Hi all,
I was thinking about my February visitation with the Lord during which He talked to me of a change in government in Germany that was coming, as I reported in March’s e-newsletter. He said,
“When you see a change of government in Germany, know that it will send ripples across Europe, and lead to large changes to their (EU) structure and economy (and in other governments).”
As I shared at the Dutch conference, He also said France and Germany would be ‘at odds’ on some issues at this time. There will be a season of them being on different sides of an issue(s) rather than united…so keep watching. And praying. You’re going to see voices from the right (and far right) have a voice in government like we’ve not seen in decades. There’s so much more, but pray for the EU.
Kenya water well
As I write this the Kenya well project is finishing, with the result being the Kwoyo Village will have a working water well powered by a set of solar panels running a pump filling a large water storage tank. Thank you to those who gave so generously!
Wil and Ank and the Dutch conference
Once again Wil and Ank did an amazing job organizing our annual Dutch conference, and we are so thankful. I mirror for them what Paul said of Titus in II Corinthians 8: 16, 23, that God has put the same care for them in the heart of Titus, and that he was Paul’s partner and fellow-helper concerning them. That is Wil and Ank to me. We have each other’s ‘spiritual DNA’ so to speak and their love for people abounds throughout their hosting, and their travels in the EU.
In that care especially for you in the EU, I ask you consider monthly support for them. I’m not asking anything we are not already doing personally and that CWOWI does as well, so I’m not asking you to do something I’m not doing personally.
Their love for you and support is precious in the Lord as they do the work of apostles. Not only do they travel all over the EU visiting and teaching and offering advice and guidance, but they are also going to be making more full use of their home for smaller regional and local conferences. I pray many of you will be as Paul said of his supporters in II Corinthians 8:4; their hearts being such that they insisted on taking part in the privilege of giving to him for the work of the ministry. Thank you!
Transitions in life that come by surprise
In the normal cycle of springtime people go through expected and anticipated transitions such as school graduations, vacations, and holidays; Each decision flowing from joyful anticipation of the next step. But there are other transitions too.
This year seems to be a year of transition for people that has come upon them by surprise. Sometimes by the actions of family members or job change, sometimes by the discovery of a medical condition or the sudden need to make changes to care for loved ones, and anything in between, we are seeing people in transition!
Changes in life, these seasons of transition, signify the close of one chapter and the start of a new one. When one chapter or season closes the one before us is filled with uncertainty, and very often we weren’t even mentally or emotionally prepared for the last season to close before the next one was thrust upon us.
Sometimes in these transitions we feel like we were given a promise by Him, yet the season of life changes before we see it come to pass. That is covered in this month’s teaching, ‘Why is it hard to swat a fly?’. Isaiah 57: 15 says God lives both in eternity, and in our hearts, and that is the difficulty for us. When He speaks it is from the perspective of eternity, but it feels like ‘now’ to us – and we expect ‘now’ – reconciling that difference is what trust in Him is all about.
Faith is built upon trust
We have faith in God because He is trustworthy. My favorite ‘faith verse’ is Hebrews 11:11, which says of Sarah: “Through faith Sarah received strength to conceive and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.”
BEFORE the miracle came, she judged God. It was faith, but deeper than an outward expression of faith – she judged God faithful.
Seasons of life change, and with those changes unanswered questions remain. We won’t know all the answers this side of heaven, and that is where trust must abide deep within us. Solomon observed in Ecclesiastes 3:11:
“He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity in the human heart – yet man cannot find out (grasp) what God has done (sin His overall plan) from the beginning to the end.”
When I was given a ‘tour’ (for lack of a better word) of heaven I saw a lot of people talking things over. No discussion was heated or angry, people were just talking through events that had happened in life. It has been observed we judge ourselves by our motives but judge others by their actions. Heaven provides the opportunity to explain our intentions through the perfect communication of the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Truth.
In heaven there is no opportunity for misunderstanding, and more than that, when a person shares what their intention was, the person they are talking to exactly and perfectly feels that they feel, has the motive they were moved by, so there is 100% understanding. In the same way the Lord can speak to us 1 sentence now, but that 1 sentence carries journals full of revelation that we see and comprehend but can’t put into words just yet – that is how it is in heaven.
A person says something, and by revelation the Spirit communicates exactly what they meant, clearing all misunderstandings. And even if the motive wasn’t pure, love and grace is there because often a heart that wants the best for another is carried forth through flawed efforts, causing much hurt.
Transitions. If you don’t have an abiding trust in the character of the Father God. If you don’t have a deep knowing that the worst that could happen to you would be you end up in heaven. If you don’t have deep in you the certain knowledge there will be a huge reunion when all things will be explained and brought together in Him – then you will be fearful, confused, wondering where God is.
Go deeper than ‘surface’ faith, go to trust. Judge God as Sarah did in her transition in life, going from never having children and being past age, to being renewed to be able to conceive and deliver a child – BECAUSE she judged Him faithful. Make that judgement call. Get in touch with the core of your heart, your beliefs, your trust…look at the promises you have, the verses quickened to you, read them one after another from your Bible, your journal, your memory – and look at His track record. And for those things you don’t have answers to – trust. Judge Him faithful. He is.
Prayers
Barb and I appreciate your prayers and giving for our support. Chris did well in our travels, and we are enjoying a slower paced summer which has been good for me to rest and recharge. With the addition of Brian on our staff we are also working on organizing internally, being more active in social media, doing more video teachings that will be on our website and YouTube and such – lots going on.
I feel like the proverbial duck on the pond – on the outside all is calm, but beneath the water our little feet are paddling furiously! LOL. Thank you for your support and prayers.
Blessings,
John and Barb
