Hello and God’s Peace Dear Readers.
As Dennis Hilman and I are still traveling through the USA doing Mission Education and Preparation Seminars. Lord willing in two weeks from today I will be at home. I am having a wonderful time traveling, doing the seminars, and seeing the Christians around the USA. However, it will be surely nice to get home to my wife and family!
As we go through this life, we have both good and not so good days. We have mountaintop experiences, as Dennis and I have had so many of lately both in India and in the USA, and we have those times in the valleys of life. I am so very thankful that the same one true God that is the God in the good times, He is also God in the bad times. When we feel we are truly in the valleys of life, having a hard time, we can be assured that our God knows our situation is by the side of all those that believe in Him.
Remember our Lord Jesus said: Matthew 11:29 (KJV)
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Rest in Him. Many of you in foreign countries understand what a yoke is better than us in the USA do. A yoke is used for oxen or cattle, or horses, to tie them together so that a team can be used to get the work done that needs doing.
The believer’s team consists of our Lord and us. Each of us that believe by faith, our Lord helps us, leads us, carries our load, protects us, and is our all in all. Notice that verse says, Matthew 11:30 (KJV) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. If we are truly yoked to our Saviour by faith, we can understand how our burden is light. It is because His yoke is easy. The earthy yoke makes two animals work the same amount to share the load, making it lighter. With Jesus, He is able and willing to carry our whole load, making our burden very light! Turn to Him at all times. Stay in tune to your Saviour, lay all your burdens down before him, and your life will be joyous.
If we go on our own we have tremendous burdens that we cannot bare. Do not attempt to go up the mountains or through the valleys of life alone.
It is so wonderful how the entire bible works together to bring this message of Salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord, and the benefits and gifts that are given through it when,
… by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephes. 2:8 (KJV)
I leave you this week with this wonderful words!
Isaiah 61:1-3 (KJV)
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
May the Lord Bless your week! John
"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
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
He First Loved us!
God’s Peace!
Dear Readers around the world. (this blog is written especially for all the friends, associates and fellow laborers in the Lord’s vineyard of the Foreign Mission abroad) Anyone else who runs across this blog are most welcome to read it as well.
This week I must tell you about a little child that came to our mission seminar in South Carolina. When she was asked why she came, she said “because I love Jesus.” How can it be said better than that? Is this not why we come to church? Is this not why we minister in His Kingdom? Is this not why many of you risk your lives for the Gospel?
Scripture tells us in 1John 4:19 (KJV) We love him, because he first loved us. We could not love Him, unless He first loved us. This is the way it is for believers today. He came to earth as a lowly babe so all can approach and come to him. He lived as a man here on earth so that He could know what we go through and are tempted with. He fulfilled all in our behalf, yet without sin. He went to the cross and gave up His life. There he bore our sorrows, paid for our sin, laid down His life. He was there alone. Our sins were nailed to the cross with him. He could have called 10,000 angels to destroy the world and save His life, but no, He died alone for you and me! This is how much he loved us.
Then on the third day, after winning the battle over death, hell and the power of the devil, our Lord Arose! He lives so we can have life and have it more abundantly. He then fulfilled another promise, He sent the comforter, the Holy Ghost to dwell in our hearts. This is how much he first loved us! This is why we are able to love him! This is why the believers today can have the peace and joy that passeth all understanding. Philip. 4:7 (KJV)
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The best news of all for those that love Jesus is that one day He will come to call His own to be with Him in heaven! Luke 21:27 (KJV) And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
We shall see Him, and go to be with Him forever in Heaven above!
This is why this little girl and all true believers today can say that they love Jesus! Because He first loved us! This I know for the Bible tells me so!
May the Lord Bless your week!
John Ruotsala
Dear Readers around the world. (this blog is written especially for all the friends, associates and fellow laborers in the Lord’s vineyard of the Foreign Mission abroad) Anyone else who runs across this blog are most welcome to read it as well.
