I was discussing with a missionary friend the issue of missionaries raising support. I was also preparing a sermon on Philippians 3:12-16. After writing the whole thing, I decided to open a commentary and see the meaning of a certain phrase. While doing this, I came upon verse 11 of Philippians 4. What is really funny is that I was preaching on chapter 3, not 4, but was led to this verse and didn't realize til afterward that I was on the wrong page. Even when you are in the wrong place, God can use you if you are willing to follow, learn, and admit your mistakes.
In Philippians 4, Paul is talking about being content in every circumstance. He is not complaining
of want or desire, but rather letting us know that we need to be content with whatever God has or has not blessed us with materially. Our promise is not of financial blessing, but of the peace of God which passes all understanding.
We tend to see things from man's point of view, not God's. This missionary will tell you of his many years in missions work, he never asked for a penny, yet always had what he needed. He does not believe, like most do, that God supplying X amount of money in peoples promises means that God is in something. I know, and an honest person would agree, that when we have too much or are too comfortable, we tend to rely on ourselves and thank God(maybe), but not rely on the Lord as much as those times when we are poor, desperate, and crying out to him for rescue.
The quote from Bill MacDonald's commentary on Philippians 4:11: "It is a blessed secret when the believer learns how to carry a high head with an empty stomach, an upright look with empty pockets, a happy heart with an unpaid salary, and joy in God when MEN are faithless" I am not saying that serving the Lord means empty pockets, and poverty. It may, it may not. But, trusting in men rather than God will not produce God's perfect work. 2 Timothy 2:13 "If we are faithless (like men tend to be), He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself" It would be denying the very nature of God to go back on His promises. Our joy is in serving the Lord, not in what we gain from it. His glory and honor are to be what we are seeking.
If God calls you to do something, He will not leave you without the means, the strength, and the resources to do that which He called you to do. Relying on men's promises is tantamount to denying God's ability to provide for His own work. "God's work, done God's way, will never lack God's supply"- Hudson Taylor, missionary to China, and a man of tremendous faith in the calling of God on His life in very specific ways.
I just was thinking about that and wanted to share it with you.
Mark Cowperthwaite
email: markcowperthwaite@roadrunner.com
Saturday, November 15, 2008
One thing I do- Philippians 3
“This one thing I do”
by Mark Cowperthwaite
November 5,2008
Philippians 3:12-16 What are you living for?
“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing you be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.”
People always ask when they meet you- What do you do? I guess they want to hear how I make a living. I hope that I do one thing... press on toward my calling in Christ Jesus.
Time-
DAILY Bible, prayer, instruction (parents)
If we don’t have time for God, what needs to go? Certainly there are priorities, but the list of possibilities is long. The gym, sports, karate, hunting, TV, computer...
What you do should not be dishonoring to God- TV, computer, books, testimony, dress
(Modesty, causing a brother to stumble)
Do you have trouble with your kids, your marriage, money? Look to the Word of God, and earnestly pray, desiring God’s will more than your own. Are you following the road map set forth in Scripture, or doing it your way hoping God will bless it?
You are not your own, you are bought with a price! I don’t promise roses every day, but with our eyes fixed on the prize, our Savior, and eternity with God, the troubles of the world pale in comparison.
What would your friends say if asked “Does (your name here) give their life entirely to God, and live as Jesus would have them live?”
What would your coworkers, family, people you don’t like say?
What would God say?
Faith- the power of God, we must be plugged in to use it.
Disciples, who knew Jesus personally, didn’t have the faith to cast out the demon because they had little faith in Matthew 17. John 11 tells us that Mary and Martha said “our brother would not have died if you had come!” They thought Jesus was powerless, because Lazarus had died. He showed them that NOTHING is impossible, including raising from the dead. Phil 4:13
The church is plagued by sickness, marriage trouble, disobedient children, pornography, and sin of all kinds. It all stems from lack of faith. Jesus said “what you ask in faith believing and not doubting, will be given” Mark 11:22-24
Do you think God can heal your body? I know He healed mine. Only when I committed my all to Him, preparing for ministry, knowing what He called me to do, praying without doubt, did God heal my body. What is out of God’s control? Why did it take me so long to surrender to His will? That is the question.
