HSBC Coffeebreak

And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers,
you will surely be rewarded.
Mt. 10:42

I’ve learned that for years I was one of the Devil’s best workers because that is what an inconsistent Christian is to God’s work. Having random hearing where God is concerned is not healthy to a nation or a family.

I was grinding coffee beans around 5:30a.m. in a sullen, angry state of mind. The night before, my husband had expressed his desire to have me make his freshly brewed coffee using the antique coffee grinder he had just purchased. With clenched teeth, I was vigorously turning that old crank. I had just quit my job with his blessing and felt I had earned my right to enjoy the warmth of the covers a little longer. However, I had not opened my mouth to protest the request.

Suddenly, the Lord spoke to me, “JoAnn, would you do it for me?” In the twinkling of an eye, I saw Jesus and was overwhelmed with His love for me. I was filled with resentment and He was filled with love. From that day to this when I am faced with a service I really don’t want to do, I remember that question and answer, “Yes, Lord, for you.” It makes even the worse job a joyful experience.

My Redeemer woke me up to the importance of learning to share feelings in a loving manner. You see Jerry didn’t know how I felt about his request, but the Lord did. Women often want their husbands to just know what they want. But husbands can’t know unless we tell them. Serving with a spirit of love is like giving a cup of fresh water to someone; joy and peace is the reward.

Maranatha!

Written by
JoAnn Shelton

HSBC Coffeebreak

Ladies,

Just a note to let you know that next week, April 23rd, there will be no Coffeebreak sent out. Our web administrator is on vacation! We'll be back with you on April 30th! Until then, may you experience extraordinary moments with God in your everyday life!

HSBC Coffeebreak

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed.
2 Corinthians 4:16

Last week I saw the face of Christ. If I had not previously believed that Jesus was alive and at work here on earth in those who love Him, I would completely embrace that fact now.

I went to visit my cousin in Washington, who has been battling colon cancer for about the last fifteen years. She has had her highs and lows, but is now at a very difficult place. Several times the doctors have told her that statistically she does not have much time and they don’t know what more to do. This is one of those times.

I was slightly anxious as we drove to her house. I hadn’t seen her in awhile and wasn’t sure what to expect regarding her condition. I was also worried about saying the right thing. We were greeted warmly by her husband when he answered the door. She was right behind him, hugging us and inviting us in. She is tiny, so tiny--just a wisp of a woman. She can no longer eat, but is fed through a feeding tube. Because the cancer is affecting her liver, she is battling with an extreme case of jaundice. I had expected her to be in bed or lying on the couch, propped up with blankets, but she was dressed and up. After welcoming us, she cheerfully chatted while she served us coffee.

Life has not always been easy for her. Some very difficult things happened in her early childhood, one of which was essentially losing her mother who became ill and could no longer care for her or her brothers. She made poor choices in her adolescent years and lived a risky life for awhile. In her mid 20’s she and the man who is now her husband started going to church. They met Jesus, with whom they fell in love and to whom they wholeheartedly gave their lives. Skepticism arose in the extended family about their faith, but my cousin and her husband clearly and consistently lived out their relationship with Christ. And never so clearly than in their battle with her cancer.

We talked about many things that day: the goings on in our extended family, their children, my cousin’s condition, the Lord, plans for a family reunion this summer if she was up to it, the possibility of them going to Hawaii again soon so she could “just relax on a warm beach.” I was impressed with the tangible peace and joy they radiated, while acknowledging the pain and difficulty of her illness. I prayed with her as I hugged her goodbye.

My cousin lives a transformed life, and although “outwardly [she is] wasting away, inwardly [she is] being renewed day by day.” I know she and her husband would not want to be glorified, but would instead want to assure everyone that it is Christ in them who sustains them. It encouraged me afresh to think on the fact that Christ is in me also, and is available for all who desire to know Him.

