Responding to the Wilderness
By Nate Thoreson – Regional Director
I strained to hear any sounds through the phone. Nothing. I told my son I loved him, but he didn’t respond. He was 3,000 miles away in the Critical Care Unit, and my wife was on a flight to be with him. The stark reality weighed heavily on me as I thought, “My son may die today, and there is truly nothing I can do to stop it.”
I wept.
While attending college in Massachusetts, our 20-year-old son contracted double pneumonia. His lungs mysteriously filled with unstoppable fluid. Waiting for news across the country, I prayed, “Lord, I know that you are the only One who is sovereign, and I know that you can choose to let my son live or choose to take him. If you do, I want you to know that I will still follow you.”
Everything in me was being tested at that moment. I felt completely alone. But remembering God’s Word prepared me to face the fear of the present. I didn’t understand God’s plan, but I knew I could trust Him. I realized my faith was real, and my God was, too.
Into the Wilderness
Matthew 4 begins with Jesus in the wilderness. As a man, He had been pushed to His very physical limits. Completely alone, Jesus was tempted by the father of lies. In this gripping passage, Jesus not only withstood temptation but used God’s Words to do so.
Hebrews 4:15 reminds us Jesus “has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin.”
In my own personal wilderness, waiting for news about my son, I was tempted to fear, worry, anger, doubt and so much more. But remembering Jesus’ response in the wilderness helped me to see beyond my “desert.” Focusing on His Word, His promises, and His character gave me the strength to stand firm in my faith.
Years before my son was even born, I approached God’s Word as good advice, a way to do good things and avoid bad behavior. But my attempts to earn God’s favor only left me exhausted and joyless. Slowly, God revealed to me the truth: Scripture is not offering good advice, but good news!
I didn’t need good advice while waiting to hear about my son’s fate. I desperately needed good news. And the truth that Jesus felt what I felt, walked where I walked, and gave His life for mine was more than enough. The ultimate power of His resurrection and ascension secured my hope in His eternal promise and gave me a foundation to stand on when trials came.
That day, God spared the life of my son and strengthened my family’s faith. We were transformed in the wilderness. When we emerged on the other side, we wondered, “What now?”
Sharing the News
After His testing in the wilderness, Jesus did not go back to His normal life. He went to Capernaum, and in verse 16 we are told He fulfilled the prophecy “the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”
Jesus began to preach to many, and He called a few. Walking beside the Sea of Galilee, in verse 19, Jesus simply said, “Come, follow me, I will send you out to fish for people.”
For those of us who have experienced Christ, who have seen the light in the wilderness, we are compelled to share that good news
When Jesus called Simon and Andrew, He offered them more than good advice. He offered them a path to follow, a purpose to pursue and the power to change. Jesus asked them to come, promising He would do the transforming and the sending.
So where is God sending you? Take a moment to remember your own days in the wilderness. Think about Jesus’ comfort, presence, and power. How will you respond?
Matthew 4 gives us the framework. Following Jesus’ example, we can simply share and invite. Perhaps God is also calling you to share with a co-worker, a friend, or a family member from your own wilderness experience to offer them some Truth, hope, or peace.
Today, I see the fruit of God’s Matthew 4 promise in my own life. Our son, who nearly died, is alive and following Christ. As a newly trained pastor, he and his wife are responding to God’s direction to “fish for men.” The seeds God planted through His Word have grown in ways we never imagined.
A simple way to start is by inviting someone to experience BSF. What would it look like if every person in your group invited someone to join? How would our communities change? How might God transform our families through His Word?
We may not have good advice to offer in every situation, but that’s okay because we have something better. We have the Good News of the gospel, and that lasts for eternity.
Nate Thoreson
BSF Regional Director
Nate is the Director of Men’s and Regional Directors at Bible Study Fellowship Headquarters. A physical therapist by training, he and his wife, Barb, moved from Idaho to Texas to answer God’s call to BSF Headquarters. Their son and daughter-in-law, Luke and Sierra, and baby Amira live in Boston. His daughters, Kiana and Sara, are dancers in college. Nate has been a Children’s Leader, Substitute Teaching Leader, and Teaching Leader. He loves Jesus and likes adventures, good coffee, and chocolate chip cookie dough!
