3 John 4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."
John was speaking of his "spiritual children." Those who came to the Lord through the preaching of the gospel. Is this true of us, with our birth children? What brings us the greatest joy? Are we more excited about their scholastic progression or when they are serving the Lord? What is it that we really want for them? What do we teach them more?
I enjoy watching the grandchildren do different things...Zion eating an apple, or praying. It's fun to watch Promise read more words. I love to watch Nate sweep the floor. But none of these things compare to the excitement of having them ask questions about God and Jesus. One of Promise's favorite stories is a book "Jesus Lives," a story of His crucifixion and resurrection. It is always her choice of a book at night.
But when I read the given verse, I feel the excitement that John had when his children were living in truth! Oh what a joy that is when our children ask Jesus into their hearts. But when they walk away from Jesus it crushes the spirit. We have a great responsibility as parents and grandparents to teach our children God's Word.
I believe it brings our Father in Heaven great joy when He sees His children teach others how to walk in Truth. We are on a mission.
Patrick will return on March 1, after being gone for 6 weeks. It has been a long time, but he has accomplished much. He has hosted 2 mission teams, as well as taught classes, counseled people, There is always supplies to buy for the village and vehicle repairs. These things take so much more effort and time than in the states. On the flip side, he has endured much opposition in the work, but God has held him strong. We ask your prayers for God's work to go forth in spite of these oppositions.
God bless you
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
The Mouth of Fools
Proverbs 15:2 "The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness."
Having 3 little ones around for the past several days, it is a constant reminder of our words. Kids say things that make no sense, but also say things that causes one to wonder where it came from. Since this morning Nate has been saying, "Why does my stomach stay full?" By the food he ate at lunch, I think he was asking why his stomach is so empty.
We say things that are opposite of what we would like to say. We need to use knowledge rightly. We need to be wise in our responses. Gossip and accusations really do expose who we are. Let's be wise in our involvement of gossip. Let's not be a fool.
Also if someone accuses us falsely or says things to destroy us, we don't need to lash back or even justify ourselves. God is the one who justifies us. Usually people who are given to gossip or accusations are not ready to hear what we have to say anyway. So it is better to love them and pray for them.
This is again, a picture of children, "He said I'm ugly." "I'm not ugly. I'm not going to be your friend."
Have we really "put away childish things?"
Why am I writing these things? Recently someone in Haiti is accusing Patrick, and saying evil things against him and others in the church. They are accusations, not truth. They are pouring forth foolishness.
God bless you
Having 3 little ones around for the past several days, it is a constant reminder of our words. Kids say things that make no sense, but also say things that causes one to wonder where it came from. Since this morning Nate has been saying, "Why does my stomach stay full?" By the food he ate at lunch, I think he was asking why his stomach is so empty.
We say things that are opposite of what we would like to say. We need to use knowledge rightly. We need to be wise in our responses. Gossip and accusations really do expose who we are. Let's be wise in our involvement of gossip. Let's not be a fool.
Also if someone accuses us falsely or says things to destroy us, we don't need to lash back or even justify ourselves. God is the one who justifies us. Usually people who are given to gossip or accusations are not ready to hear what we have to say anyway. So it is better to love them and pray for them.
This is again, a picture of children, "He said I'm ugly." "I'm not ugly. I'm not going to be your friend."
Have we really "put away childish things?"
Why am I writing these things? Recently someone in Haiti is accusing Patrick, and saying evil things against him and others in the church. They are accusations, not truth. They are pouring forth foolishness.
God bless you
Sunday, February 19, 2012
My Thoughts
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8
I am so thankful for this verse. Earlier this afternoon I received some disconcerting news. It was easy to go into the negative thought mode, but then God showed me that there was evil behind the news. There is hope in God in the most distressing situations. God promised to be our fortress. A peace overwhelmed my heart.
Has the situation changed? Probably not, but it is in God's hands. Then I was reminded of the verse. My thoughts can go to the true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable. Not the ugly and negative.
Pray for Patrick. Pray for wisdom in decisions. Pray for the other pastors and Patrick, as the attacks of the enemy are increasing.
God bless you
I am so thankful for this verse. Earlier this afternoon I received some disconcerting news. It was easy to go into the negative thought mode, but then God showed me that there was evil behind the news. There is hope in God in the most distressing situations. God promised to be our fortress. A peace overwhelmed my heart.
