Below is my post related to Sarah Joy Albrecht's "January Giveaway: Learning Perseverance From Making Tamagoyaki" -- Please go to Sarah's website to enter her January giveaway! You only have one day left! I only just found out about it, today! Hurry! ;o)
http://www.sarahjoyalbrecht.com/2010/01/20/january-giveaway-learning-perseverance-from-making-tamagoyaki/comment-page-1/#comment-3349
The Lord has been teaching me perseverance in many ways. He has allowed our family to be pruned by Him, for good and for God's glory (I trust; whether or not we give glory to God depends on whether or not we choose to show an attitude, and actions, of submission to our Lord's and Redeemer's Will). He has richly and generously blessed us. His riches are not of this world. They last into eternity. Souls last. His riches include wisdom, spiritual understanding, and the knowledge of His Will, and the knowledge of "The Holy."
The Lord has allowed us the opportunities He knows He can enable us to endure and overcome, by challenging situations that most would call "impossible." He likes to show Himself strong on our behalf. So, though I see my response to these "opportunities" as perseverance, He wants me to learn, by them, to trust Him more than my mind may understand how He can deliver me (or us) out of them.
We have had to change some priorities in our lives and, yet, have been learning, for quite a long time, that life is about serving others, and by that, serving The Lord. I was not born to "enjoy" life on earth. It is a journey of mine, as a stranger on earth, ... on The Lord's Way (for me) to Heaven, my true Home. Hallelujah!
We have chosen to walk the narrow-er road some call ministry. Our Lord, Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ), lived a life of serving others, ... teaching, healing, helping, delivering, encouraging, inspiring, leading, ... then, being rejected, despised, hated, ignored, ... then, suffering (horribly; He was innocent!) and a shameful death on a Roman execution stake (for "my" sins!!!! He had nothing worthy of death. I had! He took my sins upon Himself, and took the punishment I deserved!), ... then, He rose again to new life in His spiritual Body. So, I'd suppose that what we do (as a family) could be called following, or serving-while-training. We are learning how to live as our Lord lived. He did without some things, yet was rich in so many ways that could not be counted with a thousand fingers!
We do not depend on corporations, any longer, to provide a way for bills to be paid. A believer, who loves us, ... helps us with that. Praise The Lord! Persevering in serving is a lesson I'm learning. If I get my focus off of the serving part, I begin to wonder about some things that God has not commanded me to wonder about. He wants me to trust Him above all!
We have no regular financial support for a teaching ministry we began, over 3 years ago. God has provided a means of support, but I believe God wants us to continue seeking His Will for how He wants His Name glorified through the provision He'd like to bring forth. ;o)
If we're doing God's work in God's way, as Hudson Taylor said, a good while back, it will not lack God's provision. (my wording)
God wants us to continue doing the work He has put before us to do. He continues to give us ideas for many things, some of which He will bring to fruition, if those will bring glory to Him, by drawing others to His Son, Yeshua (Jesus).
That might include serving local folks through a food pantry we've been asked to take charge of. It might include ministering to older folks whose health is not as good as they wish it was.
It might include ministering to folks whose lives have been forever altered, through no fault of their own.
It might include encouraging other believers through singing music, in harmony, without musical accompaniment, as a group of 7 (or 8), ... and we know that if the sound uplifts the hearers, it could only have been accomplished by God Himself, the Master Maker and Glorifier of all music.
(I mean, music was first designed by God, Elohim! He made it to be used to glorify Him and praise His Name! Music that does not do that is worthless.)