My daughter was 9mo when I was at work as a nurse in pediatrics. I received a call from mhiy husband when I was working evening shift, that my daughter who had cold symptoms was crying and hot to touch. When I got home her temperture was 103 degrees. She sounded congested.
Went to E R. by time we got there temperature was higher than 106 degrees. She went into a coma after having 2 severe seizures.
After many attemps they were finally able to get a subclavian IV in and administer medicine to lower her temp. but she did not come out of the coma. For 3 days she remained that way and after tests they were not sure what was wrong but thought she may have been hit with a quick acting type of Strep bactera that was affecting her entire body.
They took us aside on day 3 with news they felt she was dying and to prepare ourselves for this.
I went to the chapel to pray also and thank God for the time I had with her and commend her to him . I shared how much love I had for her and did not want her to die but if this was his will to give me and my husband strengh to trust in him. .
I was exhausted but at peace. I went up to her room and we both held her and said our good byes. Daughter was still stable so we decided after 3 days of no sleep , we needed to go home and try and sleep. After praying I had a peace come over me and
felt if she died that night I had to have some strength for the days ahead.
When we returned the next morning around 7 am ( no phone call during the night), I could tell when I entered hospital that something had changed and prepared myself to find out she had died.
Instead when we entered her room she was sitting up and playing in her crib and full of energy. She jumped up in the crib when we entered and reached out to us. No description of the emotions that followed. Drs. agree it was nothing short of a miracle being witnessed and we made sure all glory went to God and his authority over even death.
Our daughter is working for our church is people always coming to me , telling me. how special she is. I always reply I give all Glory to God . When our Idaughter looks into the mirror she has a circle of small freckles around her neck where the failed
attempts to get that IV in failed. I tell her that is God’s way of letting her know he is always with her.
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Diane, thank you for sharing! This story had me in tears. God is so amazing, His works are beyond our understanding. So grateful for you and your precious daughter!
This is so encouraging! Sometimes when we are presented with difficult circumstances, we go to God expecting Him to do what we want. God will, if that’s His plan. Mr. Thoreson prayed if God chose to let his son live or die, he would continue to follow and serve him. It confirms that God’s purpose is truly perfect in our lives. I am happy to hear your son is doing well. Keep praying and serving the Lord!
Such a heartfelt story of love, faith and obedience. Through this journey I witnessed God’s mercy and his unchanging allegiance to people in need, his people. Thank you for sharing and may God continue to walk beside you and your loved ones.
I agree with inviting more people to BSF; the other day I was telling someone at the Healthplex where I attend water aerobics…it is in the morning, so I know others there would be available. How about helping us out with a little pamphlet or just a short print-out with the basic info? If you make it easier for us to get them the info and easier for them to remember it we would have a win!!
Betsy, such a great idea! Will bring this up with our communications team!
Thank you, Nate. I lost a child many years ago. Not really prepared for her death with scripture or the Gospel. I was a believer, yet I had not lived long enough to grow in a Christlike manner. Yet, my husband and I had great faith. It is now 63 years later and through studying God’s word through BSF has given me much more dependency on God and his generous love. I am at peace. Thank you again.
Hi Rachel! Thank you for sharing part of your story- what a powerful witness you are to me. You have been prayed for with thanksgiving. I can only imagine what seeing your child again one day might look like. Blessings
Thank you for sharing. To God be the Glory, great things He has done. Awesome is our Lord.