Can God heal your marriage? He will if you ask Him. If you let Him!
Can God fix the disobedient child? We hear people say that kids don’t come with an instruction manual- they do! The Bible is God’s instruction manual for children, business, everything. Joshua 1:8, Deut 11:18-20
Can God keep you from pornography? I have seen it in my own life and those of many others God has put in my path to encourage me. It is ONLY by His power, not our own.
Do we believe that we can move mountains? Cast out demons? Walk up to an unregenerate sinner and by the power of God through the Gospel show someone the way to eternal life in heaven? If we rely on our own power, we will fail. If we rely on our own riches, talent, good looks (HA!), we will fail.
With GOD all things are possible. Without God, we are nothing, nothing exists apart from the will of God. If God decided to suspend gravity, it would go away. If God saw fit to take oxygen out of the air, we would all be helpless to fix it. We exist because God allows it and will it. Take that into consideration before finding fault with how He chooses to handle things. The greatest lack of faith I see in Christians is in God’s ability to handle things.
Elected officials will never bring about change for God. Banning abortion, the atrocity that it is, will not bring about change. It is only when our nation bows on its knees before a Holy God that we will see change. Get used to saying “President Obama” He keeps talking about change. I don’t think he will bring about the change that will matter to God.
If I am wrong, please show me out of Scripture, but I can’t seem to find a verse that says we should be involved in politics. Jesus didn’t run for president, Paul submitted himself to the council, Peter wasn’t spending his time or money to get so-and-so elected. They preached the gospel, they lived for God. They dedicated their lives to the work of the Lord.
(Time to step on toes) Ephesians 2:19"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” Our business is not to get into politics, but to spread the Word of God. The government will not save us, nor are we citizens of this earth, but of heaven. If God wills that the United States be overthrown or destroyed, then it will happen.
Our loyalty should be only to God. We are to honor the authority over us, and obey those God has put over us. Only when we must decide between God’s authority and man’s authority are we told as Peter said in Acts 5:29 “we must obey God rather than man”
Witness-
Do you tell people about God? Do you mention heaven or hell? Jesus certainly did! Do you honestly think you can love someone and then not tell them that without Christ and His salvation, they will spend eternity in hell, in judgement, in eternal death? “It is appointed unto men once to die, and after this, JUDGEMENT!” Heb 9:27
What kind of friend sees a friend walking toward the edge of a cliff and doesn’t grab him by the arm, rescuing him from death? An unsaved person is blind to the truth of the consequence, or the cliff itself until we tell them. It is our obligation to tell them.
You may offend him, but if he sees the reason for your assault, he will thank you. This is not a lifestyle choice, but a life or death decision for eternity! Today may be your friend’s last day on earth. Don’t wait for them to ask, go tell them!
When was the last time you brought up the subject of salvation to an unsaved person?
What are you afraid of? (Common objections, none of which are valid: not know what to say, can’t answer a question, not an outgoing person...)
I can do all things through CHRIST who gives me strength.
Jesus told us to tell people, and He won’t command us to do something and then not give us the strength to do it. We have to rely on Him, not ourselves, our strength, our ability to speak, but HIM ONLY!
Exodus 3:11-14
“And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain. And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”
Think about Moses, he actually tried to talk God out of using him through his excuses. Do we do the same thing? Too often, we do.
1 Cor. 2:1-6 “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”
Paul said he was not eloquent, weak, fearful, and trembling. If Paul knew how little ability he had, yet chose to allow God to use him, what is keeping us from boldly proclaiming Jesus?
We rely on human reasoning rather than obey God. If God tells you to do something and you don’t do it, you are disobeying Him. There is no other way to look at it. Obey or disobey, make your choice and repent if you have been disobedient in the past. You can’t fix yesterday, but you can do more today.
