Pride

One result of false self esteem is false pride. The pride of the world is false.

1Jn 2:15  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 
1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 
1Jn 2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 

 What better illustration of false worldly pride than the term "Gay pride"? Pride in that which God calls a sin. a sin that caused the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah because of it's iniquity.

Gen 19:24  Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; 

Gen 19:25  And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. 

Gay pride is not only pride in what God forbids, but so as well is the changing of laws to allow same sex marriages. This doesn't mean that fornication of a man and a woman is accepted; it is as adultery. We are never free to break God's commands. Satan had pride too and the LORD cast him out of his place in heaven as an angel of God. 

Pride should only be in something that is worthy. The United States Marines are proud of their motto "Semper Fidelis", (always faithful). Faithfulness is to God first and If a nation turns from God, there is no pride in serving that nation. To God be the glory.

Eaglewings Ministries

The danger of self esteem

In our schools "self esteem" is being taught and with it there is no teaching of absolute truth. What I see is a people that has become self centered whose truth is completely subjective. This is as a person on drugs; their reality is their truth. I think many in our nation, including our leaders are like this. They are called narcissistic, in psychology the definition is:

"to have an inflated sense of their own importance and a deep need for admiration. Those with narcissistic personality disorder believe that they're superior to others and have little regard for other people's feelings. But behind this mask of ultra-confidence lies a fragile self-esteem, vulnerable to the slightest criticism.(mayo clinic)"

These people are "self" deluded and because of this, they make their own reality, changing truth for a lie. Delusion is a fruit of willful sin, and it is a bitter fruit that turns everything around. Evil becomes good and good is called evil. We are as a nation at this point.

Isa 5:18  Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope: 
Isa 5:19  That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it! 
Isa 5:20  Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 
Isa 5:21  Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! 
Isa 5:22  Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 
Isa 5:23  Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! 

Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 

Rom 3:24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 

Our schools should be teaching right from wrong, belief in God and truth and that sinful behavior must be corrected. Satan has control of our institutions and even some churches. Will you take a stand with me for truth? The word of God, the Holy Bible is our truth. Jesus saves us from our sins and God is a just God. We are not god, but must submit to a Holy God who is all knowing, all powerful, full of mercy, truth and judgment of sin. Delusion is a result of willful disobedience. LORD I want to follow you in truth, through faith in your Son Jesus Christ, our salvation. I ask that many be saved from sin in this wicked time, in Jesus name.

Eaglewings Ministries

Changing Patriotism

Patriotism : Love or devotion to one's country. Memorial day, Independence day, these have always been patriotic days in America. I am seeing this being changed on a local level. Can we say we are devoted to a nation that has been willfully changed into something else? When we salute the flag it is because we trust in God, "under God, with liberty and justice for all." I see organizations who are opposed to the America that I love.  The ACLU, The American Civil Liberties Union, is anything but American, nor is it civil concerning Christian America.

I have been a member in bands that for years have played patriotic marches on the 4th of July and Memorial day. For the last several years we have not been playing publicly for Independance day. The excuse is we have become too big, for the platform, so patriotic marches are replaced by rock music, loud and uncivil. A rebellious clanging of amplified guitars and drums. Contrary to the song, Rock and Roll did not make America great.

Yesterday was Memorial day and for the last twenty years we have had a patriotic concert, special speakers, prayer and the honoring of veterans and the memories of departed loved ones. This has been the custom for a hundred and fifty years. For weeks I had been waiting for this day, having received a band newsletter to be ready by 10. AM to play the patriotic music. I arrived early and there were few people there. Usually there are chairs set up for the band and all along the street for the retired older military to sit and then to stand when their branch of the military service is honored in song or in music from the band. There were no seats and no people. Had I misread the day and the time? No, I called home and my daughter looked up the news bulletin I had read, concerning the event. I was ready at the time stated, but no one was there. My wife said, to wait longer, but I did not want to wait. Instead we drove to a nearby Veterans Hall and as we approached the entrance, we heard the band playing. The celebration had been moved off of public land to a private Veterans hall. It was too late for me to join in with the band. Apparently I was overlooked, I was one of the band members from another city twenty miles away and had not attended the rehearsal. I knew the music and I thought I knew America, but it is changing by design. I wlll look to the God that does not change, the God America was founded on. America may have fallen away from it's former glory, but those who love God will continue. My citizenship is in the kingdom of God. May we all lift up the sound of praise to  our King Jesus who remains faithful and true.