I have lived with my husband for 52 1/2 years he had cancer 7 years ago went in remission & now possible flare up. I live in the desert at times but let God led me out. I have BFS to help me & strengthen me & guide me & know if God wants now it will be hard but I will accept it
I can so relate to Mr. Thorensons article. My daughter was diagnosed with Hodggkins Lymphoma . We believed it was not an illness unto death. She lived 6 years with a resistant type that never responded completely to any treatment. After a second bone marrow transplant she became progressively worse but I believe more from treatment than from disease. At the same time my husband began Lewy Body dementia symptoms. My prayer was to come back to NC and God gave me the desire of my heart. About 1 mo. Before moving back and 2 before the Lord took my daughter to be with Him she was becoming more terminal. My heart was breaking to say the least. I visited her in the hospital on Monday and shortly after mid it, the Lord took her home. Monday evening, when Iarrived home from my visit I stormed the gates of Heaven in intercession, rededicating her to the Lord, thanking him for loaning her to us for 41 years, and asking Him if He was not going to heal her on this earth, to please not allow her to suffer much longer, but to take her home, asking His will be done. In less than 10 hours, she was in God’s presence, leaving her husband and 16 year old daughter . Some may say why did you pray that way, why ? Why? Why? I prayed that way because I know my Savior is trustworthy, Sovereign and in control and that I could trust Him in all things. He has been faithful to my granddaughter who is now 23, still misses her Mom and He continues to work in her life. I can only say there are things worse than the death of the body and the pain of grief and that would be eternity without Christ. That day my daughter graduated from her disease ridden body into her eternal home , free of all suffering and pain. That day was also the 56th wedding Anniversary of my husband and I and the day I was born 77 years before.
Beautiful Betty!
There are things worse than death! This is a profound truth and I can relate! I prayed for the Lord to relieve the suffering of both my mother and father when they were near death. I know they both are in His presence now. No more night! Blessings to you!
In 2019 my 32 year old daughter was dying of liver failure, malnutrition, kidney failure, and other medical issues due to her drug use and an undiagnosed medical condition. After 4 weeks in the hospital, she survived. We took her home and took care of her, trying to improve her physical condition. My hope was that God would save her soul, and that she would live a life glorifying God. That has not happened. She is on the same path as before. My hope is in God that He will save her before she gets to death’s door again. And yet if He doesn’t, I continue to trust Him, knowing that He is GOOD and everything He does is good and right.
Kay- feeling the heartache and pleading with you for your daughter to our gracious and powerful King of Kings. Lord have mercy!
Our God is such an awesome God. See how He loves those who call on Him. Nate’s testimony is a touching one and we thank God for using him and his family so mightily.
May His glorious name be praised. Amen!
Thank you for encouraging us and reminding us that though we may find ourselves in the “wilderness”, Jesus has given us His Word, His promises, and His character to sustain us. He can identify with us and will give us the strength to trust His timing and provision, for He Himself has experienced the wilderness and has overcome.
Thanks Nate for sharing the trial with your son. This too happened to us, with our son who had just taken his first job in a city 5 hours away. He was only 23 and always was a healthy child. Then a chronic illness took a hold of him and what through two surgeries and much prayer has turned into blessings. He left a profession of finance where greed, money and self were what all were striving for. Now he is attending medical school and working towards helping others in a service oriented profession. He hopes to become a doctor that can help people that have gone through what he did. Praise be to Jesus on that.
Hallelujah! Good News not good advice. Powerful testimony
Love these words Nate!
To God be the glory!
Thanks Clay!
Uplifting sharing, I enjoyed the blog, our GOD is an awesome Father
Very encouraging. Its a call to “wake up from sleeps” may God continually whet my appetite for the ourse of Christ in whatever situation I find my self. (A charge to keep i have) … May God be my helper.
Thank you for sharing these words. God is calling me to be a light to my family in the last days, years of my father’s days. I have been in such a dark place of grumbling and fear…but now I know Jesus is with me as I go and His peace and strength inspire me through this article. Thank you for sharing your gift of words and faith is has bolstered mine.
Thank you for the reminder that Jesus not only offered Simon and Andrew a path, He also promised to do the transforming and the sending. When I feel too weak I know I can rely on Him. Many thanks. A beautiful piece that means a lot to me.
