Just for the record, a lot of stuff I am getting on our Bible Study is from a website called Classic Bible Commentaries at http://eword.gospelcom.net/comments/ It has commentaries mainly from years ago, with writers like Darby, Brown, and Wesley. I believe they all cover all 66 books of the Bible. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is studying the Word and wants to go deeper with understanding.
I just didn't want you all to think I was some super smart academic chick with all these great insights. I have had some, but only through thinking about what the other guys said.
I will get to Zechariah soon, but it will be considerably condensed from the others. Fourteen chapters of prophesies and revelations was quite overwhelming, and before we even started discussing it we had this awesome prayer time for Joel and his leadership on this trip. I planned on being there until midnight (it is supposed to be 6:30ish to 9) but it was only 10:00 when I got in the car! Ha!
O:)
Melissa
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
More pictures!
Ok, new pictures! The angels to the left are a more recent picture of my girls. It occurred to me that you might think my girls are little when really they are not. Ok, and also because I think they were precious in their little angel outfits for Christmas. Forgive a momma's pride!
Also, the group shot with lots of ladies in it is our Canada prayer team. Most of these ladies aren't going with us, but they have been lifting us up in prayer and will continue to while we are gone. Thank you so much ladies!!
Finally, Sharon was so thoughtful to send me the names of the Canada Girls! Back row is Linda and Deb and front row is Alice and Sharon.
O:)
Melissa
Picture Time!!
Yeah! I finally figured out how to do pictures! Let's see if I can these labeled correctly:
Starting at the top and going left to right --
1. Sharon and her family (from Canada)
2. Nearly everyone from mid-Tennessee going: Angela, Renee, Debbie, Joel, Mendy, Rhonda, Pat, Cindy, Jennifer, Ann, me, & Tim.
3. Me and my family from Halloween 2005. Ok, it is really dated but truthfully we have not a family picture taken since then! Shame on us! (We were dressed up like Little House if you didn't get it!)
4. Next is the "Canada Girls". I can't get it straight in my head who is who on the top, but it is either Alica, Linda, or Debra. Mary and Sharon are on the bottom.
5. Marie and her daughter Rachel. Rachel is currently serving in Chiang Mai and will also be helping us at the retreat. Marie is our only member from Maryland.
6. Pat and her husband Robert had this picture taken recently on their trip to Antarctica. Pat is our administrator and if you don't know her you will enjoy getting to know her. She is certainly going to keep us in line! She is also in TN.
7. Next is Debbie from TN. She is the 3rd from left with her kids. She was apparently 10 when she had her oldest child because to see her you would never guess she has one child in college with twins starting this fall.
8. Finally there is Mendy with her sweet "Elmo" family. She is from TN and is my best buddy on this trip!
So, do you see YOUR picture here? It would sure be great to have the chance to at least see the faces of those we will be sharing this incredible experience with!
I'm afraid to count how many days are left before we go...it will be here so soon!
Be sure to check out the website for the conference if you haven't recently. Mary has done an awesome video clip added to it. Also, click here for pictures of the Empress Hotel.
I will post again soon and hope to have a slide show available for you to watch about Thailand.
O:)
Melissa
Melissa
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Ezra - God's Provision
For this past week (Jan 21) we studied Ezra, chps 1-5. We thought it was a big step up from 2 chapters, but it wasn't really that bad once you got into it. Here are some of the nuggets of truth and inspiration that I got:
Right off in v. 1 our socks are blown off by the fact that In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, the word of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah was fulfilled. The Lord put it into the mind of King Cyrus to issue a proclamation throughout his entire kingdom and to put it in writing: This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build Him a house at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever is among His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem. Let every survivor, wherever he lives, be assisted by the men of that region with silver, gold, goods, and livestock, along with a freewill offering for the house of God in Jerusalem.”