Whether we get paid a regular income, or not, for what we do, each day or week, is more important to God, my Father, than it is to us. He is more concerned and busy about us having "enough" than we are! It is His responsibility to provide for His children, so ... I need not worry or fret. (though I forget and do that, at times)
Persevering, while living this way, can be a challenge. My emotions can take turns in the wrong direction. (!) But God's Word, that He has stored in my "heart," steps in and replaces my wrong thoughts, and brings me up out of the low place that the enemy of my soul would like to hold me. Satan cannot hold me. I am The Lord's! He says I am His child! He loves me with an everlasting Love and no power anywhere can overcome His Love for me! (Nothing can separate me from The Love of God, which is in Messiah Yeshua, my Lord! -- from Romans 8:35-39)
God's help, hope, peace and provision never ends!! He supports us as we choose to do what pleases Him! He has unlimited resources! He uses other believers who befriend us and relatives who show their care and love for us in many ways. The Lord has upheld us through many times of "my wondering...." God, alone, has enabled us to continue! He is faithful to remember. We are learning He alone can sustain us. We are still looking for ways to support a ministry such as ours. Doing this on a human level can be quite a challenge! We choose to focus on the serving part, rather than on the support-seeking part. That way, we're not thinking with our fleshly minds, trying to figure out "how to get money to do the next step," but working with our hands and hearts, as we believe God wants us to do. We're trying to live by faith.
Our Father in Heaven has done miracles! He has brought new, Godly friends to help us along, encouraging and praying for us so kindly and faithfully! He has shown us ways to stretch our food provisions as we never had to, before. But this has been good! Now, we can help others to do the same thing. God wanted to improve our health and used what I called "a lack" to do some good work in that direction. ;o) He also helped me learn to be more grateful to Him, for whatever He lets us use or have, to eat and otherwise.
When I wondered how we would get through the coming week or month, in a way that I believed would glorify The Lord's Name, God would come through in a way I had not thought of!
When I was not trusting Him for all things (temporarily) and was letting my emotions get the best of me, He was right there to comfort, and then renew me with His Word, and by His Spirit bringing to my mind verses He had enabled me to store in my mind / heart. He gave me lots of hugs! I need lots of hugs!!
When I was ungrateful for what He was allowing to occur, He reassured me that He still loved me and wanted me to remember that He would bless me as I submitted my will and thoughts to His, and that He would restore what the enemy was trying to destroy.
When I did not keep my focus on Him, and what He had shown me through multiplied evidences of His protection, His care, His deliverance, His healing, His blessings and His provision, He brought my spiritual eyes back to see things from His perspective! How humbling!!
Though we are still unemployed (from the world's perspective), He has enabled me to overlook that, as often as possible, and to look forward to the many ministry duties (to help our pastor) He has us doing, each week, throughout this long period of time, ... while He provides just enough to get us to places where we are sharing His Love, in action. He is faithful! Will I choose to be faithful, also?
We have seen Him provide what's needed to reach out to others who are in situations they also cannot change, medically, physically, financially, and ... He is persevering in showing me mercy, lovingkindness, patience and His faithfulness.
What can I do but thank Him? ... and persevere through the things He allows to happen.
They're all lessons to prepare me for further service! I've seen Him do things that show me I need only "ask" or "cry out to God" for what is (truly) needed. He *does* answer!
And He begins bringing the answer to our "cries" immediately, as we pray. The manifestation of answers to my prayers may take awhile. But He has to send forth His angels to do the battling in the heavenlies, before I see the results, on earth. (see Daniel 10: 9-21)
Praise The Lord, He has done this for me! And I know He is doing it for so many believers, who are crying out to The Lord for deliverance, help and healing! He did it for our childrens' granddad, their aunt and their other aunt! (and more)
His mercy endures all that I've put Him through!
I can let Him enable me to endure all that He will use for His glory, that He lets me go through!
His longsuffering and patience with me has been used by The Lord to teach me good lessons He has wanted me to learn for a good while! Thanks be to God! His patient Love for me will continue forever! Hallelujah!!
Persevering? Is He the only One persevering? Or will I persevere, ... for the glory that is due to His Blessed Name? Baruch haShem Adonai Elohenu! Baruch ha Shem Adonai Yeshua, Melech ha Olam! (Blessed be The Name of The Lord God! Blessed be The Name of The Lord Jesus, King eternal, The King of the universe!)
