Trusting God In Uncertain Times (Part 2)

This episode is part 2 from the talk last week that features a heartfelt discussion on faith, global outreach, and the importance of trusting God's promises amidst current global challenges. The hosts share updates on their mission work in Uganda, reflect on biblical teachings, and encourage listeners to serve and give with a grateful heart.

Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:19

Hello again, everybody. Welcome to another episode of God Stories. Daniel here with Pastor Gary. And um we're actually going to be continuing our conversation from last week. Um, because you know, with with all the stuff that's happening still to this day, you know, I think there's even people like us can still at times be discouraged by what's going on. And uh what do we look to? We look to this, we look into the word, uh, where God's promises are. And you know, the Bible never returns void. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Um, but before we continue on, um, there are some things that we want to uh bring to your attention, actually, and uh some couple prayer requests. Um and uh Pastor Gary, why don't you uh uh lay it out uh what those um what those needs are?

SPEAKER_00 1:12

Okay, so we have two really critical prayer requests coming from uh Uganda from our feeding center. So the first one is for a little baby named Maganda, a little boy's about uh two years old. And if people are following us at at on Instagram at Anchored Relief, uh they've no doubt seen pictures of him. Um he is extremely malnourished. So you know when when we we do um the the um tape and um and where we're measuring the the circumference of their upper arm and where where we are you know just seeing what state of nutrition that they're in. And you could tell just by by measuring this part of the upper arm. So uh if it's green, it means they're doing well. If it's yellow, it means they're they're uh borderline malnourished, and if it's red, it means they are severely malnourished. Well, um little Magonda was severely malnourished, and um when they're in that state, we can't take them right into our feeding center because we're we're not equipped to give um do IV feeding and things like that, and so um um or two feeding and and IVs and everything. So we took them to uh one of the government hospitals in about an hour and a half from the village, and so he's been there um really fighting for his life, but starting to improve. We actually got a video the other day of him walking around, and which is amazing, and so but we want to ask people please continue to pray for Maganda. Then yesterday I I got a email from um from Uganda concerning another one of our kids, Fahad. Uh Fahad is about eight or nine years old, so he's not in our feeding center, but but really um Carol had such a heart for this kid, he was covered from head to toe with this painful um I don't know, eczema, psoriasis type, type rash. He was just like like white um with this rash and it would bleed and it would get infected. And I mean, really, in in the state he was at, it was becoming life-threatening. And so we were actually able to get a medication and and but you know, Uganda is considered one of the poorest nations in the world, and the area that we are in is considered one of the poorest areas in Uganda. So, so um, you know, we're we're starting a little fundraiser because they sent me a picture of where Fahad is living, and we've actually been there, we visited him and and just seen um, you know, he doesn't have a bed. Um, he sleeps on the floor with with his brothers and sisters and on a dirt floor. And um, you know, we're trying to teach them about hygiene and bathing, and they they really don't have good, they don't have any kind of shower facilities, toilet facilities, and so um we'd we'd like to raise about um five thousand dollars to you know to upgrade their their mud house and um you know and and hopefully uh build them a latrine and a shower area and get them some beds and everything. And so um this kid is so miserable, and and he's embarrassed, he doesn't go to school because he's too embarrassed, because the kids make fun of him because of all you know, his rashes are are literally everywhere, and so um just have such a heart for this little little boy Fahad. He comes to church and he he's always has such a smile. He comes to church because he's accepted at church, yeah. And and people don't make fun of him. Um, but um, you know, we really want to bring some normalcy to this kid's life, and so we're headed over there in just uh less than two weeks now, God willing. Uh and and another war doesn't erupt somewhere else. But uh, you know, we and so I'm anxious to to see him, but we're gonna be coming out with that on our our uh request on our blog, anchored relief.blog and on Instagram at Anchored Relief, and so um and doing an actual fundraiser, trying to raise this five thousand dollars for you know, so that we can give and it's not only for you know um building his house or building onto his house, it's it's for his medication is very expensive, um, especially by Ugandan Sanders, the only way he can get it is if we buy it for him. So um that gets him medication and and all the things that he needs. So um, so if everyone could first of all be in prayer, and then secondly, if God puts it on their heart to give to that, Fahad is spelled F-A-H-A-D. F-A-H-A-D, and so people can can um you know go on our website, anchoredrelief.org forward slash donate and donate for Fahad. And they put we just put Fahad in the memo section. So um, you know, okay if we uh just start with prayer for them.