Jeremiah 25:11-12 (written several years prior to this event) tells us This whole land will become a desolate ruin, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for 70 years. When the 70 years are completed, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation’—[this is] the Lord’s declaration—‘the land of the Chaldeans, for their guilt, and I will make it a ruin forever.
We read in Isaiah 45:13 I have raised [Cyrus] up in righteousness, and will level all roads for him. He will rebuild My city, and set My exiles free, not for a price or a bribe,” says the Lord of Hosts. Since that verse comes so many books after Ezra you may not realize it, but this prophecy was actually spoken 150 years before Cyrus was even born! Before the Jews were even taken into exile!
It gets better! What really struck me, and several other team members, was v. 4 where the King tells the other people to provide for the Jews whatever he needs to return...that is just the way so many of have been provided for. From monetary contributions to supplies to prayer, we have been blessed over and over with what we need double fold! And it encourages us in the areas we are still nervous about (mainly, luggage!) that He is going to provide for that somehow.
Chapter 2 is a long list of names of people who came, lists that some get bored with a skip over. The thing that struck me about it was just another example of how detailed and orderly God is. And a reminder that somewhere in God's Book of Life my name is written down. We also found it interesting that so many who claimed to be priests but whose family records could not be found still were able to come, until there was a priest who could determine their lineage.
In chapter 3 they finally get on with rebuilding of the altar. They set up the altar on its foundation and offered burnt offerings for the morning and evening on it to the Lord even though they feared the surrounding peoples. Even though they were afraid, they still kept at it. They knew it was most important to get the altar done so they could begin offering sacrifices again. Says, Jamieson, Faussett, & Brown, This was of urgent and immediate necessity, in order, first, to make atonement for their sins; secondly, to obtain the divine blessing on their preparations for the temple. After the altar is built and sacrifices made, they get on to rebuilding the temple. As the foundation is finished, the younger set began praising God and cheering, while the older set (those who probably remembered Solomon's temple) were weeping loudly, both for joy and for heartbreak. Wesley tells us that The mixture of sorrow and joy here, is a representation of this world. In heaven all are singing and none sighing; in hell all are wailing, and none rejoicing: but here on earth we can scarce discern the shouts of joy from the noise of the weeping.
Then comes chapter 4 where the trouble starts. The enemies of Judah and Benjamin tried to come and help them, but they wouldn't let them, saying “You may have no part with us in building a house for our God, since we alone must build it for the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia has commanded us.” Needless to say, that did not go over well and they began to discourage the Jews. They wrote a letter to the current King encouraging him to have the Jews cease building immediately. Since the King was far away and had no idea about the whole picture, he agreed and sent a letter saying thus. This brought up an interesting point to me, esp what Wesley had to say...As they abused the king by their misinformations, in the obtaining of this order, so they abused him in the execution of it; for the order was only to prevent the walling of the city. But having power in their hands, they, on this pretense, stopt the building of the temple. See what need we have to pray, not only for kings, but for all in authority under them: because the quietness of our lives depends much on the integrity and wisdom of inferior magistrates as well as the supreme. In this election year we not only need to pray for our future (and present!) president, but also those serving under him. Matthew Henry also tells us Every attempt to revive true religion will stir up the opposition of Satan.
And then we get to chapter 5. Here we are about 15 years later and Haggai and Zechariah have come and prophesied to the people to get back to work. (Time wise you could stick the book of Haggai right here) This time they were still afraid, but they were strengthened, knowing God was watching over them. This reminds us, according to Matthew Henry, that While employed in God's work, we are under his special protection; his eye is upon us for good. This should keep us to our duty, and encourage us therein, when difficulties are ever so discouraging. (Hhm..this one might be good to remember during weak times of our fast!) Another letter was sent to the new King, but this time it was sent more so to inquire as to if what the Jews had said was correct, that indeed King Cyrus had given them permission and all the supplies needed. Of course, we know he did, but they didn't.
