Praise
the Lord for the month of November. The seasons and the days are marching
onward and forward according to the designs and desires of the Lord of all
seasons. Indeed, season, time, and tide wait for none. I spent last week
visiting some of our grandchildren and their parents and auntie in Washington
and Philadelphia. It was a great thrill and gift for me to be able to travel
and spend time with our grandchildren. Each one is precious. I have posted
some pictures of our grandchildren on Facebook.
Alice
drove to Philadelphia Friday afternoon to spend some time with Jessica and her
family. We both drove home together Saturday afternoon, leaving Jess, Tom, and
Lindy at 3:30 in the afternoon. We decided to take the scenic route home,
following through business districts, past historic homes, and through the
countryside. We passed through gorgeous Bucks County and, after a bit more
time, found ourselves following along the "scenic Delaware River", which was
separated from us by a canal and tow path. We could not have made a better
choice and, even after making a 15 minute gas stop, arrived home exactly at 7:00
PM. Soon after we got home the doorbell rang and we were visited by dozens of
teens and children. We gave them apples and granola bars. It was a great
evening.
The
Lord blessed us with a wonderful day in His house yesterday. We celebrated the
baptism of two beautiful children. Praise the Lord for children and
grandchildren. Indeed, children are the domain of Jesus and His kingdom. He
said, "let the children come to me and do not hinder them for to such belongs
the Kingdom of God. He still embraces children, keeps them close to His heart,
and blesses them. Jesus is still indignant against those come between Jesus and
children. We become more like Jesus when love children. The church exemplifies
the heart of Jesus when it welcomes children in His name and ministers to them
in His name.
It was
a spectacular afternoon yesterday, cloudless , tranquil and serene. I drove to
visit one of the sweet servants of Jesus. The Lord has blessed her wonderful
and spacious abode. All her children have grown and have moved out on their
own. She was invited by an elderly couple from the church to move in to
share their home with her. They all love the Lord and they serve Him together
They share Jesus and do life in Him. While I was there the only sibling she
has, her sister, was visiting her. They also share a deep bond and great love
between sisters. They go out on long distance travels just be together. The
sister who was visiting shared with me that she attends a Methodist Church in
foothills of the Catskill Mountains.. Their pastor has been there for 19
years. The church has been serving the Lord proclaiming the Good News for years
and years.
I love
to read Judges 6:12 from to time, as an angel said to Gideon, "The
Lord is with you, mighty warrior." When I read this verse I get excited and
provoked to press on. This is one of the most ironic verses in the Bible,
because the angel was talking to a trembling coward when he said that. God
wanted Gideon to go forward and meet invaders of Israel and defeat the enemies
of the people of God, just as God wants us to defeat problems that otherwise
would sabotage us or our loved ones or the Kingdom in some way. Gideon didn't
want to join in the battle. He was just a farmer trying to save some food from
his enemies so that he and his family would not starve. He was scared to death.
So, when the angel said, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior" he must have
felt a new courage rise within him because Gideon then trusted that God was with
him. He let God help and guide him, and he became that which the angel said he
was, a mighty warrior.
God
wants for each of us to becom a mighty warrior for the Kingdom. As we surrender
to His will, by His strength and power our life becomes
victorious.
We read
in the Book of Revelation, "He will make you a pillar in the temple of God." He
will make us a part of the very presence of God. He won't just put us in His
presence. He is going to make each of us a pillar, a part of God's presence.
He puts himself within us. He gives us His heart and suddenly we become new.
We find the courage we need. As we let God put a new "heart" within us, we may
still be scared in many ways, but we find a courage that is beyond
ourselves. No matter where we are, no matter how scared or
alone or defenseless we might feel, let us allow Jesus our Lord put His heart
within us. Let us listen to Him, follow Him, let Him make us a part of
Himself.
In
Christ,
Brown
No comments:
Post a Comment