Written by
Chris Bushnell

HSBC Coffeebreak

As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Joshua 1:5b

I cannot describe the thoughts that went through my mind when my husband suffered his heart attack. One of the greatest thoughts was that of fear! I was told by the attending doctor that he had at least six blockages. He was going to need bypass surgery, hopefully that day. The surgery would have to be performed in Billings. There were so many things to do before we left for Billings, but I couldn’t bring my mind to focus on what needed to be done. I was told I had 1 ½ hours to prepare for the trip. This meant that the house had to be locked up, suitcases packed, the dog taken care of and calls to be made. As I was trying to pull my mind together, a friend called and asked if I was doing OK. At that point, I broke down and started to cry. She told me we would pray together. When we finished, I hung up the phone and a sudden peace came over me and I knew it was going to be OK.

When we arrived at the hospital in Billings, our daughter was there waiting for us. What a blessing to have her there with us those first few days! The doctor was excellent and we found out he was a Christian. He prayed with my husband before he went into surgery. As it turned out, he had to have a quadruple bypass. When the surgery was finished, he came to the waiting room and prayed with me.

Recovery went very well and we came home a few days later. While in the hospital, I met a real sweet Christian lady. We had prayer together each morning.

The experience of possibly losing my spouse taught me that I need to be faithful in reading the Scriptures and spending time in prayer to God. We don’t know what He has planned for us each day. How very thankful I am that my husband is still with me. What an AWESOME God we have that we can bring all our worries, fears and concerns to Him and He will gently take us by the hand and lead us through all of our trials. God was with me in every aspect of my husband’s surgery! As I am writing this, I am reminded of a song my mother used to sing, “What a wonderful Savior is Jesus, my Jesus. What a wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord.”

Written by
Delma Lebien

HSBC Coffeebreak

The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
Matthew 8:27 NIV

I was recently visiting my in-laws in Missouri. We had had a great visit, but we were ready to return to our home. Traveling can be hard with two toddlers…you know – your children aren’t sleeping well, new people all around them, loads of activities and people to see, etc.

On the day we were to fly back to Helena, a terrible snow storm came through the St. Louis area. We waited, holding our breaths, to learn the status of our flight: CANCELED. While we easily rescheduled for the next day, I will admit I was frustrated. I distinctly remember thinking, “Doesn’t God know how badly I want to get home? How much work my husband has to do?”

That evening, about the time we would have been taking off in the airplane, I received a phone call from my mother. My brother’s oldest son, Max, who is eleven, had been in a terrible accident. My brother had been pulling him on a sled behind their ATV. Max flipped off and went backwards into a tree. At the time, we knew no details, only that he had been life-flighted to the St. Louis Children’s Hospital. My mother, who lives three hours away from St. Louis, was in tears. She choked out the words, “Holly, can you drive there to be with your brother?”

Could I? I was already gathering up my things. I jumped in the car, drove slowly through the snow, and arrived at the hospital within 45 minutes. Max had just gone in for an MRI and my brother and sister-in-law were trying to figure out how to orchestrate everything so that their three younger children could get back home and with a sitter.

Without going into all the details, I saw the hand of God in every single detail of that night. I sat with my sister-in-law while Max was checked in to the Intensive Care Unit and examined. I was able to pray with her and Max. My brother’s family has recently begun attending church again and I was able to encourage my sister-in-law that God didn’t do this to punish them and even though I didn’t know why He allowed this to happen, I did know that God was all-powerful and has a special place in His heart for the broken-hearted. He would work this all for His glory.

Max suffered three broken vertebrae and a cracked skull. However, he’s back at home and recovering just fine. As a result, my brother’s family is completely connected with their new church and has memorized a Scripture that I gave Anne on a note card that night in the hospital.

I’ve no doubt He had thousands of reasons for sending a snow storm to St. Louis to cancel my flight – I feel blessed to have seen His mighty hand at work and to have been there to be an encouragement to my family.

Thank you God for being in control of all things, including the weather. Thank you also for the opportunities I have to play a role in your Kingdom. Help me to trust that when my plans go awry, You are at work. Help to me look at all inconvenient circumstances in my life as opportunities to be used by You.

Written by
Holly Hauskins