Keeping in touch

This cookie made with margarine fell short of my quality control. It looks sad, but I just can't share something that is not the best. I made a new batch today of chocolate chip cookies using shortening. They were up to my standards...So I ate them. Maybe next time you will be able to have some too?

Psa 36:7  How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. 

They need fishing poles for free fishing day in July, so I cut the ends off of some of the bamboo behind my building. There is about thirty feet of bamboo behind my business. I tied a string with hook and a float to try out at the park pond fishing dock. I caught several bluegill, what fun. It is also a good way to meet new people.

Mat 17:27  ... go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. 

This paid their taxes

I checked out another pond near the center of our town and found these goslings. They grow fast,these were the first I saw. I just love finding these treasures of God. It is so much more positive then the news of a wayward nation. We are to find the things that are good as in Phil 4:8

Php 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 

Clouds sometimes have faces. The face of God in a cloud? The presence of the LORD was in the clouds that led Israel out of Egypt.

Exo 13:21  And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 

Exo 13:22  He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. 

Eaglewings Ministries

Take anger to prayer

Some things come our way that bring anger and anger brings vengeance which is not for us to do. Cain was angry and from anger he killed his brother.

Gen 4:6  And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
Gen 4:7  If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

 Anger can bring confusion which is a step away from God. Anger is a spirit that can be controlled.

1Co 14:32  And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
1Co 14:33  For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Ecc 7:9  Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. 

Eph 4:26  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 

Eph 4:27  Neither give place to the devil. 

This is the danger of anger; to give place to the devil, to make a place for him to make a stronghold. Give your anger to God in prayer. Tell him why you are angry and pray for the one who you may be angry with. 

When I took my car in to have the air conditioner switching fixed. It was supposed to be a few hours at a fair price. After waiting all day I called the mechanic and he said he had other business to do. By the forth day I was getting angry. The mechanic said it was supposed to be an easy fix according to the computer, but the computer was wrong. The dash and controls were all in the back seat and he still was unable to get to the part that needed changing. Frustration, confusion, anger, all shared. I needed the car in three days for a 60 mile trip to judge the photography at a fair. I had to have the car Friday, fixed or not, I needed the car. More prayers for the mechanic to be able to get the car put together again. Friday afternoon at the garage I saw that my car had been moved . I went to the mechanic and he said "It is fixed". Praise God for that. I know that he put in hours and hours of labor. If he charged me by all  the hours it could be over a thousand dollars. I was going to ask how much? but he had another customer. When the customer left he said that he had spent six hours on the car. At seventy dollars an hour that would be four hundred twenty dollars in labor and 86 dollars for the part. He only charged me for two hours. I offered to pay four hundred, but he insisted that it was only two hundred and forty nine dollars. The young man has to be a Christian, for there are very few mechanics that would do that. It is always best to take anger and frustration to God. He fixes things for us. The young mechanic kept trying until he had finished the job. We too are to keep going and finish the race.

Jas 5:8  Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 

Eaglewings Ministries

Labor intensive

My wife makes quilts by cutting up random pieces of material into squares and sewing them together. She also makes afghans, hundreds of them, with her twisted arthritis hands. She is good at this and overcomes obstacles to make them to give away to nursing homes and others in need; most she never meets face to face. This is a gift of love, giving of herself to bless others, not seeking any financial gain.