And thus ends what we have so far on Ezra. I thought we would plug right along with the final part of Ezra for this week, but instead we have leaped over the Zechariah -- the whole book! I have had a lot of trouble getting into it (lots of visions, etc) but slowly the Lord is dropping the blinders and letting me see.
Right off in v. 1 our socks are blown off by the fact that In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, the word of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah was fulfilled. The Lord put it into the mind of King Cyrus to issue a proclamation throughout his entire kingdom and to put it in writing: This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build Him a house at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever is among His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem. Let every survivor, wherever he lives, be assisted by the men of that region with silver, gold, goods, and livestock, along with a freewill offering for the house of God in Jerusalem.”
Jeremiah 25:11-12 (written several years prior to this event) tells us This whole land will become a desolate ruin, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for 70 years. When the 70 years are completed, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation’—[this is] the Lord’s declaration—‘the land of the Chaldeans, for their guilt, and I will make it a ruin forever.
We read in Isaiah 45:13 I have raised [Cyrus] up in righteousness, and will level all roads for him. He will rebuild My city, and set My exiles free, not for a price or a bribe,” says the Lord of Hosts. Since that verse comes so many books after Ezra you may not realize it, but this prophecy was actually spoken 150 years before Cyrus was even born! Before the Jews were even taken into exile!
It gets better! What really struck me, and several other team members, was v. 4 where the King tells the other people to provide for the Jews whatever he needs to return...that is just the way so many of have been provided for. From monetary contributions to supplies to prayer, we have been blessed over and over with what we need double fold! And it encourages us in the areas we are still nervous about (mainly, luggage!) that He is going to provide for that somehow.
Chapter 2 is a long list of names of people who came, lists that some get bored with a skip over. The thing that struck me about it was just another example of how detailed and orderly God is. And a reminder that somewhere in God's Book of Life my name is written down. We also found it interesting that so many who claimed to be priests but whose family records could not be found still were able to come, until there was a priest who could determine their lineage.
In chapter 3 they finally get on with rebuilding of the altar. They set up the altar on its foundation and offered burnt offerings for the morning and evening on it to the Lord even though they feared the surrounding peoples. Even though they were afraid, they still kept at it. They knew it was most important to get the altar done so they could begin offering sacrifices again. Says, Jamieson, Faussett, & Brown, This was of urgent and immediate necessity, in order, first, to make atonement for their sins; secondly, to obtain the divine blessing on their preparations for the temple. After the altar is built and sacrifices made, they get on to rebuilding the temple. As the foundation is finished, the younger set began praising God and cheering, while the older set (those who probably remembered Solomon's temple) were weeping loudly, both for joy and for heartbreak. Wesley tells us that The mixture of sorrow and joy here, is a representation of this world. In heaven all are singing and none sighing; in hell all are wailing, and none rejoicing: but here on earth we can scarce discern the shouts of joy from the noise of the weeping.
Then comes chapter 4 where the trouble starts. The enemies of Judah and Benjamin tried to come and help them, but they wouldn't let them, saying “You may have no part with us in building a house for our God, since we alone must build it for the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia has commanded us.” Needless to say, that did not go over well and they began to discourage the Jews. They wrote a letter to the current King encouraging him to have the Jews cease building immediately. Since the King was far away and had no idea about the whole picture, he agreed and sent a letter saying thus. This brought up an interesting point to me, esp what Wesley had to say...As they abused the king by their misinformations, in the obtaining of this order, so they abused him in the execution of it; for the order was only to prevent the walling of the city. But having power in their hands, they, on this pretense, stopt the building of the temple. See what need we have to pray, not only for kings, but for all in authority under them: because the quietness of our lives depends much on the integrity and wisdom of inferior magistrates as well as the supreme. In this election year we not only need to pray for our future (and present!) president, but also those serving under him. Matthew Henry also tells us Every attempt to revive true religion will stir up the opposition of Satan.