Thank you for the message. I was in a kind of confusion for the life that I am leading. I love God and gave my life for more than 2 decades and served Him out of love for Him. My life in the wilderness is for extended period. Though I did confess for all sorts of sins that I knew and don’t know. Fasting and praying, rebuking the works of the devil, nothing moves. Many times I wished to go home early but I am afraid how can I present myself bare handed before God. I am here for the best reason you have mentioned.
I am married and have two children. I am a nurse and also with degree and masters in Business Administration. I have no stable job to cover my expenses. I am hard working but nothing moves. For the last 10 years my family is suffering from financial stagnation.
I have a calling but could not move forward my calling. Praise God. He is sovereign God. I will trust and continue following and serving Him. Thanks for sharing your testimony. Yes my case is also might be in the Critical Care Unit. I believe that God will resurrect it soon and use it to reach out millions all across the globe. Blessings.
Hallelujah thank you brother for sharing as we give GLORY to our Lord of Grace! May you all enjoy great health and continue to serve JESUS with Joy! Thank you JESUS for teaching us and shaping us as the pot from the clay “shaping us as seemed best to HIM!”
We are studying Matthew in NSF. Very timely
The verse that spoke to me the most in Matthew 4 was the quote from Deuteronomy 8:3
“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
God provided manna for Israel when they wandered in the wilderness. God also provided for the world by sending His son Jesus for our wilderness.
What an encouragment. Keep up your good work
I am uplifted by your blog after losing my dear brother to pancreatic cancer in 12 days from the diagnosis. I am still numb from the loss. Your experience and reactions were so unlike mine. I lost my brother and I became angry with God. Since his passing, I have realized that God will honor my request for healing but just not here on earth. I still praise His Holy Name and I know He is my Lird and Savior. He is true to His promises so I know I will be reunited with my brother again and He will wipe away all my tears.
Oh Janie, the same thing happened to my brother but it was only 3 days; he was single and he just kept ignoring symptoms and pushing himself. I got Triple Negative cancer after that; it was several years ago now. What I want to tell you is, you can cooperate with God’s obvious plan for you to live now, or you can cooperate with Satan’s also obvious plan to kill and destroy: choose, not to ignore your loss, but to live very well. Green parsley smoothie with frozen blueberries or pineapple once a day, regular exercise, regular prayer and praise!! and sleep. This will lift you up and place you where you will thrive; which is what God (and your bro, cheering you on from the cloud of witnesses!) want. Sending a big hug, Betsy
Yes. In my time spent in the wilderness and coming thru and out on the other side. I’ve experienced God’s grace and seen His light. There’s comfort in knowing none is out there that our sweet Jesus didn’t choose to experience on our behalf and for our eternal benefit.
I’m enrolled in a Mathew Bible study weekly course. The only PC I have is a Acer Chrome pad and a HP Deskjet Printer. I’d like to download and print the current lessons in Mathew that my group is studying. What steps are necessary for printing out each lesson each week. I’m a newby at understanding the navigation required for this APplication.
Hi Les! We’re so glad to hear that you’re enrolled in a Matthew study! You can find all the lessons and notes for each week on mybsf.org. From there, you should be able to 1) download the files to your computer, and 2) print them on your HP printer. However, on mybsf.org you can also purchase a pre-printed lesson book for the whole year! If you’re still having technical troubles, I encourage you to reach out to your local group leader or class administrator and ask for help with printing all your materials. They would be happy to help you!
It is not by coincidence that I read your blog today. It is very encouraging. My son is 25 years old, he is scheduled for some blood tests tomorrow. It is my prayer that his health is not challenged. I place him in God’s healing hands.
Seeing that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession.
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weakness, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in our time of need.
Beautiful application to our passages this week in Matthew 4. It’s not about God’s word being good advice for good behavior! It’s about the Good News of Jesus Christ, who has experienced our pain in human form, and Who gives us His power and His word to sustain us. Thank you for putting flesh on God’s word, with your very real experience! It’s about trusting a God who is good and has purpose in these difficult things!! God bless you as you continue to serve Him!!
Very inspirational.
It is always fascinating to see God comes for the rescue of his children at his own timing.
