“O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so…” Psalm 107:1-2. Truly, we can give thanks unto the Lord for His goodness and His and ever enduring mercy. I thank God for His continual blessing in my life and mercy that never ceases. This reminder keeps me in a spirit of praise to God as I reflect on His wondrous works in my life.
These wondrous works not only come in physical form, but also in spiritual form. The Lord is using many things in my life right now to grow me and make me more into His image. This month has also been spiritually refreshing. The Lord gave me the opportunity to visit with old classmates from the ABC basketball team (in Jax for a tournament) and with two dear men from the college—Dr. Anderson and Mr. Rinker (in town to present the ministry). Those were blessed times of fellowship.
The youth service went very well! I was pleased with how the teens pulled together and seemed to enjoy serving in the evening service. I believe it was a blessing to the church as well from the many positive comments I heard. Who knows, we may have another youth night very soon!
Prayers would be appreciated for my friends, Jim and Shelley Dinsmore. They are away from their home in Petén as they are in Guatemala City, awaiting the arrival of their baby girl, Eden. Please pray for a safe delivery for Shelley and for a healthy baby girl! Read more of their updates at:
jimanshelley.blogspot.com
Psalm 107 was mentioned in the beginning of this letter. Four times throughout the Psalm the Psalmist writes, “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” (vv. 8, 15, 21, 31). I pray that we would all take time to examine our lives, consider the Lord’s wondrous works in and through us, and praise Him for all he has done…and will do!
Keep on serving til’ He comes
“Oh that I may never loiter on my heavenly journey!”—David Brainerd
Monday 27 February 2012
Thursday 2 February 2012
What If?
When we think about it, “What if?” is a question that plagues many of us. What if I don't find a job?--How we will pay our bills? What if I fail?--What will people think of me? What if my child doesn't survive?--I couldn't make it another day. What if I don't make it through this year?--What if...?
I would venture to say that all of us have struggled with these “What if” questions in life. Its human nature to worry about our circumstances and hope for a good outcome; no matter what we are facing. Today, I am reflecting on the loss of missionaries John and Wanda Casias this Wednesday (2/1) who served in Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
When John and Wanda surrendered to serve in Mexico over 30 years ago, do you think they faced some of these “What if” questions? I'm sure they did. Just as many do, if not all, who choose to serve the Lord at home and abroad. What if they don't like me? What if they don't receive my message? What if my family is harmed? What if I am killed?
As a missionary, these thoughts have begun to cross my mind. Could this happen to me? What about our friends and family who are serving abroad, specifically in Mexico and Latin America? Are their lives at risk too? The answer is yes. You see, John and Wanda joined the ranks of faithful servants who continued to the end; even to the point of death. Their names join the list of other servants of God such as: Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Roger Youderian, Ed McCully, and Pete Fleming.
What prepared these servants to face death such as they did? I believe it was because of such a total and committed focus on Heaven and glorifying God, rather than living for self and earthly things. Their minds were “set on things above...not on things of the earth.”
I was reminded today of a very pertinent passage in Hebrews 11. Consider these words:
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.--Hebrews 11:13-16 (emphasis added)
So, as we reflect on those who have gone on before us and face these “What if” questions in life...let me remind us all that we too seek a country; a better country; one that is heavenly. I believe these dear servants who gave their lives realized this. May we all seek to live for that city to come. May God grant to us the grace to live a Philippians 1:21 life, no matter the cost; a life that is God-glorifying, Heavenly focused, serving Him...because, that's all that matters.
I would venture to say that all of us have struggled with these “What if” questions in life. Its human nature to worry about our circumstances and hope for a good outcome; no matter what we are facing. Today, I am reflecting on the loss of missionaries John and Wanda Casias this Wednesday (2/1) who served in Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
When John and Wanda surrendered to serve in Mexico over 30 years ago, do you think they faced some of these “What if” questions? I'm sure they did. Just as many do, if not all, who choose to serve the Lord at home and abroad. What if they don't like me? What if they don't receive my message? What if my family is harmed? What if I am killed?
As a missionary, these thoughts have begun to cross my mind. Could this happen to me? What about our friends and family who are serving abroad, specifically in Mexico and Latin America? Are their lives at risk too? The answer is yes. You see, John and Wanda joined the ranks of faithful servants who continued to the end; even to the point of death. Their names join the list of other servants of God such as: Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Roger Youderian, Ed McCully, and Pete Fleming.
What prepared these servants to face death such as they did? I believe it was because of such a total and committed focus on Heaven and glorifying God, rather than living for self and earthly things. Their minds were “set on things above...not on things of the earth.”
I was reminded today of a very pertinent passage in Hebrews 11. Consider these words:
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.--Hebrews 11:13-16 (emphasis added)
So, as we reflect on those who have gone on before us and face these “What if” questions in life...let me remind us all that we too seek a country; a better country; one that is heavenly. I believe these dear servants who gave their lives realized this. May we all seek to live for that city to come. May God grant to us the grace to live a Philippians 1:21 life, no matter the cost; a life that is God-glorifying, Heavenly focused, serving Him...because, that's all that matters.
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