When I worked as a cabinet maker it often took much labor to produce a product that was ordered by the customer. Intensive labor for financial reward, but also as unto the Lord. The photography business, was also something that must be pleasing to the purchaser, but first it had to pass my inspection. Using outside photo labs, sometimes they had to be remade at my expense to get the best quality. You cannot stay in business if there is no profit. The finished product must be good. Your reputation depends on your name and the quality people see in your name. We dare not take our salvation lightly for we were purchased with a great price, and we represent His name.

1Pe 1:18  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 
1Pe 1:19  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 

Jesus paid the greatest price to purchase our salvation, we did not deserve it. Thank you Jesus.

Eaglewings Ministries

Chance encounters

In the picture a Muskrat passes by two Mallard ducks in a pond. Sometimes unpleasant people come into our paths. We should be aware of these passing encounters, are they appointments, threats, or blessings?

Recently a burglar broke into a friends house and made off with most of the valuables. A chance intruder, unexpected, but it was planned. How many chance encounters are not by chance, but a planned encounter. Next question is who planned this encounter? Satan has plans to steal, kill and destroy. God has plans to bless us.

Num 23:19  God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Num 23:20  Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.

Gal 3:7  Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 
Gal 3:8  And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 
Gal 3:9  So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. 

Some encounters are to help us. God may send an angel as a man to guide us, to save us from danger, or to encourage us.They look like people, but have a mission. Some may be invisable but they were sent to help us.

Heb 13:2  Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 

Heb 1:14  Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? 

Satan has his angels too, and he may use people to bring evil to us, to steal our time or to wear us down. This will be the goal of the coming world leader from satan, the antichrist.

Dan 7:24  And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. 

Dan 7:25  And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. 

We see this spirit even now, for it was in evidence in the apostle Paul's time. Beware of your enemies, draw the sword of the word and  faith wear your spiritual armor.

Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 

Eph 6:14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 

Eph 6:15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 

Eph 6:16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 

Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 

Eph 6:18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 

Remember who you are in Christ Jesus. We are to bless and not to curse. When someone comes into our life with a need, then bless the person. We are to do good, the power and presence of God abides in us.

Eaglewings Ministries

How Great Thou Art

Victory, the boat needed some maintenance. Victory in Jesus, needs the maintaining of our faith.

2Co 1:9  But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: 

2Co 1:10  Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; 

2Co 1:11  Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf. 

2Co 1:12  For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. 

On our trip to the Redwood coast, we stopped along side the road to take in the greatness of these trees that our Lord has made.

1Ch 29:11  Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. 

The redwoods are beautiful set in a garden of mist and ferns. They speak glory to our God.

1Ch 16:23  Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation. 

1Ch 16:24  Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. 

1Ch 16:25  For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. 

1Ch 16:26  For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. 

1Ch 16:27  Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. 

1Ch 16:28  Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. 

1Ch 16:29  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. 

A glorious cloud appeared, perhaps such a cloud led God's people out of Egypt to the promised land? We need to be led by His Spirit and through his Holy word.

Exo 19:16  And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. 

Exo 19:17  And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. 

Exo 19:18  And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. 

Exo 19:19  And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice. 

 Eaglewings Ministries

In the clouds

Leaving church I was fascinated by the thick clouds. This one seemed to be unrolling as a scroll.

Isa 34:4  And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree.

Rev 6:14  And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 

An opening in the cloud. Will Jesus be coming in a cloud like this?

Mat 24:30  And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Mat 24:31  And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Mat 24:32  Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
Mat 24:33  So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 

Whether he comes in our future, or we go to him through death, we shall see the Lord. Share Jesus with others now; redeem the time. I put a small display of Bible tracts on my closed business door. The next day I noticed that someone had written gang graffiti on the windows of the businesses, yes even on my door glass was grafitti, but I noticed that one of the tracts were missing. Maybe the graffiti artist took one? We are to reach the lost, even if they deserve to be punished. We were lost in sin as well before Jesus came into our hearts. He has bought us with a great price. He saved us and commands that we go out and teach others of him. 