I am always encouraged by the promises of God.
I really loved your testimony Nate! You sound like you would be a really fun friend, too !” I also “love adventure, good coffee, and chocolate chip cookie dough!!!”
I am so thankful that our LORD, Who can do anything, has blessed your son and given him a family and a ministry. That is awesome! I just want to remind all of us that the LORD’s answers are very often a road we would never choose but He builds His Body and conducts His ministry in “Unexpected” ways sometimes. I was just on a zoom meeting with my coleader and she is preparing to eulogize her sister tomorrow (wanting to share the Gospel gently) not knowing for sure if she was a Believer (though she claimed to be, no fruit). I shared that when we lost a baby daughter and later an adult daughter that the LORD packed the church both times, 3 decades apart. The Gospel was shared, joyous faith exhibited. The HOPE of the resurrection was clear. Lives were changed! The impact is far reaching and we will see more of the fruit one day. For now Julianna and Genevieve are safe in His care. Like I said, we would never choose this path but He is so faithful and perfect can’t happen here until He finally does away with sin, sickness, tears, evil and death! But He is powerful enough to bring LIFE from death!!! Hallelujah what a faithful friend!!! Seriously at work, we had the ICU packed with friends and family (more waiting in the lobby, so we rotated) for 11 days straight at the end, we sang together, prayed, laughed, cried together!
Very helpful! “not good advice but good news”
Thank you so much for sharing. I have been in BSF for many, many years and love the lessons. In fact summers are so empty not having BSF to guide my weekly studies. Since my teenage years I was turned off with the old testament, and I felt very reticent to study the books of the Old.
Now I do soo love the old history, stories, and especially God’s prophecies. I realize the presence of the Holy Spirit in the BSF groups and lectures is so real, alive, and flowing. My daughter and her three children are now one year free of an abusive and neglectful marriage ending in a contentious divorce. We spent a huge part of our retirement freeing them from a hateful non-christian man. Divorce is wrong but he divorced his family. Our daughter has kept her faith and had been involved with BSF as a leader but all the praying which didn’t always get answered the next day, emotional pain so deep, and paternal abandonment left our grandchildren partly “mad” at God and very questioning of His reality. They are teenagers, teenager s these days need so much prayer.
I want to ask you to pray for them, please, they were involved in BSF children’s lessons, now they are restrained by unbelief that they hear in school, sports, and social media. The girls 17 and 15 are pretty and popular at there new school and living with us. The boy 13 is overcoming depression from the pain his father inflicted, and is strongly identifying with his very Christian grandfather, who is now in his second year of BSF. He received your message and forwarded it to me. And I am reaching out to you because all you said has really spoken to me. Our lives have traveled through very hard times, I never doubted our blessed Jesus for one second. He was always my comfort, my sanctuary, my counselor. I know He carried me, I physically had a breakdown, and I know He carried my daughter, her 3 children, and my husband through a
terror-stricken 2 years. This little family survived, but now more than ever my grandchildren need to know God did not turn His head from seeing their pain, God did not abandon them. He was right there, felt their pain, and did get them free of the evil situation they had been in. No Jesus wants to be right there in their hearts. Please will you pray for them.
I was So EMPTY today.
I am a Caregiver for my husband who had a Stroke in 2019… I read your God Story of HIS Glory and became lifted and encouraged.
It’s about Faith and Tryst in Jesus no matter what is before Us. Thank You man of God for Sharing it and to GOD WE give you ALL the Glory. In Jesus Name 🙏
Amen Sara! To God be the glory! Praying for the Lord to be your refuge and strong tower.
Thank you for sharing your wilderness experience. It’s very encouraging and assures me that God is faithful and never forsakes His children. God continue to bless you abundantly.
What an awakening testimony of how God is always with us in our wilderness. I have just come from my wilderness of loosing several members of the family through COVID. What has come so clearly is that when l trust God with all my heart no matter how difficult the situation is God will work out the way of escape. You were worried of your son dying yet the Lord had planned that through he will come out victorious and in God service. Your message is very encouraging.