And then we get to chapter 5. Here we are about 15 years later and Haggai and Zechariah have come and prophesied to the people to get back to work. (Time wise you could stick the book of Haggai right here) This time they were still afraid, but they were strengthened, knowing God was watching over them. This reminds us, according to Matthew Henry, that While employed in God's work, we are under his special protection; his eye is upon us for good. This should keep us to our duty, and encourage us therein, when difficulties are ever so discouraging. (Hhm..this one might be good to remember during weak times of our fast!) Another letter was sent to the new King, but this time it was sent more so to inquire as to if what the Jews had said was correct, that indeed King Cyrus had given them permission and all the supplies needed. Of course, we know he did, but they didn't.
And thus ends what we have so far on Ezra. I thought we would plug right along with the final part of Ezra for this week, but instead we have leaped over the Zechariah -- the whole book! I have had a lot of trouble getting into it (lots of visions, etc) but slowly the Lord is dropping the blinders and letting me see.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Nuggets of truth from Haggai
As I mentioned before, our Bible studies have been truly amazing! I'd love to share everything that I found about Haggai and Ezra, but I just don't have the time and you might not find it nearly as interesting as the rest of us, but let me give you a brief overview of what we have done so far.
This is how I have fallen into doing the study. I take the passage of the week and read it in many versions, but still refer back to my NIV when I have a question. I made notes all along about the verses in a journal. After I read it in the different versions I start doing some research in commentaries from http://eword.gospelcom.net/comments/ . It takes the same passage and has commentaries from about 6 authors, with John Darby; Jamieson, Faussett, and Brown; Matthew Henry and John Wesley being my favorites. When I read something that really jumps out at me or helps explain something I didn't understand, I copy and paste it into a document for more notes. I also use LifeWay's Online Bible Library. http://bible.lifeway.com/crossmain.asp Then I go back and look at all of it all together to see what really jumps out at me. It may not be how others are doing it, but I found it works for me.
The first week we worked through the whole book of Haggai, which was only 2 chapters. You'd be surprised how much is packed in that little book! Basically, the history is that the exiles have returned and started building the temple, but got defeated and harassed by their enemies and neighbors and and had to stop. Then they got busy leading their own lives, taking care of their own houses and building themselves up and did not get back to rebuilding. In the meantime, there were many troubles for the people, 1:6 You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough to be satisfied. You drink but never have enough to become drunk. You put on clothes but never have enough to get warm. The wage earner puts his wages into a bag with a hole in it. 1:9-11 Because My house still lies in ruins, while each of you is busy with his own house. So on your account the skies have withheld the dew and the land its crops. I have summoned a drought on the fields and the hills, on the grain, new wine, olive oil, and whatever the ground yields, on the people and animals, and on all that your hands produce.
Haggai the prophet comes with words from the Lord and spurs them on to get started again, which they do. 1:14 The Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, the spirit of the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. They began work on the house of Yahweh of Hosts, their God. Once they got started back working on the temple, the Lord began to bless them immensely. The Lord reminds them that He is there with them 2:4 "...be strong, Zerubbabel”—the Lord’s declaration. “Be strong, Joshua son of Jehozadak, high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land”—the Lord’s declaration. “Work! For I am with you.” Those words encouraged the Jews to get back to work, despite the troubles they knew they were going to have again.
So basically, these are the principles from Haggai, compliments of one of the commentaries (not me!):
Principles from Haggai
1. The work of the Lord should never be procrastinated (1:3)
2. Misplaced priorities hinder the work of God (1:4,9)
3. Obedience and reverence are prerequisites for spiritual blessing (1:12-14)
4. It is never too late to start obeying God (1:12-15)
5. Courage comes from knowing that God is present (2:1-4)
6. Everything belongs to and is under the control of the Lord (2:7-8)
7. Sin contaminates everything one does (2:13-14)
8. Disobedience brings discipline, while obedience guarantees blessing (2:15-19)
9. God is sovereign over the nations and kingdoms of this world. (2:20-22)
10. The covenants of the Lord are guaranteed to be fulfilled (2:23)
I'm not sure I have done dear Haggai justice with this short overview, but I hope it will encourage you to get into it and see what you can find for yourself! Now I have to get off to start working on supper and get ready for my sweet girlies to get home!