Jeremiah 20:9"If I say I will not remember Him, or speak anymore in His name, then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot endure it”
This is how we should feel about the privilege we have of proclaiming our Lord and Savior to those who don’t know Him. When your heart is full and the Holy Spirit keeps filling you up, it will overflow, you cannot bind it up. You have to give it out, spreading the good news everywhere you go. Our testimony, our behavior is a direct result of what is in our hearts.
How do we get full?
Psalm 1: 1-2 ,James 1:25.,Job 23:10-12 hold fast to His path, word of His mouth more than my food, sleep, fun.....
Give Him control of your life, stop taking it back. Take up your cross daily, (Living sacrifice crawls off the altar) WHY? Lack of faith in God to keep you, but He promises He will never leave us or forsake us. His promise is better than that of any man.
If we are full of the world, we will act like the world. James 4:3-8
“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”
If we are full of ourselves, we will talk about ourselves. But if, as we should be, we are filled to overflowing with the love of God toward people that need His salvation (which only comes through the Holy Spirit) we will be spilling out our love and desire for our Savior everywhere we go. What are our motives in prayer? Do we seek to bring people to salvation through Christ, or do we want to make ourselves feel better. Do we pray for things according to God’s will or that we get what we want. We see in this passage that if our motives are wrong, our prayers will not be answered. If we desire out of our own lusts, and seek what the world has, we are double minded and need to repent.
Read 2 Cor 5:14-21
“ the love of Christ constrains us” 15 “And He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf”- All from God, reconciled us through Christ, given US the ministry of reconciliation not counting their trespasses- don’t only witness to nice people, Jesus died for all sins and committed to us the work (says it again, must be important) of ambassadors, making an appeal through US, we BEG you to be reconciled to God. He had no sin, but became sin for us, we are made righteous ONLY through Him.
We cannot depend on past victories- we tend to put up our memories of what we did for Christ years ago like shrines on the wall. (Borrowed example from Brother Yun- “Living Water”) The nets used to fish for men have been dry cleaned, pressed, and put up to remind us of what we have done in the past. Some sort of trophy, pictures of our big game. Why do we tend to think that we are done serving God. If you aren’t dead, you aren’t finished on this earth. God left you here to serve Him, every day until He calls us home, we are to be about our Father’s business.
“We used to... remember when we... “Get out of the past and do something today. I keep hearing “ we used to have Gospel meetings” and “remember when that evangelist came and we went out in the streets and knocked on doors to talk to people” and “this church has been a rock in our community for decades” Get out of the past and see what God wants you to do today and then DO IT!
Only what’s done for Christ will last- personal victories are meaningless, the power and strength we use only comes from God. He uses those who know they are weak... “when I am weak, then I am strong” sounds opposed to human reasoning. It is, we are not talking about human reasoning, but God’s reasoning. He wants us to live for Him, by His strength, and according to His will.
Phil 4:13 I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST who gives me strength” Everything....
Do you do things in such a way as to bring attention to yourself or to the Lord? False humility is pride, just in disguise. It is sin, and we tend to think that if we act humble on the outside, that pride is OK, as long as nobody sees it. God sees.
He is our only strength, our only hope, and the one who deserves our worship, praise, OUR LIVES! The song says “all to Jesus I surrender, humbly at His feet I bow...”
Will you surrender today? Can we sing the song honestly, and live it out each day? We can through the power of God in Christ Jesus.
I Surrender All
All to Jesus, I surrender; All to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.
All to Jesus I surrender; Humbly at His feet I bow, Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
Take me, Jesus, take me now.
All to Jesus, I surrender; Lord, I give myself to Thee; Fill me with Thy love and power;
Let Thy blessing fall on me.
I surrender all, I surrender all, all to Thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all.
by Mark Cowperthwaite
November 5,2008
Philippians 3:12-16 What are you living for?
“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing you be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.”