SPEAKER_02 7:13

Go for it, go for it.

SPEAKER_00 7:15

All right, Father God, we come before you, and Lord, we just want to lift up Maganda and Fahad to you, Lord. And Lord, first of all, we know that you are the great physician, and so we pray for their healing. We pray that you would work in in each of their hearts and lives, and that Lord, you would do um just miraculous things, and that that in their healing and in their their improvement, that the community would see your love, and they would see, Lord, the power of your spirit, Lord, and that you're you're bigger, you're better than any of the false gods that they worship. So, Lord, I just pray and ask for your hand. And Lord, I pray that we'll be able to uh build the the new facilities that Fahad needs and that you would just do a work there. We just put them in your hands and ask for your blessing now in Jesus' name. Amen.

SPEAKER_02 8:24

Amen. Amen.

SPEAKER_00 8:26

You know, you know what? I I just just thought of something else that that um before we we get into what what we had in terms of the word of God is, and that is that we have a a program called Anchor of Hope. And our our Anchor of Hope Um is uh an offshoot. It's not a separate ministry, it's an offshoot of what Anchored International Relief is doing and providing hope to the hopeless. And and it's one person, one village, you know, one nation at a time. And so um, and but but really anchor of hope is focuses on on vulnerable children and vulnerable, vulnerable people, because we also um, you know, in in Nepal, Mexico, you know, we're also uh looking to to help those that might be getting trafficked and things like that. So um our Anchor of Hope program is something within Anchored International Relief that that really provides that's where the feeding center is funded out of. That's where where a lot of the the ministries that we're doing, youth ministries and things like that, are coming from. So just want to, I just kind of felt like hey, we should give a little um uh briefing on that.

SPEAKER_02 9:52

Yeah. You know, when you were praying, Pastor Gary, I was thinking of what um Pastor John was teaching on Wednesday night on 1 Timothy 6. Now, of course, it talks about false teachers, but the most important thing to other than aware of being aware of that is how to be content. Um, because um him there was something convicting that he said where you know, the especially for us guys, the American thing is like, okay, we think about where we're gonna eat, and um, like even tomorrow, like for example, like tomorrow night, oh, there's this barbecue spot or this nice restaurant that we're gonna, you know, we were playing on doing make reservations. And when there is a kid like in Uganda or somewhere in there that is struggling to find good clean water, and and I think and the lot of the things that we throw away, whether it's food or whether it's possessions, it's something new to those guys. And it was just kind of like, you know, when you mentioned about Fahad, you know, not having a bed, and because of his uh uh his condition and all the things that we think are junk, literally, you know, or even like what we call our beds are not comfortable at all. It's literally a bed, a bed is a bed for them, regardless of the condition. And so um, and that was one of the things like the Holy Spirit really convicted me, uh, you know, as you were as you were um uh praying there and just talking about it because uh I and it was just so fresh, you know, because it's like, hey, Pastor John was encouraging us, instead of like praying for a lot of these things, why don't we be content and be thankful and grateful for what we have already? Because the more we pray for that, the less that we seek for other things. And so, um, and because if we keep praying for other things, I'm not saying that praying for these other things is bad, but then when we become that becomes your life and you don't look at God, then who are you idolizing? And so right. Um, so uh so that was something.

