Dear Readers in the many countries of God’s Created World!
This week I share with you a wonderful letter from Pastor Orval Wirkkala. You are probably becoming familiar with his writings as I have shared them with you several times.
I also want you to know that we are ramping up the numbers of sermons that the Foreign Mission is able to deliver around the world via your cell phone. Please let me know if you are interested in this, and I will arrange for you to be included in these sermons if at all possible. Please Email me at foreignmission@comcast.net May God Bless your week! John
Love Elevates the Other!
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Philippians 2:1-4
A couple of weeks ago, I heard a pastor make this comment concerning the above portion of Scripture:
"If we consider our spouse more imporant than ourselves, they will know that they are important to us." This is how he explained the last part of the third verse, in which it is written, "but in lowliness of mind let each esteem the other better than themselves."
As I thought of what he had said and of its significance in our relationships with one another, the words of Apostle John came to mind as to the definition and foundation of love:
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. (1 John 4:8-11)
Our Creator sent His Son into the world to reveal His seeking, forgiving and accepting heart of love toward us. He wishes through His Son for us to know and experience this forgiving and accepting love toward us as it was revealed through the Christ on the cross. God views His new creation through Christ and desires that all would come to this knowledge of acceptance in Christ. As it is written:
to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 2 Cor 5:19
Do we understand what this means for us today and for all the peoples of the earth? Have we come to experience the full impact of the meaning of how God has received us in Christ? That He is fully satisfied in us because of the work of His Son in doing the will of His Father through the cross? Do we know how pleased He is in us through His Son? He is waiting for us to accept this gift through repentance toward Him (turning away from and turning toward Him) and faith in Christ. (acceptance of forgiveness through Christ's offering of Himself)
When we come to know, understand and experience the love of God in His forgiveness and acceptance, we come to experience our true worth in the sight of God. Because we know that we are important to Him, we live in the experience of that relationship of being accepted in Christ, but even more so, we are received/welcomed by Him on a continual basis. For God always looks upon us who we are in His Son, of whom He testified: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:17
And if God welcomes us into this fellowship, how can we than not welcome/accept all even as we have been welcomed/accepted? Therefore, when we are in Christ, we consider others more important than ourselves and we exhibit this through our desires, motives and actions.
May God bless you in Christ today and always!
Pastor Orval Wirkkala
"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." Isaiah 55:1
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Brace for Impact
This week I am forwarding you for your encouragement an article that was sent to me by one of the people that receives these weekly emails! She is from India and I thank her for her article! I will leave it totally unchanged from how I received it. Please enjoy!
Good morning dear brother in Christ, REv John routsala THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR ALL THE BLESSED MESSAGES YOU ARE FORWARDING THROUGH FM BLOG . THEY GREATLY ENCOURAGE US IN THE LORD . THANK YOU . Hope you be blessed reading
This encouraging powerful word which will surely touch your hearts and let you remind again of HIS miraculous power working towards His people in midst of trouble.
A few weeks ago, a commercial airliner crashed into the Hudson river in New York city. The flight was U.S. Air # 1549, bound for charlotte, North Carolina. With in a minute of take-off, a flock of large birds had a head-on collision with the plane. As a result , both engines of the jet were damaged and ceased to function. The pilot was forced to make a quick decision. His options were limited. He knew he couldn’t make it back for a landing new york city nor could he make it to some other airport. It looked like he was headed for a terrible crash that would likely bring lots of damage and death to everyone in the plane and may be to others on the ground as well. The well experienced pilot , chesley sullenberger III came up with another option. He decided to attempt a landing on the river. He knew that this plan was loaded with risk and uncertainty but it was the only remaining option. So he spoke a brief, important message to the passengers and crew on board the plane…. BRACE FOR IMPACT. Moments later the plane landed on the surface of the river. And miraculously, no one was killed in the crash.
Lets focus on the three worded message given by the pilot…. BRACE FOR IMPACT. The pilots message was a word of caution. It was based on the reality of present danger. It was an honest assessment of present discomfort. It also warned of even more dire conclusions to their journey.
Those three words are an important reminder for all of us. Many of the biblical authors give us the same message… to expect some affliction… and to prepare for it before it comes.
• JESUS says ….. in this world you will have trouble ( john 16:33)
• PAUL, in speaking of his own experience mentions a wide variety of difficulties ( II cor.11:23-29)… mentioning…imprisionments , flogging, exposure to death,stoning, shipwreck,danger from bandits, sleeplessness,hunger,thirst and pressure from churches.
