A Vessel of Mercy

This is a song I have been enjoying of late.

Lord I want to be all you want to be

Your service is my desire. 

I so want to know you, and in your love grow with heavenly

power.

I yield my life to you; I’m willing to be used
Where ever you bid me I’ll go

So Lord Jesus daily I pray that you’ll break me that your love I might show

Fill me, with love and compassion and fashion. 
My heart to be a vessel worthy of you.

Am I a willing vessel for the service of God? Am I half heartedly serving Him or have I fully surrendered to Him to serve Him and do all things to glorify Him?'

Have a good day! :)

For I am weak...

My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 

2 Corinthians 12:9

This verse has come before me many times in the last couple of weeks, so I thought I'd share what has given me help in my times of weakness. 

Our God is a living God and He has an interest in each one of our lives. He is a God that knows all and preserves those who seek to know Him. God brings each one of us into situations where we feel our weakness so keenly, and yet, the Bible says that in even in those times of weakness, we need to turn our eyes and our focus on Him. God doesn't always respond right away, or in the way we want, but He will answer, in His time. But through it all, God's power is shown most effectively in our weaknesses. 

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

Then he said unto them, Go your way...:for this is day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

If you seek Him- to know Him and to draw closer to Him, then He will be shown even brighter through your weakness and your trials.  

We often become discouraged at our inability to produce results, but that doesn't stop the work of God. Do all for the glory of God, that He may be honored. God knows our situations, and He has a personal care for each one of us. He will be your help and guide and will be shown mighty in our times of weakness if we seek to give our lives to Him, no matter the visual results. 

Through it all that I might serve Him in whatever capacity He has placed me in

for the time: Will I serve Him through it all and be a willing channel for Him?

Channels only, blessed Master, 

But with all Thy wondrous power

Flowing through us, Thou canst use us

Every day and every hour. 

Smile

I was challenged this week with the discovery of a snippet of a book, Twenty Secrets of Self-Acceptance.

The question presented was "Should I smile if I am NOT happy?"

The response: "Yes. A smiles does not always mean, 'I'm happy.' It may be saying, 'I agree with you,' 'I'm pleased to see you,' or 'I want to encourage you.' Those who feel that it is hypocritical to smile if they are not happy have not really considered the ministry of a smile or the alternative to not smiling. A sad countenance produces self-centeredness by forcing others to focus on me, wondering why I am not able to smile."

I just found this challenging to myself and thought I would share it with you.

“Smile though your heart is breaking, Smile even though it's aching

When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by If you smile.

In times of pain and sorrow, Smile, and maybe tomorrow

The sun will come shining through, For you, If you just Smile.”

“What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but, scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.” 

–Anonymous 

Enjoy the goodness of God this Monday! Have a good labor day! :)

A glad heart makes a cheerful face (Proverbs 15:13) :)

God will go before me

I am thankful for God'd promise that he will guide me and preserve me. In life, He will always be with me and will even go before me. 

The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.

Psalm 59:10

I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

Isiah 45:2

“And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” 

Deut 31:8

Take a couple of minutes to listen to "God will go before me" sung by Legacy Five. The song's lyrics have been in my head many a day as I have pulled into the university parking lot and as the days have been before me. Enjoy!

Have a good labor day weekend! :)

Next page

I am turning the page in this chapter in the book of life. I begin another semester of university in the morning.  This is going to be a busy semester, but I hope that I will be able to keep it all under control. With work and school it can be so easy to lose sight of the One who is the most important piece in my life. However, if I set my sight on things above, and not on earthly things, He will help me through even the roughest days.

There has been a lot on my mind as of late. In regards to this upcoming semester: What does God have in store for me? In the anticipation of getting started, I have appreciated a few thoughts as of late that were taken from a few recent ministry meetings and today's Bible reading. They have had me thinking about my character and my testimony that others see. "When the world looks at me, do they see Jesus?" (The Cathedrals). The war against the world is a hard one. There are so many things that are seen and heard that so easily fill our minds with the world and can so easily suck a Christian away. However, I pray that I will be a positive Christian example to those that I will come into contact with this semester. It's not easy... but God is with me and if I cling fast to His truth then He will protect, encourage, and help me.

I have also enjoyed reading through the book of Jeremiah. Here are a few verses that I will share with you. May they even help you today as well:

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

O lord, my strength and my stronghold, my refuge in the day of trouble. Jeremiah 16:19

As I face the world my prayer is "Preserve me, O God". A step in the world causes on to become full of images, deceiving thoughts, places to go, things to do, and words and language that can suck a person in and cause them to lose focus on the One. May you and I hold fast to the One who will supply all of your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Thirty Pieces of Silver

Thirty pieces of silver,
For the Lord of Life they gave;
Thirty pieces of silver,
Only the price of a slave.

Thirty pieces of silver,
Laid in Iscariot's hand;
Thirty pieces of silver -
And the aid of an armed band,
Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter
Brought the humbled Son of God,
At midnight from the garden
Where His sweat had been like blood.

Thirty pieces of silver,
Burn on the traitor's brain;
Thirty pieces of silver -
Oh, it is hellish gain.

I have sinned, and betrayed the guiltless
He cried with a fevered breath,
As he cast them down the temple,
And rushed to a madman's death.

