In the account of Noah's Ark, found in Genesis 5-10, God gives Noah a sign; a rainbow, His covenant to all men that he would never again flood the entire earth. The word covenant is used in scripture over 270 times, the word promise is used over 100 times. When we are in the midst of a trial in our lives, sometimes it is the hardest time to recall the promises of God; however, this is the time when it is most important to remember what God has promised to us, especially if you are His child.

Something I have found to be a huge blessing to me, is really studying the message of hymns or biblicaly inspired songs that we sing, or hear on the radio on a daily/weekly basis. It is my hope to use this blog as a way of sharing the lyrics to songs that have been a blessing to me, and how they have blessed me and reminded me of a promise given by God, and in turn be a blessing to others.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Sometimes a denial is God's greatest gift!

This has definitely been a week of trials, adjustment, and re-focusing. I started out the week really excited because of everything that God has been doing in my life, and all my plans for going to Japan have just been falling into place. Up until now...Not that it means that God is 'changing His mind', but I believe Satan is trying to prevent me from going, God may just want me to do something different for a few weeks...I don't know.

On Sunday night, I got back from church to a message on Skype that Mr. Mansell needed me to call him. I ended up talking to him for about 30 min, and he told me that the Japanese Government had denied my application for a Religious Activities Visa. At first it didn't seem that bad, I knew that God had a reason for this, and He would still provide what I needed and maybe this was just His way of making a way for me to do something else according to His plan. The more I thought about it, I just started getting confused, and overwhelmed. I had been praying and planning for so long, I was sure that what I was planning was what God wanted. Why now did He have to allow this to happen, and seemingly prevent me from going? I knew that there were other options, but time is limited...Should I just forget going for the summer...or JUST go for the summer? I was SO sure that this was God's will, I was planning on using this trip as a part of my decision to possibly change my minor to missions, I didn't feel that I could make a proper decision in only 3 months.

I now have a meeting set up, with the Study Abroad Director, to discuss a 3 week period of time in August/Sept. where I will leave Japan, go to another nearby country and assist in a ministry there, then return to Japan until Dec. 9. My prayer is that God will make it clear to me where I can best be used, and that the money will be provided for the additional plane ticket. I DO believe that God wants me to be part of a ministry in another country, whether it's Japan or somewhere else, for the whole 6 months. I can't explain why I feel this way, but God has given me this burden...my part is just to follow His leading.

Thanks for your prayers...
Jennifer Sandahl
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1 comment:

  1. AnonymousApr 24, 2011, 7:48:00 PM

    I am praying and you are right to give it to God and you just follow! Just pray and listen. Stay in His Word and allow Him to prepare you for whatever. LISTEN to the Holy Spirit. A good man's (and ladie's) steps are ordered by the LORD!

    Trust in the Almighty Saviour.

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