Mat 28:18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 

Mat 28:19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 

Mat 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 

Consider your ways

Obedience of the Remnant 

 

Hag 2:15  And now, I pray you, consider from this day and upward, from before a stone was laid upon a stone in the temple of the LORD:
Hag 2:16  Since those days were, when one came to an heap of twenty measures, there were but ten: when one came to the pressfat for to draw out fifty vessels out of the press, there were but twenty.

 

He is asking them to look back at their wrong ways that brought hardship and not blessings, and to start doing what the LORD wants.

 

Hag 1:5  Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
Hag 1:6  Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
Hag 1:7  Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.

 

Hag 2:17  I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labours of your hands; yet ye turned not to me, saith the LORD.

 

blasting: blighted or blasted thing, blighted, blasted; a blighting of crops

Deu 28:22  The LORD shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish.

Hag 2:18  Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the LORD'S temple was laid, consider it.
Hag 2:19  Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you.

 

Because they obeyed the LORD in building the temple, they would be blessed with growing food. They put God first and he blessed their crops.

 

Zec 8:12  For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.

Psa 128:1  A Song of degrees. Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.
Psa 128:2  For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

 

The future destruction of the nations

Hag 2:20  And again the word of the LORD came unto Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month, saying,
Hag 2:21  Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth;

Hag 2:22  And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother.

 

The LORD will defeat the enemies of Israel, even for this small remnant that had returned.

 

"every one by the sword of his brother"

 

The angel spoke to Hagar about her son Ishmael; Islamic violence came from the descendants of Ishmael.

 

Gen 16:11  And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.
Gen 16:12  And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.

 

The shaking  will also be in the last days.

 

Rev 6:12  And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
Rev 6:13  And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
Rev 6:14  And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

 

A promise to Zerubbabel

Hag 2:23  In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.

 

signet, a ring of authority containing the seal.

 

Zerubbabel would lay the foundation of the temple and Jesus would come to the temple as the chief cornerstone of his church. He was a person that would be in the lineage of the Messiah. He is listed in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:12,13 and Luke 3:27. He was the key descendant of David to  which the Messiah would come.

Eaglewings Ministries

Missionary letter

I want to share a letter from a missionary in Kenya Africa who heads an orphanage "Grace Children's Home Ministries" friends of Kenya Evangelic Missions. Diane is on the left and long time friend, Lois is on the right.

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good." - Genesis 50:20

I unsuspectingly stepped out on to our porch on my way to check the jiko fire (the charcoal burner we cook on) - when all of a sudden I was whacked in the face by a wasp! The angry insect got a grip and subsequently stung me right next to my eye. I yelped in pain as I swatted it away – my whole face felt as if it was on fire. The offending insect went on his way – but I was left with a stinging face and swollen eye that lasted for more than a week. I remember thinking that was the way spiritual attacks come – you are just peacefully moving along in your spiritual life when whack you are smacked upside of your spirit and if you are not ready for it, you are left reeling.

Well, this evening Jackson and I, having finished our business for the day, were hurrying through Nairobi  town so that he might catch a matatu back to Kangundo. I was staying over for other business during the next two days. All of a sudden I was whacked hard on the side of my head with a large club and as I yelped in pain the man behind me grabbed my purse and ripped it from my body. I screamed at him and swung the 4 ft. level we had just bought like a bat, but narrowly missed him. All I saw was his back as he jumped the guardrail and disappeared into the darkness with just about everything important I own. Inside was the very last of my personal  cash that I had brought to town to exchange, my passport (which I never carry unless I am exchanging money) my credit cards, my modem (which I had brought to town to have repaired so I could get back online and write to you) my phone (ouch – that one hurts – every contact I have is in that mobile) and the memory chip from my camera with every picture I have taken since I came to Kenya – including the GCH family pictures and the individual pictures of each child for their sponsors we took on Saturday. I had even lost the usb drive that contained the accounts that I was to take to our accountant in the morning. 

