Last Sunday we had a special family-focused emphasis in our services. Colleen and I were unable to attend, but are rejoicing in many good reports.
MOther Attends
A daughter has been attending services for many years. Her dad also accepted the Lord and has been baptized, and attends as well. We don’t remember her mother ever attending a Sunday service. She has been very resistant, refusing many invitations to come. But, last Sunday her mother attended the service along with her dad and sister. PTL!
Balanti
In Balanti across the river we are in the process of constructing a new church building. The service there was well attended, along with 7 new ones who came. Hallelujah! The picture above was taken at that service.
Families
Families are vital and important in God’s purposes in the earth. That’s why there is such an attack on families to try to destroy them and to bring disunity and division.
The Lord promised Abraham that in him all the families of the earth would be blessed. God’s will is that families be blessed, not cursed!
God wants families to be fruitful and multiply. His intention is for them to be strong, and bring glory to Him.
Both our physical and spiritual family is important. He sets us in physical families according to His will, and then we become part of His spiritual family – the household of God through faith and receiving Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Joshua 24:15
Joshua said, “Choose you this day whom you will serve… as for me and my house we will serve the Lord”!
May our families be all that God designed them to be. We need to work together toward that goal, and build good, strong relationships! Let’s pray together, and faithfully walk in the ways of the Lord! Let’s spend quality and quantity time with one another! Let’s forgive all wrongs and be loving and kind! Let’s live at peace with one another!
Restoration of Families
God wants to restore families to His purposes (Acts 3:19-21). He wants to draw the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers (Malachi 4:6). He promises to heal us of our wounds (Jeremiah 30:17). He wants to restore to us the years that the locust, cankerworm, and caterpillar has eaten (Joel 2:22-26). He wants to restore the right paths to dwell in (Isaiah 58:12).
Where there was brokenness and heartache – Jesus can bring wholeness and healing! Where there was fighting, division and strife – Jesus can bring peace, unity, and teamwork! Where there was hate, jealousy, and bitterness – Jesus can bring love, harmony, and the pleasantness of forgiveness! Where there was sadness, sorrow, and depression – Jesus can bring happiness, joy, and contentment! Instead of anger, cruelness, and spiteful behavior – Jesus can bring patience, self-control, and kindness! Instead of pride – Jesus brings meekness and humility.
Isaiah 61:1-3
The Spirit of the Lord can restore homes. He binds up the broken-hearted, proclaims liberty to captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. He comforts all that mourn, gives beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:1-3). PTL!