The Lord is Mighty, indeed!
I will persevere! He is re-making me into the image of His Dear Son! He cannot fail!
(see Romans 8:29)
Colossians 1:12-23a is a blessed passage that God has used to help me get through some trying times, while He's teaching me perseverance.
Ephesians 1:5 and Galatians 4:4-7 shares that we are sons (children) of God, also, by adoption. Hallelujah! What a great reason to persevere! (for Him only!)
Showing posts with label teaching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label teaching. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
... as we walk along this pathWay ...
Life continues to surprise me!
Does it surprise you, thrilling your heart, when YHVH God does something you can only describe as amazing, or awesome, or wonderful, on your behalf?
Well, I must share with those of you who read this blog that The Lord Adonai YHVH God has chosen, in His mercy, and in working through those who are true believers, to do some amazing things on behalf of our family, as we continue to support other ministries, … day by day, from week to week.
He has chosen to use an anonymous donor to donate a good-quality automobile to our family ministry (!). We praise God for His merciful, loving, kind-hearted, and patient Spirit! We thank The Good Lord for showing Himself strong on our behalf as we have kept trusting He would remedy a situation that has been one version of spiritual warfare, involving more than one believer in the community. But God is faithful! He is able to overcome any obstacle! Hallelujah! Let’s praise His Name together, and rejoice that He will provide, as He has promised, … when we continue to show Him we are willing to serve, as He opens the doors.
Our ministry includes the teaching / apologetics ministry done by our Life in the Bible Institute … to enable us to “get around” to places where we already go –
a nursing home,
soul winning,
choir,
youth projects,
Bible class (Sundays),
puppet ministry (done mostly by our children who are under age 18),
one, in our family, having a willing heart to bless the lives of others by playing piano in church and, when possible, at nursing homes we visit,
and one, or more, of us singing, in church, or … “on the mission field” (as part of a missions trip to the Philippines, as happened earlier this year), … or as part of a group of 5 to 6 young people, harmonizing together for God’s glory, to encourage believers in The Lord,
singing as a family of 8 … wherever someone asks us to come sing,
opportunities to help others by writing quotes or names in calligraphy, for specific individuals,
and more — one of our adult family members ministers to a lady in a nursing home.
… I hope to begin, soon, Lord willing (as He opens the doors for this) to help lead some monthly meetings / fellowship / learning times for the benefit of some young ladies in this community, as well as beginning some monthly fellowship opportunities with moms who teach their own children at home, and older ladies (some who are widows; some are not). Ladies’ teas are a delightful way to encourage women, especially widows, and those who would like their daughters to learn some of the Christian social graces, that build Godly character, and … uplift the soul. They serve as blessed times of fellowship, for ladies, also.
We stay quite busy, being asked to help with a ministry here or there, or else we’re teaching … or helping with someone else who is, ….
But, without a real car for over 2 months, now (a car that works / runs), it has been quite tricky to find ways to get to places we’ve been asked to get to, around the community where we’ve been living for just over a year, now.
There will be many opportunities to use this car. We do pray it will be used to bring God glory to His Name, because it’s His car! All that we ‘own’ actually belongs to God! We give all our ‘things’ to God, so He is The One Who watches over them, and takes Good care of His things!! Amen!
He is The One from Whom all Good things come, … He made all the metals (from where they were mined, from the ground, and then refined) and plastic (from petroleum), and leather (thank you, dear cows!, designed by God in Heaven), plus the rest of the materials that go into the making of a car, as well as the man hours, the labor, and … the effort and energy they must do, to produce a car that runs well, and is made well, ….
The next time you drive your car, please praise The Lord our Maker, Creator, Who designs all things perfectly, praise Him for Who He is (YHVH; El Shaddai; El Elyon; YHVH Yireh / Jehovah Jireh), and praise Him for His mighty Power to turn things that seem to go wrong, into things that produce Good!
