A Word From Brenda
Are You Lost?
A couple of weeks ago, we took the kids and went to a nursing care facility to hand out Christmas cards. Mike and I hold a service there on Sundays, so my children are used to being there. We always encourage them to take somebodys hand or give a hug. This time, my 9 year old would have rather been home playing Nintendo... so he was sulking. I had to get on to him a little, and said "look around you... these people can't get out and do the things they want to do... get out of yourself". I was angry at his selfishness, even if it was understandable.
1 Corinthians 13 v11
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood (felt) as a child, I thought (reasoned) as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
Last week I went to see the movie Titanic, with my sister. It was a wonderful movie, but how tragic. I cried as I heard the mothers trying to comfort there children in the ships last moments before going under. I was shocked at how many.....How Many!!..were floating in the ocean after it sank, all the cries for help growing silent. God began to speak to my heart.
2 Peter 3 v.9
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that ALL should come to repentence.
As many of you may already know, Mike and I are preparing for missionary work in the Middle East. Knowing that this is Gods will for our lives, and understanding how important it is, doesn't take away from it being a Big Step in my walk with the Lord! I suppose I was "sulking" at times.... the thought of giving up all the comforts that we in America take so much for granted. My focus was far from the ministry that needs to take place. I heard Gods voice repeating back to me the words I had said.."look around you." "They are lost and don't even know it... as in the days of Noah, they are eating and drinking... living there lives as if there is no tomorrow, but it is sooner than they think, and there is only One Way to be saved. Many shall perish."
How many times have I prayed Lord send me?! I am ashamed at my selfishness. How will they know? They won't, if we don't tell them. How will they be saved? They won't, if we don't leave all to follow Jesus and live the life He has called to live. They'll never know. He has told us to GO, spreading the gospel to every nation. We have not overcome our embarassment enough to cross the hallway and invite our neighbor to church! We don't want to offend...
Father, I pray for the readers of this page, that they would be stirred in the deepest part of there hearts to know You more. That we would all move beyond the basics of salvation... getting past the debates of tongues, or laying on of hands... but that we would come into unity this year. Praying for our cities and our churchs, praying for the lost, lifting up one another. That we would be filled with a fresh annointing of your Holy Spirit.... and that we would begin to win souls into your Kingdom, in Jesus Name,
AMEN