Letters From Grandpa #517

• LETTERS FROM GRANDPA
• 517

Dearest grandchild,

Today’s letter will focus on what kind of an occupation or line of work God wants you to follow. God, of course, wants to help you make that important decision. The Scriptures teach that “It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13) In other words, God first put the “desire” in you, then He gives you the ability to “act” out that desire. Fortunately, His “yoke is easy and His burden is light” (Matthew 11:30).

I Corinthians 12 compares our spiritual gifts to members of a body. Just as God puts different members in your physical body, He also puts different members in His Body, the church (1 Corinthians 12:11-26). Some time ago I told you about Katie Davis. This beautiful girl was born in Nashville, Tenn. in 1989. She was the homecoming queen and president of her graduating class. At the age of 18 she went on a year long mission trip to Uganda. She was touched by the plight of orphans in poverty and felt God wanted her to stay. In 2008 she felt led to personally care for 13 orphans, In 2009 she started Amazima Ministries International. The word “Amazima” means “truth” in their language. In 2011 her ministry was described as "an organization based in Jinja that sponsors Ugandan school children, provides vocational opportunities for poor Ugandans, and distributes food and health care services to the families of more than 1,600 children in Masese, a nearby slum." As of 2012 Amazima had grown to the point that it was providing food for 2,000 children with a $700,000 budget.

In 2015 Katie married a fellow missionary to Uganda named Benji Majors. Now, in addition to their 13 adopted children they also have two biological sons. Katie has written more than a dozen best selling books including “Kisses From Katie” and “Daring to Hope”.

Not everybody has the same calling as Katie! The late R. G. LeTourneau was born November 30, 1888. When he gave his heart to Christ he assumed that he would be a foreign missionary like his two sisters. Instead, God guided him to be a Christian businessman and inventor. He is famous for living on 10% of his income and giving 90% away. He pioneered in earth moving equipment and had 299 patents. During W.W. II his company provided between 50 and 70% of all the earth moving equipment used by our military. Many years ago I interviewed his son Roy over KOBC. Roy had lived 8 years in Peru and was investing heavily in evangelizing Latin America.

Benjamin Rush was one of the founding fathers of the United States. He was born in 1746 just outside of Philadelphia and graduated from college at the tender age of 15. He received a medical degree in England and returned to America to start his own medical practice at the age of 24. This amazing man wrote the first chemistry text book printed in America. He pioneered in treating mental illness, prison reform, and the abolition of slavery. He championed education but warned that “Without religion learning does real mischief to the morals and principals of mankind.”

• Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) was a Christian social reformer, statistician, and nurse. She said: “God called me in the morning and asked me would I do go for him alone without reputation.”
• Charles Dickens (1812 – 1870) was a famous author. He wrote: “It is Christianity to... always show that we love Him by humbly trying to do right in everything.”
• Harold Moody (1882 – 1947) Was a Doctor and civil rights campaigner: He wrote: “As one of Christ’s followers, I must impact to each man, no matter how degraded he may be at the moment... the fact that he was created in the image of God.”
• George Frideric Handel – Was a composer (1685 – 1759) He wrote: “I have read my Bible very well, and will choose for myself.”
• Isaac Newton (1642 – 1727) was a devout believer called by God to be a famous scientist.
• Jesus commanded Matthew “Follow me” (Matthew 9:9). But when the Gaderene demoniac wanted to follow him, Jesus commanded him “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” (Mark 5:19)
• James Garfield (1831 – 1881) was a preacher whom God called to be president.
• Charles Finney was a lawyer whom God called to be a preacher. Mat Staver was a preacher whom God called to be lawyer. (He is the founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel)
• God called Deborah to be a Judge, Esther to be a queen, and Mary to be a mother.
• All members of Christ’s body are important and if one member doesn’t function, to a certain extent the Body of Christ is handicapped.

I’m not sure where God will call you, but I pray that you will always consider both God and eternity in making that choice.

I love you,

Grandpa Boyce