Has the situation changed? Probably not, but it is in God's hands. Then I was reminded of the verse. My thoughts can go to the true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable. Not the ugly and negative.
Pray for Patrick. Pray for wisdom in decisions. Pray for the other pastors and Patrick, as the attacks of the enemy are increasing.
God bless you
Friday, February 17, 2012
Balancing Act
Isaiah 55:6 "Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near."
This was my verse when I was a new mother, sleepless nights and a crying baby. I was almost too tired to care about anything but caring for the "new" bundle in my arms.
The past couple days has brought this verse to mind again. I was juggling time between 3 grandchildren, spending precious last moments with my mother before returning to her home, getting things together to send to Haiti, answering phone, coffee time with Rachel, a guest arrived on her way to Haiti with Rachel. Oh and did I mention little ones energetic at 6:30 am?! But there is not one thing on this list that wasn't very important.
What do I do in times like this? What do you do? I grab moments with the Lord as possible. I talk to Him while I'm dressing little ones. In the midst of all this busyness, I remember the verse. The Lord can always be found. He is near. Thank you Jesus!
Pray for Patrick and the surgery team that will be in Haiti for a week.
This was my verse when I was a new mother, sleepless nights and a crying baby. I was almost too tired to care about anything but caring for the "new" bundle in my arms.
The past couple days has brought this verse to mind again. I was juggling time between 3 grandchildren, spending precious last moments with my mother before returning to her home, getting things together to send to Haiti, answering phone, coffee time with Rachel, a guest arrived on her way to Haiti with Rachel. Oh and did I mention little ones energetic at 6:30 am?! But there is not one thing on this list that wasn't very important.
What do I do in times like this? What do you do? I grab moments with the Lord as possible. I talk to Him while I'm dressing little ones. In the midst of all this busyness, I remember the verse. The Lord can always be found. He is near. Thank you Jesus!
Pray for Patrick and the surgery team that will be in Haiti for a week.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
I've Heard it Before
In 2 John there are 2 phrases that resound in my heart, "not as though I wrote a new commandment to you," "as you have heard from the beginning." Both are basically saying, "You know these things. I'm reminding you."
Children hear parents say this all the time, "Why aren't you listening? I tell you...all the time, yet you don't obey."
Ring any bells? And we do say things over and over again. Why? We want our children to learn and not forget. That's the way it was in Bible times. Commandments are repeated all through the scriptures. We read of God's love all through the Bible, yet how often do we say, "I'm not sure if God can love me anymore, I've failed again?"
We are not here to give new commandments, but to tell others of what has already been written in the Bible. It is my responsibility to tell others, not only with my words but with my life. If my life doesn't measure up to my sermons, than I may as well be quiet. What's the saying, "Your life is speaking so loudly, I can't hear a word you are saying."
John's gospel and epistle are resounding with Love. I would have loved to sit and hear him share his story and his relationship with Jesus.
Do my children/grandchildren enjoy when I share stories from the Bible? I love the evenings when I can read stories to the grandchildren before putting them to bed. The questions Promise asks show me that she is "digesting" the stories.
Even though we know people have heard God's message before, we need to continue to share. We never know when someone will respond to the message. It is our responsibility to sow the seed, but God will bring the increase.
God bless you
Children hear parents say this all the time, "Why aren't you listening? I tell you...all the time, yet you don't obey."
Ring any bells? And we do say things over and over again. Why? We want our children to learn and not forget. That's the way it was in Bible times. Commandments are repeated all through the scriptures. We read of God's love all through the Bible, yet how often do we say, "I'm not sure if God can love me anymore, I've failed again?"
We are not here to give new commandments, but to tell others of what has already been written in the Bible. It is my responsibility to tell others, not only with my words but with my life. If my life doesn't measure up to my sermons, than I may as well be quiet. What's the saying, "Your life is speaking so loudly, I can't hear a word you are saying."
John's gospel and epistle are resounding with Love. I would have loved to sit and hear him share his story and his relationship with Jesus.
Do my children/grandchildren enjoy when I share stories from the Bible? I love the evenings when I can read stories to the grandchildren before putting them to bed. The questions Promise asks show me that she is "digesting" the stories.