O:)
Melissa
This is how I have fallen into doing the study. I take the passage of the week and read it in many versions, but still refer back to my NIV when I have a question. I made notes all along about the verses in a journal. After I read it in the different versions I start doing some research in commentaries from http://eword.gospelcom.net/comments/ . It takes the same passage and has commentaries from about 6 authors, with John Darby; Jamieson, Faussett, and Brown; Matthew Henry and John Wesley being my favorites. When I read something that really jumps out at me or helps explain something I didn't understand, I copy and paste it into a document for more notes. I also use LifeWay's Online Bible Library. http://bible.lifeway.com/crossmain.asp Then I go back and look at all of it all together to see what really jumps out at me. It may not be how others are doing it, but I found it works for me.
The first week we worked through the whole book of Haggai, which was only 2 chapters. You'd be surprised how much is packed in that little book! Basically, the history is that the exiles have returned and started building the temple, but got defeated and harassed by their enemies and neighbors and and had to stop. Then they got busy leading their own lives, taking care of their own houses and building themselves up and did not get back to rebuilding. In the meantime, there were many troubles for the people, 1:6 You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough to be satisfied. You drink but never have enough to become drunk. You put on clothes but never have enough to get warm. The wage earner puts his wages into a bag with a hole in it. 1:9-11 Because My house still lies in ruins, while each of you is busy with his own house. So on your account the skies have withheld the dew and the land its crops. I have summoned a drought on the fields and the hills, on the grain, new wine, olive oil, and whatever the ground yields, on the people and animals, and on all that your hands produce.
Haggai the prophet comes with words from the Lord and spurs them on to get started again, which they do. 1:14 The Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, the spirit of the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. They began work on the house of Yahweh of Hosts, their God. Once they got started back working on the temple, the Lord began to bless them immensely. The Lord reminds them that He is there with them 2:4 "...be strong, Zerubbabel”—the Lord’s declaration. “Be strong, Joshua son of Jehozadak, high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land”—the Lord’s declaration. “Work! For I am with you.” Those words encouraged the Jews to get back to work, despite the troubles they knew they were going to have again.
So basically, these are the principles from Haggai, compliments of one of the commentaries (not me!):
Principles from Haggai
1. The work of the Lord should never be procrastinated (1:3)
2. Misplaced priorities hinder the work of God (1:4,9)
3. Obedience and reverence are prerequisites for spiritual blessing (1:12-14)
4. It is never too late to start obeying God (1:12-15)
5. Courage comes from knowing that God is present (2:1-4)
6. Everything belongs to and is under the control of the Lord (2:7-8)
7. Sin contaminates everything one does (2:13-14)
8. Disobedience brings discipline, while obedience guarantees blessing (2:15-19)
9. God is sovereign over the nations and kingdoms of this world. (2:20-22)
10. The covenants of the Lord are guaranteed to be fulfilled (2:23)
I'm not sure I have done dear Haggai justice with this short overview, but I hope it will encourage you to get into it and see what you can find for yourself! Now I have to get off to start working on supper and get ready for my sweet girlies to get home!
O:)
Melissa
What GOD has been doing
Ok, evidently this blog thing is harder to keep up with than I thought, but I intend to change that as our trip gets closer and closer. I can't believe it is only about 7 weeks away!
