Let the young eagles fly!

Sunday  2-28-16 (Carmelo, Uruguay)     

Scripture reading for today:    Num 24 – 27     1 Cor 13

S=Scripture  O=Observation  A=Application  P=Prayer  SOAP for the soul.

S.  Num 27:15-19  Then Moses spoke to the LORD, saying: "Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, who may go out before them and go in before them, who may lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be like sheep which have no shepherd." And the LORD said to Moses: "Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him;  NKJV

O.  A change in leadership is always a crucial moment in the work of the Lord.  Moses had been a powerful, godly and just leader for these Israelites for these over 40 years.  Now the Lord has told him to climb the mountain where he will not return.  His days a numbered.  So God chooses Joshua and Moses is instructed to lay hands on him and officially commission him in the presence of the people.

A.  Frances and I had started the church in la Boca in December 1973 with nightly open air services for 8 months when the Lord had miraculously given us the best and most suitable building in the area.  Shortly after that we had to return to the USA and leave the work temporarily in the able hands of Missionaries Andrew and Carmen Trussel.  When we returned to Argentina and I took the helm of the church again, I felt it was time to have an Argentine pastor.  We prayed and God gave us the best of the best, Jose Manuel Carlos and his wife Isabel.  I thought I would have to remain with them for a while, but in a few weeks I realized that they had already won the hearts of our people.  We agreed to have a 30 day open air crusade in a city park and leave the results in Pastor Jose Manuel Carlos’ hands.  It was time for me to disappear.  Now after 40 years I am thrilled with the results.  This ghetto church rapidly became a generous and prosperous church.  And at my last count 110 pastors and wives had been sent out into the harvest fields from that church alone!  Praise God! 

P.  Lord, may You always let me know when it is time to step aside and allow Your young eagles to fly.  Almost every time they will fly higher that I could have imagined.  I praise You, Lord for Your faithfulness.  Amen.

Ralph