Dave, John and I are sitting just outside our gate in the Dubai airport awaiting our final flight to Ethiopia. It's now 6:45 AM Dubai time (9:45 PM Eastern). We've been traveling for over 59 hours now, and we can certainly feel it!
We just refreshed ourselves with some Starbucks treats for breakfast before boarding. We been in this airport since 11:30 last night. We found a really great restaurant last night here called "The Hub" that served international cuisine. We ate in the typical Middle Eastern way, sitting on couches! The food was delicious. Starbucks reminds us of home!
We leave hear at 8:30 AM and will arrive in Addis at 3:30 AM your time on Wednesday. When we arrive we will clear customs, pick up our luggage, and begin our long journey. Bruce will meet us at the airport. I suspect that we will have to find a place to stay tonight on the road to our destination. It will be dark before we make it.
Our pastor's conference begins on Thursday morning, and I suspect that we may get up early on Thursday and drive right to the conference.
I may be out of touch for a few days. Just keep checking my blog. I'll post as soon as I have internet connection. If my Blackberry works I will use Twitter to communicate. You'll see my Twitter posts on the left side of this blog.
We're expecting Jesus to do some wonderful things while we're in Ethiopia. Thanks for praying with us to that end!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The Life Changing Word
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life (John 6:63).
The Word contains God’s very life and nature. Feeding on the Word is not like reading Shakespeare or classic literature. These contain no power to change. But God’s Word is the power of God unto salvation for spirit, soul, and body (Romans 1:16-17).
Time in the Word is time spent in the presence of the Father. And just as you take your car into the mechanics shop for a tune up, so the Word tunes us up spiritually. It rids us of the habits and attitudes that hold us back. It makes adjustments in all areas of life; our home, our business life, our private world, and has to power to break engrained habits of conduct.
The Word provides spiritual nutrition so that we grow into the likeness of Christ. The Word is spirit food. Keep your spirit richly fed with this manna from heaven.
One Word of caution though. Just reading the Word with no purpose to change or act will do no good. Spiritual growth will be stifled, and personal progress will not be realized. It becomes self-evident over a period of time whether or not we are submitting ourselves to the Lordship of Jesus through the Lordship of the Word.
Notice again James 1:22-25 (NIV): Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it — he will be blessed in what he does.
The author of Hebrews likewise gives us this warning: Hebrews 5:12-14 (NIV).
In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Be sure to feed on the Word daily with the attitude of acting on what you read. Be determined to change any action, word, attitude, motive, or conduct that disagrees with the Word. Keep a sensitive ear to the Holy Spirit by consciously asking yourself what the Word says about what you’re doing throughout the day.
If you’ll practice this for 21 to 28 days, you’ll begin to form a habit of walking intimately with your Father. This time next year, you’ll not be the same person!
The Word contains God’s very life and nature. Feeding on the Word is not like reading Shakespeare or classic literature. These contain no power to change. But God’s Word is the power of God unto salvation for spirit, soul, and body (Romans 1:16-17).
Time in the Word is time spent in the presence of the Father. And just as you take your car into the mechanics shop for a tune up, so the Word tunes us up spiritually. It rids us of the habits and attitudes that hold us back. It makes adjustments in all areas of life; our home, our business life, our private world, and has to power to break engrained habits of conduct.
The Word provides spiritual nutrition so that we grow into the likeness of Christ. The Word is spirit food. Keep your spirit richly fed with this manna from heaven.
One Word of caution though. Just reading the Word with no purpose to change or act will do no good. Spiritual growth will be stifled, and personal progress will not be realized. It becomes self-evident over a period of time whether or not we are submitting ourselves to the Lordship of Jesus through the Lordship of the Word.
Notice again James 1:22-25 (NIV): Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it — he will be blessed in what he does.
The author of Hebrews likewise gives us this warning: Hebrews 5:12-14 (NIV).