Awesome sharing! Thank you for your thoughts on Matthew 4.
Thank you, Nate! So blessed by your testimony. God’s word gives me the anchor I need in the desert… even in this weeks lesson, the passage from Deuteronomy 20:1-4… facing battle, he goes with us AND fights for us.
Thank you Beth! We were just discussing that verse at our staff prayers this morning, what an awesome picture of our Lord fighting for us!
Thanks for sharing your personal experience in the wilderness of life. Advice is good but the GoodNews of God’s promises transform. I pray for God’s help to keep this in mind. Thanks.
Awesome testimony of God’s grace and mercy……His call to be transformed and not look for a return to normal but to pursue a course for sharing God’s good news!
Powerful!!! Thanks for sharing, Nate.
In God’s perfect timing, your message spoke to me!! Thank you!
Thank you for sharing . I have learnt that God transformes us from a wilderness experience to share the Good news of His goodness and greatness.
Wow, yes– needed GOOD NEWS instead of Good Advice.. that and “remembering that JESUS used God’s words to withstand temptation”.. really brought the gospel into my heart from my head. I will rethink giving advice from now on ( I hope).Thank you.. Focusing on His work, promises and character.. is what I am inspired to do from this brief lesson. Thank you.
What a heartfelt story. Nate I thank God for your witness. Your analogy
has renew my faith for the wilderness challenge I am currently experiencing. What an unexpected blessing I received from reading your blog. PTL!
Have grown to trust God more and pray that He strengthens me to keep on loving BSF. I pray that God deals with my procrastination, worry and fear.
Thank you for sharing this incredible personal trial. It has inspired me to think on the testing of our faith and how God prepares us, walks us and leads us through every step. I thought of our Lord on the cross and the aloneness He felt, yet His eyes remained on the Father. That is true faith. That is your story. That is the hope for every believer.
It’s 6:35 a.m.. I had a great night sleep, with no pain. Thank you Jesus. I pick up my IPAD in a very quiet house to discover my BSF teacher ( whom is very encouraging) sent this to me in email. I love her. I have had so many wilderness moments in my life, so many. At 65, I can always see the Jesus was always there. From malnutrition,to hurricanes, such miracles that he performed. It makes me cry joyful tears. Only I know. As far back as 5 years old talking to bugs because I was so troubled and I can still hear him tellling me that that was not who I would be . Assuring me everything would be alright. I love Jesus. I am nothing without him. Just had to say. 🙏🏾 Thank you.
Very warming message I hope to share to others that come to me with their issues in the wilderness. I have just come over mine. Thanks so much
powerful, truthful, edifying, encouraging – work after wilderness, He will equip the called, challenging – your prayer of faith …. presentation of personal , present ( alive ) GOD – Jesus Christ and HIS ways. thanks for sharing Nate.
Encouraging piece. God is good. He is faithful and knows best. He knows where we are and what we need.
I can trust him with anything and in every situation. Thank you.
I attend women’s BSF. Your blog mirrored my experience when my son at age 31 was diagnosed with cancer. Everything you said in your blog was what I felt and if God had taken my son, I knew I would lean into him. God honored our prayers and my son is in remission. Praise be to Him who hears our requests
Faith that inspires, thanks for showing the way trust Jesus when it’s tough
Your words are being read by me at 11:04PM. I cannot sleep. I too am standing with my faithful hope in God praying for my son. He is not sick in a physical sense but he is not following God’s will.
I recall last years lesson when Jacob cried “I am bereaved”.
Thank you for sharing your story and strong conviction.
Very encouraging . Pray that God continues to keep me strong through the difficult period i am going through.
Learnt that i can trust God irrespective of the situation and at His right time He will answer my prayer according to his will
This is encouraging to know God is with us all the time even in the wilderness. I pray God strengthens our faith to keep on trusting Him and also tell other people about the good news.
