“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on 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.” Isaiah 40:28-31
I think if we are all honest with ourselves, we can say that each of us grow weary at some point in our lives. I know I have. But these verses brought such hope to me this week. I looked up the definition for the word weary in the Greek and it means: to be utterly spiritless, to be wearied out, exhausted. How awesome is it to know that our Lord never gets exhausted, or becomes utterly spiritless?
This last week was a rather exhausting week for me. We were struggling a lot financially and I couldn’t understand why the Lord was allowing certain things to happen. And then I found out that my Dad has cancer. It isn’t easy to be away from my family to begin with but then to have to be so far away while my Dad is sick, it’s almost unbearable. I felt I had reached my limit. Part of me wanted to just throw in the towel and go back to be near my Dad but deep down I knew that the Lord had brought me to England and that He would prove Himself faithful even in my weakness.
And He did! The Lord performed miracles. He provided the money we needed to get caught up on our bills. He showed me that He is taking care of both me and my Dad and He confirmed that I am exactly where I need to be. And He did all of it in His perfect timing. I am reminded of Isaiah 55:8, “’For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways’ says the Lord.” Looking back over these last few days I see how the Lord’s plan was perfect and He allowed things to happen in a certain order for a reason. I am so thankful that my God never grows weary.
So I ask you to pray for us, the missionaries this week. Pray that we would not grow weary while doing good. Pray that we would wait on the Lord and He would renew our strength. And pray for the people of King’s Lynn that they would come to know the living Saviour who can give them the strength to “run with endurance the race that is set before them, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the Joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”. -Hebrews 12:1-2
Carleigh
I had the wonderful privilege, blessing, and opportunity to spend this past weekend with the Proffits and the Cates in Kings Lynn, Eng. It was a wonderful time of just fellowship and catching up on what the Lord has been doing both in the city and more importantly in their own lives and hearts. It was exciting to see what the Lord has been doing in the fellowship there, i got to meet new members and see how old ones have grown closer to the Lord. Its also amazing to see the difference between the city in the winter and in the summer. There was a tremendous amount of young people there many of which hang out in " the walks" or the city park. This is something that we really need to keep in prayer you can feel the hardness in the people just walking around the city. Pray as to how to go about reaching out to them, they needed it. Also just for the city and the fellowship in general its a very cold and dark place spiritually and you can feel it physically. PLEASE BE PRAYING!
In the beginning it's quite clearly stated
That there was One by whom all things were created
Void and without form a sphere resided
Where on the face of the deep darkness abided
Was not even the slightest of motion
Except for the Spirit of God who shook still waters of the oceans
Eternal silence eradicated as words came forth
Let there be light, a joyous chorus followed with mirth
What had been said had been done
For great was the power from whom it was from
Darkness violently torn asunder by the blinding light of thunder
How awesome a sight to behold, mere words containing chaos in order
And so it was that light was named day and darkness named night
This was the end of day one, demonstrated in might
Next came the sound of trumpets abounding
With the voice of the Lord utterly surrounding
All the earth trembled at one small phrase
And all the angels gazed in astounding wonder and amaze
Let there be a firmament so that I can show it conquered
Without delay terrifying storms blundered at the command so rightly rendered
Water reluctantly giving way to the strength of power arrayed
Rumbles and sprays the giant blue roared in dismay
Waters beneath and vapors above
I shall name this expanse heaven so all can see my hard work done in love
Ended thus day number two dual blue giants swaying in tune
Faithful to finish what He began a purpose unfolded
Whispers gently pummeled as water gathered, shaped, and molded
The secret now unveiled dry land ready for birth
Rocks, sand and dirt all came forth from the abundance of the earth
Grass, Herb and Tree he placed ever so diligently
All yielding to its kind their fruit and seed unceasingly
Caring for each tiny detail till He was pleased and concluded glorious day three
Seeing in foresight He placed a great many lights, sun for day; moon for night
Burning flames unquenched and bright, reflecting glory assures and promises darkness despite
Replicated till infinity and more
Just so that earth could dwell in starlit galore
One and a third of the stars drawn by a dragon's tail
Pride comes before the fall cursed in the path of a mortal's trail
Truly a reign established everlasting
Leaving nowhere for darkness a place of resting
Except earth to dwell bitter and exposed in plain sight
Victoriously in delight it was over, the fourth day done outright
Just as the great oceans had started to settle and the winds calm
Another surprise was gracefully given in the greatest of alms
Long and drawn out singing echoed down in the deep
Notes and chirps the winged creatures could keep
Spoken into existence with a simple "let it be"
"Birds of a feather and fish of the sea be fruitful and multiply" said He
Satisfied as life was rampant finished in full was day five
Still yet these were but the least of the presents to arrive
From the bosoms of the elements of the earth
All living creatures were instructed to come forth
This was no small task of two parallel paths able only to meet in the mind of a King
Beast to Bug worship by simply being would bring
Of all that was made something still vital was missing
None could truly relate to the maker of all things living
Communion needed to be greater than all created
Image and form hewn into a shape of that which was replicated
Humble beginnings clumped, lumped and bolted
Dust of the ground gathered and folded
Breath seeping from heart to heart a precious eternal soul it did impart
Undeservingly made His precious treasure destined to be set apart
A phantom of the Almighty Three in One, spirit, flesh and soul
A stewardship given to have dominion with responsibility close in toll
The day of mans observation had begun
Complete day six was with not a single thing left undone
Pulse of creation symphonizing the glory of just one sound
"Holy, Holy, Holy" sung all around
Hallowed day seven arrived, His will fully done