In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Be sure to feed on the Word daily with the attitude of acting on what you read. Be determined to change any action, word, attitude, motive, or conduct that disagrees with the Word. Keep a sensitive ear to the Holy Spirit by consciously asking yourself what the Word says about what you’re doing throughout the day.
If you’ll practice this for 21 to 28 days, you’ll begin to form a habit of walking intimately with your Father. This time next year, you’ll not be the same person!
Trip Update from London
It's currently 11:25 AM (6:25 AM your time EST) here in London where we just landed. We've had breakfast and are now at our gate. We leave for Dubai shortly.
We're in anticipation of God doing some great things in the lives of the pastors as we minister. I'm believing for many to be born again during our evangelistic campaigns!
Thanks to all you wonderful praying folk! We can tell you're with us! Thanks!
We're in anticipation of God doing some great things in the lives of the pastors as we minister. I'm believing for many to be born again during our evangelistic campaigns!
Thanks to all you wonderful praying folk! We can tell you're with us! Thanks!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Trip Update Monday Afternoon
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).
Dave, John and I are now ticketed through to Ethiopia and will leave tonight at 8:35 for London. Thanks for praying with us for things to work out.
We will meet Bruce on Wednesday upon our noon arrival and will immediately travel as far as we can before sundown.
God gave us great favor today at the ticket counter. There was a definite time that the hindrances stopped! Again, thanks for praying!
Dave, John and I are now ticketed through to Ethiopia and will leave tonight at 8:35 for London. Thanks for praying with us for things to work out.
We will meet Bruce on Wednesday upon our noon arrival and will immediately travel as far as we can before sundown.
God gave us great favor today at the ticket counter. There was a definite time that the hindrances stopped! Again, thanks for praying!
Delayed by one day
We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose (Amplified- Romans 8:28).
Dave, John and I are currently in the Atlanta airport waiting to hear word from our travel agent affirming that we can get on the BA flight tonight from Atlanta to London.
Bad weather in Atlanta delayed our Raleigh-Atlanta flight and caused us to miss our original flight. Red tape at British Air has hindered plans, so we're believing that all will be worked out soon and we'll be on our way tonight...delayed by exactly one day.
We believe we will meet Bruce in Addis on Wednesday and begin our long SUV ride immediately upon arrival. Agree with us for travel favor with all the airlines as we rebook. I'll post again when I know more!
Dave, John and I are currently in the Atlanta airport waiting to hear word from our travel agent affirming that we can get on the BA flight tonight from Atlanta to London.
Bad weather in Atlanta delayed our Raleigh-Atlanta flight and caused us to miss our original flight. Red tape at British Air has hindered plans, so we're believing that all will be worked out soon and we'll be on our way tonight...delayed by exactly one day.
We believe we will meet Bruce in Addis on Wednesday and begin our long SUV ride immediately upon arrival. Agree with us for travel favor with all the airlines as we rebook. I'll post again when I know more!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Missions Trip Begins Today!
And then he told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won't hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed." When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God's right hand. And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs (Mark 16:15-20).
Today, after I minister in our two Sunday services at Victory, I leave on a 17 day trip to Ethiopia. The ministry team will consist of two church members, John Kazda and Dave Ford, and Bruce McDonald and me.
We will arrive in Ethiopia on Tuesday after taking flights through London, England and Dubai, UAE. We will minister throughout Southern Ethiopia where we have 16 churches under the name of Victory Fellowship. We will also minister to pastors in another group of churches that has 80 or so churches involved. In both of these places we will conduct both pastor's conferences and evangelistic crusades.
Then we will head to the remote areas of Southwestern Ethiopia where we will minister the the people of the Omo valley where we have 2 churches.
We will rent an SUV when we arrive and will have traveled over 1200 miles round trip upon completion of our journey. I ask you to agree with us in prayer for safety while we travel. Pray that the Lord will touch the hearts of these pastors as we minister, and that many will be born again in our crusades, and that the Holy Spirit will minister healing and wholeness.