Very warming message I hope to share to others that come to me with their issues in the wilderness. I have just come over mine. Thanks so much
I loved reading this about Mr. Nate Thoreson son’s illness and God’s answers to the family’s prayers. We walk by Faith not by Sight!!! Amen!!!
thank you for sharing, I am thankful to God that your sons life was not cut short, and he has gone on to serve Him. praise God
Thank you for the encouragement. My husband died suddenly on 9/24, 2 days after his birthday due to a mis-diagnosis of COVID that was really pneumonia. The little things I miss sharing with him… I know God is there, but I am having a hard time feeling His presence.
Sharon, I do not know what to say because that is so hard. My heart breaks for you and you truly are not alone.
Thank you God that you never leave or forsake us even when we don’t feel your presence. Please comfort Sharon and give your your mercy and grace and comfort in the ways that only you can. In Jesus Name. Amen
What would you have felt if your son had died? How would your conclusion have been different?
Thank you Ardith for this important question- my prayers to the Lord when my son was on the brink of death was a confession of trust no matter whether he lived or died. What I know in losing my parents recently- grief is real and hard, And God has been my source of comfort and strength. Although my path would have been different, I think my conclusion would be the same- no matter what we face in this life our God is our ever present source of help and comfort! That is truly good news. Blessings Ardith
Beautifully written, Nate. Thank you for sharing your temptations to doubt, worry, & even be angry. Speaks to me.
God is leading me thru the wilderness now. I cling to his promises. I pray that others can find comfort as I share his word.
Thank you for your words of encouragement and your challenge.
Thank you for this blog, Nate. I have been fretting about my faith lately…wondering if it is real or imagined. I believe i love The LORD, His Son Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit. i pray in the morning and all through the day, yet i wonder and i’m half afraid to ask my Heavenly Father ! i have been praying for God to show me my faith in Him…a reassurance that this work-in-progress isn’t left behind. I have been praying for more of him and less of me. I have been praying for His still Small Voice to whisper in my ear….nothing. I fret over this and i just don’t know what else to do except keep on keepin on! My leader says head knowledge is not real love for God…i know this and just keep on praying.
God says He will never leave us or forsake us and that is that! He will let me know…because i have FAITH in HIM. Well, there it is!!
thanks again Nate!
Thank you for Karen for being transparent. God is perfectly faithful even when we fail to trust Him. What a comfort that it isn’t about the strength of our faith but about the strength of our God and the object of our faith, Jesus Christ! What a relief and comfort that He holds us fast even when we lose our grip!
…so encouraging and applicable to what I’m going through right now!
I have been in that wilderness and God never left my side…
Thank you for reminding me that no matter how bad the storm He shelters and soothes the broken
Christian since 1963. I have attended BSF in California for for 3 years and love their studies. But never led BSF group. I am now senior citizen in
2,000 largely Catholic, Independent living community, in Baltimore, MD. My hope and prayer is to begin BSF study group here. Any Direction, Advice, welcome.
1. Good time, day, month, to begin?
2. Introduce and invite format.
Hi Judy! We’re so glad you’ve enjoyed the BSF studies. For more information about starting a group in your area, Please contact our front desk at: Receptionist@bsfinternational.org. They will email you information about how BSF groups are started.
You can also always start a more flexible discussion group using BSF’s WordGo App. For more information, visit wordgo.org.
Thank you for sharing. This testimony is giving me hope as I have a very dear family member dealing with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. I know that whether he lives or dies, I will trust the Lord.
And he will too.
I so appreciate reading this testimony today. Wow, and what a testimony of submission to God’s sovereignty in the situation. Thank you – your story is an encouragement and blessing!
Thank you for an encouraging testimony. I will keep calling upon God for healing for my son who is currently unwell
Wow thanks for sharing this personal and powerful testimony it truly encourages my own faith.God Bless and Glory be to God Almighty.
Thank you Nate, that is faith in action.
Thank you for sharing
I thank God for Nate’s sharing. Thanks for God’s healing hand. This will surely help me if I am to be in the wilderness.
Thanks so much for this inspirational word Nate! I praise God that He spared your son and that your son is now doing His work. God is good! We miss you up here in the NW corner my friend. Take care, and God bless the Thoreson’s!