My head was reeling from the blow as Jackson helped me make it to the nearest police station to report the crime. A Nairobi police station after dark is not a pretty place - we waited to file our complaint as we watched young men chained together get brutally beaten (not sure what they had done). After what seemed like hours we were through and we were able to leave for the hotel where I was staying. Just a few feet from its entrance we came upon a crowd gathered around a young man lying dead on the sidewalk. We never knew what happened to him – but the thought came to me that it could well have been us lying dead on a sidewalk too. My heart was filled with gratefulness to God for His protection.

I instinctively knew that this was a test – a big test – for me. In crisis times, what is my attitude? Could I find it in my heart to still praise God and thank Him and trust Him for the results?  The whole time in the police station I was repeatedly asking God to fill me with faith and trust in Him. I was happy to reach my room where Jackson and I knelt and prayed – even for the salvation of the man who robbed and beat me - and the confusion and the upset was lifted from my spirit. Clearly that man did not mean it for good, and equally obvious, Satan did not mean any good to come from it, but God did. I have no idea how that might play out, but God does and I am so thankful for His precious promise in Romans 8:28. It means everything to me right now. Presently it is midnight and I can’t sleep – my head is hurting fiercely and wouldn’t you know it – my pain relievers were in the purse too. Oh well…..

I hope that this incident highlights for you how much we need your prayers. I am so grateful for those of you who continually pray – even when I am not able to communicate. (communication this trip has been the most difficult ever – my modem keeps failing and the network has been poor and erratic.) I am also so thankful for Jackson who stayed in town with me to help me with the fallout – a true friend. Tomorrow we have to go back to the police station and then we will try to deal with some details of things that have to be done here. After that I’m looking forward to leaving Nai-robbery and journeying back home to Kangundo.

Next day – Monday-

So after a long night with a pounding head we returned to the police station where a very kind officer helped us understand the procedure to get my abstract (police report). When he was looking up my case he had to backtrack through many many pages – all crimes that were reported after mine last night. I pondered that - I was sure so many of those victims had suffered much worse than I had. I was filled with thankfulness for God’s Presence with us as I remembered the body of that young man on the sidewalk. How do people make it through life without the Lord?

Earlier Jackson had called Lois, asking her to call the accountant and inform him I could not meet with him because the accounts on the usb drive had been stolen. As we were on our way, we got a very strange call back from her. She had just been told by the accountant that my purse was at the Nairobi Golf Club. What??? We detoured there and found out a caddy had found the handbag on the green in the early morning – they looked inside and saw the business card of the accountant (whom I was supposed to be meeting with) and called him asking if he knew me (my credit cards with my name were in the bag) How crazy is that?? That business card had been in my wallet for years and I never even knew it was there! We eagerly received the bag and looked inside. Yes, all of the money, my mobile phone and my passport were gone – but there was the usb drive, my modem and the memory card with all of the pictures intact! I was so happy to receive them. The manager treated us to coffee and then we were able to go and do my business with the accountant and get the modem fixed on the way to the bus station and home.

By this I knew God was reminding me that He was in control of every detail of what had happened last night - that He had allowed satan to go so far and no further. In spite of what I had lost, I felt so protected and loved. God doesn’t promise us we won’t go through fires of tribulation – in fact He promises just the opposite – but He does promise we won’t go through them alone and that He will use them for our good. I felt positively snug in the very hand of God, shielded from every harm and evil. I returned to Kangundo this afternoon with Jackson and a very grateful, thankful heart.

Nothing about my situation has changed - Yes, I am still a penniless, undocumented alien without my mobile phone (you Americans should appreciate what that means!) but I am rejoicing because the most valuable thing I have could never be taken away….I have a very attentive Heavenly Father who sees me and knows me and takes care of me. He never leaves me alone, loves me immensely and He will meet all of my needs. I don’t need to try to understand all of His ways – I can simplytrust  Him. I remembered the prayer I had repeated over and over in the police station last night – for trust and faith – and I marveled at how completely God had answered it. I find myself utterly at peace and rest in my heart – with joy and even thankfulness that this has happened. Only God can do that and I give Him all the credit for it.

