For those dear saints of God & servants of the church who are interested in reading this,
Peace & grace in the name of our Father & our God & His Son, our Lord,
Today is still the day of the Lord's salvation. He has not stopped seeking out & saving those who are lost ... & He never will ... until the end of the age.
But the devil knows that his time is short ... so he gets a little agravated at times & tries to wreak havoc any way he can, through toe holds, snakes, scorpions, and beasts with more growl than glory.
Since the beginning of time, it has been the best & worst of times most of the time as wars & rumors of wars increase & as catastrophes continue even while the good news of God's glory goes abroad.
This past week there were 7 days. Every day, the sun did what it was told to do & the clouds obeyed the commands of God as well. He is keeping his promise to send harvest time ... and spring-time as well.
This past week or two has been filled with spiritual attack & blessings ... & the presence of Christ throughout.
Some difficulties which reveal out deep need for prayer:
= Curses against our family scrawled on the door to our apartment.
= Direct moral temptation from total strangers itself directed towards both of us (There is a delight in perversity in this area).
= Financial demands from one of the "brethren" who bestowed upon me the blessing that God would "put a few knots on my head."
= A family member who questioned the validity of sharing the message.
= A preacher who stated very distinct (& narrow) limits on how far he would help see the good news spread.
= A relatively new friend of mine (his muslim? wife is also Indonesian) was hospitalized for suicide / withdrawal symptoms (his neck has been broken for a couple years leading to great pain, but he loved to be reminded about Jesus' love & mercy over the phone).
But there have also been some huge open doors which only God could have
accomplished:
- A Nigerian brother who gladly took some materials to share with the brethren in Zambia (He is in Ann Arbor for another 1.5 weeks).
- A fellow who was deeply oppressed & recently affected by a grand mal seizure gladly listened to the good news ... & found some thoughts hopeful. A smile broke his previously blank face. PTL!!! "God, save David!"
- We have had some very good talks despite the busy days of getting settled a little-more.
- The rent is paid!! We have food & clothes & electricity!!
- A local brother was willing to hear my story out despite pressing demands on his time.
- A friend committed to regular support (very substantial support at that!)
- 2 days ago, while walking home, I picked up a sign. The next day, I took it to the owners (a hot dog store), they gave me a free frank. A small gift - they offered a temporary job & got the good news. But God regards even small things.
- Relatively good health & a decently working car.
- Wisdom to teach some kids learning English & math.
- The list could extend, but my time is limited. Not least of these is that all is ready for moving into the newly designated office except getting a key to the door. PTL, PTL, PTL!!
Some have mentioned that they would like to see some more creativity (i.e. I had not been sharing my thoughts/writing as much). God's word is still alive. I hope that some of the following thoughts will be an encouragement & refreshment to you. Feel free to share them with others.
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SHEEPISH THOUGHTS:
A shepherd sacrificed, & the shepherd was slain. (Gen 2)
A shepherd slew beasts & a brute, & the sheep stood up again. (1-2 Samuel)
The shepherds got rich, & the sheep were slaughtered. (Ezekiel)
The Shepherd was born, & the sheep were freed. (Luke 2)
The Shepherd was dyed, & the sheep were cleansed. (John 1)
The Shepherd spoke, & the sheep listened. (John 10)
The Shephered went out of the fold, & a lost sheep found safety. (Luke 15)
The Shepherd was slain, & the sheep were scattered. (Matthew 26)
The Shepherd stood, & the sheep were gathered. (John 21)
The Shepherd reigns, & the sheep are fearless. (Psalm 23)
The sheep may suffer, but the Shepherd shall surely save!! (Romans 8)
The Lamb leads on.
See: The sheep were twelve, eleven remained: the faithful endure.
(Revelation 12:11)
<+><
Prayer with purpose can prevent persecution,
so love one another & all will be stronger & more secure.
<+><
Perfect Love resisted leads to rebellion.
Rebellion persisisted leads to ruin.
Perfect Love received leads to righteousness.
Righteousness expressed leads to revival.
God is perfect love:
Repent & see revival or refuse & face His wrath.
<+><
A LITTLE THOUGHT ON THE GLORY OF GOD
You have not seen the the Greatest if you have not seen to your last responsibility.
You do not love much if you do not love the least.
You will not live long later if you do not live just a little now.
The Infinite become Infanteseminal in Christ Jesus.
BUT GOD will show you Great & Mighty things if you look a little.
He can love you most, though He is loved the least.
He has given you eternal life if you live but the last moment for Him alone.
<+><
An encouraging word received via email from a man called Grace in Africa: "I love your commitment!!" [To which I can only say, any commitment I have is only there because God made a commitment to love me.]
While we may be far away & not always the most neighborly of neighbors, thanks for remembering us as though we live next door. Your faithful prayers are like walls around us & incense within our home, sanctifying our hearts & preserving our heads.
Mert (with "Lydia")
P.S. If you will recall, Lydia was a woman from Asia who was a great help to Paul.
