situations, or I can stay focused on the good things of God. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, to tempt me to take my focus off my purpose and off God. But God comes to give me life and to help me in my time of need (John 10:10). I choose to stay focused on God. Renewing my mind looks something like this: As I scrub mildew off the boat’s upholstery and dig mud out from under the motor home, I say, “Thank You, Lord, for this amazing boat we get to use to bring heaven to Earth for so many people. Thank You for the Nautique boat company and their generosity to supply us with boats. Thank You for this motor home that takes us to each event so that we can share Your love—the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank You for the donors who provide the funds to keep us rolling down the highway. Thank You for the volunteers who help us carry out Your vision and for the kids we get to show Your love to on the water and shore.” Then I start to pray scripture. “Lord, You say that You are my help and my strength. You promise that the same power that brought Jesus from the dead lives in me. Therefore, I have all the power I need, including the strength to dig out motor homes and scrub away mildew. You say I can mount up with wings like an eagle when my mind is set on You! I thank You that I will not be overtaken by this trial. My hope is in You.” When I purposely focus on the Word of God with a thankful heart, I become a new man. I become renewed in my thinking and am given the strength and the power to face whatever comes my way with courage, peace, and joy. Whatever you’re facing or digging yourself out from under, I just want to say, don’t be discouraged. Instead, focus your mind on the love of God and the Word of God. That’s what will keep you moving down life’s highway. �� In His Wakes introduces people to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ through water sports. Although founded by Kristi Overton Johnson, In His Wakes is independent of KOJM. If you desire to make a donation to IHW, please go online at inhiswakes.com or send donations to: PO Box 120987 • Clermont, FL 34712-0987 • Nate Miller • 352-745-0283 www.inhiswakes.com Humble Beginnings by Kenny Vaughan Do not despise small beginnings, and don’t do anything halfway. You can’t imagine all that God may be planning to build on your actions. Today, I ski on the most advanced skis in the world and behind the world’s most powerful competition ski boats. I wear as many as twelve pieces of equipment for safety and performance enhancement, and any one of those pieces costs more than my father paid for all of the equipment I used while learning to ski. My first ski equipment was makeshift and crude but crafted out of love by my father. Beginnings do not have to be fancy to be meaningful. I have learned not to discount the humble and simple beginnings in life. God can take little and make much. And aren’t we glad! The Bible is filled with such accounts. In Matthew 13:31–32 NIV, Jesus says: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” In Matthew 25:14–30 NIV, Jesus tells a story of three men who were given talents, each according to his ability. The more ability, the more talents the master gave them. Two of the men took the several talents they were given and multiplied them. To these men, their master said, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things” (Matthew 25:23). The third servant took the only talent he had been given and buried it. He had the least to lose, yet he was the most afraid. To him, the master said, “You wicked, lazy servant!” The master took the talent from him, gave it to the one who worked the hardest to multiply his talents, and said, “For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them” (Matthew 25:26, 29). What I have learned and what I believe God is saying with both of these stories is that He wants us to take what we have and do with it the very best we can, trusting in God implicitly. When we learn how to multiply little things with God’s help, then He will teach us to multiply bigger things. That leads back to humble beginnings. The number or degree of gifts or talents we have does not make a difference. Trusting God to help us apply and multiply them is what makes the difference. An unforgettable example is when God told Moses to go before Pharaoh. Moses asked, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11 NIV). Moses had a cane and a confidence problem. Still, he took what little he had and put it to work for God. You know the rest of the story—the parting of the Red Sea, the Ten Commandments, leading the Israelites out of the wilderness, helping them find the Promised Land. Moses knew he wasn’t capable of completing all these tasks on his own, but he finished big because he followed God’s lead. He didn’t give up, no matter how impossible things seemed. And he trusted God to make the way. Take what you have been given, no matter how simple or insignificant it might seem to you, and use it for the Lord. You’ll be amazed at what He can do. �� kojministries.org Issue 2 2017 15
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