Faithful All the Time

By

 


Happy July beloved friend and lover of Christ! While there is much to celebrate from the past month alone, I have been tested in faith, thought and walk. But in that, the one thing the Lord has continued to teach and exhort me in is faithfulness - towards me & that which he requires of me. Psalm 23, 1 Corinthians 4:2 and Philippians 4:4-7 (among SOOO many others) are ringing through my ears and spirit. My prayer for you is that you would be encouraged that God is forever faithful towards you, without change or diminishing in supply, because of who you are in Christ, even when faithless - and that this truth would motivate you, out of love and gratitude to run the race that is set before YOU! 

Recently, I have been anxious about my unemployment and redeeming the time well.  Ironically, one prayer has been for me to stay home for work, but we have not been in a position to do so. Yet, since our engagement, I have had 5 job changes and gaps between with faithful provision. This October will mark one year being out of work. Put your eyes on Christ!

I was leaving the dentist this past Wednesday, pouring out my heart to the Lord, asking what He would have of me. I turned on the radio, and Pastor J. Vernon McGee said, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few" (Matthew 9:37). This verse has continued to pierce through to my soul, spurring me on to a life of service for Christ. I continue knocking, seeking and asking, but I continue receiving nos to job applications and proposals within my work experience, education and spiritual gifting. It seems formal employment is a door that is being kept shut...at least for now. Put your eyes on Christ!

At present, I have been studying the word, growing in prayer and seeking ways to minister to others more than I ever have. This is also the sixth summer while Zachary has been on vacation, and I was able to be home with him. Our family was also provided for to go on a week-long vacation. Husband is also in full swing reading books and memorizing themes and scriptures for bible training starting Monday, August 30. Put your eyes on Christ! 

My natural bend is to know, plan for and control that which is ahead - can you relate? I am eternally thankful He is faithful and just to forgive all our sin and unrighteousness. Walk by faith not sight. As we the sheep step forward by faith in different circumstances, we know God is with, for and guiding us. We need simply to look up to Christ on the cross...We are floored. Fear removed. Heart stunned. Smitten. Filled up. Awaken. Clearly seeing. Healed. In His perfect wisdom and power, we are precisely where He wants us and have all that we need for the work that is before us. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10). 

God is faithful. All the time... All the time. God is faithful!


Praise Reports:

  1. 6/26 Husband, elder Mario & I attended orientation breakfast for the "Training Center"
  2. 6/27 a sister in Christ was baptized and confirmed by her church as a member
  3. 6/30 Husband and I had dinner with a missionary couple returning to Africa from their furlough
  4. 7/2 I was denied Spanish citizenship 
  5. 7/16-23 family vacation 
  6. Ability to attend 3 memorial services (Sally Morris, Mercy Rodriguez & Rory Miller)
  7. My unemployment was extended a second time

Prayer Requests (the Lord's will in all):

  1. Continued direction/balance with ministry (+ faith, patience, wisdom & obedience), especially as Husband starts bible training August 30
  2. Faithfulness in our current season
  3. Unity in marriage & family 
  4. Physical healing for me & our ability to conceive
  5. Continued provision &/or direction for me with work
  6. Zachary's salvation
  7. The Italian Theological Academy's "Shepherd's Conference" in Rome, January 2022 - how we can support & attending

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Obedience in All Seasons: A Tale of Two Laborers

By
Image
2019 was not a path I would have chosen for myself , if given the choice. As Rick and I began our quest knocking, seeking and asking God for His leading and blessing with missions in April, we had no idea what or who to expect. “Incidentally,” the day of our first conference call vetting a mission’s agency in May, we bumped into a very wise pastor-friend. He advised us, ‘Make sure you know their doctrine, statement of faith and stance on controversial issues like marriage and abortion.’ Upon talking to the rep, it was very clear, not all mission's agencies are created equal . We scratched them off the list, fast. Our next call was with a family from Italy. Night and day – they were very friendly, lively and sound. They also indicated the team’s need is long-termers. Many come and go, but not many come and stay. In June , we began hosting a weekly home bible study and potluck on Saturdays with 4 couples. We learned so much about the differences between hosting and hosp...
Read more

Sticking to the Plan

By
Image
Good day Beloved! Husband and I would like to share a bit about how our last week has gone and give God all the glory (video recap here ). As you know, we set out for Rome on Sunday, January 9 to attend a conference and meet a missions team. We were compliant with travel regulations and documents but were detained in Zurich by customs. We did all we could practically to get through but were sent back to L.A. on Tuesday, January 11. It is with sadness we share this news, coupled with hope, encouragement and greater faith. This week, we would like to highlight three ways the Holy Spirit has been moving in strangers, the church and us . On Our Way to L.A.X. L.A.X. Airport Line for Document Check & Boarding Passes Zurich Airport, On Our Way to Customs & Connecting Flight Once the Chief of Police said, 'It's not going to happen folks,' referring to us passing through to Rome, tears began to pour out, and I began to sob, processing the reality that our trip would not go a...
Read more

Going Back to Rome with Good News

By
Image
"But the angel said to them [shepherds], 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people" ( Luke 2:10, NASB ). Beloved, when you think of "great joy," what comes to mind? My prayer is that your great joy is in Christ alone . This advent season, Husband and I rejoice as we reflect back and look forward to visiting Rome on January 9-23, with the privilege of sharing this precious gift with others in Italy. We need your faithful prayers more than ever, as this could potentially be the location where God is calling us to serve long-term (to be confirmed). As such, this month we will share on: 1) past events, 2) our upcoming trip, 3) the need in Italy and 4) ways we are at looking to the Lord for practical provision (for the formal approved support letter, click here ). 1) past events: when Rick and I began courting in May 2014, there were no discussions or desires to be missionaries - where we are today is a testame...
Read more