He is perfect! He is Almighty! He is El Elyon — The Most High God! He is our Provider, our Protector, our Hope, our Strength, and our Joy! He does all things excellently, and uses all circumstances to produce / bring about Good, for those who are “the called” according to His purpose. — for the glory that is “due” to His Name!
While we awaited His Help, with regard to providing a car for our family, He was building in us a more humble, more meek, attitude. I pray He will continue to develop that attitude in my own heart, as He teaches me more about “abiding in Messiah Yeshua.” (abiding in Christ)
One day, all people of all nations will bow their knees, and admit / acknowledge the Truth that He is Lord of all! — YHVH God, and His Son, Yeshua the Messiah, The Anointed One of God, the Holy One of Israel. (see Romans 14: 11 and Philippians 2: 10)
And … please praise The Lord Adonai YHVH God, Who has seen fit to give us a car to be used in service that will bring praise and thanks to His precious Son’s Name — Yeshua haMashiach (Jesus Christ)!
And … please thank Him for what He has done in providing food and water for you, as well as clothing you need, each day! He promises no more, but He does provide much more … than just food and clothing!
We have waited, and … have hoped in Him alone Who is able to do all things well! And He has kept His promise to hear the prayers of His true children — you all, and us.
We are not special (compared to other believers) or better than anyone else on this earth. We are merely “forgiven” by The Lord God Almighty, because of our belief in, and trust in, His only-begotten Son, Yeshua (Jesus), Who gave His Life in our place, to pay the penalty for sins we committed, thereby redeeming us. As The innocent Lamb of God, Yeshua took upon Himself the sins of all the people who have ever lived on this earth! He paid it all! — by willingly sacrificing His precious Body and Blood on the Roman execution stake, outside the gates of the city of Jerusalem. Why? Because He loved us … long before we knew or loved Him! That is how much He loves you and me! Hallelujah!
But in God’s eyes, we are His children, because He has engrafted us into His Vine, and has delivered us out of the power of darkness and into The Kingdom of His Dear Son (Yeshua)! (the Kingdom of Light, eternal Life and Love) (see Colossians 1: 13) Yeshua says He calls us His friends, if we do whatsoever He has commanded us (to do). (see John 15: 14)
(below is my version of Matthew 7: 7-8):
Ask, and keep asking, and it shall be given to you.
Seek, and keep seeking, and you shall find.
Knock, and keep knocking, and it shall be opened unto you.
For each one that asks receives, and the one that seeks finds; and to the one knocking, it will be opened.
We are not special people, you all!
We are just people who have been workin’ for The Lord, as you all are, who are true believers in The Lord, and in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ), who sometimes work also for companies, or individuals, … to earn income, and then, we get to serve pastors or missionaries, … or encourage other believers, by singing, or teaching, or sharing, or helping with some project they’re working on. ;o)
Life can get challenging!
I believe God is opening the door for more ministry, by providing a car with which we can “do it.”
If you are reading this, and if you believe in The Lord Adonai YHVH God, as we do, and (especially) if you believe in and trust in His Son, Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ), for deliverance from eternal damnation, and into His Kingdom of Light, Life and Love (of YHVH God; agape Love — His unconditional Love He showed us when His Son voluntarily chose to come to earth, be born here, live, suffer and die, to pay the penalty for sins we committed, though He was entirely innocent of those sins, … and God raised Him up on the third day, according to The Scriptures, as prophesied by the Old Covenant / Old Testament prophets, and now, He is alive, and sits at the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty, in His Throne!), please pray for us — M, K, A, A, E, B, M, and M. Yes, without exact names, that’s all 8 of us. ;o)
We do appreciate your prayers!
God is at work! In us, in you, for us, for you, through us, through you! That, by itself, is amazing! He accomplishes it by His Holy Spirit! Bless His Name!
