Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Servants of the Lord


Last Sunday, Monte was preaching at His Sanctuary.  We had a wonderful time of ministry.  Our hearts are overwhelmed by God's goodness.  

We minister at the church twice yearly.  Every time we are there, some warm and cheerful elderly ushers would welcome us.  We love seeing them.  Their love, enthusiasm and loving service is heartwarming.  God has given each of us talents, gifts and abilities for service.  Long ago, I read about an individual who would faithfully prepare and wash communion cups in church.  What may seem small in the eyes of man means a lot to God.  Everything that we do with a sincere and grateful heart reaps boundless blessings from on high.  God sees our hearts, He empowers us to love and serve because we are all servants of the Lord.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

El Shaddai


El Shaddai


How can we ever fathom how God can dwell in us, mortal earthen vessels that are prone to fall and fail.  God almighty came into our lives and shine His glorious light in us to reveal His glory and splendour.  When we focus on the greatness and awesomeness of God, all our earthly challenges melt at His feet.  He has raised His banner of victory for us.  He is the glory and lifter of our heads.  We extol our great King who reigns for all eternity.

EL SHADDAI

El Shaddai, El Shaddai
El-Elyon na Adonia
Age to age You're still the same
By the power of the name
El Shaddai, El Shaddai
Erkamka na Adonai
We will praise and lift You high
El Shaddai

Through your love and through the ram
You saved the son of Abraham
Through the power of your hand
Turned the sea into dry land
To the outcast on her knees
You were the God who really sees
And by Your might
You set Your children free

El Shaddai, El Shaddai
El-Elyon na Adonia
Age to age You're still the same
By the power of the name
El Shaddai, El Shaddai
Erkamka na Adonai
We will praise and lift You high
El Shaddai

Through the years You've made it clear
That the time of Christ was near
Though the people couldn't see
What Messiah ought to be
Though Your Word contained the plan
They just could not understand
Your most awesome work was done
Through the frailty of Your Son

El Shaddai, El Shaddai
El-Elyon na Adonai
Age to age You're still the same
By the power of the name
El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
Erkamka na Adonai
I will praise and lift You high
El Shaddai

El Shaddai, El Shaddai
El-Elyon na Adonai
Age to age You're still the same
By the power of the name
El Shaddai, El Shaddai
Erkamka na Adonai
I will praise and lift You high
El Shaddai

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Courage to Press On

Someone once said that tough times do not diminish the presence of God. The harsh realities, the stresses of life, the pain and anguish and relentless setbacks cannot destroy us. God has given us a fighting and a winning spirit.

He knows our pain and struggles. He beckons us to journey with Him. He reveals His love for us. He is with us.  He carries our burdens and gives us strength and hope. He gives us courage to go another mile. He gives us courage to press on.  

He opens our eyes to endless opportunities and possibilities.  He brings hope in our despair.  He sustains us by His amazing grace. He pours His love into our weary and beaten hearts. 

In our limited capacity, we can never fully comprehend the full extent of His empowering love.  Love so deep and intense. Love so pure and rich. Love that overflows. Love personified. Love crucified.

Monday, August 13, 2012

His Divine Providence

A few days ago, we received word from the Society of Pentecostal Studies that Monte’s paper has been accepted for its 42nd Annual Meeting in conjunction with the Wesleyan Theological Society, hosted by Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA, March 21-23, 2013.   (http://www.sps-usa.org/meetings.html)

The Conference Theme is "Holiness".  The title of Monte's paper is “Patterning the Pentecostal Via Salutis to the Classical ‘Three Ways’ of Spiritual Formation: An Ecumenical Model for Developmental Sanctification”.

Our hearts are filled with great joy because this honour and privilege is not something we take for granted.  Memories of how God providentially met us last year when He opened the door for Monte to present his paper in Virginia, USA came rushing into our hearts and spirit.  We experienced first hand how the Lord miraculously provided for every cent necessary to make the trip.  This time round, the joy is inexpressible.  We can only stand in amazement because He is simply awesome and great. We believe in His divine provision.  We know that He has all the resources we needed.  We are thankful and we know that He is more than enough for us.  We are grateful for the opportunity to see God work on our behalf and we are mindful that the Lord is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all we can imagine and hope.  We see His hand of love.

Journeying with the Lord is amazing.  We do not want to embark on any other journey except for the one that God leads us on.  We persevere in love and hope because He speaks His strength, grace, and love into the depth of our hearts.  We bow in humble adoration to our great God who is faithful and true.