Praise of His Glory

When the alarm went off at 5 this morning my first thought was,"Am I pushing this team too hard today?" You see, we had just gone to bed around 2 AM after a day of delayed flights and airport food. I knew they were all exhausted, but I also knew that a beautiful day was already laid before us. 

During the morning devotional time I shared...so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. - Ephesians 1:12. This truth would set the stage of the day for me. Regardless of mental and physical fatigue we were set apart for this time in this beautiful country to simply be, the praise of his glory. 

The day was amazing, we got to meet an amazing group of people at a small village called Santa Alicia. Santa Alicia is more a people than a place, it is filled with beautiful Haitians who love the Lord and love each other. They welcomed us in, we helped mix and pour concrete for their knew church. We laughed together, struggled together with the language barrier and then laughed some more. The children played and I realized that I wasn't there to teach them anything, I was there to be taught. In their simple living, these beautiful people understand the Hope in which they have been called. The praise of His glory. 

What a day!

Blessings,

Kris

Travel.....Again

Travel Day......Again.

Wow! The past few days have been a whirlwind. It all started early Saturday morning when I noticed that my phone showed that our flight to Denver had been canceled due to large snow storm. This happens when you fly enough, but when traveling with a group 25 it makes finding another flight very interesting. We sat at DFW airport for 8 hours waiting on them to find us an alternate route to get to Anchorage. Every time we thought we found an option the door would be slammed closed. It was very discouraging because these students have raised all the support for this trip. It seemed the Lord has honored every step of this trip until now. At the end of the day we had to settle for an early Tuesday departure for Alaska. This would cost us two days of mission work. As we returned home I prayed that the Lord would show us a glimpse of His plan. The next day I woke up and again got on the phone with the travel agent working on possible plans of getting us to Alaska sooner. It took around 4 hours, but we found a flight that was leaving today(Monday) at 5:30 out of Houston. We grabbed it all the while curious about the plan the Lord has for this trip. Then it hit me......Abide in me. In John 8:31, Jesus says, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples”. Jesus never tells us we will understand his plan, and certainly never ask us to help Him plan it. He calls us to Abide, to surrender to Him. So, as I am at 30,000 feet I am praising Him in this truth. I’m not sure what this trip holds, but I will Abide in Him every step. More to come! Pray that we walk in His truth during the days to come.

Law in the Heart

The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. (Psalm 37:31)

Put the law into the heart, and the whole man is right. This is where the law should be; for then it lies, like the tables of stone in the ark, in the place appointed for it. In the head it puzzles, on the back it burdens, in the heart it upholds.

What a choice word is here used, "the law of his God"! When we know the Lord as our own God His law becomes liberty to us. God with us in covenant makes us eager to obey His will and walk in His commands. Is the precept my Father's precept? Then I delight in it.

We are here guaranteed that obedient-hearted man shall be sustained in every step that he takes. He will do that which is right, and he shall therefore do that which is wise. Holy action is always the most prudent, though it may not at the time seem to be so, We are moving along the great highroad of God's providence and grace when we keep to the way of His law. The Word of God has never misled a single soul yet; its plain directions to walk humbly, justly, lovingly, and in the fear of the Lord are as much words of wisdom to make our way prosperous as rules of holiness to keep our garments clean. He walks surely who walks righteously.

-C.H. Spurgeon

Numbers 6:24 (Spurgeon's daily devotional)

He Blesses and Keeps

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. (Numbers 6:24)

This first clause of the high priest's benediction is substantially a promise. That blessing which our great High Priest pronounces upon us is sure to come, for He speaks the mind of God.

What a joy to abide under the divine blessing! This puts a gracious flavor into all things. If we are blessed, then all our possessions and enjoyments are blessed; yea, our losses and crosses and even our disappointments are blessed. God's blessing is deep, emphatic, effectual. A man's blessing may begin and end in words, but the blessing of the Lord makes rich and sanctifies. The best wish we can have for our dearest friend is not "may prosperity attend thee," but "the Lord bless thee."

It is equally a delightful thing to be kept of God; kept by Him, kept near Him, kept in Him. They are kept indeed whom God keeps; they are preserved from evil; they are reserved unto boundless happiness. God's keeping goes with His blessing, to establish it and cause it to endure.

The author of this little book desires that the rich blessing and sure keeping here pronounced may come upon every reader who may at this moment be looking at these lines. Please breathe the text to God as a prayer for His servants.

-C.H. Spurgeon

Psalm 115

To Your Name Give Glory

1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory,
for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

2 Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in the heavens;
he does all that he pleases.

4 Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
5 They have mouths, but do not speak;
eyes, but do not see.
6 They have ears, but do not hear;
noses, but do not smell.
7 They have hands, but do not feel;
feet, but do not walk;
and they do not make a sound in their throat.
8 Those who make them become like them;
so do all who trust in them.

9 O Israel,a trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.
11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.

12 The Lord has remembered us; he will bless us;
he will bless the house of Israel;
he will bless the house of Aaron;
13 he will bless those who fear the Lord,
both the small and the great.

14 May the Lord give you increase,
you and your children!
15 May you be blessed by the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!

16 The heavens are the Lord’s heavens,
but the earth he has given to the children of man.
17 The dead do not praise the Lord,
nor do any who go down into silence.
18 But we will bless the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore.
Praise the Lord!

Providence/Mission Alaska 2011

Here is a video attempting to capture the images from Alaska. Jesus is there, as you can see in the faces of the children. Thank you for your prayer and support for this trip....Grateful

Mercy and love needed

22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
24 "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."
- Lamentations 3:22-24

As I sit here on the plane flying back to Texas; My mind is spinning in circles. I am so torn on leaving Alaska. I miss my wife and kids so bad. I also feel so broken to be leaving all those wonderful children Jesus has allowed me to love this week. My heart hurts. I am also praying for one of my brothers in Christ, who lost his mom while we were in Alaska.

I can't process all that is going on in my heart, so I will immerse into this promise.

Jesus, I am so thankful that Your love and mercies are never ending. They are perfect in times of hurting and in times of joy. Lord, You are my portion. Now, I need Your grace and love to overwhelm me. Wow, Your hope is so comforting. I am so hopeful for Your time of revelation on all these things, I will wait for You.

Because of His grace,