Dear Friends,
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3
We greet you with the joy of knowing that God is still on the throne of Heaven and He delights in blessing His children with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus! But, one may say, “The uncertainties of circumstances and the complexities of relationships just keep piling up.” We make a little headway here and there, but the unforeseen trials crop up like weeds in the garden patch of our life. And when we look up at what’s going on around us, we can’t help but grieve over the state of the world that surrounds us. At times we may wonder if this is, indeed, the pathway to our home in Heaven? How do we prepare for the disappointments and the losses and the obstacles that litter the road beneath our worn, tired feet?
O, my soul, look up. See the understanding eyes of your loving Jesus ever upon you – beckoning with His powerful, outstretched hand speaking to you by name the words that only your God could say: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Many of you are engaged in nursing home ministry and you approach your assignment with great dedication and sacrifice. And, in fact, each of us are ministers of God’s grace to the world with all its circumstances and relationships that He has sovereignly placed us in. We walk in the light of His grace – may the message we share with His little ones in care centers and in the house next door be clearly a testimony to the blessings we enjoy walking in heavenly places in Christ!
All Who Truly Know Thee
By Jerry Johnson
Your joys bubble in the heart
Like stars sparkling in the sky;
Your peace gently rolls o’er us
Like white clouds billowing by;
Your hope gives strength in weakness
Like the sun gives light to day;
Your life quickens our spirit
Like mother’s milk to her stray;
Your precious presence comforts
Like fire on a frozen night;
Your gentleness astounds us
Like the blind receiving sight;
Your love revives our parched soul
Like rain to drought stricken tree:
These are heavenly riches
To all who truly know Thee.
Precious little lambs in the arms of Jesus! He knows the way through the wilderness of our lives! He loves His children to whom we minister in care facilities infinitely more than any of us ever could! He understands the struggles in the lives of our family, friends and neighbors and He alone can save them with His infinite grace! Let each of us determine fresh and anew to give HIM to the world around us! May our testimony point all who meet us to Him – He Who is our personal, moment-by-moment, eternal fountain of life and love and peace in the midst of a lost and dying world!
And, may we say, as we always do, thank you, each of you, for the encouragement of your prayers and financial support as we continue to seek to follow our Master in this, His ministry.
Love,
