10.07.09

Posted in Story at 10:33 am by Administrator

The following is a writing from Charles Spurgeon. It was part of my devotion today and I thought is was really moving and I wanted to share it with others.

He sups with you because you find the house or the heart, and you with him because he brings the provision. He could not sup with you if it were not in your heart; nor could you sup with him if he did not bring the provision with him. Fling wide, then, the portals of your soul. He will come with that love which you long to feel; he will come with that joy into which you cannot work your poor depressed spirit; he will bring the peace which now you have not. Only open the door to him, and he will dwell there forever. Oh, wondrous love, that brings such a guest to dwell in such a heart!

The italics are mine, but these are the parts of the passage that really touched me.

What a great God we have who will make time, has time, is never without time to sup with us and fill us with his presence.

Blessings,

Greg

07.10.09

Matthew 9–the Call to Ministry

Posted in New Testament, Story at 11:04 am by Administrator

I studied Matthew 9 in my devotions today.

I know I have read that chapter many times, but sitting on a deck in Hong Kong overlooking the village where I will be living, this chapter took on new meaning. The quick gist of the chapter; Jesus heals, Jesus calls the twelve, Jesus raises a dead girl, heals a sick woman and then casts out demons. He then turns to the twelve and tells them the workers are few. Then chapter ten begins with the twelve being sent out. Today the idea of faith before the Call and faith before the mission hit home.

Jesus step by step reveals to his disciples the power he has and the power he wants them to share with the world. How could the disciples not be excited about what they were about to do. I am sure we too would be excited about being sent if we were able to see Jesus do such miracles.

Sitting on the deck today I could not help but think, do we not see miracles everyday.

Kerrick and I just got off a plane that stayed in the air for 15 hours, kept us safe over the North Pole and landed gently on the other side of the world. Yes, there are laws of aviation that can explain how all that works or a simple faith would say, Jesus is an amazing God to allow such things to happen.

I am overlooking a 41 story building jutting out from the side of a cliff. There are rules of architecture that can explain how that works, or again a faith that says, Jesus allows amazing things to still be created.

Sitting here I realized that Jesus still shows us miracles everyday. We just have ways to explain them away. As I begin to spread the Good News of Jesus on this side of the world, my prayer has become, “Lord, let me see your daily miracles and let those works empower my faith and fuel my service to you.”

That is my prayer for each Christian, that we can see the miracles around us and then proclaim what a great God this world has.

07.03.09

Every ending is another Beginning

Posted in Story at 8:10 pm by Administrator

I cannot take credit for that line. So many people have used that phrase to describe the movement between chapters in their lives. I am not unique in thinking it fits this time in my life as I move back to Hong Kong. I am saying good bye to really dear people in Michigan, but saying hello to God’s people in Hong Kong.

Yet, it seems God always trumps my deeply philosophical moments.

As I think about endings and beginning I am reminded by the Holy Spirit that in God there is really no ending or beginning. God is eternal and in Him we will live forever in joy and peace in a place where there will be no good byes or endings. People are in our life for a season to prepare us for the next season in our ministry. God works all hellos and good byes for his purposes when we are open to his working in our lives.

How is it that one can be consumed by sadness when one is walking with the Lord and doors are being opened by the power of God Himself.

I know there are many unknowns in this life. Yet, God is certain and in Him there are really no endings or beginnings, just a journey that ends in Jesus arms.

05.03.09

Monday, May 4–Home is where God is.

Posted in Story at 10:41 pm by Administrator

As I walk the streets of Hong Kong after being away for 10 months it feels like I never left. I had several people ask me yesterday, “What did you miss most about Hong Kong?” I could not answer that question. As I thought about it I realized that home is where God is and where I am doing God’s work. I felt at home in Rochester, MI the past 10 months and now I feel at home again here in Hong Kong.
I do not want to discount family, close friends, familiar foods and predictable traffic, but God is bigger that all of those and when He calls you and places on your heart a desire to serve His presence become Home and His sustaining power become what is central in your life.
I am feeling that now as I am far awa

04.20.09

The Lord is faithful!

Posted in Story at 8:29 pm by Administrator

It is amazing to me how the Lord step by step aligns the plans of our life in ways that will bring us peace and him glory. Today I was reminded that God truly does work all things for good for those who love and trust in him. Praise God.