By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but Him who sent me. —Words of Jesus, from John 5:30
Have you ever told God that He has got the wrong person? I know several biblical figures have struggled with this feeling, and I am certain that I am not the only human who struggles with this sense of insufficiency in the call that God has placed on my life. Today, right now, I was just feeling frustrated with God for calling me to the position and call of life that He has, when He gently reminded me of the above verse! He says to me, “I know, and I have not called you to do it by yourself!”
Several years back I had the tremendous privilege to stand beside a very anointed and dear brother, Jay Smith, on a ladder in Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park, London, England. This was not my first occasion and I felt tremendously blessed to preach the Gospel in this unique open-air venue once again! As I stood upon the ladder, surrounded by paid hecklers, naysayers, and a largely Muslim population of people, I boldly was proclaiming Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior… when a familiar face of a Muslim heckler showed up just below me. He had, on previous occasions, spit on me and tried pushing me off my ladder. Now though, he was yanking on my pant leg to get my attention and with a serious and sincere face, asked me, “If Jesus is really God, why does He say that He can do nothing by Himself?”
I remember looking into that man’s eyes in that moment, and seeing a desperation and desire to understand; even if the reason he was asking was to try to ‘trick’ and frustrate me into trying to explain the trinity. (Fortunately for me, the trinity has never been confusing nor a stumbling block for me.) I asked him for the reference, opened my bible, and then read the verse in context, out loud. The verse emphasizes the unity and inseparability of the triune Godhead. I, then, got to evangelize the people around me with a clear articulation of how God works in three parts, but is one and the same!
Sometimes, due to my past of lots of rejections and not truly feeling like I have belonged, I often feel that I am all alone; by myself. This feeling, along with accompanied attacks and lies from Satan, causes me to become frustrated and feel like maybe God has set me up for failure. But this is when I must recall that even Jesus, as a human walking this human filled sphere, knew His own limits! He could not do anything by Himself.
I am not called to carry Abogar alone. Nor have I been carrying it alone. At the very least, God has been, and is, with me. But beyond that, many of you have joined in prayer and financial support of the ministry, and for me as well. Also, there are many involved in volunteering, staff, and board positions. While it has not yet been easy, and may never be, God has carried me, the staff, board, and international volunteers and staff to the place we are at today. Your prayers, encouragement, and financial support have also carried us this far along!
We have witnessed, and been a part of, several homes built, medical clinics, Jesus Film being shown, Christmas blessings being given, many bibles being distributed, hundreds of children (and even some adults) receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, fighting for and rescuing children from violent and horrific situations, and communities and families encouraged and strengthened. I am not very good at sharing the positive results, though that is what our supporters really desire to hear, because I often feel like it would be to boast and brag! However, there are so many successes and victories that we have witnessed in the past six years! Today, I want to say clearly that I can do nothing by myself. It has been said, “It takes a village…” and I agree! These results are also because of YOU and your intentional involvement as well!
So, today, Abogar and I want to say, “THANK YOU!!” to the many who believe in the call of God upon us to be fighting for and working on behalf of precious children of Latin America! We need many more to join in prayer and/or financial commitment and support! If you would like to get signed up for our monthly Newsletter or both our monthly Newsletter and a prayer request/praise reports email, email us at info@abogarim.org and specify if you’d just like the monthly Newsletter emailed to you, or the Newsletter AND our prayer requests/praise reports emailed to you! If you sense God calling you to join the call and fight for these precious children financially, visit abogarim.org/support today and find your preferred way of giving, whether one time, or monthly commitments!
By myself I can do nothing! Praise God that He is with me/us! Thank you as well, for joining with us to be about God’s heart; loving on precious children and helping them to know forever families, forever homes, and educational opportunities! God bless you as you seek and serve Him, however and wherever He calls you!
