Freedom Fighters

NEVER SEPARATED FROM HIS GRACE

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,…shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  (Romans 8:38, 39)

Today’s devotional was written by Dottie Noel, wife of retired Chaplain Jack Noel. Jack and Dottie served for 18+ years at America’s Keswick. Dottie had a heart for evangelism and loved to share the gospel. She went home to be with Jesus in 2011.

At age nine, I accepted Jesus as my Savior when an evangelist, Jack Murray, was at our church.  He used John 3:16 to make things plain to me.  I soon knew that verse by heart.

At age sixteen, I joined church and our pastor chose for me the above verses, Romans 8:38, 39.  He always prayed before selecting a life verse for new members.  That didn’t seem to fit into my happy lifestyle.  The “things present” were very acceptable and life was good.

By seventeen I started working and also attended evening Bible school.  Later, I married and had three sons and was in full-time ministry with my husband at the church where I accepted the Lord and became a member.  Proverbs 3:5, 6 says, “He will direct your path,” and He did!

By age thirty-three, the “things to come” began to happen!  Two of our children went through surgery, and we had a near-death experience of our 9-month-old son – choking.  I thought these things caused weakness for me, but God had plans to use me through a muscle illness, myasthenia gravis.  May I insert here: the ministry of “helps,” given to us by so many people, are never forgotten!  God needs us all in helping each other; we do it unto the Lord!  However, one requested I ask: don’t say to someone who is ill, “If you just had faith, you could be healed!”  I was concerned about my faith, but not considering it was His will.  I did see God use this illness, the trials, the heartaches.  I still see it today as I have had this disease for 37 years.  I am serving the Lord atAmerica’s KESWICK with my husband.  Nothing has been able to separate me from the love of God; in fact, I’ve grown even closer!

Jeremiah 29:11 is another verse I have claimed.  He does not have plans to harm me, but to give a future and a hope.  He says, “I know the plans I have for you.”  I do want His plans, not mine!  His way is not just for good, but for a purpose! Dorothy Noel

I make an assumption that all of our Freedom Fighter friends have a personal relationship with Christ. Do you? If not, please write to me. I’d love to get into your hands a little booklet to help you understand how you can have Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. – Bill Welte is President & CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: Psalm 7-9; Proverbs 13; Acts 18

Motivations: God does not owe you salvation. You deserve damnation, but He provides salvation.

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Philippians 2:4; Level 2: Philippians 2:5-11

Powered Up:  God answers only the requests which He inspires. Ralph A. Herring