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It is written:
Philemon 15-16 (ERV)-Onesimus was separated from you for a short time. Maybe that happened so that you could have him back forever, 16 not to be just a slave, but better than a slave, to be a dear brother. That’s what he is to me. And I know he will mean even more to you, both as your slave and as one who shares your faith in the Lord.
I have always been fascinated by the Providence of God (i.e., the ways that God can direct seemingly natural events to bring about His good plans and intentions). As an example, Paul believed it was possible that Onesimus had left the service of Philemon in order to meet Paul, where he had learned and obeyed the Gospel and become a Christian. Not only was for the sake of Onesimus, but also for Philemon-so that he could return to Philemon to help him in the work of the church!
I had an encounter within the last few months that makes me consider God’s Providence at work.
After visiting a friend at a hospital in a nearby town, I stopped at an eatery to work on a lesson regarding clothing. Specifically, a friend had asked me to do a study on whether or not it is sinful for a woman to wear any other clothes but dresses. So, I was going to sit down over a Coke and a burger and do some study and write up that article. While preparing to do this, I gave a copy of my book on Paganism to a young worker at this restaurant, and we began to talk about the Lord. It became a serious discussion, and I invited him to sit down where we could talk privately in this restaurant. He was struggling with some things in his life involving addiction. We began discussing the five main roots of addiction that I discuss in my book, Christians Helping Addicts Pursue Sobriety. The five roots are: Physical, Spiritual, Social, Psychological, And Demonic. While discussing the first one of these, the conversation went like this (for the sake of anonymity, I will call this young man Isaac).
Mark: Bro, there is no shame in seeking physical help when you are addicted. Your body becomes dependent on these drugs. Please don’t try quit the drugs cold turkey, it could kill you.
Isaac: Man, I just don’t know what to do. I have tried before, but I don’t have the means to get help now.
Mark: What do you mean that you don’t have the means? Are you saying that there are no clinics or rehabs around here? If not, I can help you find one and get you into one.
Isaac: No, I mean that I don’t have insurance.
Mark: Bro, I will help you if you will let me. I don’t have the resources, but I know who to contact to help you get help. But I can only help you if you will let me.
At this point, Isaac started tearing up. I thought it was either tears of gratitude towards the offer of help, or tears of shame because he was dealing with a lot of guilt and shame.
But, I was mistaken.
Isaac: I started praying to God again recently. I had felt like He wasn’t listening to me anymore, that I had gone to far from Him. I was baptized years ago and have backslid. I felt like He wasn’t listening to my prayers.
And I told Him, “If you are listening, then please send me someone who will tell me that they will help me if I will let them.”
God was listening.
Friends, don’t wait to seek God. He loves you and will meet you wherever you are. He is searching for you.
2 Chronicles 16:9-For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.
Acts 2:38-Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Please continue to pray for Isaac.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.