God brought to mind a few questions for us the other day… do we just ask for wisdom to get through hard times implying that we don’t need God’s wisdom after that? Do we look forward to the end of our problem implying that life will be easier and we won’t need to look to God for everything like we are doing now? Or, do we really think and know that we need his wisdom every day for every situation no matter how easy or hard it is?
Many times we think, God just get me through this situation and then everything will be ok. Most of the time I got it covered, but this one thing is too big for me so I need your help. But that is the thing about Christianity, anytime you find yourself almost there and you just need a little help from God, you are on the wrong track. Throughout the Bible God has shown again and again how we are helpless to save ourselves and what we really need is grace and mercy, not just a little more wisdom so we can do it ourselves.
Once we accept this truth, we not only receive God’s grace and mercy, we also receive God’s wisdom, “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” 1 Corinthians 1:30
Christ is our redeemer, our holiness, our redemption, and also our wisdom.
It seems like there are so many things we don’t understand and we just want to know why. Why do the water tanks always get holes in them days before we have more than 100 people arriving for a conference? Why does coolant leak out of our new generator? Why does Jonathan love to wake up at two in the morning? 🙂 Sometimes we just want to tell God exactly what kind of wisdom He should give us and when. Then we would be wise enough to handle the situation.
But God is slowly reminding us that Christ already lives in us and He is our wisdom. We are so thankful that we have God’s wisdom and we don’t need to worry, because when we ask for wisdom, God will not give us what we think we need, He will give us what he knows we need. We think that He won’t give wisdom to us when we ask for wisdom in a certain situation. But God always leads and guides when we talk with Him and take time to think and allow God to bring thoughts into our minds. So the question is; do I accomplish God’s purposes with His help or does God accomplish his purposes through me and sometimes, even in spite of me? Please pray with us… that God would give us wisdom not only to get us through the hard times but that he would accomplish his purposes in and through us, that we would trust Him even when we don’t understand so that God will receive glory.
Praises!
– A Savior who loves us, takes care of us and knows every detail of our lives!
– Jonathan turned one year old on Feb 2nd! Now he is using the laundry basket as a walker and walking all over the house!
– Jonathan is doing much better after a week of fevers and a rash! And now sleeping and eating much better!
– God’s continued provision for our needs moment by moment!
– Jonathan is now a Canadian citizen!
– We are adjusting to the heat and humidity, but enjoy the “cold” days of 78 degrees F. J
– Safety at work for Jacob!
– Bill and Jen arrive back from home assignment (furlough) next week! (Bill will be working with Jacob!)
– Opportunity to help host our region’s Conference in March!
– Provision for a new chest freezer!
– Our monthly support has increased, we are at 76% support!
– Opportunity to fly to Goroka for dentist and doctor’s appointments. And we are all healthy!
– Opportunity to visit our Bena friends while we were in Goroka!
– Rich and Dawn , missionaries to the Bena, will be returning to PNG to work with the Bena!
Prayer requests
– Ability to enjoy each day, no matter what circumstances God places in our paths each day.
– Rest in God as we enjoy being parents each day.
– Wisdom as Jacob works each day to repair and maintain the NTM Center.
– Bill and Jen as they fly around the world and settle back into their ministries here.
– An encouraging time for everyone during our region’s Conference in March!
– God would continue to raise up more missionaries to come to the Sepik and bring the Gospel to those who have never heard it their own heart language.
– Rich and Dawn & family, as they raise more support so they can return to PNG and settle back into a ministry with the Bena.
– More co-workers to work alongside Rich and Dawn.
Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement!
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