People always ask when they meet you- What do you do? I guess they want to hear how I make a living. I hope that I do one thing... press on toward my calling in Christ Jesus.
Time-
DAILY Bible, prayer, instruction (parents)
If we don’t have time for God, what needs to go? Certainly there are priorities, but the list of possibilities is long. The gym, sports, karate, hunting, TV, computer...
What you do should not be dishonoring to God- TV, computer, books, testimony, dress
(Modesty, causing a brother to stumble)
Do you have trouble with your kids, your marriage, money? Look to the Word of God, and earnestly pray, desiring God’s will more than your own. Are you following the road map set forth in Scripture, or doing it your way hoping God will bless it?
You are not your own, you are bought with a price! I don’t promise roses every day, but with our eyes fixed on the prize, our Savior, and eternity with God, the troubles of the world pale in comparison.
What would your friends say if asked “Does (your name here) give their life entirely to God, and live as Jesus would have them live?”
What would your coworkers, family, people you don’t like say?
What would God say?
Faith- the power of God, we must be plugged in to use it.
Disciples, who knew Jesus personally, didn’t have the faith to cast out the demon because they had little faith in Matthew 17. John 11 tells us that Mary and Martha said “our brother would not have died if you had come!” They thought Jesus was powerless, because Lazarus had died. He showed them that NOTHING is impossible, including raising from the dead. Phil 4:13
The church is plagued by sickness, marriage trouble, disobedient children, pornography, and sin of all kinds. It all stems from lack of faith. Jesus said “what you ask in faith believing and not doubting, will be given” Mark 11:22-24
Do you think God can heal your body? I know He healed mine. Only when I committed my all to Him, preparing for ministry, knowing what He called me to do, praying without doubt, did God heal my body. What is out of God’s control? Why did it take me so long to surrender to His will? That is the question.
Can God heal your marriage? He will if you ask Him. If you let Him!
Can God fix the disobedient child? We hear people say that kids don’t come with an instruction manual- they do! The Bible is God’s instruction manual for children, business, everything. Joshua 1:8, Deut 11:18-20
Can God keep you from pornography? I have seen it in my own life and those of many others God has put in my path to encourage me. It is ONLY by His power, not our own.
Do we believe that we can move mountains? Cast out demons? Walk up to an unregenerate sinner and by the power of God through the Gospel show someone the way to eternal life in heaven? If we rely on our own power, we will fail. If we rely on our own riches, talent, good looks (HA!), we will fail.
With GOD all things are possible. Without God, we are nothing, nothing exists apart from the will of God. If God decided to suspend gravity, it would go away. If God saw fit to take oxygen out of the air, we would all be helpless to fix it. We exist because God allows it and will it. Take that into consideration before finding fault with how He chooses to handle things. The greatest lack of faith I see in Christians is in God’s ability to handle things.
Elected officials will never bring about change for God. Banning abortion, the atrocity that it is, will not bring about change. It is only when our nation bows on its knees before a Holy God that we will see change. Get used to saying “President Obama” He keeps talking about change. I don’t think he will bring about the change that will matter to God.
If I am wrong, please show me out of Scripture, but I can’t seem to find a verse that says we should be involved in politics. Jesus didn’t run for president, Paul submitted himself to the council, Peter wasn’t spending his time or money to get so-and-so elected. They preached the gospel, they lived for God. They dedicated their lives to the work of the Lord.
(Time to step on toes) Ephesians 2:19"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” Our business is not to get into politics, but to spread the Word of God. The government will not save us, nor are we citizens of this earth, but of heaven. If God wills that the United States be overthrown or destroyed, then it will happen.
Our loyalty should be only to God. We are to honor the authority over us, and obey those God has put over us. Only when we must decide between God’s authority and man’s authority are we told as Peter said in Acts 5:29 “we must obey God rather than man”
Witness-
Do you tell people about God? Do you mention heaven or hell? Jesus certainly did! Do you honestly think you can love someone and then not tell them that without Christ and His salvation, they will spend eternity in hell, in judgement, in eternal death? “It is appointed unto men once to die, and after this, JUDGEMENT!” Heb 9:27
What kind of friend sees a friend walking toward the edge of a cliff and doesn’t grab him by the arm, rescuing him from death? An unsaved person is blind to the truth of the consequence, or the cliff itself until we tell them. It is our obligation to tell them.