It may not be for silver,
It may not be for gold,
But still by tens and thousands
Is the precious Saviour sold;
Sold for a Godless friendship,
Sold for a selfish aim,
Sold for a fleeting trifle,
Sold for an empty name.

Sold in the mart of Science,
Sold in the seat of power,
Sold in the shrine of fortune,
Sold in pleasure's bower;
Sold where the awful bargain
Non but God's eye can see,
Ponder, my soul, the question,
Shall He be sold by thee?

-David Craig- The Coat of Many Colors

Home

They say that "home is where the heart is". I left home to return home yesterday. I left a large part of my heart in Zapopan/ Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and brought the rest of my heart back to Nebraska. Once again, I am home.

Two months in the south. Two months that I will never forget. Two months for which God opened the doors from me to stay with the Thiessen family, study Spanish at CEPE, and help where I could. Two months in which I developed close relationships with others. Two months of fellowship, lessons, challenges, encouragement. Two months of growing closer to Him through reading the Bible, prayer, ministry, Bible studies, readings, fellowship. Two months that changed my life.

I'm back in Nebraska now- thankful for the time I was able to be in Mexico. I look at the next week as time to organize myself for what lies ahead. I face a busy semester of university and work, but I am thankful that God will never leave me nor forsake me and will guide me through each day and will help me face what lies ahead.

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Deuteronomy 31:6

Home. Two months. Mexico. Thankful.

Just thought that I would share this quote with you this morning:

"Be assured, if you walk with Him and look to Him and expect help from Him, He will never fail you."

-George Mueller

2 weeks... 2 meetings a day- complete

Two weeks of meetings- two meetings a day (Children's meeting followed by meetings on Future Events). Both of the meetings were well attended. The meetings on future events were challenging and extremely interesting.

The following are pictures from this weeks' events:

Sunday: This picture is of the last meeting (gospel meeting Sunday night) in the tin hall. 

 Monday: Children's meeting

 Cutting styrofoam rectangles by table saw to be used to create Moises' body in the activity for the younger children. 

 Francisco reading part of the night's selection of reading

 Those in attendance...

 Saul stayed awake to participate in the activity!

 Esteban with his Moises figure! :)

The younger children... and a couple of mother's working!

Tuesday: 

 Coloring page over the tabernacle.

 Madeline

 Saul

 Angel

 The ladies... faithfully preparing the snack for the children. 

 Joel giving the quiz questions

 The prize table on Friday night!

Wednesday: The parables of Balaam

 Creating talking donkey puppets!

 ...and enjoying their snacks!

Thursday: The bronze serpent

 Afrika... the sister of America and Francia

 Oscar Alfredo with his bronze serpent

 Miss Madeline

Friday: Crossing the Jordan! (finally! :) )

 All of the nightly verses... the verses the children said nightly to gain points. For extra verse points the children could learn Psalms 105 & 106. 

 The lesson... and a few of the over 90 people that were in attendance!

Dowson and Hegel... enjoying their pozole

Tomorrow is the inauguration of the new hall here in Zapopan. Following the breaking of bread, the program for the end of the school year will take place with those who were in attendance saying verses! There is much excitement in anticipation for the big day! 

And we are halfway through...

The following are pictures from Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights of the children's meetings that are taking the children from Egypt to Canaan:
Backtrack to night 2:

Wednesday (Night 3) Moses crosses the Red Sea:

 Miss Cloe! :)

 Erika and Saul... at the end of a long day

 Timothy teaching the verse

 Activity for those 7 and younger: Moses crossing the Red Sea pieces put together to create a scene

Thursday (Night 4) Manna in the wilderness:

 Joel leading the singing with the children

 Timothy lifting Oscar to reach the board

 The younger children coloring after creating baskets with manna on them on paper

Friday (Night 5) Water from the Rock (these pictures are compliments of Erika!):
There were 86 souls in the room to hear the message!

 Watching as Timothy entertains the children while teaching them the nightly verse...

 Oscar with the activity of the night: Picture scene of water from the rock

 Mariana

 all of the children: at least 33 ages 7 and younger

Fabiola, Marisolina, and I :)

Saturday at Tonala :)

Please continue to pray for those that are attending the children's meetings and the future event meetings each night... that there may be blessing. 

Update- Children's Meetings

I apologize for not updating sooner... the last couple of weeks have flown by with preparations for children's meetings and the end of school last week the actual meetings going on this week there is much to do!

I finished out the school term well- it was difficult, but I feel as though I learned new things that were helpful... which is the point I guess!

We are almost half way through a 2-week series of children's meetings, as well as a simultaneous 2-week series on events of the future following each night. The meetings are taking place in the new hall- something the Christians were excited about! So far the attendance has been excellent to both sets of meetings. Please pray for those attending the meetings, that there may be blessing here in Zapopan.

Nights 1-2: From Egypt to Canaan

 (Picture for Dad: check out the lights!! :) )

 Timothy is in charge of teaching the verse each night.

 Color activity for night 1

 A proud grandma with Miss Cloé Victoria

 Night 2 activity for the younger children... passover lambs

Night 2 had 22 children all in a 12 passenger van for a ride!

I will try to get more pictures posted soon! :)