Rested and blessed, sanctified and purified forever to remain until Kingdom come
As awesome a story to be retold the truth is it's such a small part all in all
True love must be made with a choice no desire for a simple thrall
Through one man's sin death instantly resulted
Ashamed and unclean Adam and Eve's Eden abruptly halted
A lesson had to be learned through the curve of pain and sorrows
For through that one discovers that joy always follows
Just and righteous in good conscious this deed could not be left unpunished
In mercy and love a completed plan left unfinished
For one's actions there is a consequence even for a steward's providence
Fellowship shattered and broken, so earnestly desiring to be regained
Looking for hope to come is all that remained
Child of man under guardianship of the Law
Until the age of accountability was held in awe
None able to open the scroll except for Him who died alone
A barrowed throne destroyed without the breaking of a single bone
Because of the death of another salvation reigned
Upon His shoulders He stoutly held bondage of death sustained
Name above all names exalted as the lamb was led to the slaughter
Call out to Jesus your savior for He shall never falter
Believe in your heart and confess with your mouth
This is all that's required to be transformed to His Temple Mount
Lies from the enemy can prevent faith's leap
Self-centered desires of a wicked heart hand over a soul for the enemy to keep
Behold, I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End
I come quickly like a thief in the night so make your amends
If you are thirsty then drink of the fountain of life
For he that overcomes inherits all things without strife
Yet still what you sow, that you reap
Eternal torment, gnashing of teeth, not a moment of sleep
All this for moment's pleasures
None to blame but yourself forever
A sure sign of responsibility
Is the evidence of accountability
This daily choice is yours to make
Words from your heart with actions do take
Not by your own strength can this endeavor be done
But only by the simplicity of humility before The Son
By Matt Camphuis
The last time I blogged, it was about the Prodigal Son coming home to His Father. This week, the Lord is speaking to me about another side of this Parable... the older brother.
The parable of the Prodigal Son can be found in Luke 15:11-32. The older brother is introduced in verse 11, and his role is developed in verses 25-32. The older brother was in the field. He was doing the right thing, serving his father and working hard. So what happened to make the older brother go from good guy, to bad guy in just five verses? I've always heard it taught that the older brother was jealous of his prodigal brother, getting all the attention when he returned home. I don’t think he was only jealous. I believe this brother was discouraged too.
"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." -Galatians 6:9
I believe that he grew weary in the field. He lost sight of his purpose. He lost heart.
Verses 29-30 are the voice of a discouraged brother. "I have served you well, so where’s my reward?" Even tough you do the right thing consistently, those who don't sometimes seem to get more attention.
I love that the father met his oldest son exactly where he was at. "Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours." Luke 15:31. Everything that the Father has is ours too! Amazing! That’s why we serve Him. We have all we need in Him. The older son didn’t need a goat or calf, he had his father's love all along... Like the older son, our Father, meets us exactly where we are at, we have His love and our reward IS Him!
Psalm 126:5-6 says, "Those who sow in tears will reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." We have to believe this promise... our tears will water the harvest. We have to go out to the field and say "I will serve You, I will serve You, I will serve You,"... dispite any tears.
My brothers and sisters, are you discouraged? Continue to follow your Heavenly Father. Continue to sow Spiritual seeds through Prayer and reading the Word. Your tears are watering the Harvest. You will not be disappointed with your efforts. One day you'll return from the field with sheaves.
Jesus is worthy of your blood, He is worthy of your sweat, and He is worthy of your tears. He is the only One who is worthy. You are in the field for Him, wherever your field is. You sow for Him, and there will be a harvest too.
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:1-5
Please don’t be discouraged. Please don’t lose heart! Don’t grow weary while doing good.... perservere!
Pray for all of us here at Calvary Chapel Kings Lynn. Pray that we wouldn’t grow weary while sowing in the field of Kings Lynn. Pray for us because being on the mission field is hard, but worth every sacrifice.
Jesus is worth every tear that I have shed in the past three years of waiting. He is worth leaving my friends and family. He was worth leaving a church that was my home. He is worth every illness, every hurt, every trial... The Lamb is Worthy of the Sacrifice, Amen!
God Bless You always, all my love, Madi
John 10:3-5
"...The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers."
As we went through this chapter of John on Sunday night, these couple verses really stood out to me. As I was reading it, I was picturing the scene in my head, and was thinking how it would be taking place. First of all, the shepherd calls the sheep by name. I used to apply that to salvation, and that before we ever accept Him, He is calling to us. But as I read it the other night, I was thinking how that applies to our lives after salvation as well. God has things planned for our life, things that He is calling us to. He knows each of us individually, by name, and has a plan for us.
But notice, there is no lasso involved. He calls us, then the ball is in our court, and that is why the next part is so important - "the sheep hear his voice". It doesn't matter how much God is calling us, if we refuse to listen, and ignore Him, His plan for us doesn't go any further. He doesn't force His plan on us, He simply calls for us, then waits. We need to make sure we are listening for God. We need to be looking for His direction.
The next part is my favorite - "...He leads them out. When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them". God doesn't send out to fulfill His plan without going ahead of us. He equips us for the job He gives us, and the whole time He is out in front of us paving the way. Sometimes we think things are so rough, and we feel so alone, but if we are heeding Gods voice, he is already a step ahead of us, smoothing the way.
We are blessed to have such a wonderful loving shepherd. A shepherd who is commited to our safety, and who wants nothing but the best pastures for us to graze in. Be listening for the voice of the Lord in your life, and be prepared to be blessed.
-Jared