God is so generous! And He is teaching us to show generosity to others! When He uses another believer to show us His generous Spirit and Love, we are so thrilled! (in our emotions) … and we are joyful! (in our spirits) … and we are built up in our Christian walk, in Him, Who is our All in all, to tell others and to share more about The Love of His Son, Yeshua, so others can ”gain” eternal Life!
Let’s praise The Name of The Lord together, for ever and ever! … beginning now ….
Does it surprise you, thrilling your heart, when YHVH God does something you can only describe as amazing, or awesome, or wonderful, on your behalf?
Well, I must share with those of you who read this blog that The Lord Adonai YHVH God has chosen, in His mercy, and in working through those who are true believers, to do some amazing things on behalf of our family, as we continue to support other ministries, … day by day, from week to week.
He has chosen to use an anonymous donor to donate a good-quality automobile to our family ministry (!). We praise God for His merciful, loving, kind-hearted, and patient Spirit! We thank The Good Lord for showing Himself strong on our behalf as we have kept trusting He would remedy a situation that has been one version of spiritual warfare, involving more than one believer in the community. But God is faithful! He is able to overcome any obstacle! Hallelujah! Let’s praise His Name together, and rejoice that He will provide, as He has promised, … when we continue to show Him we are willing to serve, as He opens the doors.
Our ministry includes the teaching / apologetics ministry done by our Life in the Bible Institute … to enable us to “get around” to places where we already go –
a nursing home,
soul winning,
choir,
youth projects,
Bible class (Sundays),
puppet ministry (done mostly by our children who are under age 18),
one, in our family, having a willing heart to bless the lives of others by playing piano in church and, when possible, at nursing homes we visit,
and one, or more, of us singing, in church, or … “on the mission field” (as part of a missions trip to the Philippines, as happened earlier this year), … or as part of a group of 5 to 6 young people, harmonizing together for God’s glory, to encourage believers in The Lord,
singing as a family of 8 … wherever someone asks us to come sing,
opportunities to help others by writing quotes or names in calligraphy, for specific individuals,
and more — one of our adult family members ministers to a lady in a nursing home.
… I hope to begin, soon, Lord willing (as He opens the doors for this) to help lead some monthly meetings / fellowship / learning times for the benefit of some young ladies in this community, as well as beginning some monthly fellowship opportunities with moms who teach their own children at home, and older ladies (some who are widows; some are not). Ladies’ teas are a delightful way to encourage women, especially widows, and those who would like their daughters to learn some of the Christian social graces, that build Godly character, and … uplift the soul. They serve as blessed times of fellowship, for ladies, also.
We stay quite busy, being asked to help with a ministry here or there, or else we’re teaching … or helping with someone else who is, ….
But, without a real car for over 2 months, now (a car that works / runs), it has been quite tricky to find ways to get to places we’ve been asked to get to, around the community where we’ve been living for just over a year, now.
There will be many opportunities to use this car. We do pray it will be used to bring God glory to His Name, because it’s His car! All that we ‘own’ actually belongs to God! We give all our ‘things’ to God, so He is The One Who watches over them, and takes Good care of His things!! Amen!
He is The One from Whom all Good things come, … He made all the metals (from where they were mined, from the ground, and then refined) and plastic (from petroleum), and leather (thank you, dear cows!, designed by God in Heaven), plus the rest of the materials that go into the making of a car, as well as the man hours, the labor, and … the effort and energy they must do, to produce a car that runs well, and is made well, ….
The next time you drive your car, please praise The Lord our Maker, Creator, Who designs all things perfectly, praise Him for Who He is (YHVH; El Shaddai; El Elyon; YHVH Yireh / Jehovah Jireh), and praise Him for His mighty Power to turn things that seem to go wrong, into things that produce Good!
He is perfect! He is Almighty! He is El Elyon — The Most High God! He is our Provider, our Protector, our Hope, our Strength, and our Joy! He does all things excellently, and uses all circumstances to produce / bring about Good, for those who are “the called” according to His purpose. — for the glory that is “due” to His Name!