SPEAKER_00 11:58

Yeah, let me I'm not sure this is gonna show up, but I'm gonna try. This is it, this is uh this is Fahad. It's hard to look at. Yeah. And uh and let me uh let me show you where um so that's a bed. I don't know if you can see it's a little, you know, filthy little foam mattr it's not even a mattress, not even a mattress at all. A piece of foam on a dirt floor, and he shares it with his siblings. And so, I mean, there's all kinds of things that that come with that, and um, of course, uh one of the things is uh everything from um insect bites to um snakes, um, all those things that they're vulnerable to, and um because he doesn't have the other thing we want to get them in the family is mosquito nets. They don't have mosquito nets, and so they're constantly getting um uh malaria. And uh I'll tell you, Daniel, when you come in July, uh you'll your heart will be broken. And I mean, I'll I'll tell you it it it's hard. It really is hard sometimes to um yeah you know to see the the level of suffering and and and and it's hard not to we're gonna talk about this in a minute, but it's hard not to ask why. Yeah what why why do I have what I have and why don't they have anything? I mean literally they don't have food. And so you know, and I I know that that in the past when I've really struggled and wrestled with that and I've asked God and and God said, you know, I'm sending you. You know, you said here am I send me, so I'm sending you. And and um and and he's told me, I don't want you to feel guilty, I want you to feel responsible to because to whom much is given, much is required. And like you said, we have so much here. You know, we go out and and and we'll think nothing of buying a six six dollar cup of coffee or seven dollar cup of coffee, and you know, that'll feed a family in Uganda for a week. Oh yes, and it's like, yeah, it it's like um you know, we we don't uh understand, and and I'm not saying this in the way of condemnation of the American church or anything, other than to say that we don't understand what sacrifice is and we don't understand what suffering is. Um, you know, everyone feels that hey, California we're paying six over six dollars a gallon for gas, that's suffering. Well, no, it's not because at least gas is available. And and so, yeah, it is difficult, and there's a lot of things going on. And and so, but you know, for for these people, um and and the level of suffering that they're experiencing is is you know, I I mean I think I've seen similar in in uh maybe on on the Indian reservations, so there's some areas that you think you're in the third world, um, obviously in Tijuana where we work. Um but you know, hey, let's what if we just gave up a cup of coffee? Yeah, you know, or gave up two cups of coffee or whatever, even if we just did it a month and said, you know, okay, I'm gonna feed the poor with it. And you know, we have somebody, the good friend of mine, that that every month he says, you know, he gives and and you know, he says, I want this to go to provide food for the vulnerable and uh for the the children, the the widows, the the single single moms, things like that. And so you know it it's not the amount of money either. It's just that that how God might use uh us in that situation with whatever we have, you know, maybe it's a widow's might. And um and and this is not this is not fundraising, no, you know. This is you know, let's put feet to our faith and and and let's worship the Lord with everything we have, including our finances. You know, too often our our attitude is no, this is for me. You know, I want I we you know, we think nothing about going out and dropping, you know, a hundred, hundred and fifty dollars on a meal. You know, I mean that would just be uh, you know, that would take care of a family for for you know take care of one of our sick kids for over a month.

SPEAKER_02 17:18

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 17:19

So um it's really focus. And you know, also I would appreciate if you don't talk about food in California since I'm in Colorado and and still struggle to find, you know, all the good, you know. Is there sushi here? Does anybody eat sushi in Colorado?

SPEAKER_02 17:37

So yeah, and and and and that's such a great point because you know, especially, I mean, whether California or Colorado, we are spoiled. You know, I I ref I reiterate to what Pastor John was saying too. It's like, thank God for air that I'm breathing, thank God for a roof over my head, and you know, there's a lot of things to be grateful for. And even this is my challenge to you uh listeners and viewers. Um, even if you had like the worst day of your life today, there's still so many things you could thank the Lord for. And I want you to uh as you spend time with the Lord today, at any moment of your um of your day, take that moment to thank him for what he has done for you, for just life, for giving me this job or giving me whatever it is, a roof over your head, or just like a plate in front of me, in front of you to eat, even though it may not look as appetizing or whatever, like praise the Lord that it's right there. And because he sustains, he provides. And even if you have like the the worst day of your life in in your personal life or just whatever, there's always something or some things, I should say, because God does God's done so many things to be grateful for and to be thankful for to the Lord for. So that's my challenge to you guys this week. Amen. Um and I'm I'm and I'm preaching to myself too, because I'm like, you know what? I need to thank the Lord that you know that I'm more than blessed that what He's given me. And I mean, like, I mean, with a computer that I'm looking at right now, and it you know, maybe we'll talk to you, you know, this equipment. I mean, this is insane. Just even even a shirt like this, we don't even like think about that. But you know, it's you that's something that I'm very convicted about. But uh no, I'm I'm glad that we we went there and like I just love how the Holy Spirit just kind of puts those moments into like really not only challenge you guys, but also challenges us. So as a lot of things that we're saying, too, is like, hey, we gotta preach ourselves as well. So um, but um, but praise the Lord for that. Thank you, Gary, for that.