I also have a strong feeling that this has happened for the benefit of the man who beat and robbed me. Will you pray for his salvation with me? I truly believe that one day in heaven I am going to meet this man and hear the story of his redemption and I am imagining how joyful it will be…

I have so much more to share with you – but I will save that for a future email.  For now, I am going to put my bruised little head on my pillow and sleep. And I know it will be a peaceful, restful sleep – free of anxiety and worry and care. My Father does all things well.

Lala salaama, (good night)

diana

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diane clements

Grace Children's Home Ministries - LIKE us on Facebook

gracechildrenshome.net

Signs of Peace

I arrived at the college parking lot and as I was walking to the auditorium where I would be playing with a 120 piece orchestra, I heard above me in a tree, the cooing of a dove. I love the sound of the dove, it brings peace. In the orchestra we would be playing a variety of music from The sound of music" to the "Marches from Star Wars". It is beautiful to hear all the instruments playing together in their different tones and expressions and yet I remember the sound of that dove most of all. In our churches we sing and clap and dance to the praise music, there is a time for excitement, but I also I like the soft, tender music and I think the LORD likes this too. After the stirring performance of the orchestra, I walked to the car in a gentle breeze. As I was sitting in the car, I glanced up to a tree and saw the leaves and limbs dancing in the wind. This too gave me peace. The presence of the Spirit of God; the dove and the spirit (wind). I must have the presence of God in my life and these were gentle reminders to me. I was able to play my musical instrument with skill because he is with me. Without the Holy Spirit we are as dead people. With him we live forever and with life more abundant.

Eaglewings Ministries

Every word matters

Mat 12:35  A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
Mat 12:36  But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

We must give account for every idle word before the Lord at the judgment. Every idle word that men shall speak, (women too). This applies to all people, the saved and the unsaved. Thank you Jesus for taking my sins and removing me from the wrath of God, but do my words glorify him? We fight the devil, his thoughts given to us and we have our flesh thoughts that are not of the spirit of God. We must take control of our words. Some popular thoughts are that our words are prophecy. That we can prophesy good or evil. Let's not call sin a prophecy. Speaking from the Spirit could be prophetic, but speaking idle words and hurtful words to others, and yes, to yourself as well; these words are from evil, false prophesy, lies, and destruction. We must keep our heart and mind from evil, for out of these we speak.

Jer 6:19  Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it. 

The LORD loves his people and his glory rests upon them by the redemption of  Jesus Christ. With his glory upon us, how can we speak foolish idle words. Let's make a conscience effort to speak words that encourage and any correction must be in love, as we are led by His Spirit.

Lord, may I be used to glorify your name, to build up your people and to be a light to the lost. May many come to you and receive life everlasting. May we speak words that are fruitful, in Jesus name, amen.

Eaglewings Ministries

Our Fruit

What does it mean for us to bear fruit? There is the fruit of our thoughts and our actions, our way of life. Lets see what the Bible has to say. I have selected verses to help us understand about our fruit.

Fruit of the Lips

 

Isa 57:19  I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.
Isa 57:20  But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
Isa 57:21  There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.

In Christ

Heb 13:15  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Heb 13:16  But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

 

Thoughts

 

Jer 6:19  Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.

Jer 17:10  I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

The fruit of abiding in the vine; connection and prayer.

 

John 15:4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

 

John 15:8  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

John 15:16  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

 

The fruit of the Spirit

Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Gal 5:26  Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

 

Fruit of Righteousness in Christ Jesus

Jas 3:18  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

The fruit of the ungodly will perish. In Jesus our fruit is righteous if we stay connected to him, the Vine, and our prayers will be answered. When we walk in the Spirit, we have the fruit of the Spirit. Beware of wicked imaginations, from too much "youtube"? panic, or news that causes you to lose hope. Stay connected to Jesus, the Word of God and praise him, pray to the Father, obey him and in this way you will have lasting fruit. 

Eaglewings Ministries