While we awaited His Help, with regard to providing a car for our family, He was building in us a more humble, more meek, attitude. I pray He will continue to develop that attitude in my own heart, as He teaches me more about “abiding in Messiah Yeshua.” (abiding in Christ)
One day, all people of all nations will bow their knees, and admit / acknowledge the Truth that He is Lord of all! — YHVH God, and His Son, Yeshua the Messiah, The Anointed One of God, the Holy One of Israel. (see Romans 14: 11 and Philippians 2: 10)
And … please praise The Lord Adonai YHVH God, Who has seen fit to give us a car to be used in service that will bring praise and thanks to His precious Son’s Name — Yeshua haMashiach (Jesus Christ)!
And … please thank Him for what He has done in providing food and water for you, as well as clothing you need, each day! He promises no more, but He does provide much more … than just food and clothing!
We have waited, and … have hoped in Him alone Who is able to do all things well! And He has kept His promise to hear the prayers of His true children — you all, and us.
We are not special (compared to other believers) or better than anyone else on this earth. We are merely “forgiven” by The Lord God Almighty, because of our belief in, and trust in, His only-begotten Son, Yeshua (Jesus), Who gave His Life in our place, to pay the penalty for sins we committed, thereby redeeming us. As The innocent Lamb of God, Yeshua took upon Himself the sins of all the people who have ever lived on this earth! He paid it all! — by willingly sacrificing His precious Body and Blood on the Roman execution stake, outside the gates of the city of Jerusalem. Why? Because He loved us … long before we knew or loved Him! That is how much He loves you and me! Hallelujah!
But in God’s eyes, we are His children, because He has engrafted us into His Vine, and has delivered us out of the power of darkness and into The Kingdom of His Dear Son (Yeshua)! (the Kingdom of Light, eternal Life and Love) (see Colossians 1: 13) Yeshua says He calls us His friends, if we do whatsoever He has commanded us (to do). (see John 15: 14)
(below is my version of Matthew 7: 7-8):
Ask, and keep asking, and it shall be given to you.
Seek, and keep seeking, and you shall find.
Knock, and keep knocking, and it shall be opened unto you.
For each one that asks receives, and the one that seeks finds; and to the one knocking, it will be opened.
We are not special people, you all!
We are just people who have been workin’ for The Lord, as you all are, who are true believers in The Lord, and in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ), who sometimes work also for companies, or individuals, … to earn income, and then, we get to serve pastors or missionaries, … or encourage other believers, by singing, or teaching, or sharing, or helping with some project they’re working on. ;o)
Life can get challenging!
I believe God is opening the door for more ministry, by providing a car with which we can “do it.”
If you are reading this, and if you believe in The Lord Adonai YHVH God, as we do, and (especially) if you believe in and trust in His Son, Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ), for deliverance from eternal damnation, and into His Kingdom of Light, Life and Love (of YHVH God; agape Love — His unconditional Love He showed us when His Son voluntarily chose to come to earth, be born here, live, suffer and die, to pay the penalty for sins we committed, though He was entirely innocent of those sins, … and God raised Him up on the third day, according to The Scriptures, as prophesied by the Old Covenant / Old Testament prophets, and now, He is alive, and sits at the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty, in His Throne!), please pray for us — M, K, A, A, E, B, M, and M. Yes, without exact names, that’s all 8 of us. ;o)
We do appreciate your prayers!
God is at work! In us, in you, for us, for you, through us, through you! That, by itself, is amazing! He accomplishes it by His Holy Spirit! Bless His Name!
God is so generous! And He is teaching us to show generosity to others! When He uses another believer to show us His generous Spirit and Love, we are so thrilled! (in our emotions) … and we are joyful! (in our spirits) … and we are built up in our Christian walk, in Him, Who is our All in all, to tell others and to share more about The Love of His Son, Yeshua, so others can ”gain” eternal Life!
Let’s praise The Name of The Lord together, for ever and ever! … beginning now ….
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