Even though we know people have heard God's message before, we need to continue to share. We never know when someone will respond to the message. It is our responsibility to sow the seed, but God will bring the increase.
God bless you
Monday, February 13, 2012
Keep Me From Idols
1 John 5:21 "Little children keep yourselves from idols." What a way to end a book. Why would John end his book this way? In his 3rd letter, he does write "peace with you."
As I was reading this, I thought it is a very good way to end his first letter. In every chapter, he was telling us how we can know that we are of God, but also he reminds us what sin is. Keep yourselves from idols, but do we have idols in our land? Yes, we do. Many countries have their "gods" as statues where people can go to worship.
But satan is as an angel of light in America. Very subtle. We can sit in our living room and spend more time with celebreties than God's Word. If you aren't sure what your "idol" is, then follow what your mind dwells on most. That may help direct you to your "idol." Work, sports, video games, shopping, Facebook... am I saying we shouldn't work? No. Am I saying we shouldn't go shopping or play? No. But if it is done in excess, without God's direction, then it becomes sin. "Whatever you do, do for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
Try this one...announcement in church "prayer service on Thursday evening" but only a handful of people attend. "Thursday evening there will be a dinner served, come and enjoy the fellowship." Usually it is a packed out place. Ouch.
It is sad to say, but many know celebrities better than they do God. The same with sports...we have it down to the details, but we do not know the Word of God.
"Little children, keep yourselves from idols." Let's be careful. God keep us from sin.
God bless you
As I was reading this, I thought it is a very good way to end his first letter. In every chapter, he was telling us how we can know that we are of God, but also he reminds us what sin is. Keep yourselves from idols, but do we have idols in our land? Yes, we do. Many countries have their "gods" as statues where people can go to worship.
But satan is as an angel of light in America. Very subtle. We can sit in our living room and spend more time with celebreties than God's Word. If you aren't sure what your "idol" is, then follow what your mind dwells on most. That may help direct you to your "idol." Work, sports, video games, shopping, Facebook... am I saying we shouldn't work? No. Am I saying we shouldn't go shopping or play? No. But if it is done in excess, without God's direction, then it becomes sin. "Whatever you do, do for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
Try this one...announcement in church "prayer service on Thursday evening" but only a handful of people attend. "Thursday evening there will be a dinner served, come and enjoy the fellowship." Usually it is a packed out place. Ouch.
It is sad to say, but many know celebrities better than they do God. The same with sports...we have it down to the details, but we do not know the Word of God.
"Little children, keep yourselves from idols." Let's be careful. God keep us from sin.
God bless you
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Call to Me
Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to me, and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, which you know not."
I am so thankful that God's "number" is not on a Haitian line. I am thankful when I call on Him He is there. He hears my cry. I don't get cut off in mid-sentence. The connection is clear all the time, even those times when I think my prayers go no further than the ceiling. They do! Satan wants me to believe God is not listening.
I've been waiting on a call since Thursday. I've tried to call Patrick a number of times. No connection. People have asked, "Aren't you frustrated?" Yes, sometimes, but it doesn't help. My emotions take over then. But it doesn't make the call go through. Waiting...waiting...waiting...
Do I make God wait for my call? Do I act as if the connection is bad, so I just ignore God? Do I? Do I let the busyness of the day take over, and not call on God?
God is near, and ready to hear my cry. I am so thankful for an awesome God. He is faithful!
God bless you.
I am so thankful that God's "number" is not on a Haitian line. I am thankful when I call on Him He is there. He hears my cry. I don't get cut off in mid-sentence. The connection is clear all the time, even those times when I think my prayers go no further than the ceiling. They do! Satan wants me to believe God is not listening.
I've been waiting on a call since Thursday. I've tried to call Patrick a number of times. No connection. People have asked, "Aren't you frustrated?" Yes, sometimes, but it doesn't help. My emotions take over then. But it doesn't make the call go through. Waiting...waiting...waiting...
Do I make God wait for my call? Do I act as if the connection is bad, so I just ignore God? Do I? Do I let the busyness of the day take over, and not call on God?
God is near, and ready to hear my cry. I am so thankful for an awesome God. He is faithful!
God bless you.
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