Coincidence? #145

Exodus 2:the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she named him Moses, and said, "Because I drew him out of the water. (NAS)

Of all the great men who have walked on this earth Moses was obviously one of them. He is recognized as the leader of Israel who delivered them from Egyptian slavery; the one who re- ceived the Ten Commandments; and the one who is an obvious type of Christ. But how did he come to this place in history? He was born to an Israelite woman named Jochebed and adopted into the house of the Pharaoh by Bithia, the Pharaoh’s daughter. It was from that position that God used his life to free Israel from slavery.

Just a set of coincidences you might say. He just happened to be in a wicker basket placed in the Nile where Pharaoh’s daughter found him. He just happened to be nursed by his birth mother, Jochebed, who was paid for nursing her own child. He just happened to be raised in the home of Pharaoh where he received the finest of everything in order to prepare him for the task ahead.

Could it be that God was actually in charge of it all? He is after all God. He is sovereign. He knows ahead of time what is to happen. He has foreknowledge. He is also a God of provi- dence. He provides ahead of time for your needs. Because He is sovereign, a God of fore- knowledge and a God of providence He is never surprised nor does He panic. He has your life in His hands. You may not see it, but rest assured He sees and knows. He provides far in ad- vance of your need. Israel was in Egypt 400 years before God delivered them from slavery. God prepared ahead of time (providence) for the nation of Israel to eventually return to their homeland through the selection of Moses as their leader 400 years in advance.

God is at work in your life today in order to provide for you not only now but for your future. He is a sovereign God, a God of foreknowledge and a God of providence. You may not know what the future holds, but rest assured you can know who holds the future.

_____________________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ,

Home at last. Sandy and I had a wonderful time in Missouri. The flooding was amazing. No fishing, but we had the opportunity of visiting several people.

Ministry Opportunities: Mother's Day I spoke at the Northpointe Baptist Church. The gist of the message is in this week's devotional.Saturday and Sunday this week we will be in Golden Valley, AR to preach at Golden Valley Baptist Church. Pray for all three services. I have not attempted that in along

time. June 24-26 Sandy and I will be with the Grace Community Church of Tempe at their All Church Family Camp Out. I will be speaking at the worship service on Sunday in the beautiful Wood's Canyon Campground.I would really appreciate your prayers for these and for other opportunities to "tell what the Lord has done."

Family Activities: Sandy and I arrived back home to a busy schedule. Burke and Bennett had a piano concert on Saturday. Johnny is doing well. He now is over seven pounds. He does have a problem with the shape of his head and will have to wear a helmet for a couple of months. Pray for him and for Mandy and John. Sandy and I missed Collin's school musical. (Thus no pic) He had the lead. Both Collin and Susan are enjoying their new home.

Prayer Needs: Sandy will be tested next week for her bladder cancer. Join us in praying that it has not recurred. I will have tests on my liver in a couple of weeks to see the status of the cancer. Pray that no growth has occurred in the past three months since the last tests. There is no way to express to all of you

how blessed we are due to your prayers. Please continue to pray. Thank

you again.

I know and believe that God will bless you as a result of your faithfulness to Him and to your consistent prayers. May God pour out on you blessings beyond your possible imagination. My prayer for you today is found in Ephesians.

Ephesians 3:20-21
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,
21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. (NAS)

~ DGW