"No Way Out"
It is truly a blessing and privilege given from God to be able to bring you this message. I have seen the mighty hand of God make the way for this ministry and my family. He has NEVER failed me, even when I get discouraged. When I feel weak and can�t see any possible way, Jesus shows up! God doesn�t want us to put our trust in anyone or anything but Him. Many times in financial crises I think God will move through certain obvious people in a certain way. I have found that when I drop my hope in everything else, then God will work His miracle. What He�s done for us, He�ll do for you. In every circumstance God has come through. This trial has led me to look at the many times in the lives of God�s men that it seemed there was �No Way Out.�
We�ll cover several examples, but let us start with Jeremiah 37:12-21. Some of the officials in Judea were very much against Jeremiah. God had given him a word and it was not too popular. Because he spoke a word from God and didn�t compromise or change it to please man, Jeremiah was persecuted. They accused him of being a traitor and cast him into the prison of Jonathan the scribe. King Zedekiah sent for him, and Jeremiah still didn�t change the word God gave him. He was sent back to prison, the keepers commanded to feed him only bread daily. The prophet was in desperate circumstances, but still he wouldn�t compromise the Word of God. He was already in a bad state, and things get worse as we look at Chapter 38. Some of the officials wanted Jeremiah dead! They didn�t like this Word he was preaching � it was different from the message the false prophets had given. NO! The word Jeremiah had didn�t tickle their ears, nor did it tickle the ears of their soldiers. You know, some people will give a false word just to keep control over or the favor of a group or church! In 38:5 the king turns Jeremiah over to the officials. No help from the king for the prophet, for Zedekiah had no backbone (he was a man-pleaser). Here�s old Jeremiah already in prison, bad conditions, half starved. The officials took cords and put Jeremiah down in the dungeon with no water, no food, no steps and no door to leave by. He was there sinking in the mire. God knew the character of His prophet, and moved on the heart of the Ethiopian, Ebed-melech, to speak for him. A prison would truly be nice compared to this place where he was. This was an old cistern, bell-shaped with a 3� wide opening at the top. It was impossible to get out and the opposition wanted him to die there. Jeremiah was taken out because the Ethiopian risked everything and spoke for him. As you read on through Jeremiah 38 and 39, you�ll see that God shows him favor many times. Jeremiah stood un-moved because he knew God would make the way when it seemed there was �No Way Out.�
Let�s turn to Daniel 6. I think most everyone is familiar with the account of the lion�s den. Trouble starts because Daniel has the favor of God on him. The Word says that he was preferred over all the other presidents and princes. It says Daniel had an excellent spirit, and would likely see promotion. Daniel had enemies because they were jealous of him. They couldn�t find any area to accuse him, so they had to catch him concerning his service to God. Even though a law was passed against praying, Daniel did not stop. He was another man of God who would not compromise his relationship with God. He knew the danger, that this law carried a death penalty, yet still he prayed to God! What hinders your daily prayers? Daniel was caught and cast into the den of lions, and a flat stone was placed over the opening. He had no way out by man�s eyes. The rock was placed there and the king�s seal put upon it. Old King Darius had come to admire this prophet of God, a man of integrity, of excellent spirit. The king came to respect Daniel�s God and just maybe he had heard of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego as well � three more children of God that had no way out by man�s thinking. Daniel down in that lion�s den and the Angel of the Lord showed up! Sent by God to close the mouths of the lions. What a soft place to lay for Daniel that night� As you read on you�ll see that God moved on the king�s heart. Daniel was taken out of that den to testify of all God had done. Daniel�s persecutors are destroyed and God is magnified. All this because a man stood unmoved, and God proved He could make a way when there�s �No Way Out!�
I can�t cover all I would like in this message due to space constraints, so we�ll just touch on several places where God made a way out. I�m reminded of Peter in Acts 12 � Herod had already killed James the brother of John. It was popular among the �religious bunch� so he arrested Peter, intending to kill him as well. The church began to make intercessory prayer, without ceasing. Peter was guarded by four quaternions of soldiers. Once in prison he was chained between two guards with more posted at the door and every hall. Then the Angel of the Lord showed up and chains fell off! He woke Peter and said �let�s go�. Yep, by man�s thinking Peter had no way out, oh but God had a jail break planned! I encourage you to read on in this chapter. See what God will do when one of His children has �No Way Out�.