Hi Cary! Thank you and blessings to you.
thanks! I will share God’s love to my friends.
I too experienced light in the wilderness.
Having been diagnosed with esophageal cancer in the fall of 2021, followed by chemo, radiation ,and surgery, and 6 more surgeries after that for complications, I am now doing well and enjoying my first grandchild, now an eight month old beautiful little girl .
This past July an abnormal CT scan that told the doctors that I had fluid in my abdomen and therefore probably liver metastasis, required a PET scan four long months later. I prayed for a miracle. The PET scan came back normal, no tumour found. God answered my prayers.
Wow Karen- thank you for sharing and reminding me to have a grateful heart. Praying for you!
Truly amazing & inspiring our God is faithful
praise God He never fail his love is renewed to us every morning we serve a living god what a blessing to receive this morning on my birthday i love Joshua 1:5, 9 thank you so much for the birthday gift reminder
Happy Birthday Maryleen!!
This is so encouraging Nate! Thanks for the clarity that I have something more better to offer than advice.
Thx for sharing, it has encouraged me to stand firm on the promises of God
Thank you for sharing. This is very encouraging. God bless you.
Thank you Nate,
It’s so good to read your testimony. Yes to know that Jesus is always with us to the good and bad periods of our life.. John 7:37-39 said: if anyone is thirsty,let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in Me as the scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.
Thank you Nate for sharing your life. Truly encouraging!
Thank you for this encouragement. I particularly appreciated these comments you made:
…”I was tempted to fear, worry, anger, doubt and so much more.”
…”Focusing on His Word, His promises, and His character gave me the strength to stand firm in my faith.”
…”Scripture is not offering good advice, but good news!”
Thanks for your transparency Nate. Your former TL peers in the NW are proud of you and thrilled to share you with the rest of the world.
My brother Jeff!! So grateful for your encouragement in my life. Thank you for shining a light in a weary world!
Grace and peace to the “West Side” and the brothers and sisters in the great Pacific NW 🙂
Thank you for sharing your story and for pointing us to Jesus. Thank you also for the reminder to share our wilderness with others and simply invite them to experience through BSF the truth, hope and peace God offers us.
Thank you for sharing your experience, Nate. You’re so right…God uses life crises to grow our faith–something that is difficult to see when we’re in the middle of them.
Enjoyed reading. Can one also share one’s own experiences of Wilderness and “experiencing ” Jesus ?
YES Sarala! Share away!
Wonderful encouragement. Thanks for sharing.
Great testimony Nate! It felt like I was weeping with you as I read along. I used to fear desert experiences and tried to avoid them. However, when I look back and see God’s footprints and fingerprints in my life, it is those desert experiences when I feel closest to Him. I have a different perspective these days when it comes to the wilderness as a Christian. Instead of running from them, I reach up and take my Saviors hand and walk along His side. There’s peace that comes in knowing that when I get to the other side, I will be wiser, stronger and closer to God than I ever was before. Let’s hook up soon for a cup of coffee and a scoop of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.
Anthony! Thank you for the words of wisdom- that we don’t have to fear the wilderness or the desert knowing He is with us and has been there . I miss our fellowship and am looking forward to good coffee and some cookie dough!
What a wonderful testimony of how a faithful God hears our prayers. What really stood out to me where there was a series of three a path to follow a purpose to pursue power to change. In that we find comfort , his presence and his power. So we can stand on his truth in his hope with peace. Thank you I needed to hear this today.
Wonderful testimony of your life journey with the Lord Jesus through the wilderness experience of your son’s miraculous healing. Yes, our God is real n is Alive! Hallelujah!
Your blog gave me more understanding of Matthew 4. Thank you for sharing your testimony. Even our second son went through a trauma like this when he was 9 years. But, our Jesus brought him out of that & later became a Pilot. But, now again he has been grounded for medical reasons. I need your prayer for his future. He is married with 2 children. Please keep this confidential. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing this encouraging testimony, Nate.