Only a week away… I spoke with the director of finances at our church yesterday asking what had come in the form of support from family and friends. Our credit card bill had arrived with a minimum payment of $85. I had anticipated a couple hundred, but had purposefully asked not to be updated prior. My thinking was human nature would in some way infect God’s blessings. I didn’t want to look at someone whom the Lord prompted to give say $100 differently than the individual giving $10. If you remember the story of the widow who gave a mite or a single penny … all she owned ... vs the guy that gave lots from his abundance. God looked greatly upon her, but was not impressed by his giving. I want to have the heart of the Lord and look at people who gave whatever amount in gratitude, for which we are.
I also thought that the Lord's provision might be in the form of providing a job that would allow us to pay off the credit card before January when the interest begins to accrue. HoweverHe chose to provide was o.k. by us. He promises to, and we were holding Him to that promise. Some would say there is a fine line between faith and stupidity, and to be honest, I am sometimes unsure which side of the line I am walking.
Anyway, when I asked the account balance, Iwas told we would be able to pay off all but about $600 of the bill. I was floored! I never expected the balance to be essentially paid for before we left. Thank you all that have had a part, we could never have accomplished what has been done. That’s a God thing! To Him be the Glory!
If you know Him, but are unsure of His abilities, get on the stupid side of faith for a while; or as our Pastor says, “get out on that limb and let God cut it off”. You will never be the same. If you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I encourage you to consider these web sites http://wayofthemaster.com or http://www.billygraham.org/SH_StepsToPeace.asp
We are going to Zambia Africa with your help, and again we thank you, but we would be remiss to tell them and not tell you. We all know that one day we will all die … we don’t know when or how, but we know it is inevitable. Where will you be when you pass from this world? You can know for sure plus you will begin to see your view life begin to change; you will find peace, experience joy, and have a sense of purpose established. Christ promised ‘never to leave you nor forsake you’, how big is your God?
Jim
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Please pray Acts 26:18 for the Conference
It is almost a month since our last post. Praise the Lord He is working! I am still unemployed yet our needs continue to be supplied. We were able to send a check from the church account to cover the food and transportation costs while at the mission. We also transferred the airfare bill to the 0 percent account and the time was extended to January ’09 before the interest begins to accrue. It almost seems like an oxymoron to consider the interest rate … faith that the Lord will provide vs. being a good steward with what He has provided. Any way enough about the money.
I spoke with Dennis this week, and he said that he is seeing the warfare beginning to intensify. I had mentioned earlier that ½ the Children’s team had to drop out; one of our ‘travel buddies’ also had to withdraw. I would ask that you continue to pray for the team. I have been thinking of last year’s experience with spiritual warfare. While in prayer as our Pastor spoke during the Conference, three of us thought we were about to be attacked by a vicious dog. Each of us heard the snarl of the dog as if it was about to pounce on us at the same time, even though we were each 8 – 10 feet apart. The experience was so real, the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end and I moved to protect myself of ‘nothing’. Ephesians 6:12 says For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. The battle is and will be real! Satan does not want the Gospel shared. He does not want people to know what Jesus said in John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. He certainly does not want them to believe Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Satan wants to keep as many as possible in the dark and will do all he can to keep it from happening. So if you would pray Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me for the team and those at the Conference. To Him be the Glory.
I spoke with Dennis this week, and he said that he is seeing the warfare beginning to intensify. I had mentioned earlier that ½ the Children’s team had to drop out; one of our ‘travel buddies’ also had to withdraw. I would ask that you continue to pray for the team. I have been thinking of last year’s experience with spiritual warfare. While in prayer as our Pastor spoke during the Conference, three of us thought we were about to be attacked by a vicious dog. Each of us heard the snarl of the dog as if it was about to pounce on us at the same time, even though we were each 8 – 10 feet apart. The experience was so real, the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end and I moved to protect myself of ‘nothing’. Ephesians 6:12 says For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. The battle is and will be real! Satan does not want the Gospel shared. He does not want people to know what Jesus said in John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. He certainly does not want them to believe Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Satan wants to keep as many as possible in the dark and will do all he can to keep it from happening. So if you would pray Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me for the team and those at the Conference. To Him be the Glory.
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