• PAUL…preparing us for times of affliction, speaks of this cluster of difficulties…trouble,hardship,presecution,famine,nakedness,danger and death(Romans 8:35)
• PETER writes richly about suffering in his first epistle ,including these phrases…suffering grief in all kinds of trials …do not be surprised at the painful trials you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you ( I peter 1:6; 4: 12)
• JOB, even in the midst of huge losses ,said …Naked I come from my mothers womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; May the name of the Lord be praised ( job 1:21)
Robert Mc Cracken has written “ Adversity is not necessarily an evil. Because of it understanding ,patience,endurance,sympathy can be learned… Beethoven composed his deepest music after becoming totally deaf,pascal set down his most searching observations about God and man and life and death in brief intervals of release from a prostrating illness. Robertson Nicoll wrote an essay on the thesis : That the best letters are written by the mortally wounded.”
The pilots words truly re-echo the similar themes stated by multiple authors of the scriptures. We are wise to be prepared and ready for today. tomorrow and tomorrows tomorrow…and for whatever it may bring to us. Yes., I will say it again ,…BRACE FOR IMPACT.
As we do it, lets do it joyfully, confidently, and thankfully, as the Scriptures declare , remembering that we never travel alone. He is with us all the way. Even in the toughest times, God is doing something special IN us and THROUGH us.
Dear ones in the Lord , I am sure that you be encouraged through this wonderful message that touched my heart to share it with you my beloved family in Christ.
Yours in His service, Sis Evangeline Ashok INDIA.
Good morning dear brother in Christ, REv John routsala THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR ALL THE BLESSED MESSAGES YOU ARE FORWARDING THROUGH FM BLOG . THEY GREATLY ENCOURAGE US IN THE LORD . THANK YOU . Hope you be blessed reading
This encouraging powerful word which will surely touch your hearts and let you remind again of HIS miraculous power working towards His people in midst of trouble.
A few weeks ago, a commercial airliner crashed into the Hudson river in New York city. The flight was U.S. Air # 1549, bound for charlotte, North Carolina. With in a minute of take-off, a flock of large birds had a head-on collision with the plane. As a result , both engines of the jet were damaged and ceased to function. The pilot was forced to make a quick decision. His options were limited. He knew he couldn’t make it back for a landing new york city nor could he make it to some other airport. It looked like he was headed for a terrible crash that would likely bring lots of damage and death to everyone in the plane and may be to others on the ground as well. The well experienced pilot , chesley sullenberger III came up with another option. He decided to attempt a landing on the river. He knew that this plan was loaded with risk and uncertainty but it was the only remaining option. So he spoke a brief, important message to the passengers and crew on board the plane…. BRACE FOR IMPACT. Moments later the plane landed on the surface of the river. And miraculously, no one was killed in the crash.
Lets focus on the three worded message given by the pilot…. BRACE FOR IMPACT. The pilots message was a word of caution. It was based on the reality of present danger. It was an honest assessment of present discomfort. It also warned of even more dire conclusions to their journey.
Those three words are an important reminder for all of us. Many of the biblical authors give us the same message… to expect some affliction… and to prepare for it before it comes.
• JESUS says ….. in this world you will have trouble ( john 16:33)
• PAUL, in speaking of his own experience mentions a wide variety of difficulties ( II cor.11:23-29)… mentioning…imprisionments , flogging, exposure to death,stoning, shipwreck,danger from bandits, sleeplessness,hunger,thirst and pressure from churches.
• PAUL…preparing us for times of affliction, speaks of this cluster of difficulties…trouble,hardship,presecution,famine,nakedness,danger and death(Romans 8:35)
• PETER writes richly about suffering in his first epistle ,including these phrases…suffering grief in all kinds of trials …do not be surprised at the painful trials you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you ( I peter 1:6; 4: 12)
• JOB, even in the midst of huge losses ,said …Naked I come from my mothers womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; May the name of the Lord be praised ( job 1:21)
Robert Mc Cracken has written “ Adversity is not necessarily an evil. Because of it understanding ,patience,endurance,sympathy can be learned… Beethoven composed his deepest music after becoming totally deaf,pascal set down his most searching observations about God and man and life and death in brief intervals of release from a prostrating illness. Robertson Nicoll wrote an essay on the thesis : That the best letters are written by the mortally wounded.”
The pilots words truly re-echo the similar themes stated by multiple authors of the scriptures. We are wise to be prepared and ready for today. tomorrow and tomorrows tomorrow…and for whatever it may bring to us. Yes., I will say it again ,…BRACE FOR IMPACT.
As we do it, lets do it joyfully, confidently, and thankfully, as the Scriptures declare , remembering that we never travel alone. He is with us all the way. Even in the toughest times, God is doing something special IN us and THROUGH us.
