It's almost 1am and I still have more clothes on my bed than in my suitcase. BUT..I do have packed: a book and a note and a surprise for Jessica, coffee and clothes for Kristina, a journal for JoJo, peanut butter and other treats for Gloria, and boots and school supplies for Kristina too. Oh, and all of our VBS craft supplies (well, my portion, these were equally split up thankfully!)...
At this rate, I may or may not be clothed during my week in India!?! Of course, it IS 110+ degrees there currently. So hey, may not be so bad after all ;)
Really, the point of my post is to remind myself, and you of course, just how the Lord has directed so many steps along the way leading up to this trip. Because, to be honest, these past three days have been difficult. And I was enlightened by the rest of our team at our final meeting last night, that they too are experiencing increased difficulty this week. Health issues, family sickness, job issues, family job loss, house transitions, kid transitions, frustrations, feelings of unpreparedness, fatigue, and faintheartedness.
But do you know why? Because what is about to transpire is a threat to a very real power:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:10-20
And also, there is a very big battle going on in the heavenly realms. We get a glimpse of that fact from the prophet Daniel:
So we spent a large portion of our evening in prayer to the One True God. We rely on Him, need Him and have nothing to offer without HIM. And I was able to spend a refreshing evening with my sweet friend Heidi and her children. We prayed together and Isaiah (3ys) thanked God for Miss Karen and shorts. I meeeaaaaannnn....how amazing is that. I love that little guy! Heidi prayed over me and for our team; I came home to find a sweet treat and notebook with a prayer on a note from Ashley, and then was able to continue my refreshing with sweet Cierra and Audrie over a big juicy hamburger (did I mention I'm going to India?). Ci prayed over me as well and seriously, the presence of the Lord feels like a blanket of peace wrapped around me.
I'm so thankful for the preparation, the VBS lesson we'll be teaching and the vivid illustrations that make up our teaching time with these kids. It's as if I gave only a small few of you a sticker on your hand. Then, I offered candy to all of you but qualified it by saying only those with a sticker can have a piece of candy. You have a sticker problem if you don't have a sticker. Is there anything you can do about your sticker problem? Can you change my requirement? No. Can you create a sticker out of nothing? No. Well now what? You can do nothing about your sticker problem. But...I can do something. I won't change my requirement. You still need a sticker to get candy. BUT. I can give EVERYONE a sticker. And thus, all a piece of candy.
And so it is with the One True God. His requirement to be a part of His family, to be with Him eternally in Heaven, is righteousness. But, we have a sin problem. We can do nothing about our sin problem. It is our essence, our nature. Not just what we do, but who we are. Nor will a HOLY God change his requirement of righteousness. BUT...what He can do, is extend righteousness to all of us. And He DID! Through the shed blood of a sinless Man as Jesus took our sin upon himself at His death on the cross. Now, the bible says, Whosoever (ie: anyone) believes in Him (on Him...for salvation from death and separation) should not perish but have eternal life....to those who called upon Him, He gave the right to be called children of God!
Praise OUR GOD!
And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. 13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, 14 and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.” When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute. 16 And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength. 17 How can my lord's servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.” Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. 19 And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” 20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come. 21 But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince. Daniel 10:10-21
So we spent a large portion of our evening in prayer to the One True God. We rely on Him, need Him and have nothing to offer without HIM. And I was able to spend a refreshing evening with my sweet friend Heidi and her children. We prayed together and Isaiah (3ys) thanked God for Miss Karen and shorts. I meeeaaaaannnn....how amazing is that. I love that little guy! Heidi prayed over me and for our team; I came home to find a sweet treat and notebook with a prayer on a note from Ashley, and then was able to continue my refreshing with sweet Cierra and Audrie over a big juicy hamburger (did I mention I'm going to India?). Ci prayed over me as well and seriously, the presence of the Lord feels like a blanket of peace wrapped around me.
I'm so thankful for the preparation, the VBS lesson we'll be teaching and the vivid illustrations that make up our teaching time with these kids. It's as if I gave only a small few of you a sticker on your hand. Then, I offered candy to all of you but qualified it by saying only those with a sticker can have a piece of candy. You have a sticker problem if you don't have a sticker. Is there anything you can do about your sticker problem? Can you change my requirement? No. Can you create a sticker out of nothing? No. Well now what? You can do nothing about your sticker problem. But...I can do something. I won't change my requirement. You still need a sticker to get candy. BUT. I can give EVERYONE a sticker. And thus, all a piece of candy.
And so it is with the One True God. His requirement to be a part of His family, to be with Him eternally in Heaven, is righteousness. But, we have a sin problem. We can do nothing about our sin problem. It is our essence, our nature. Not just what we do, but who we are. Nor will a HOLY God change his requirement of righteousness. BUT...what He can do, is extend righteousness to all of us. And He DID! Through the shed blood of a sinless Man as Jesus took our sin upon himself at His death on the cross. Now, the bible says, Whosoever (ie: anyone) believes in Him (on Him...for salvation from death and separation) should not perish but have eternal life....to those who called upon Him, He gave the right to be called children of God!
Praise OUR GOD!
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