SPEAKER_00 19:46

Um, so little turn um that I hadn't hadn't expected, and and I did want to um read from Luke 12. Um in verse 48, Jesus says, But but he who did not know you committed things deserving a stripe shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given from him, much will be required, and to whom much has been committed of him, they will ask more. And um, you know, it it's just if first of all, I mean, I think if we look at the the context of of that passage and and um knowing that that you know we're we're talking in that sense about um some of the persecution that that we go through. But in the other sense, um it it's the fact that that you know we like you said we have so much and and that we need to um really use what God's given us and and understand that everything comes from Him and then be able to give back to the Lord.

SPEAKER_02 21:07

Yeah, giving back. I I love what you said that giving back. We don't give to get, we give because we've already gotten. And so this is kind of like our you know, what you said uh just now, using everything we have as part of our worship, you know, we worship with everything that we have, and even including our finances, giving in our finances is worship, and so we if the Lord decides to Lord decides to bless you multiples with that, praise the Lord, that's his will, you know. But if our if our motive is we give so that we can get, then that's prosperity gospel, and that is idolizing money instead of worshiping the Lord.

SPEAKER_00 21:50

And so and and so you know, and that that just that whole section in Matt in Luke chapter 12 is you know, the faithful servant and the evil servant. Servant and and that that you know what are we doing with what God's given us? And you know, we we always we have this view, and I and it's not put it's not just the American church, but we do have this view in the American church that this is my money, and I'm willing to give some of it to God. And you know, if I'm really generous, I'm gonna do 10%, you know, and and you know, or um or or whatever, but but really, you know, I'm I'll I'll take care of my things and then I'll give God whatever's left. But the attitude is it's my money, not that God has entrusted to me um the his resources, and he expects us to use it for his glory.

SPEAKER_02 22:52

Amen. Amen. Yeah, when you were mentioning about Fahad and Maganda, um, just with all the with with what they're going through and a lot of kids as well, and even too, like that's just on top of like what's going on over there, or even like even all over the world, um, with just you know, because we could all have personal problems, but then also with the wars that are happening, and and we just want to continue that conversation from last week, um, trusting the Lord in the midst of these times. And so um you reiterated uh to me, Pastor Gary, before we started uh in Joshua chapter 23 and 24, and um but even in chapter one, how Joshua encourages to be strong and courageous, right?