Dear ones in the Lord , I am sure that you be encouraged through this wonderful message that touched my heart to share it with you my beloved family in Christ.
Yours in His service, Sis Evangeline Ashok INDIA.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Forgiving Love
I hope that this week’s blog finds each of you continuing in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. This week our article is a short one I found in our church’s Christian Monthly. It reminds us of the unchanging love that God had for Israel, (all His people). Do we know someone that has been unfaithful to their spouse, to the church, to all that God would want them to be? We are to still treat them with ever caring love, trying to reach out to them to restore them to the faith. Yes, we understand that this will not always be successful, because the heart of the wayward must be repentant and be willing to change. However, this does not change our responsibility in the matter, nor how we are to behave toward the wayward or backsliding.
I hope you enjoy the short article below, and hopefully it will prompt us to read God’s Holy Word even more! May God Bless your week! John
And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee
unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness,
and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and
thou shalt know the Lord. Hosea 2:19-20
Hosea is a tender prophet with a very sad matrimonial
experience, which was designed of God to set forth Israel’s
relationship to Himself and their unfaithfulness to the covenant
He had made with them. Hosea’s wife proved untrue to all her
vows and became a poor characterless slave. Yet the prophet
sought her out, redeemed her, and took her to himself in
forgiving love, only to have his heart broken by her continued
waywardness. It sets forth graphically not only God’s unchanging
love for Israel, His earthly people, but it pictures vividly His
grace toward the individual soul. He is Redeemer, Restorer,
and unfailing Friend, whose loving-kindness exceeds our worst
offenses and whose forgiveness is extended to every repentant
sinner, no matter how dark and shameful the record may be.
H. A. Ironside
I hope you enjoy the short article below, and hopefully it will prompt us to read God’s Holy Word even more! May God Bless your week! John
And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee
unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness,
and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and
thou shalt know the Lord. Hosea 2:19-20
Hosea is a tender prophet with a very sad matrimonial
experience, which was designed of God to set forth Israel’s
relationship to Himself and their unfaithfulness to the covenant
He had made with them. Hosea’s wife proved untrue to all her
vows and became a poor characterless slave. Yet the prophet
sought her out, redeemed her, and took her to himself in
forgiving love, only to have his heart broken by her continued
waywardness. It sets forth graphically not only God’s unchanging
love for Israel, His earthly people, but it pictures vividly His
grace toward the individual soul. He is Redeemer, Restorer,
and unfailing Friend, whose loving-kindness exceeds our worst
offenses and whose forgiveness is extended to every repentant
sinner, no matter how dark and shameful the record may be.
H. A. Ironside
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
God's Word is for Life!
The Holy Word of God has the answer to all of life’s questions. This week I will share with you how the Word of God has worked and comforted me so often in my life.
From my youth up until this day, I thank the Lord that He has kept me aware that although I am weak, He is strong.
God’s Word is not just some words formed into a book. It is the Bread of Life for us. There is so much in it for all times and in all parts of life. It is how we find our way, it is how we continue on this journey.
Below are some of the ways and verses the Holy Scripture has helped me in my life.
* Some of my earliest memories as a boy included many of the simple things that most children deal with. If I was afraid of the dark, scared in a thunderstorm, sad, or had questions, the Word of the Lord came and said to me like the song: Jesus Loves Me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Many children still today love this song. It is so obviously true, and the Bible does tell us that Jesus loves all of us, not only children.
* As I grew up, if I had questions I just had to remember that Jesus said: John 14:6 (KJV)
..I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
No man or teacher was able to tell me that the way I have learned in Sunday school, church, and from my parents was wrong because I had this and other verses in the Bible.
* When I become fearful, I just need to read in so many places such as: Luke 24:36 (KJV)
And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. This word Peace is used so often in the Bible. Jesus wants us to remember that He gives us peace. There is no need to have fear if we turn to Jesus!
* When I am tempted I must remember the Word says: James 1:12 (KJV)
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. And Peter says: 1 Peter 1:6 (KJV)
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
* When I need to be uplifted and feel that I am worthless, God’s Holy Word says: Philip. 4:13 (KJV) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
* If my pride begins to get the upper hand God’s Word says: Proverbs 16:18 (KJV)
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Jesus all said in Mark 10:31 (KJV) But many that are first shall be last; and the last first. There is no reason to boast except in Christ Jesus our Lord.
* If I have sinned against my brother, the Holy Word tells me in James 5:16 (KJV)
Confess your faults one to another….
