter would get to know God and would see how much He loves her. 

Just as I was saying “amen,” Valerie’s daughter came walking up the steps. I thought I was leaving, but once again, God had a different plan in mind. As I started talking to Valerie’s daughter, she began opening up about personal things going on in her life. 

We conversed for a while, and God put words in my mouth that I never expected to say, “God is trying to win your heart, and He’s waiting for you. Do you want to keep Him waiting?” 

“No. I know He’s been waiting for me for a long time.” She replied.

I then also offered her to study the Bible as well, and she also agreed. However, she and her mom will be studying at separate times. 

I walked away from that house, mind blown once again. This time God showed me how quickly He can answer prayers. 

It shall come to pass

That before they call, I will answer;

And while they are still speaking, I will hear.

Isaiah 65:24

Don't Wait For The Rain

I was sitting in my car as rain down poured and lightning struck around me. I heard from several people that day that a storm was coming in, but it didn’t dawn on me how bad the storm would get. As a Bible Worker for It Is Written, I have the privilege to follow up on Bible study leads, and that’s exactly what I was doing all day. The week prior Southern’s Summer SALT program had taken place and I was given a handful of Bible study interests that were received from an outreach conducted that previous Sabbath. However, on this afternoon the weather wasn’t didn’t seem to be in my favor. I was tempted to call it a day and find some other work to do that didn’t require me to knock on doors in the rain, but as much as I wanted to drive away, I couldn’t pull myself to do it. 

I picked up another interest card and drove to the next house. Suddenly, my phone notified me an email had come in. Since I was waiting for the rain to lighten up, I decided to check it. It turned out to be an email from the SALT Outreach Coordinator, Julie. She was forwarding me some information for a Bible study card that I would be following up on. When I glanced through the email, I recognized the name of the contact the email was referring to, it was the exact same person I was about to visit. In awe of the divine timing, I decided to get out of my car even if it was pouring. I grabbed my Bible study guide and opened my car door ready to embrace the rain. However, the moment I opened the door, the rain subsided. 

When I reached the house I was greeted by the woman who was interested in Bible studies. She invited me in and I spent some time getting to know her. After a few minutes I found out that she is of the pentecostal faith but has searched through other religions and denominations, including Baptist and Mormonism, however, she didn’t like their doctrine. When she found out I was with It Is Written, her eyes brightened. “Oh I love watching these guys,” she exclaimed. She turned her tv to 3ABN and said “I watch this channel all the time and I really like what I’ve been hearing. I’d love to study with you. Can we study tomorrow?”

We scheduled a time for the following day and I walked back to my car mind blown. God had been preparing this woman’s heart long before anyone knocked on her door. He has been preparing lost people to be found. He just needs us to be willing to look for them. 

Introduction

What happens when an city-wide effort of Adventists unite together to impact their city for Christ? It's a good thing you're reading this blog because that is what this is all about. This 2015 the city of Chattanooga is about to be impacted by Adventists in order to prepare them for Jesus' soon coming.

This blog follows the story of three It Is Written Bible workers as well as others who are taking part in this epic event.

Subscribe to our blog to be encouraged and blessed as we see how God has been working in Chattanooga.

It Is Written 

Bible Workers

Janelle Andres

Adelaida Hernandez

Yaniz Seeley