SPEAKER_00 23:49

Um but um but even then you know, really that's kind of enlightened, not and and you know, there's Christians all over the world that are living under persecution, that are living threat and threat of arrest or death. And you know, you think of people in in Iran that are are Christians, you know, just a normal populist that if they have an opinion that's um that's not supportive of the government, uh excuse me, of the regime, you know, they're gonna be killed. But but especially Christians, and we know that Iran has jailed Christians for a long time. And and so um how do we stand? And and I know a lot of people are I you know, I I get this, and and in one sense it's kind of funny. People are like, you're so brave. And it's like, no, I we're not brave. You know, it's just that okay, well, this is what God's called us to do, and as long as he's going with us, then then I'm good. You know, I'm I'm I don't trust him. And that's what you know he says, that's what he told Joshua. And and you know, he had to tell Joshua just in the first um uh nine verses of of chapter one of Joshua, be strong, be courageous, don't fear. Why? Probably because Joshua's afraid. He was taken over from Moses, and and it's like, oh man, what am I gonna do now? How do I follow in this guy's footsteps? How do I fill his sandals and and you know, and and I'm never I'm not gonna be able to do it. And and I think for for a lot of us in everything we do, especially for the Lord, we're afraid of failure. And it's like, if God's with us, if we're following him, if we're walking with him, then then we're not gonna be, we're not gonna be f uh, we're not gonna fail. And in verse eight, he says, the book of the law shall not depart from my mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. And the key is the end. The Lord your God is with you. So, so, you know, I always tell people when they they talk about being called to the mission field or or whatever, and they say, Well, you know, um how am I gonna how am I gonna do this? How am I gonna support myself? How am I gonna raise the money for the airline ticket or or whatever it might be? And I'm like, that's God's problem. The most important thing that you need to know is are you called? Because if you're called, then you know that God's going with you. And and you know, we uh well last week we talked about, you know, is it safe? And it it's like um yeah, if we're walking with God, then we're safe in his arms for all eternity. And that even means if something happened to us and we died, then then you know God's gonna take us to heaven. So the worst that can happen to us is the best that can happen to us. And so, you know, and and so I I think the key for these times that we're living in that are uncertain, that are, you know, and of course, I'm I don't want to make light of the situation of you know how expensive things are, and um or or the fact that that uh gas is is over six dollars or or whatever. Um although in Colorado it is uh about almost three dollars cheaper. But anyways, I won't I won't uh I won't throw that in your face, Daniel. Oh, you have an electric car even. I don't have to worry about it. Yeah, you're one of those guys, so you know. Um I don't know if everybody knew Daniel was a tree hugger. Um but anyways, you know, I certainly don't I don't want to make light of that, but but I think God has more for us because I think we have a tendency when things like this happen is you know, we shield ourselves, we're gonna build walls around us, we're we're gonna stay in our our you know compound, so to speak, and and you know, have that metal mentality of, well, I just need to do things for me. I certainly can't reach out. I certainly can't can't can't um you know give or or go. You know, what do we ask people to do? Pray, give, or go. And so, but we everybody can pray. You know, everybody can give up a one one cup of coffee a month. I'm not even saying, you know, a week, but one a month, and and you know, and and give whatever they're able to, as God would put on their hearts, and then but everybody, if God calls you to go, you can go. And then um, you know, so that was his calling, and then um you fast forward to to Joshua 21, and and so we see Joshua at the beginning about to enter the promised land, and God's saying, All right, I'm I'm gonna do this for you. And then then chapter 21, verse 43, it says, So the Lord gave to Israel all the land which he had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it. The Lord gave them rest all around according to all that he had sworn to their fathers, and not a man of all their enemies stood against them. The Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand. Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel, all came to pass. What does that tell us? How does that apply to us today? God's still on the throne, his word is still true, his promises are true, all that he speaks to us through his word will come to pass, and and we can trust him, and and we know that that um that if God's for us, who can be against us? And and so even in these uncertain times, I think that God's call calling us to be used in greater ways. Um, and we think, well, when things get better, when the economy's better, whenever, you know, uh when this happens, that happens, well, then I'll do something, you know, for for for the Lord. And it's like, you know, why don't we just ask the Lord, what do you want? You know, and listen for him to say, who will go for me and whom shall I send? And then why don't we say, Here am I send me? But it's scary. It's a scary thing to say because then God will say, All right, Daniel, you're going to Uganda in July.

SPEAKER_02 31:15

So yeah, and we're in March. So April, May, June, about four months, so to prepare. Um, but I think of what John's gospel says, you know, peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. Don't let your heart be troubled. And like this isn't, you know, because God promised to leave the peace with us. Even though it might not look peaceful, it might not, you know, it might be challenging and it looks difficult, but his peace is always in our hearts if he's in it. And if he says go, then I I referred to it last week what Pastor Josh Howerton has said, you know, when you're died, you're not, you know, you're not dead, you're just changing addresses, you're just changing your place of residency, and because that's the hope for the Christian.

SPEAKER_00 32:05

And so um, and even it always comes back to what are we willing to give to the Lord for everything he's given us. What are we willing? And honestly, a lot of times, and I'm I'm talking about myself still, is is not a lot, so yeah, James. And it's interesting too, because at the very end of Joshua in chapter 24, you know, Joshua has to remind the people after everything that God did, after everything he did, he has to remind them, you know, um in verse 14 he says, Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve him in sincerity and truth. Put away the gods which your father served on the other side of the river in Egypt. Serve the Lord. And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the river, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. And that's the word for today, you know, for for uh all of us choose. You know, are we gonna serve God or we're gonna serve mammon? You know, it's always it's usually the the almost number one reason why I hear people say they they can't even go on a short-term trip has to do with money. And and it's like, but the first choice is all right, God, I choose you, I'm gonna serve you, I'm gonna walk with you, and then everything else God will bring to pass.