* If I am looked down on for confessing His name:
1 Peter 3:14 (KJV)
But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
1 Peter 4:14 (KJV)
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
* If I worry that Jesus has left me: Hebrews 13:5 (KJV) … for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Are you getting the picture? Every thought you could possible have, every doubt, every fear, every temptation, there are verses in the scripture to help you through. God has given us this marvelous book to help us in our journey. Over and above this Holy Word he has given us, He has given us the Comforter, the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts to help us along, to guide us and keep us!
Would you allow me to mention a few more of these bible verses that have helped me so much in my walk as a Christian?
* When I was having the worst financial times of my life, God gave me a release from earthly desires for a season by dropping on me like a ton of bricks this verse: Matthew 6:19 (KJV)
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: Do not let financial stresses ruin your life in Christ; earthly riches do not last anyway.
* When I wonder about the last day: 1 Thes. 4:16-17 (KJV)
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
* When I need assurance of Salvation I can read: 1 Peter 1:5 (KJV)
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. I want to be kept by no other power than the power of Almighty God.
I hope and trust that you have the picture of what has helped me through this life. There are so many more verses that I rely on, but I will not put them all here. Remember, the Word of God is here for us! Christians are here for us. The opportunity of having a prayer life is here for us! The Holy Spirit is in the hearts of His Believers! Rely fully on these things and you will by God’s grace realize your problems are only passing. Run the race full force! Fight the fight of Faith. Finish the course. The rewards are so great, much greater than any on this earth. God will help you each day of your journey if we turn to Him!
From my youth up until this day, I thank the Lord that He has kept me aware that although I am weak, He is strong.
God’s Word is not just some words formed into a book. It is the Bread of Life for us. There is so much in it for all times and in all parts of life. It is how we find our way, it is how we continue on this journey.
Below are some of the ways and verses the Holy Scripture has helped me in my life.
* Some of my earliest memories as a boy included many of the simple things that most children deal with. If I was afraid of the dark, scared in a thunderstorm, sad, or had questions, the Word of the Lord came and said to me like the song: Jesus Loves Me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Many children still today love this song. It is so obviously true, and the Bible does tell us that Jesus loves all of us, not only children.
* As I grew up, if I had questions I just had to remember that Jesus said: John 14:6 (KJV)
..I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
No man or teacher was able to tell me that the way I have learned in Sunday school, church, and from my parents was wrong because I had this and other verses in the Bible.
* When I become fearful, I just need to read in so many places such as: Luke 24:36 (KJV)
And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. This word Peace is used so often in the Bible. Jesus wants us to remember that He gives us peace. There is no need to have fear if we turn to Jesus!
* When I am tempted I must remember the Word says: James 1:12 (KJV)
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. And Peter says: 1 Peter 1:6 (KJV)
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
* When I need to be uplifted and feel that I am worthless, God’s Holy Word says: Philip. 4:13 (KJV) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
* If my pride begins to get the upper hand God’s Word says: Proverbs 16:18 (KJV)
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Jesus all said in Mark 10:31 (KJV) But many that are first shall be last; and the last first. There is no reason to boast except in Christ Jesus our Lord.
* If I have sinned against my brother, the Holy Word tells me in James 5:16 (KJV)
Confess your faults one to another….
* If I am looked down on for confessing His name:
1 Peter 3:14 (KJV)
But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
1 Peter 4:14 (KJV)
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
* If I worry that Jesus has left me: Hebrews 13:5 (KJV) … for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Are you getting the picture? Every thought you could possible have, every doubt, every fear, every temptation, there are verses in the scripture to help you through. God has given us this marvelous book to help us in our journey. Over and above this Holy Word he has given us, He has given us the Comforter, the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts to help us along, to guide us and keep us!
Would you allow me to mention a few more of these bible verses that have helped me so much in my walk as a Christian?
* When I was having the worst financial times of my life, God gave me a release from earthly desires for a season by dropping on me like a ton of bricks this verse: Matthew 6:19 (KJV)
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: Do not let financial stresses ruin your life in Christ; earthly riches do not last anyway.
* When I wonder about the last day: 1 Thes. 4:16-17 (KJV)
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
* When I need assurance of Salvation I can read: 1 Peter 1:5 (KJV)
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. I want to be kept by no other power than the power of Almighty God.
I hope and trust that you have the picture of what has helped me through this life. There are so many more verses that I rely on, but I will not put them all here. Remember, the Word of God is here for us! Christians are here for us. The opportunity of having a prayer life is here for us! The Holy Spirit is in the hearts of His Believers! Rely fully on these things and you will by God’s grace realize your problems are only passing. Run the race full force! Fight the fight of Faith. Finish the course. The rewards are so great, much greater than any on this earth. God will help you each day of your journey if we turn to Him!
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