REJOICING IN GOD

TRIP TO LIBERIA: Three weeks to go. Most of my class notes are prepared. Just a few quizzes to prepare. Thank you to my wife Gloria for selling some paintings, plants and hand-made towels to raise funds for this trip, and thank you to those who have donated. If you would like to donate to this trip see tab above for information.

PRAY WITH ME FOR AFRICA: Algerian Christians suffer persecution in this mostly Muslim country but this indigenous church continues to grow. Pray for growing leadership for the Algerian church, for Christian families where the girls often have to hide their faith and marry Muslims, and for employment in a Muslim dominated culture.

ALGERIA IS IN NORTH AFRICA

The Return of the Seventy-Two - Luke 10.17-20 

The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

Jesus sent 72 disciples out to minister in his name. They returned with joy because even the demons were subject to them in the name of Jesus. The power was invigorating and exciting. Being a disciple of Jesus was the best. Jesus even acknowledge their ministry and power over Satan and over the enemies of Jesus. Jesus even gave them power over nature so that serpents and scorpions would not harm them. Wow. A life in Jesus to strive for, right?

But look at the last statement of Jesus. He tells his disciples that their joy should not be in the power and effect of their ministry, as good as that is, but in their relationship with him. The goal of salvation is to know God and Jesus Christ whom God has sent, John 17.3. see also Philippians 3.10, 4.4 and Romans 8.28-29.

We are to know God's power in our ministry and circumstances but our joy is to come from our relationship with God. If our joy is received from things and circumstances then our joy will depend on those things and circumstances; our relationship with God will become secondary to those things and circumstances; our focus will be on things and circumstances rather than God; when things and circumstances fail us then we will become bitter against God; and finally a focus on things and circumstances can begin to erode our belief in the Sovereignty of God.

 

 

Our joy is to be found in our relationship with God. He is to be our joy. His Goodness and Love to us are to be the source of our joy. No matter my things and my circumstances, God is my Joy. 

 

Good Articles This Week:
1) Assisted Suicide for Children

BIBLE HEROES

TRIP TO LIBERIA: I received my Liberian visa yesterday. Thank you to Diane and Ashley and the Bishop family for their help in this process. Continuing to prepare notes in what looks to be a very very busy month. Please pray for me this month and for donations to my trip. (see tab above for details on donations). Thank you to those who have already donated and are praying.

PRAY WITH ME FOR AFRICA: Algeria is 80% desert and 99% Muslim with 100,000 Christians (some estimate it may be even higher) with a majority from the Kabyle Berbers. There is an exemplary unity between the Berber and Arab and foreign Christians which provides a strong contrast and testimony against the backdrop of the animosity of those outside the faith. Pray for continued growth in the church in Algeria.

 The flag features two equal vertical bands of green and white with a red, five-pointed star within a red crescent centered over the two-color boundary. The crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam (the state religion).


I have two new bible heroes. My longtime bible heroes are Abigail and  Uriah because of their loyal character but this week I want to add Boaz and Ruth to my short list of heroes to emulate. I have been studying the book of Ruth in preparation for teaching with TLI in December in Liberia and my heart has burned within me with delight and praise (Luke 24.32). I admire the moral stature of Boaz along with his lovingkindness and faithfulness to Yahweh. I admire Ruth's courage and lovingkindness and devotion to Naomi. These are character traits I want to strive for.

I want to encourage you to slowly read the book of Ruth and to imagine what is taking place and to notice the character of those in the story as the story unfolds. Ask God to warm your heart with His Love and Lovingkindness to you as He fulfills His promises and shows you His worthy character through this story. God's steadfast love endures forever (Psalm 139).

 Good Articles This Week:
 1) The Old Covenant is Over; The Old Covenant is Authoritative
2) Pakistan Protests Delay Release of Asia Bibi