Christmas - God's Perfect Timing

After the service was over, one of the inmates came up to Kathy & said, "I really want to thank you for singing that song. It ministered to me so much." He said, "My soul was dry."

She asked, "Why is that?" He answered, "Well, I'm here in prison, & I received a letter this week from my wife asking for a divorce. Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, they did.

But now I realize that my life is in the hands of God, & that somehow it will be okay. I really want to thank you for singing that song."

Five days later, Chuck Colson & Kathy Tracolie were in Chicago, IL, more than 1,000 miles from Salem, OR. They were preaching & singing in a prison there, & Kathy sang that same song, "My Life is in Your Hands."

Afterwards, a woman who had never before been to a Prison Fellowship meeting came up to Kathy & said, "I really want to thank you for singing that song. My soul has been so dry." Almost the same exact words.

Again Kathy asked, "Why?" She answered, "Well, my husband is in prison, too, & I felt like I couldn't put up with it anymore. So I wrote him last week & asked for a divorce. But I'm not at peace about it."

Her husband was the man they had met back in Salem, OR. Just a coincidence. Just a coincidence? Kathy was able to minister to her, & God began healing their marriage & bringing them back together again.

It doesn't always happen like that. You don't always get instant answers to your prayers. It doesn't always work out the way we hope it will. But here's the promise. No matter how difficult, no matter how tough life may be, no matter how disappointing things might be, God is still in control.

In Romans 13:11 Paul writes, "The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed."

"Wake up!" he says. If you're a Christian, rejoice. But if you're not a Christian, be concerned, because the clock is ticking, & there is not a lot of time left. One of these days we'll hear the trumpets blow, & we'll see the glory of God coming in the sky. Are you ready for that?

INVITATION: Have you asked yourself what time it is in your life? Do you have time to play with this morning? Or will you take advantage of this opportunity, realizing that in God's chronology He has led you to this moment when you can give your heart & your life to Jesus Christ?

We extend His invitation. Will you come as we stand & as we sing?