Tuesday December 21

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Isaiah 40:30-31 Even youths shall faint and young men shall fall exhausted but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

God is good always. His planning and timing are perfect. I am convicted this morning of my need to plan, fix and do things without waiting on Him. I need Him, not the other way around.

Father please forgive my pride that robs me of the joy of waiting on You. Thank you for Your mercy that allows me to come back to you. I praise you because You alone are worthy of my worship.

"God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply".- Hudson Taylor

Today we see the first of our Belgium Family off at the airport. So excited to see someone go. Pained at the thought of missing them and hoping for the day to come soon that we are all together there. It's going to happen. When God called He already knew how that was going to happen. I need to trust in His plan today. It's all about Him and when I see it that way I can stop worrying about how it will happen, when it will happen and just know it will. What a beautiful thing to serve the almighty King with a trusting heart.

Praying for safe travels today for the Goens. An apartment to move into by Christmas and an outreach that will bring glory to God and fame to Jesus His Son.

Amen!

11/28/10

11/21/10 Message from Grace Community Church - God's Unfinished Story

1. Our tension living in God's unfinished story

a.We have to face the pain of unanswered prayer.

Hebrews 11:39-40 39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised,40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect

2. Our challenge in living in God's unfinished story

a.We need a persistent belief in God's goodness when confronted by His silence.

Matthew 15:2121

And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, Send her away, for she is crying out after us.24 He answered, I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, Lord, help me.26 And he answered, It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.27 She said, Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.28 Then Jesus answered her, O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire. And her daughter was healed instantly

*Faith has no pride* it believes in the goodness of God

Out of His Story In His Story

Bitter Waiting

Angry Watching

Aimless Wondering

Cynical Praying

Controlling Submitting

Hopeless Hoping

Thankless Thankful

Blaming Repenting

Keys:

1.Don't demand the story goes your way

2.Look for God in the details

3.Stay in the story - don't shut down continue to pray

Our hope in God's story we have God's promise to complete our story in His.

Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

We pray knowing we live in our Father's world of hope. We have the opportunity to live in the wonder of His Story!

Genesis 39:23 The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph's charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.

Genesis 41:51 Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. For, he said, God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father's house.52 The name of the second he called Ephraim, For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.

Thank you for the provision of life. For taking care of our needs, I praise you for you alone are in control and trustworthy, you never fail!

Please forgive my pride, jealousy and lust.

I ask that you would bless Rob at work like Joseph. That his successes would reflect your hand in his life.

I pray that we would be encouraged and strengthened in our journey to Belgium, that we would not doubt or be discouraged. Lead us, teach us to wait quietly for you but to also seek you.

Thailand

Team Bangkok

Amy Hood recovering from surgery

Bea and Pat

Beau

Baby Olivia Ezell and Adam and Misty

Your glory be known.

I thank you for the talks with Eli Adams and the encouragement of seeing someone on fire for you.

I want to get that back!

I love you Father God

Tuesday November 2

Colossians 1:13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him.17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

How can I not fully trust you. You hold me together.

Thank you for the freedom that I have in you. I praise you for only God could create the entire universe and know its future before it began.

Please forgive my pride, the things I put before you.

Jim, Claire and Elisabeth

Amy Hood healing

Thailand - Team Bangkok - Vandykes

Team Belgium - visas,fingerprints,sale of houses, fundraising, jobs

Bryan and Cassi - Bryanna and new baby. Sharika and Jaythen and Rayya

Elijah Adams interview youth position

Lost people to know you, to seek you and to love you

Wednesday October 20

Genesis 12,13,14,15 - The call of Abram, Abram in Egypt,Abram and Lot separate,Abram rescues Lot,God's Covenant with Abram

12:2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed

15:4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.5 And he brought him outside and said, Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them. Then he said to him, So shall your offspring be.6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

Thank you Jesus for the ways you reveal yourself to us.

I praise you for always keeping your promise, you alone are true.

Please forgive my pride. The idea that I have that I deserve your mercy. Forgive my stubbornness and doubts.

-Seth and the Bangkok Team, people exploited in the sex trade there

-Jim,Claire and Elisabeth

-Mom,Carol,Ashley and Carol

-People of Belgium, living in darkness without you. Missionaries there.

Help us get there quick.

Your timing

Houses, jobs, funds, visas and fingerprints - all in your plan

-Sending Kids Jr

-Brigid Waring - interview tomorrow. That it would be thoughtful and bring Glory to You!

-Your fame on the earth. Our hearts bent to you, worshiping you with our lives.

Tuesday October 19

Job 38,39,40

God exposed Job's ignorance about the Creator by showing his lack of knowledge about even His creation.

Thank you for showing us your glory even as we wail about our tiny problems.

I praise you because You are incomprehensible, Your ways are so far beyond my comprehension.

Please forgive my pride, selfishness and anger.

Help me become a better parent

Jim, Claire and Elisabeth

Team Bangkok - new small groups starting.

Team Belgium - Your timing, visas, fingerprints, houses selling, jobs, funding. All the things we think are holding us up but are actually happening in your perfect timing.

Protect our minds and hearts and keep us focused on You.

Saturday October 16

Job 10,11,12,13

"16 You will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters that have passed away.17 And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning.18 And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security"

Thank you for sustaining us through difficulties in this life!

I praise you for you alone are worthy, you created everything that has been created and make it to sing your praise.

Please for give my pride.

-Jim,Claire and Elisabeth

-Dad

-Team Bangkok. The VanDykes

-Team Belgium - Your will and glory first

-School service project

-Finances