Peace & grace in the name of our Father & our God & His Son, our Lord,
Today is still the day of the Lord's salvation. He has not stopped seeking out & saving those who are lost ... & He never will ... until the end of the age.
But the devil knows that his time is short ... so he gets a little agravated at times & tries to wreak havoc any way he can, through toe holds, snakes, scorpions, and beasts with more growl than glory.
Since the beginning of time, it has been the best & worst of times most of the time as wars & rumors of wars increase & as catastrophes continue even while the good news of God's glory goes abroad.
This past week there were 7 days. Every day, the sun did what it was told to do & the clouds obeyed the commands of God as well. He is keeping his promise to send harvest time ... and spring-time as well.
This past week or two has been filled with spiritual attack & blessings ... & the presence of Christ throughout.
Some difficulties which reveal out deep need for prayer:
= Curses against our family scrawled on the door to our apartment.
= Direct moral temptation from total strangers itself directed towards both of us (There is a delight in perversity in this area).
= Financial demands from one of the "brethren" who bestowed upon me the blessing that God would "put a few knots on my head."
= A family member who questioned the validity of sharing the message.
= A preacher who stated very distinct (& narrow) limits on how far he would help see the good news spread.
= A relatively new friend of mine (his muslim? wife is also Indonesian) was hospitalized for suicide / withdrawal symptoms (his neck has been broken for a couple years leading to great pain, but he loved to be reminded about Jesus' love & mercy over the phone).
But there have also been some huge open doors which only God could have
accomplished:
- A Nigerian brother who gladly took some materials to share with the brethren in Zambia (He is in Ann Arbor for another 1.5 weeks).
- A fellow who was deeply oppressed & recently affected by a grand mal seizure gladly listened to the good news ... & found some thoughts hopeful. A smile broke his previously blank face. PTL!!! "God, save David!"
- We have had some very good talks despite the busy days of getting settled a little-more.
- The rent is paid!! We have food & clothes & electricity!!
- A local brother was willing to hear my story out despite pressing demands on his time.
- A friend committed to regular support (very substantial support at that!)
- 2 days ago, while walking home, I picked up a sign. The next day, I took it to the owners (a hot dog store), they gave me a free frank. A small gift - they offered a temporary job & got the good news. But God regards even small things.
- Relatively good health & a decently working car.
- Wisdom to teach some kids learning English & math.
- The list could extend, but my time is limited. Not least of these is that all is ready for moving into the newly designated office except getting a key to the door. PTL, PTL, PTL!!
Some have mentioned that they would like to see some more creativity (i.e. I had not been sharing my thoughts/writing as much). God's word is still alive. I hope that some of the following thoughts will be an encouragement & refreshment to you. Feel free to share them with others.
<+><
SHEEPISH THOUGHTS:
A shepherd sacrificed, & the shepherd was slain. (Gen 2)
A shepherd slew beasts & a brute, & the sheep stood up again. (1-2 Samuel)
The shepherds got rich, & the sheep were slaughtered. (Ezekiel)
The Shepherd was born, & the sheep were freed. (Luke 2)
The Shepherd was dyed, & the sheep were cleansed. (John 1)
The Shepherd spoke, & the sheep listened. (John 10)
The Shephered went out of the fold, & a lost sheep found safety. (Luke 15)
The Shepherd was slain, & the sheep were scattered. (Matthew 26)
The Shepherd stood, & the sheep were gathered. (John 21)
The Shepherd reigns, & the sheep are fearless. (Psalm 23)
The sheep may suffer, but the Shepherd shall surely save!! (Romans 8)
The Lamb leads on.
See: The sheep were twelve, eleven remained: the faithful endure.
(Revelation 12:11)
<+><
Prayer with purpose can prevent persecution,
so love one another & all will be stronger & more secure.
<+><
Perfect Love resisted leads to rebellion.
Rebellion persisisted leads to ruin.
Perfect Love received leads to righteousness.
Righteousness expressed leads to revival.
God is perfect love:
Repent & see revival or refuse & face His wrath.
<+><
A LITTLE THOUGHT ON THE GLORY OF GOD
You have not seen the the Greatest if you have not seen to your last responsibility.
You do not love much if you do not love the least.
You will not live long later if you do not live just a little now.
The Infinite become Infanteseminal in Christ Jesus.
BUT GOD will show you Great & Mighty things if you look a little.
He can love you most, though He is loved the least.
He has given you eternal life if you live but the last moment for Him alone.
<+><
An encouraging word received via email from a man called Grace in Africa: "I love your commitment!!" [To which I can only say, any commitment I have is only there because God made a commitment to love me.]
While we may be far away & not always the most neighborly of neighbors, thanks for remembering us as though we live next door. Your faithful prayers are like walls around us & incense within our home, sanctifying our hearts & preserving our heads.
Mert (with "Lydia")
P.S. If you will recall, Lydia was a woman from Asia who was a great help to Paul.