First, updates. Thankfully, we have been able to get tickets for everyone that works and was within our price range. I was hoping it would involve a stop in LA or Hawaii, since we were going that way, but apparently, we fly over the pole so we will be going from Detroit to Tokyo and points eastward. Alas, not quite as exciting as I had hoped, but apparently a lot of the time will be spent sleeping anyway, so I guess it won't matter. There are people coming from various parts of the US and Canada, so we will meet up with them in different airports, some in Detroit, some in Tokyo, etc. We have become so tight here in Nashville that I was burdened for all the other folks going with us too who are missing this bonding time, but they were pressed upon my heart last night at Bible Study and I want to make it an effort to pray for them specifically. I can't wait to meet you guys!
Secondly, here in Nashville we have started our Bible Study. Woowee is it a doozy! We are working through the books of Haggai, Ezra, Nehemiah, Zechariah & Malachi in only 8 weeks. We are doing an inductive study of the books, which basically means we read our assigned passages of the week daily, then answer as many of the three questions that we can: 1. What did you hear Him say TODAY? 2. How have you seen Him work? 3. Where is the overlap from what we have heard expressed and what He is telling us to do as a body? It was pretty hard the first week (so I thought!) when we started with just Haggai (only 2 chapters) but once I got into it it really was exciting! It turns into an addiction when you start looking in commentaries, dictionaries, etc anything that doesn't make sense to you. I used to get up at 5:00 for quiet time before working out and getting the girls up, but now that is not long enough! I now get up at 4:45 and it still doesn't seem like long enough, so I'm just not sure if I need to get up earlier or try and find some time during other parts of the day. That is a huge challenge for me, but I will be praying about that! Later I will share some of what we have studied. I promise to keep you updated with that, it is amazing what God has been sharing with us from these prophets!
Thirdly, starting Wed, Jan 23 we will begin a fast for 40 days. Along with all the other "new" things I have been doing, this is another one. I have been thinking and praying about what I should do. We are clinging to 2 Sam 24:24 which says "I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God that which costs me nothing." Wow..how's that for a hard one! Last week I had an idea about what I might give up, but now I am not sure. If I don't do that, I'm not sure what I will do. Please pray God will reveal to me and give me the strength.
Finally (for this post!) here are some current prayer requests, from another of our fearless leaders:
PRAYER NEEDS FOR OUR TEAM
~There are members of our team who deal with terrible panic attacks, and carry about in them this weakness. Please pray for complete victory for them over this as we travel and live in Asia for the time. They do not want to be hindered in anything.
~There is a member of our team who has severe motion sickness and is struggling with the thought of the flights and the many hours in the plane. Pray for them to be healed miraculously as part of the blessing of her calling on this trip.
~There are those who are stressed about the time change and the toll that can have on a body who needs sleep. Pray for our sleep on planes, buses, hotel rooms or wherever we are to be rich and full and complete by Him and in Him. He put it on my heart last night to pray for the sleep that came over Adam to come over us each night. That the Lord Himself would put His babies to sleep, and work to help us.
~There are those on the team who deal with physical health… fibromyalgia is one of the thorns that we as a team carry and share because there are those called to this venture and yet live in this pain. Pray for there swift upholding and power to be able by His great hand to do what they could never do apart from Him.
~My husband Russell is going to Thailand in Feb. and is able to carry over a second luggage for us full of supplies. We still need the airlines to give us favor for two pieces of luggage per person. We need the Lord to show us other ways to get the supplies and music equipment over…**Note, the airlines has told us that although we can have 2 pieces of luggage all the way from Nashville to Singapore, from Singapore to Chaing Mai (where we will need most of our supplies!) we can only have 1 piece of luggage. With all we need to carry over (supplies, etc) it is imperative that we get the other piece of luggage over there. I believe they are making progress in the matter, but we are waiting on clear news for certain.
One thing I am looking forward to on the trip is being WARM! I understand it will be quite toasty there in March and I could sure use some warmth right now! Ha!