You may offend him, but if he sees the reason for your assault, he will thank you. This is not a lifestyle choice, but a life or death decision for eternity! Today may be your friend’s last day on earth. Don’t wait for them to ask, go tell them!
When was the last time you brought up the subject of salvation to an unsaved person?
What are you afraid of? (Common objections, none of which are valid: not know what to say, can’t answer a question, not an outgoing person...)
I can do all things through CHRIST who gives me strength.
Jesus told us to tell people, and He won’t command us to do something and then not give us the strength to do it. We have to rely on Him, not ourselves, our strength, our ability to speak, but HIM ONLY!
Exodus 3:11-14
“And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain. And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”
Think about Moses, he actually tried to talk God out of using him through his excuses. Do we do the same thing? Too often, we do.
1 Cor. 2:1-6 “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”
Paul said he was not eloquent, weak, fearful, and trembling. If Paul knew how little ability he had, yet chose to allow God to use him, what is keeping us from boldly proclaiming Jesus?
We rely on human reasoning rather than obey God. If God tells you to do something and you don’t do it, you are disobeying Him. There is no other way to look at it. Obey or disobey, make your choice and repent if you have been disobedient in the past. You can’t fix yesterday, but you can do more today.
Jeremiah 20:9"If I say I will not remember Him, or speak anymore in His name, then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot endure it”
This is how we should feel about the privilege we have of proclaiming our Lord and Savior to those who don’t know Him. When your heart is full and the Holy Spirit keeps filling you up, it will overflow, you cannot bind it up. You have to give it out, spreading the good news everywhere you go. Our testimony, our behavior is a direct result of what is in our hearts.
How do we get full?
Psalm 1: 1-2 ,James 1:25.,Job 23:10-12 hold fast to His path, word of His mouth more than my food, sleep, fun.....
Give Him control of your life, stop taking it back. Take up your cross daily, (Living sacrifice crawls off the altar) WHY? Lack of faith in God to keep you, but He promises He will never leave us or forsake us. His promise is better than that of any man.
If we are full of the world, we will act like the world. James 4:3-8
“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”
If we are full of ourselves, we will talk about ourselves. But if, as we should be, we are filled to overflowing with the love of God toward people that need His salvation (which only comes through the Holy Spirit) we will be spilling out our love and desire for our Savior everywhere we go. What are our motives in prayer? Do we seek to bring people to salvation through Christ, or do we want to make ourselves feel better. Do we pray for things according to God’s will or that we get what we want. We see in this passage that if our motives are wrong, our prayers will not be answered. If we desire out of our own lusts, and seek what the world has, we are double minded and need to repent.
Read 2 Cor 5:14-21
“ the love of Christ constrains us” 15 “And He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf”- All from God, reconciled us through Christ, given US the ministry of reconciliation not counting their trespasses- don’t only witness to nice people, Jesus died for all sins and committed to us the work (says it again, must be important) of ambassadors, making an appeal through US, we BEG you to be reconciled to God. He had no sin, but became sin for us, we are made righteous ONLY through Him.
We cannot depend on past victories- we tend to put up our memories of what we did for Christ years ago like shrines on the wall. (Borrowed example from Brother Yun- “Living Water”) The nets used to fish for men have been dry cleaned, pressed, and put up to remind us of what we have done in the past. Some sort of trophy, pictures of our big game. Why do we tend to think that we are done serving God. If you aren’t dead, you aren’t finished on this earth. God left you here to serve Him, every day until He calls us home, we are to be about our Father’s business.