Turn over to Acts 16 where old Paul and Silas are put in the innermost part of the prison. They had been beaten and placed in the deepest part the jailer had. These two, like Jeremiah, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and Peter, would not shut up or water down the Word of God. They were not popular because they preached the truth, and so they were persecuted. Look at 16:25 � �and at midnight.� I�ve heard it said that midnight is the darkest part of the night! Well praise God, I don�t guess any of you have ever been in your darkest hour with no way out? That�s when God will move! Again, here God made a way by sending an earthquake that shook chains off and doors open. Praise the Lord, I can tell you The One who breaks the chains and opens the doors has come and is still with us! Paul and Silas were able to testify, and souls were saved. All this because God made a way when others thought there was �NO WAY OUT!�
There are so many examples of God making a way out � I wish I could preach this message in person. Someday soon I will. Let me testify to you today of God�s greatness: Kim and I had a series of financial battles hit us. There seemed to be no way out. We knew God had called us to this ministry, and we knew God had placed us in exactly the location He wanted us. Still, everything that could go wrong did go wrong. Everywhere that I thought our help would come from, it didn�t. We were discouraged but still hanging on to God. We stood on Galatians 6:9. Even though I didn�t feel like I could still minister, I did. Kim kept praising God. I admit that things seemed pretty bad and that midnight had truly come. It seemed by natural sight that there was no way out. Spiritually we knew God is an on-time God � I must tell you He is always on time. God moved for us and took care of every need! My family is well and we are blessed. We were also able to bless some others, so God�s blessings were shared and passed on. People were blessed for blessing us � the circle of blessings is endless! Our help didn�t come from obvious sources; it came from God and from obedient people obeying His will. Who did Jesus say is a brother? Those who do the will of God. Friends, brothers, sisters � God made a way when it seemed there was �No Way Out.�
As I close this I know some of you feel like you HAVE no way out. Some sit in jails and prisons. Some in hospitals and nursing homes. Some are home-bound or on the streets. Some sit in churches caught up in �religion� and heading for hell with the �in clique�. I sat 13 years ago in prison facing the death penalty or at least a life sentence. A small cell, darkness looming. My life seemed over. I would surely die at the hand of the State Executioner. I had �no way out�. Words echoing in my heart and obedient Christians bringing the Word, I accepted the Way. John 14:6 says, �Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.� That�s pretty clear � no other way except through Jesus. You can�t go through a preacher, a saint, a pope, Mary, Allah, Buddha or Confuscious. Not even through that God-fearing parent, grandparent or spouse. Coming any way except through Christ is a direct path to hell for eternity. You are not alone and you never have to struggle alone. Jesus is the Way and He has set much help before you. I want to share your burdens and we will certainly pray to our Father, through Jesus, for your need. God worked for me showing me favor all those years ago, and I will soon be free. And I mean free with no parole, no restrictions, able to travel wherever God sends me. I have a wonderful wife and children. A blessed home. A home church that�s on fire where I�m an Associate Pastor. I�m blessed with many brothers and sisters in Christ through this ministry. Friend, I�ve said all that to say this: I too felt there was no way out, but I�m living testimony that there is the WAY out � HIS NAME IS JESUS CHRIST!
In Christ's Love, Bro. Don George
GOD SPEAKS� (Author Unknown)
The man whispered, "God, speak to me�"
And a meadowlark sang.
But the man did not hear.
So the man yelled, "God, speak to me!"
And the thunder rolled across the sky.
But the man did not listen.
The man looked up and said,
"God, let me see You."
And a star shined brightly.
But the man did not see.
The man shouted,
"God, show me a miracle!�
And a life was born.
But the man did not notice.
So, the man cried out in despair, "Touch me, God, and let me know You are here!"
So God reached down and touched the man.
But he brushed the butterfly away
and walked on.
I found this to be a great reminder that God is always around us in the little and simple things that we take for granted, so I would like to add one more:
The man cried "God, I need your help!"
And this newsletter arrived, reaching out with the Good News and encouragement.
But the man threw it away and continued crying�
The good news is that you are loved!
Don't miss out on a blessing just because
it isn't packaged the way that you expect!
