“Then he prayed, “O LORD, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.” – Genesis 24:12

Stephen Oldford was the born son of missionaries in Zambia in 1918. He committed his life to Christ and witnessed first-hand the transforming power of God and His Word.

He spent his college years in the United Kingdom. There he decided he wanted to pursue a course in engineering and he received the highest marks in college. His plan was to become successful, to have leisure, to accumulate the nice things money could buy, and with his wealth he could help the missionaries and the Word of God on the side. It seemed like a splendid plan to him, but unfortunately it was one he worked out in his own mind.

It was all set, but then he became deathly sick. He went to the doctor and was put to bed. The doctor gravely intoned, “Young man, in two weeks you will be dead.”

Stephen’s life caved in around him. But a letter came from his missionary father who had no way of knowing his son’s condition because of the time lag in the mail delivery from overseas.

In that letter his dad wrote: “Only one life, ‘Twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

In the stillness of that room God broke through. Stephen bowed his head, and prayed a brief prayer, “Anywhere, anytime, any cost. Amen.”

The Lord healed him and led him to become a pastor, a Christian radio and television pioneer, and an equipper of preachers and teachers of God’s Word.

Do you look to the Lord for guidance in your life? Today in prayer, ask the Lord for guidance and then prepare to act where He leads.

“Guide my going in and going forward, lead home my going forth. You are true God and true man, and live for ever and ever.” – Thomas Aquinas

God’s Word: “guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long” – Psalm 25:5

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2006, Devotional E-Mail DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS pkennedy6@yahoo.com