I'll post blogs as I am able while away. Internet access is scarce in Southern Ethiopia. From my Blackberry I will also seek to send "tweets" from my Twitter account. They will appear on the left of my blog. I will also try to upload pictures. All of this of course will depend on the availability of phone and internet service.
So keep checking this blog and I'll keep you updated as much as possible during the next 17 days! God Bless!
Today, after I minister in our two Sunday services at Victory, I leave on a 17 day trip to Ethiopia. The ministry team will consist of two church members, John Kazda and Dave Ford, and Bruce McDonald and me.
We will arrive in Ethiopia on Tuesday after taking flights through London, England and Dubai, UAE. We will minister throughout Southern Ethiopia where we have 16 churches under the name of Victory Fellowship. We will also minister to pastors in another group of churches that has 80 or so churches involved. In both of these places we will conduct both pastor's conferences and evangelistic crusades.
Then we will head to the remote areas of Southwestern Ethiopia where we will minister the the people of the Omo valley where we have 2 churches.
We will rent an SUV when we arrive and will have traveled over 1200 miles round trip upon completion of our journey. I ask you to agree with us in prayer for safety while we travel. Pray that the Lord will touch the hearts of these pastors as we minister, and that many will be born again in our crusades, and that the Holy Spirit will minister healing and wholeness.
I'll post blogs as I am able while away. Internet access is scarce in Southern Ethiopia. From my Blackberry I will also seek to send "tweets" from my Twitter account. They will appear on the left of my blog. I will also try to upload pictures. All of this of course will depend on the availability of phone and internet service.
So keep checking this blog and I'll keep you updated as much as possible during the next 17 days! God Bless!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
No Fear
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but He has given us a spirit of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7 – Amplified).
A fear based life is an unsettled life. What’s going to happen in my future, in my home, in my travels, in my body, in my finances? A faith based life expects God to act in every circumstance and situation that life brings.
A fear based life is based on feelings and circumstances. A faith based life is a life that is lived by the Word! What God says settles everything to the faith based life. A calmness, a rest, a hope, a security, and great joy accompany the faith based life. Depression, gloom, irritability, dread, hopelessness, and tiredness accompany the fear based life.
Make the switch today to be a person who lives by faith and not by fear based sight! Each day will become an adventure as you and the Father go through the day talking with one another, strategizing with His Word about the details of what you’re doing. Faith based living does not consult with the flesh, circumstances or opinion. Thus says the Lord rules the faith based life.
Fear attracts satanic activity, and draws a person into difficulty. The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe (Proverbs 29:25). Job ascribed his troubles to his fear that opened the door for the enemy to attack him. For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me (Job 3:25).
Don’t allow fear to rule your life. Fill yourself with the Word. Ask yourself what the Word says about every area of life. Refuse fear and the emotional baggage it brings. Lift your hands, praise God, and declare the Lordship of His Word over your life! Speak the Word and run fear out of your life today!
A fear based life is an unsettled life. What’s going to happen in my future, in my home, in my travels, in my body, in my finances? A faith based life expects God to act in every circumstance and situation that life brings.
A fear based life is based on feelings and circumstances. A faith based life is a life that is lived by the Word! What God says settles everything to the faith based life. A calmness, a rest, a hope, a security, and great joy accompany the faith based life. Depression, gloom, irritability, dread, hopelessness, and tiredness accompany the fear based life.
Make the switch today to be a person who lives by faith and not by fear based sight! Each day will become an adventure as you and the Father go through the day talking with one another, strategizing with His Word about the details of what you’re doing. Faith based living does not consult with the flesh, circumstances or opinion. Thus says the Lord rules the faith based life.
Fear attracts satanic activity, and draws a person into difficulty. The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe (Proverbs 29:25). Job ascribed his troubles to his fear that opened the door for the enemy to attack him. For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me (Job 3:25).
Don’t allow fear to rule your life. Fill yourself with the Word. Ask yourself what the Word says about every area of life. Refuse fear and the emotional baggage it brings. Lift your hands, praise God, and declare the Lordship of His Word over your life! Speak the Word and run fear out of your life today!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