“We used to... remember when we... “Get out of the past and do something today. I keep hearing “ we used to have Gospel meetings” and “remember when that evangelist came and we went out in the streets and knocked on doors to talk to people” and “this church has been a rock in our community for decades” Get out of the past and see what God wants you to do today and then DO IT!
Only what’s done for Christ will last- personal victories are meaningless, the power and strength we use only comes from God. He uses those who know they are weak... “when I am weak, then I am strong” sounds opposed to human reasoning. It is, we are not talking about human reasoning, but God’s reasoning. He wants us to live for Him, by His strength, and according to His will.
Phil 4:13 I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST who gives me strength” Everything....
Do you do things in such a way as to bring attention to yourself or to the Lord? False humility is pride, just in disguise. It is sin, and we tend to think that if we act humble on the outside, that pride is OK, as long as nobody sees it. God sees.
He is our only strength, our only hope, and the one who deserves our worship, praise, OUR LIVES! The song says “all to Jesus I surrender, humbly at His feet I bow...”
Will you surrender today? Can we sing the song honestly, and live it out each day? We can through the power of God in Christ Jesus.
I Surrender All
All to Jesus, I surrender; All to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.
All to Jesus I surrender; Humbly at His feet I bow, Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
Take me, Jesus, take me now.
All to Jesus, I surrender; Lord, I give myself to Thee; Fill me with Thy love and power;
Let Thy blessing fall on me.
I surrender all, I surrender all, all to Thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all.
More stuff to go through, faith in action.
Wow, you really don't know how much stuff you have until you need to move it. The house is on the market, and will make someone a great home, we have loved it here. I have continued to work and get more stuff finished.
Justin (my friend and business partner) and I went through our tools and have tons for sale. My whole shed 12x16 is full of tools. Over half of which we are selling. This has been cool to have money coming in, but also caused me to pause and reflect on the materialistic way we live in the US.
I don't need half the stuff we have, and as we continue to think of the possibility of living in a small apartment instead of a large house, we have been blessed to be able to see how we can be trapped in consumerism even when we tend to think of ourselves as not being involved in it. I have like a dozen saws and drills that I have not used in years, why do I have them?
So, where do we go from here? Well, it has been great to give stuff away, and we have more to give, but are really down to the sales part now. When the house sells, we will gather the most important things and start there, then weed through everything else to see what will fit in the moving truck when it comes time.
Justin is moving into a 35' camper being hauled by his family van. He will be going across the country working with churches and spreading the Gospel in street preaching, one to one ministry, kids clubs, and equipping the churches to do the same. He had to pare down his possessions even more, with 5 kids and a wife all living in the camper. This experience, getting ready to travel and move, has definitely been eye opening for him too.
It is great to know that when God puts on one's heart a desire to go and serve Him no matter where that road leads, that there are still people that will follow His leading. Justin has helped me in our decision to follow God's leading and we have learned together as friends the experience of trusting the Lord with everything. The Lord is in control and works all things together for good for those who love Him.
We certainly do love the Lord and desire to serve Him with all we are and all we do. That is the focal point of this life, and beyond. Let's remember each day to trust God and lean not on our own understanding, in all our ways acknowledge Him and He will make our paths straight.
Justin (my friend and business partner) and I went through our tools and have tons for sale. My whole shed 12x16 is full of tools. Over half of which we are selling. This has been cool to have money coming in, but also caused me to pause and reflect on the materialistic way we live in the US.
I don't need half the stuff we have, and as we continue to think of the possibility of living in a small apartment instead of a large house, we have been blessed to be able to see how we can be trapped in consumerism even when we tend to think of ourselves as not being involved in it. I have like a dozen saws and drills that I have not used in years, why do I have them?
So, where do we go from here? Well, it has been great to give stuff away, and we have more to give, but are really down to the sales part now. When the house sells, we will gather the most important things and start there, then weed through everything else to see what will fit in the moving truck when it comes time.
