Abounding Fruit
September 17th, 2009
September 17, 2009
Abounding Fruit of Your Endeavors
Dear ALERT friend,
“But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he
that comes to Him must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them
that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
Dynamic faith requires that we act in accordance with what
we believe God intends to do in a given situation. “For we walk by faith,
not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
A year ago, in the midst of some difficult financial trials,
we determined that God was not finished with us yet, and that He would unfold
His plans for us as we walked by faith. We praise Him for His tremendous
blessings that were poured out to us during that time. In God’s faith training
program for us, He has allowed us to face a similar situation this year.
Last fall we looked ahead at ways we could encourage more
young men and women to attend our programs. This, in turn, would strengthen our
ability to serve more often as well as increase our financial base. What we
could not see at that time was the depth and length of the economic downturn
and the affect it would have on many families who had planned to send their
sons and daughters to our various programs during 2009. We received many calls
from parents who had desired to send them, but they could not meet the
financial requirements.
Therefore, we stand with outstretched hands seeking God’s
provision to get us through the end of the year. The financial needs are
enormous, but we serve a great and powerful God.
We ask you to take this before the Lord again in prayer,
seeking what He would have you do. The key to this is found in the verse of
scripture that I have shared with you before, and continue to see as our goal in
this matter (words in parenthesis added for reference): “For even in
Thessalonica (2008) ye sent once and again unto my (our) necessity. Not because
I (we) desire a gift: but I (we) desire fruit that may abound to your account.”
Philippians 4:16-17
Our Continuing Endeavors:
Four days ago, while heavy rains were drenching our region
causing flooding in many low-lying areas, a Sheriff’s office dispatcher in the
next county called us seeking help with some swift-water rescue needs. One man
was trapped on a hill with water covering all exits from his location, another
man had called saying he was on the hood of his truck in deep water, while a third
victim was hanging onto a fence. Six of our men responded quickly with a
trailer loaded with equipment and rescue boats. With an approximate 40-minute
drive to the scene, the first two victims were rescued before they arrived. The
third person was being extricated from the fence when they arrived. They were
able to stage at one of the area fire departments for a few more hours before
returning to campus.
Meanwhile, we have also been called upon to help some
elderly people in that same area to clean up their homes following this
flooding. A team will be deployed on Saturday as the rains begin to subside.
While those men were responding to the rescue calls on
Monday, 66 new recruits were arriving on campus for Basic Training Unit 42. They
are completing their third training day and all is going well. Please pray for
these men as they face new challenges in life and as they begin to fathom more
of what it means to walk by faith.
Strengthened in Christ,
Colonel John Tanner, Director
International ALERT Academy
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