Friday, August 19, 2011

encouraged and blessed beyond measure

When one travels 1700 miles across the country alone, 36 hours of driving, this person naturally has some time on their hands to ponder about life.

For the past month I have earnestly asked God to provide supporters for my schooling at Moody Bible Institute in Spokane, WA.  Not necessarily financial supporters, but a group of people that would commit to encourage and bless me through prayer and also in advocacy for the pursuit of my specific calling to missionary aviation. And God is always faithful...

The main source of support I received from these people was prayer.  It is a surreal experience when you can actually feel the power of prayer.  Not like a palpable sensation, but in my spirit I knew that I was being covered, more smothered, in prayer by people back at home.  I had an overwhelming sense of peace leaving Liberty and heading to Spokane.  I knew that there were angels ministering to me as I traveled (mainly keeping me awake and alert).  I am so thankful for these faithful brothers and sisters of God's family that have committed to pray for me in my travels.  Not only that but their continued prayer as I begin my second year here.

The second form of support was monetary.  I am grateful for the generosity that God has enabled in these specific people.  It was not only assisting me in getting out here to school and providing essentials, but it reaffirmed God's faithful commitment to provide for my needs through his servants.  God continues to shower His providence on me and my prayer for those who have given to me in one or both of these forms is that they would be repaid much greater than what they gave.

If you are reading this it is most likely that you are one of these wonderful people that I have described above.  You know very little of the impact your partnership in my journey has on me and the Kingdom.  Your investment into my life has one purpose: to see that the gospel is spread through my life.  Wow is that a weighty call!  I know your support is not just so I can live comfortably at school or even have food in my stomach. Your contribution is to support me in that I may be more able to faithfully administer the gospel to the people that I come in contact with, here and now and later on in my life!  You are investing in God's work to build His Kingdom on this earth.  I am just a man.  God is God using you and me to see that His perfect will is achieved here on earth.  Be encouraged and blessed beyond all measure knowing that you are faithfully acting in God's work.  I hope and pray that through giving of yourselves you continue to be assured of your faith and salvation in Christ.  You are a member of the royal priesthood building on the cornerstone that is Christ.
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:4-5 (ESV)
Continue to build on the foundation of Christ by offering yourselves and your God-given possessions as sacrifices so that you may worship God all the more.  We serve a God who is so worthy of ALL and MORE praise than we could ever offer!  Continue to worship Him as he deserves.   And again thank you for all that you have done to bless me thus far.

Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)