Lost Bag

Did you ever lose something? It has been a while for me. Normally I do a systematic "double check" before I leave a bank, store or restaurant. This probably developed from years of international travel. There was always a danger of forgetting a passport, ticket or wallet on airplanes, airports, trains or hotel rooms. This does not mean I have a good memory. It is just a technique to help deal with a less than perfect memory.

Today I had to go to the bank to pay a bill. Sharon asked me to pick up some noodles to cook with chicken. We have been to the specialty food store many times before. They have very friendly and kind staff. There was a lot on my mind today - both spiritual and financial matters. So I picked up my one item and went through the checkout. I got several miles down the road toward the house when my cell phone rang. It was a woman from that store asking for Sharon. When I asked why she replied that a black bag had been forgotten at their store. I immediately looked between the car seats when the bag always resides. To my surprise it was not there! I thanked her and turned around to quickly head back to the store to pick up my black bag.

Immediately I thanked God it had been found. He was particularly good to me today. In the past when I lost something there was that horrible period of not knowing where it was left or if it would ever be recovered safely. This time I was happily ignorant that it was even missing. When I found out it was gone it was clear that it was probably safe!

When I arrived at the store a young lady clerk recognized me and came running up. I began to thank her for taking care of it. She then apologized to me because she had looked inside to see who it belonged to. It happened that our cell phone bill was sticking out of the side pocket with our name and phone numbers. Of course, a smaller bag with all our bank books and some cash was also inside the bag. She urged me to check if everything was there since it had set by the front door in a shopping cart for a few minutes probably until someone noticed and reported it was there. All was present and accounted for! Praise God!

Earlier I had been both thankful and somewhat concerned about our finances. Some may think one cannot be both thankful and concerned at the same time. Believe me! It happens. After this incident I believe God was showing me that He is still in charge and will keep His Word to me as He has for over 57 years since I first accepted Christ as my Personal Savior. God is so very very Good to me and I am sure to all His children!

May God bless you richly as you trust Him to keep your "stuff" safe!

Dan Corbett
"Reaching One Among Millions"

Don't Despise Small Things!

Zech 4:10 Do not despise this small beginning, for the eyes of the Lord rejoice to see the work begin, to see the plumbline in the hand of Zerubbabel. For these seven lamps represent the eyes of the Lord that see everywhere around the world. TLB

 

Zech 4:10 Note, In God's work the day of small things is not to be despised. Though the instruments be weak and unlikely, God often chooses such, by them to bring about great things. As a great mountain becomes a plain before him when he pleases, so a little stone, cut out of a mountain without hands, comes to fill the earth, Dan 2:35. Though the beginnings be small, God can make the latter end greatly to increase; a grain of mustard-seed may become a great tree. Let not the dawning light be despised, for it will shine more and more to the perfect day. The day of small things is the day of precious things, and will be the day of great things. (Matthew Henry's Commentary)

 

Matt 10:42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward. NIV

 

Matt 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

 

Matt 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. KJV

Don’t forget where you came from! Don’t look down on those who are where you used to be. Don’t become too comfortable where you are. You may not always sit in the seat you are now occupying. God gave you all that you have. It all belongs to Him - not to you, not to a denomination or mission organization. He is watching all we do and listening to our words. He knows our hearts. He is searching the hearts of His children and servants who proclaim His Name.

 

Isa 51:1 "Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn; 2 look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was but one, and I blessed him and made him many. NIV