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Faith on Wheels Part 1

From the Mailbag

Destiny

from Calvin

II Peter 1:10 NKJV Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.

I believe this scripture to be very relevant for all of us. Ever since the first major attack of Covid-19, over two years ago the devil has been busy using it to throw the church off track We who are called and elected by God to administer life and growth to the church have been individually and corporately under attack and hindered from pursuing our destinies.

My heart goes out to ministries that are new or in the first stages of development. Whether we are young in ministry experience or well developed, the scriptures are sound admonition to make sure of our callings.

With so many things being shaken and collapsing in our world today, it behooves us to nourish our Gospel roots with prayer and meditation of the Word.

In many of the teachings of Jesus, we can find warnings of storms to come. He also included instructions for survival.

Matthew 7:24-27 NKJV “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

This passage holds the promise of survival to wise builders. Building our lives and ministries on Jesus the Rock is the only way of making our calling sure.

During this present time, I find myself being both disturbed and challenged by the damage that Covid had caused the worldwide church.

It’s plain to see that most of us have unfulfilled destinies that must be brought back to priority one status. By no means is our King Jesus sounding retreat, Rather, I hear the sound of re-group, muster the scattered troops, and re-take our ground.

A quick review of history reminds us of the many attacks against the spreading of the Gospel over thousands of years. Yet, God’s church has grown and multiplied after each attack. We must continue to stand and fight with persistent Faith until all enemies, including death, are under our Lord’s feet.

I Corinthians 15:25-26 KJV For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

Worthy of notation is how this present pandemic has been emboldened by using fear to hinder the pursuit of our destinies. Fear of disease and death, fear of government, and in many cases even a fear of people within our own circle of friends and family.

Think for a moment how everything dictated by Covid is anti-Christ in nature. God’s Word teaches togetherness, Covid preaches separation. God’s children have always enjoyed hugs and kisses. Covid demands staying six feet apart.

II Timothy 1:5-6 KJV When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. 6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

It’s impossible to live in faith and fear at the same time. Living in faith is our safe place. Living in the pursuit of our calling is our safe place.

II Peter 1:10 NKJV Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.

Faith on Wheels part 1

Summer, 1974

Calvin and Barbara are going where? Miami, Florida? With three little ones! Why the baby is just a year old. Besides that, Uncle Kenneth the mechanic says, “They shouldn’t be pulling a heavily loaded 26’ travel trailer with that little 1963 ½ ton, short wheel-base pickup! It will never make the hills with that small 6-cylinder engine.”

Well, as the rumors unfold, our faith became bold. As our day of departure arrived, we pulled away with a tank full of gas and thirty-five dollars cash in our pocket, so what could go wrong? After all, it’s only 2,200 miles to Miami. The ace up our sleeve held a glimmer of hope as we had been to a camp meeting in Leslie, AR six months earlier. We had names and phone numbers of several people that had said, "If you’re ever in our area, give us a call." Well, we had no appointments made for ministry stops, but we had potential contacts.

Our first night on the road found us in Roswell, NM where our contact was graceful enough to secure us a Sunday night meeting where we delivered our hearts and brought blessings to several people.  They had no idea that our thirty-five dollars were nearly exhausted, but they gave us a generous offering that sent us on our way to Big Springs, TX.

At this point in our story, you should know that in 1974, the thousands of beautiful successful charismatic churches that we find in almost every city today did not yet exist in 1974. Multitudes of people were being filled with the Holy Spirit and they were leaving the old traditional churches by droves. Our ministry found them meeting in living rooms and storefront buildings. These changes in the church structure later resulted in the large churches of our modern times.

In Big Springs, TX our contact family welcomed us into their home church where we found sweet fellowship and another generous offering.

In the six weeks of our 5,000-mile round trip journey, we never asked for money. Our faith sustained us one stop at a time. All along the way, people asked, “Do you need money?” Our response was always, “The Lord is taking care of us.”

As the Holy Spirit continued to guide us, we ended up in Orange, LA which is in the heart of Cajun country. These warm country folk made sure we were well fed - squirrel gumbo, rabbit gumbo, and shrimp gumbo. They taught us to make it and like it. Yum! These folk took us to a small country church where the pastor warmly invited us to share his pulpit. With his liberated heart, we let the Good times roll. Next stop, Miami.

If you’ve ever been to Miami, you may be wondering how on earth we ever found our contact person. One of the first things we encountered was a freeway with eight lanes of traffic going south and eight lanes going north. Personally, I’m still wondering how we found her. Our contact had gone to high school with Barbara’s sister in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

So we found a kindred spirit with her. She and her physician husband were very involved in their own in-house ministry. Being on the same page of ministry with them, assured us a place of warmth and acceptance with them.

Well, we’re in Miami, we haven’t missed a meal, the little truck has gas, and our thirty-five dollars continued to be stretched and added to. This faith thing is working. Will it get us home?

Learning to live by faith means we should never suffer lack, because faith, according to Hebrews 11:1 is substance and evidence. On our many journeys of faith, we have always counted on the substance and evidence of our faith to be our supply. We have never been disappointed.

Faith will encourage us to step forward in obedience, no matter the circumstances. Faith will show us when to hold fast and faith will orchestrate a graceful exit when the assignment is concluded. Such was the case when it was time to leave Miami. We began to see that our homeward journey would include several detours taking us the long road back.

To be continued…

From the Mailbag

From: Pastor Jose Luis De la Torre in Agua Prieta: Blessings, healing,  and protection to you both at the rancho. May God bless you. We love you!

From Brisa in Tetanchopo, Sonora: It’s marvelous to see what great faith our beloved brothers Calvin & Barbara have. God is good to have allowed us to know two of His children most equipped and valiant. They are a great example to each one of us. Beloved Calvin and Barbara you are in our hearts. We love you and we are sure that God is working things out for good. We miss you.  We look forward to seeing you soon. Thank you for all that you do for the children. The Christmas Outreaches are a beautiful ministry that blesses so many children hungry for God and love. You are the arms Jesus uses to hold the children. We’re waiting for you in the summer with God’s favor, to give you the hugs we couldn’t give you at Christmas. We also thank Felipe and Carmen who like you, love the children with all their hearts.

From Olga in Cumpas: Thank you so much for the letter. Thank you for words that encourage us.  Thank you for your prayers for us too. We love you.  You have always been a blessing and example for us. Last year we passed through difficult times. This year in 2022, we have gained the victory. May this New Year be a year of victory and renewed strength, and renewed purpose. Hugs and blessings! We miss you. We want to find Sister Barbarita well and we declare new strength like the buffalo, and for Brother Calvin, open heavens in 2022.

From Mirsha in San Bernardo: God bless you Brothers Barbara and Calvino Scott. You are an example to us. God continue pouring out healing over your lives. Many blessings to the ones we love a lot. Greetings from San Bernardo.

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