January 2008

The Blessing in the Disaster

We seem to have had our share of difficulties in the last year or more. To top it off, our Town was officially declared a disaster zone a few weeks ago and the region is still recovering.

By God's grace, and a few obedient Christians I have seen such miracles of provision through this whole time and His divine purpose being outworked in spite of hardships, I can do nothing but praise Him. I also have been getting my book done in spite of difficulties, when stuck somewhere I just get my laptop out and start writing. Interesting how many times this happens a story in itself. Thought it appropriate to do a blogg so here we are I hope you are inspired.

Over some of the hardship when Kenn was in treatment last year, I cried out to God regarding His promise of restoration. He said, "I am more interested in bringing both you and Kenn and all my children to the place I designed you to be and function out of, than I am in your short term comfort."

This word has not left me, so it has changed the way I pray in hardship.

I am sharing this as God did tell me six years ago that when the drought breaks in Australia, there will be FLOODS to contend with in Australia, (that is plural). There will also be various disasters world wide which will need God's people to be tough to walk out. I believe we are only the first, there is much more to come and we need to be ready as a people of God to help others who do not know Him, and His people need to trust Him, even if things look hard to live through. Watching Kenn through this time as he loved on people and helped as he does with practical things, puts me in absolute awe at the man I am married to.

The miracles that happened through the flood, even though stress levels were higher than the water, and fear tried to take hold of the town, God's hand was amazing here.

Daily we watched the water rise on the three water ways that wind around and through the town. Evacuations happened as people tried to save what they could. Many did like the ants and voluntarily left for higher ground.

The dam which is 4 times the size of Sydney harbor, half filled in one day, then totally filled the next day so the volume of water daily coming toward us was astronomical. As the dam overflowed the water could not get away quickly enough so the rivers started to back up. You would have seen the evacuations and some of the hard stuff on the news. Kenn made friends with the Emergency crews so got a lift some days across the waters that had turned our little area into an island, and helped others where he could.

On the news you heard some of the things, however, they did not tell of the farmers here who were celebrating that now they have a guaranteed harvest for the next few years even if we get no more rain. The rain was actually answered prayer from many of God's people who have come together regularly from all churches to ask God to fill our dam. We should all know by now that our God is a God of the "MORE THAN ENOUGH", so heh we sure got more than we need, and dams down stream are filling as I write. Even those who lost possessions and goods due to the flooding are celebrating the water out here, it means life for so many.

The mines - well we all know the corporations will recover and guess who's businesses get blessed in the recovery process for the mining giants? The local Aussies thats who. There is far more blessing than disaster in this disaster zone.

The full dam means the towns around here are all catered for with water for five years, at least. Every Christian I know who had owned property in the areas that did get affected by the flood had followed the Lord in the last six months into selling and moving without really knowing why. As a result were high and dry.

Some of these also had investment properties and not one was affected. Our own property, which has been miraculous provision from the start, even though technically very close to the Negoa river did not have water come onto the property. It went behind and in front breaking banks but not onto our street. One family we know who WAS in the evacuated areas the water went around them as well. There are so many stories of what looks like it had to be divine protection. The Pastors of a small church here in town had the water go into their garage but it stopped 3 inches from their door into the home.

The ministers who run "Wings of Hope" Pastors Les and Dell Wallen (a ministry into the outback regions), were one of the families led of the Lord to move out of town. Their property, horses and recently acquired cattle, not to mention the plane, were all preserved and even though isolated by the waters for two weeks had enough provisions to get through. All those who work for them in their business were also protected including the non Christians.

The Wallens had two homes that they sold at the end of last year, which many would have called unwise as the position of the properties that backed on to one another was thought to be a very good investment and the prices here had softened, not the time to sell. However God led them to sell, then they put an offer on a brand new home absolutely beautiful and through a series of "coincidences" lost the property to another person who put in an offer over theirs, and they did not find out until it was too late.

As a result they looked elsewhere and were led to the one they now have right out of town and large enough to have a runway for the plane, as well as run horses and cattle to help pay expenses. Both the old properties went under in the flood, reducing their value, and the new home they missed out on went under the water as well.

The opportunities to minister have been huge, as people watch their world, out of their own control, they look for something bigger than themselves. They ARE willing to hear about the God of Creation who is wanting to know them. What stands out to them more than anything is how we can be going through something at the same time, yet have peace, and even when stressed we know we can trust God, this shows, and makes people curious.

To understand just how awesome the hand of God has been in protection of His people you can see the photos taken by a friend, Jon Kirk, as he took to the sky in a plane and got some amazing shots. Can be viewed at http://www.captainkirk.com.au

so am I saying that if you are in a flood God is not protecting you? Or that if you are affected by diaster God is not in your life? no I am definately not saying this. however, I am saying that no matter what you go through God is not taken by surprise and if you take His hand you will go through to the other side and in the long run, like us you will praise Him for the outcome. Whatever you do don't turn away from God you may get stuck and drown in the mess.

All last year I felt the Lord's heart wanting His people to toughen up and grow up. If we do not equip God's people to go through hardship when necessary, we fall way short of being ministers of God. It is with this in mind I write today.

Over the next year it is of utmost importance to listen to the Lord and obey Him no matter what circumstances look like. Teach your people these principles. Do not hold on to anything too tightly, be willing to let go of possessions and positions, yet do not abdicate where God has not said to, He may be wanting to use that which you have influence over, through you.

In all circumstances.

Please, even in hardship ask God these questions.

1. What are You doing here Lord? Please show me your perspective.

2. What, if anything do you want me to do in this situation?

3. How can I just move in Your rest and peace here Lord?

4.Is there anything in me You are wanting to change in this?

5. Father is there anyone you want me to minister to, if so who and what is your word for them?

I pray blessing and divine favor continue in your life as you serve the Lord.

Love as always Lee Bacon