O:)
Melissa
First, updates. Thankfully, we have been able to get tickets for everyone that works and was within our price range. I was hoping it would involve a stop in LA or Hawaii, since we were going that way, but apparently, we fly over the pole so we will be going from Detroit to Tokyo and points eastward. Alas, not quite as exciting as I had hoped, but apparently a lot of the time will be spent sleeping anyway, so I guess it won't matter. There are people coming from various parts of the US and Canada, so we will meet up with them in different airports, some in Detroit, some in Tokyo, etc. We have become so tight here in Nashville that I was burdened for all the other folks going with us too who are missing this bonding time, but they were pressed upon my heart last night at Bible Study and I want to make it an effort to pray for them specifically. I can't wait to meet you guys!
Secondly, here in Nashville we have started our Bible Study. Woowee is it a doozy! We are working through the books of Haggai, Ezra, Nehemiah, Zechariah & Malachi in only 8 weeks. We are doing an inductive study of the books, which basically means we read our assigned passages of the week daily, then answer as many of the three questions that we can: 1. What did you hear Him say TODAY? 2. How have you seen Him work? 3. Where is the overlap from what we have heard expressed and what He is telling us to do as a body? It was pretty hard the first week (so I thought!) when we started with just Haggai (only 2 chapters) but once I got into it it really was exciting! It turns into an addiction when you start looking in commentaries, dictionaries, etc anything that doesn't make sense to you. I used to get up at 5:00 for quiet time before working out and getting the girls up, but now that is not long enough! I now get up at 4:45 and it still doesn't seem like long enough, so I'm just not sure if I need to get up earlier or try and find some time during other parts of the day. That is a huge challenge for me, but I will be praying about that! Later I will share some of what we have studied. I promise to keep you updated with that, it is amazing what God has been sharing with us from these prophets!
Thirdly, starting Wed, Jan 23 we will begin a fast for 40 days. Along with all the other "new" things I have been doing, this is another one. I have been thinking and praying about what I should do. We are clinging to 2 Sam 24:24 which says "I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God that which costs me nothing." Wow..how's that for a hard one! Last week I had an idea about what I might give up, but now I am not sure. If I don't do that, I'm not sure what I will do. Please pray God will reveal to me and give me the strength.
Finally (for this post!) here are some current prayer requests, from another of our fearless leaders:
PRAYER NEEDS FOR OUR TEAM
~There are members of our team who deal with terrible panic attacks, and carry about in them this weakness. Please pray for complete victory for them over this as we travel and live in Asia for the time. They do not want to be hindered in anything.
~There is a member of our team who has severe motion sickness and is struggling with the thought of the flights and the many hours in the plane. Pray for them to be healed miraculously as part of the blessing of her calling on this trip.
~There are those who are stressed about the time change and the toll that can have on a body who needs sleep. Pray for our sleep on planes, buses, hotel rooms or wherever we are to be rich and full and complete by Him and in Him. He put it on my heart last night to pray for the sleep that came over Adam to come over us each night. That the Lord Himself would put His babies to sleep, and work to help us.
~There are those on the team who deal with physical health… fibromyalgia is one of the thorns that we as a team carry and share because there are those called to this venture and yet live in this pain. Pray for there swift upholding and power to be able by His great hand to do what they could never do apart from Him.
~My husband Russell is going to Thailand in Feb. and is able to carry over a second luggage for us full of supplies. We still need the airlines to give us favor for two pieces of luggage per person. We need the Lord to show us other ways to get the supplies and music equipment over…**Note, the airlines has told us that although we can have 2 pieces of luggage all the way from Nashville to Singapore, from Singapore to Chaing Mai (where we will need most of our supplies!) we can only have 1 piece of luggage. With all we need to carry over (supplies, etc) it is imperative that we get the other piece of luggage over there. I believe they are making progress in the matter, but we are waiting on clear news for certain.
One thing I am looking forward to on the trip is being WARM! I understand it will be quite toasty there in March and I could sure use some warmth right now! Ha!
O:)
Melissa
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)