Where should I begin. Political rioting that took the lives of friends and fellow ministers. The loss of Patience’s father. Patiance herself struggling with a debilitating and as yet undiagnosed illness. The rise of Islamic militarism and the resulting burnings of churches and attacks on fellow ministers. Yet in all this Stanley and Patiance not only rejoice in the Lord but minister zealously and without mummer nor complaint. How privileged I feel to be able to warm my faith near the fires of zeal which burn so brightly in this couples heart.
What Then Is Our Response...
Kindness: As I reflected on what should be our response my thoughts turned to my daily reading program where I read just this week Job 6:14 "For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend; lest he forsake the fear of the Almighty.”
Consideration: Next my heart turned to one of the first verses I memorized as part of the Navigator’s Topical Memory System as a freshman in college back in 1970 - Hebrews 10:24 “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,”
Strengthen: Then I reflected on a verse I often refer to as part of the teachings on children raising and discipline in Hebrews twelve - Hebrews 12:12 “Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble,”
What then is our response? Those who are despairing should be comforted by our Kindness, we should be Considering how we might proactively minister to them and we should take particular care to Strengthen them. What is a practical way to do this? Well one is prayer but another is to take a moment to email them. Many like Dan, Uncle Jon and Eleanor have a large network of the family of faith to care for them. Others like Ravil, Stanley and Siniche live in a country with few Christians and far from the care of family and friends. In light of this let me encourage you to take just a moment for an act of Kindness, and act of Consideration as you send a Strengthening email to your brothers and sisters in Christ who are hurting
Ravil: kunakaevi@yahoo.com
Sinichi: iimura@koyonet.com
Dr. Mukolwe: smukolwe@navigators.co.ke
Eleanor and I want to thank you. We want to thank you for your prayers. We want to thank you not only for your prayers for us, but for the way in which you pray for those to whom we minister. Most of those to whom we minister live where the Christian praying population is so small that they could never experience the blessings and comfort of prayer were it not for you. We are humbled and thankful for this.
By His mercy,
II Corinthians 4:1
John and Eleanor Mahon – blessed by your prayers and then double blessed by your prayers for those hurting ministers to whom you comfort and minster through your prayers.
I leave you with these three hymns from my prayer notebook have been especially meaningful to me this week...
There Is A Redeemer
There is a Redeemer
Jesus God’s own Son
Precious Lamb of God Messiah
Holy One
Thank You O my Father
For giving us Your Son
And leaving us Your Spirit till
Your work on earth is done
Jesus my Redeemer
Name above all names
Precious Lamb of God Messiah
Hope for sinners slain
Thank You O my Father
For giving us Your Son
And leaving us Your Spirit till
Your work on earth is done
When I stand in glory
I will see His face
There I’ll serve my King forever
In that holy place
Thank You O my Father
For giving us Your Son
And leaving us Your Spirit till
Your work on earth is done
Keith Gordon Green (October 21, 1953 – July 28, 1982) was an American gospel singer, songwriter, and pianist originally from Sheepshead Bay, New York. His teen years were spent in dissipation as he was heavily involved in the rock music industry. After coming to Christ Green became known for his strong devotion to Christianity and his unwavering efforts to stir others to the same. Mr. Green died when his private plane crashed shortly after takeoff.
O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free! Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me! Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love Leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore! How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore! How He watches o’er His loved ones, died to call them all His own; How for them He intercedeth, watcheth o’er them from the throne!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, love of every love the best! ’Tis an ocean full of blessing, ’tis a haven giving rest! O the deep, deep love of Jesus, ’tis a heaven of heavens to me; And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee!
Samuel Trevor Francis 1834-1925
Born: November 19, 1834, ChesÂhunt, HertÂfordÂshire, EngÂland .
A LonÂdon merÂchant and arÂtist’s son, FranÂcis pubÂlished a numÂber of hymns in reÂliÂgious newsÂpaÂpers and perÂiÂodÂicÂals. He beÂlonged to the PlyÂmouth BrethÂren conÂgreÂgaÂtion in LonÂdon , and served as an open air preachÂer.
My Jesus, I love Thee
My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine; For Thee all the follies of sin I resign. My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou; If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
I love Thee because Thou has first loved me, And purchased my pardon on Calvary ’s tree. I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow; If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death, And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath; And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow, If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
In mansions of glory and endless delight, I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright; I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow; If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
William R. Featherston 1864; (FeaÂthersÂton was onÂly 16 years old at the time)Born: JuÂly 23, 1846, MontÂreÂal , QueÂbec , CaÂnaÂda ;Died: May 20, 1873, MontÂreÂal , QueÂbec , CaÂnaÂda . Little is known of FeaÂtherÂston, exÂcept that he beÂlonged to the WesÂleyÂan MethÂodÂist Church in MontÂreÂal (latÂer reÂnamed St. James MethÂodÂist Church, then St. James UnitÂed Church).
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