“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 4-7
As people continue to ask me about the world race, and how I am feeling about the idea of leaving everything I know, love, and am comfortable with for 11 months, my honest answer is that I just have complete peace about all that I am about to do. I know that I am where I am by the grace of God and that He is and will be with me. I am thankful for constant reassurance but I also know this will not be an easy journey and I do expect to encounter spiritual warfare..
I had the privilege of talking with a friend the other day who had just returned from a mission trip to Uganda. As he recalled the events of his trip, the words that stuck with me the most were about the spiritual warfare he encountered during the first few days of being away from his family. I have also been reading about trials some members of my team have been facing as we are all trying to fundraise and prepare for our trip. Then I started thinking about the peace I have felt thus far, and while I am so thankful for that peace, I do not want to be blinded or unprepared when Satan does begin to attack. I know that at some point he will do all he can to disrupt the work God has called us to do. I have been really convicted about my prayer life lately, and about the fact that I’m taking all of these steps to “prepare myself” for this journey, and not spending enough time in prayer or relying on the Lord’s strength and wisdom. Satan wants us to feel inadequate, unprepared, confused, fearful, and fill our minds and hearts with doubt, but Glory to God that He is bigger than all of the lies Satan feeds us, and hallelujah that John tell us Satan has NO POWER over Jesus Christ who lives in me.
So I want to ask all of you to please be praying with me this week and in the upcoming weeks for a constant peace. Pray against Satan and the schemes he is planning, and pray that I, and those on my team, would be reminded that we can exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. We know that God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Thank you all again for your constant love, support, and prayers!
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” John 14:27