Justin is moving into a 35' camper being hauled by his family van. He will be going across the country working with churches and spreading the Gospel in street preaching, one to one ministry, kids clubs, and equipping the churches to do the same. He had to pare down his possessions even more, with 5 kids and a wife all living in the camper. This experience, getting ready to travel and move, has definitely been eye opening for him too.
It is great to know that when God puts on one's heart a desire to go and serve Him no matter where that road leads, that there are still people that will follow His leading. Justin has helped me in our decision to follow God's leading and we have learned together as friends the experience of trusting the Lord with everything. The Lord is in control and works all things together for good for those who love Him.
We certainly do love the Lord and desire to serve Him with all we are and all we do. That is the focal point of this life, and beyond. Let's remember each day to trust God and lean not on our own understanding, in all our ways acknowledge Him and He will make our paths straight.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Things are moving fast now
We have gone through all our books, clothes, beds, furniture, kitchen appliances, etc. We have cleaned out much of the stuff we don't want, have more for sale. I finished the trim inside the house and tore out the dining room dividing wall so we have the full dining room back. Still have the crown molding and chair rail in the dining room to finish. That is about it. We meet with the realtor today, and are hoping that things move quickly.
We feel so unsettled here now. Our desire is to be where God wants us, and in His timing. I really feel like He is preparing us to go soon. I can't describe the feeling, just that my heart is in the trucker's chapel, and I long to be there. Please keep us in prayer, that we will not rush the Lord's hand, that we will keep our hands off the wheel and let Him be God. Pray also that our transition goes well, as we will be on the road a few days and then getting a new place, there is a lot to do.
I will write again when I have time, but will be starting a new blog about the TFC chapel and other family ministry as we become involved. The 1 acre homestead is for sale, and it doesn't look so much like a homestead. Without the animals, things sure are different.
Mark
We feel so unsettled here now. Our desire is to be where God wants us, and in His timing. I really feel like He is preparing us to go soon. I can't describe the feeling, just that my heart is in the trucker's chapel, and I long to be there. Please keep us in prayer, that we will not rush the Lord's hand, that we will keep our hands off the wheel and let Him be God. Pray also that our transition goes well, as we will be on the road a few days and then getting a new place, there is a lot to do.
I will write again when I have time, but will be starting a new blog about the TFC chapel and other family ministry as we become involved. The 1 acre homestead is for sale, and it doesn't look so much like a homestead. Without the animals, things sure are different.
Mark
Saturday, November 1, 2008
The end of homesteading for now
With all that has gone on with us getting ready to move, we have just the layer hens left and they are sold and awaiting delivery. The bantams left yesterday with almost all the fencing. We also sold the feed buckets and such. The TV and VCR are sold. We have lots more for sale, including the house.
So, you can see pictures of our little homestead here , and if you read this blog and know someone wishing to have a little homestead here in Warren, Maine, please let them know that our little 1 acre on the Maine coast is available. I will be writing more after getting preparations ready to move.
I put the tongue and groove pine on the walls about a year ago, and ran out of money and time. I finally found enough money and time to do the trim. I got the door trim all done and some other finish stuff that I have left to do. Those that have been to my house probably had given up on the trim ever being done, but selling a house tends to motivate you to get stuff done. There is plenty of wood in the shed for the winter, so what I have left is just minor cleanup and organizing what to sell and what to keep or give away.
That is about it for this morning. Hope you have a great day.
Mark
So, you can see pictures of our little homestead here , and if you read this blog and know someone wishing to have a little homestead here in Warren, Maine, please let them know that our little 1 acre on the Maine coast is available. I will be writing more after getting preparations ready to move.
I put the tongue and groove pine on the walls about a year ago, and ran out of money and time. I finally found enough money and time to do the trim. I got the door trim all done and some other finish stuff that I have left to do. Those that have been to my house probably had given up on the trim ever being done, but selling a house tends to motivate you to get stuff done. There is plenty of wood in the shed for the winter, so what I have left is just minor cleanup and organizing what to sell and what to keep or give away.
That is about it for this morning. Hope you have a great day.
Mark
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