“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
– Hebrews 11:1
On June 18, 1999 Gary and Gloria Sloan, Southern Baptist missionaries, who had
been on the field of Mexico for only six months, were enjoying a birthday
celebration for their daughter, Carla, at a popular swimming spot on Mexico's
Pacific coast. With them were two other young missionaries from the United
States, Joy Murphy and John Weems.
Due to a strong undertow, Carla began to be pulled out to sea. Gary, Joy and
John rushed to save eleven-year-old Carla, but they were overcome and drowned,
as did she. When Carla's body was brought to shore, Gloria doubled over in
agony, unable to breathe. But it was then that she felt the physical presence of
Jesus.
Gloria said, "I felt such a strength and power and control. I looked down at my
daughter, and I had such a peace" A large group of people gathered to watch this
unfolding tragedy. And before long, four bodies lay in the sand. But what
happened next is truly amazing. Gloria stood over the bodies of her dead loved
ones and gave witness to the saving power of Christ. She told the people, "The
pain I felt because of the loss of my husband and daughter was not as much pain
as I felt for the true lostness of those standing around me".
Gloria Sloan then told the people that her daughter and husband were standing in
the presence of God. And then she said, "What if you were the ones laying here?
Would you know you would be in God's presence".
Gloria's husband and daughter were buried in Mexico. After their funerals, she
went home to Texas to heal. And believe it or not, after almost six months,
Gloria packed up her remaining three children and went back to Mexico to finish
the work that she and her husband had begun.
The Lord wants you to be sure of the things that He has promised. Today in
prayer, thank the Lord for His Word and put your faith in Him.
“Faith is extending an empty hand to God to receive His gift of grace.” –
A. W. Pink
God’s Word: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For
what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:18
By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2004, Devotional E-Mail DEVOTIONS IN HEBREWS
pkennedy6@yahoo.com
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