Good morning, this is my last devotion of the year 2011. Number 224! That's right, 224. And I am understandably tired. And you should be too. We have been through a lot together. But 224? If your pastor preached every Sunday last year, and if you attended, you would have heard 52 messages about God, I have written more than FOUR times that this year. To say the least, the Holy Spirit has been busy many mornings this year. If you don't believe in miracles, try that one yourself. There you go, proof of the Holy Spirit, for without Him the number drops to zero. So I am going to rest and spend time with my family. We will be wearing name tags the first few days, until we get familiar with each other again, but we all need a rest. It has been a year where I have seen God do more with less, aka me, and I am amazed. Somewhere between your prayers, my occasional obedience, and His mercy and grace, I made it until today. So much to reflect on and be thankful for.
But He also reminds me to rest, for next year the challenges are going to be greater. Just watching the news shows us how scripture concerning the last days is unfolding. The rapture of the church is imminent-are you ready? So many times this year God has reminded me of the urgency of this, and instructed me to be about HIS business, and He will take care of mine. So I pass that good advice on to you-be about God's business. For all conventional ways of doing business may fade away, or be taken away in the next year. No wonder it is written in 2 Corinthians that the things seen are temporal, but the things not seen are eternal. So I will be resting up, for 2012 will be an exciting year.
Not because of the Mayan calendar, or Hollywood movies, or who is in the White House, or even perverse, satanic uttering's from so-called Christians predicting the end of the world. It is because of Jesus Christ, and the wedding feast with Him. He will soon call for His bride-us, and like a Jewish bridegroom, doesn't know the time or date until His Father tells Him. Then the trumpet will blow, He will call for His bride, and the party begins. In heaven. With us! Beware of anyone who tries to figure or tell you a time. NO ONE but God the Father knows. And He ain't telling! So if Jesus doesn't know, what makes you think He would He tell you?
This past year I have spent time with some incredible people, who have impacted my life. Gavin and Lynsay-wow! Alex who only last week went to heaven. Fr. Al whose friendship I dearly covet, and who God has spared yet another cancer so He can minister to others. The population in Heaven has grown through God's grace by more people I know and loved this year than ever before. From Lee, Don, Tammi, Bill, Alex, Randy, Mena, my Shirl girl, and others, God showed mercy and took them home. At the feast, just waiting for the guests to arrive. My prayer-make sure you are there, it takes Jesus. Make sure you are on the guest list, aka the Book of Life. Trust God.
For 224 times this year I hope that I have been an encouragement to you, and others. From my writings, to John sharing them in prison through air vents, to my bikers friends in Minsk, to all of you who claim Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior-Happy New Year. Keep up the good work. Man may not notice, but God does. And some of us do also.
Keep my family in prayer as this month has brought many challenges.
But it also brings more opportunities for God to be God, and to make new testimonies. Keep both my sons in prayer as they both lost their jobs this month, through no fault of their own. We had a small fire and will have parts of the house redone by insurance. Keep our financial needs in your prayers. When God called me He promised "manna in my garage, my refrigerator, and for my mortgage." And not to ask for money. HE has been faithful, and allowed me to do His work instead of asking for money via letters, e-mails, and support mail. No major donors here, just a benevolent Dad, who wants to be God in my life. Just like the apostles, He sent me out with what I have on, and has met all my needs. A lesson to all, and especially for me-it ain't always easy. But the benefits are incredible!
But it also brings more opportunities for God to be God, and to make new testimonies. Keep both my sons in prayer as they both lost their jobs this month, through no fault of their own. We had a small fire and will have parts of the house redone by insurance. Keep our financial needs in your prayers. When God called me He promised "manna in my garage, my refrigerator, and for my mortgage." And not to ask for money. HE has been faithful, and allowed me to do His work instead of asking for money via letters, e-mails, and support mail. No major donors here, just a benevolent Dad, who wants to be God in my life. Just like the apostles, He sent me out with what I have on, and has met all my needs. A lesson to all, and especially for me-it ain't always easy. But the benefits are incredible!
So trust God this next year. As houses are foreclosed more than ever, as jobs become scarcer, and as world events spell catastrophe, remember that God takes care of His children. So let Him! As things get tougher, His return is closer!
And pray for my wife, who has faithfully, but not always understandably stood by me. Good thing she trusts God more than me. So we're going riding. Not sure where, but alone together. My best friend, my co-minister, and more to me than words can say. My sweet and my love. We all should be so blessed.
224 times this year I have written via the Holy Spirit to all who read. I cannot say I love you better than to point you to Jesus via the spirit right now. With compassion that only Christ can offer. So for the 224th time, let me say I love you.
with compassion,
Mike
Happy New year
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