SPEAKER_01 33:43

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 33:44

And I I think of James 1, the testing of your faith produces perseverance, and so you know, and that's where when the Lord calls you, and that's where your faith is tested. But then, you know, are you willing to say yes to him? Right. And um, because we had we can say no, he's not gonna force us to, but you're gonna be missing out on some of the things that the Lord, or not some, a lot of the things the Lord wants to use you for his glory. And so um, that's such an encouraging work. And so, um, and let that you know, let that be something to meditate as well. As for me in my house, who are you gonna choose? We're gonna serve the Lord. I hope that's your I hope that's your um um your your mo your motto for today or every day. Hey, I'm gonna serve the Lord every day. As for me and my house, as Joshua says, we're gonna serve the Lord. So um, yeah. So um uh again, be please be praying for uh Fahad and uh also for Muganda as well, and everybody, all the kids over there, and even our missionaries in Uganda, uh, because uh, you know, the conditions are not improving at all as far as um the weather and just um you know the um just the conditions of outside and uh you know being out there and so be praying for protection and safety over them and uh also for healing and for provision because right um and and and and this just came to my thought too. Like if there are some things that you know you think that you have that you think that maybe you want throw away, but but you you're thinking maybe someone overseas can really use this, you know, let us know. Give us uh message us, give us a call, um, tell us what it is, maybe and then we can we could definitely prayfully consider maybe taking it or just you know see however we can you we can do to um uh to bless someone with it, you know, because a lot of things we throw away, it's like hey, somebody else could use it because they can't afford it, or they just you know, and and so so just um so before throwing things away, if you're trying to clean out some things, you know, look at it, pray about it. You know, you can reach out to us, you can reach out to any local ministry, but you know, let it you know let us know because we'll definitely let you know if that could be you know that could be uh someone in Uganda or Nepal that could be blessed with, or that you could bless them with. And so um, so yeah, please let us know uh on our Instagram, Anchored Relief. Um, you could also again our website anchor anchorrelief.org, um, our blogs, our blog spot at anchored relief.blog. Um and then um I'm blanking on the phone number again. It was right in my head. And then hang on, hang on. Okay, go ahead. I got it. It's 949-432-6777. Am I right? Right, yes.

SPEAKER_00 36:57

Okay, Daniel, here's the test. Okay, what is our our phone number for um for for our texting?

SPEAKER_02 37:06

Oh our prayer texting. Oh, okay. I know it starts with a 949. I know it starts with a 949.

SPEAKER_00 37:13

That's easy. Well, I'm a 909. Here it is. Okay, good. 949 384 9282 949 38492 9282 text air AIR to that number. And and as we uh have pro requests, we we usually send out maybe one or two a week. Uh sometimes more if there's something really urgent going on, but but we're not gonna flood your your message inbox with text.

SPEAKER_02 37:44

Yes. So those are our ways you can communicate with us, and um, and as always, whether you want to give or just um um, or even just need prayer or just need encouragement or just want to reach out to us, those are the ways you can reach out to us. So um, but I hope this work can definitely be an encouragement to you guys, and uh you know, do not fear, the peace of the Lord is with us, as John's gospel says. So uh thank you, Pastor Gary. Thank you guys for joining us. And um next week is uh the start of Passion Week. And so um join join us again next uh Saturday because uh we're going to set up uh in preparation uh for Passion Week for Easter and kind of take you down um the path of of Jesus and uh you know before he um met what we thought his ultimate death was really his ultimate resurrection. Uh and so we'll walk you down what we like to call memory lane, and uh and uh let's just say that uh we'll just set you guys all of us up for uh our hearts to be prepared for that and to be thankful to our Lord Jesus for what he did on the cross. So uh God bless you guys and uh have a great rest of your day and the rest of your week. God bless you.