This week I must tell you about a little child that came to our mission seminar in South Carolina. When she was asked why she came, she said “because I love Jesus.” How can it be said better than that? Is this not why we come to church? Is this not why we minister in His Kingdom? Is this not why many of you risk your lives for the Gospel?
Scripture tells us in 1John 4:19 (KJV) We love him, because he first loved us. We could not love Him, unless He first loved us. This is the way it is for believers today. He came to earth as a lowly babe so all can approach and come to him. He lived as a man here on earth so that He could know what we go through and are tempted with. He fulfilled all in our behalf, yet without sin. He went to the cross and gave up His life. There he bore our sorrows, paid for our sin, laid down His life. He was there alone. Our sins were nailed to the cross with him. He could have called 10,000 angels to destroy the world and save His life, but no, He died alone for you and me! This is how much he loved us.
Then on the third day, after winning the battle over death, hell and the power of the devil, our Lord Arose! He lives so we can have life and have it more abundantly. He then fulfilled another promise, He sent the comforter, the Holy Ghost to dwell in our hearts. This is how much he first loved us! This is why we are able to love him! This is why the believers today can have the peace and joy that passeth all understanding. Philip. 4:7 (KJV)
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The best news of all for those that love Jesus is that one day He will come to call His own to be with Him in heaven! Luke 21:27 (KJV) And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
We shall see Him, and go to be with Him forever in Heaven above!
This is why this little girl and all true believers today can say that they love Jesus! Because He first loved us! This I know for the Bible tells me so!
May the Lord Bless your week!
John Ruotsala
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Reservation
God’s Peace!
This week I am traveling again for the Foreign Mission. Dennis Hilman and I are conducting FM seminars around the USA. I do have full cell phone and internet coverage on this trip so you can continue to email me as usual. I have very little time to write a blog, but I still want to share something with you!
I was reminded of this thought again yesterday as we traveled by air to South Carolina. One thing that is common with all travel by airplane and perhaps on most trains is this. You must have a reservation. This is shown by a ticket or boarding pass. Your reservation assures you that there is a place for you on that airplane or train.
On the day of your trip, you could do everything properly. You could wake up on time, east a good meal, remember all of your luggage, travel safely and on time to the airport, and wait patiently for the time to come to get on the airplane.
However, if you do not have a reservation (ticket or boarding pass) you are not going to be allowed on the airplane.
This to me is such an important lesson for us all! Unless we have a reservation made for heaven, we will not get there. Even if we live our life perfectly we cannot get there without the reservation. If we have a reservation, we surely will get to heaven. 1 Peter 1:4 (KJV)
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
This reservation is only made for us by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and His complete redemptive work done for us! 1 Peter 1:3 (KJV) says
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Jesus arose, therefore He lives! And because of this we Live and we have our reservation set in heaven! How wonderful! Believe this by faith for Ephes. 2:8 (KJV) says
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
This gift of God is offered fully and freely. The reservations are made for the believers and it is without money and without price! Praise the Lord!
This week I am traveling again for the Foreign Mission. Dennis Hilman and I are conducting FM seminars around the USA. I do have full cell phone and internet coverage on this trip so you can continue to email me as usual. I have very little time to write a blog, but I still want to share something with you!
I was reminded of this thought again yesterday as we traveled by air to South Carolina. One thing that is common with all travel by airplane and perhaps on most trains is this. You must have a reservation. This is shown by a ticket or boarding pass. Your reservation assures you that there is a place for you on that airplane or train.
On the day of your trip, you could do everything properly. You could wake up on time, east a good meal, remember all of your luggage, travel safely and on time to the airport, and wait patiently for the time to come to get on the airplane.
However, if you do not have a reservation (ticket or boarding pass) you are not going to be allowed on the airplane.
This to me is such an important lesson for us all! Unless we have a reservation made for heaven, we will not get there. Even if we live our life perfectly we cannot get there without the reservation. If we have a reservation, we surely will get to heaven. 1 Peter 1:4 (KJV)
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
This reservation is only made for us by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and His complete redemptive work done for us! 1 Peter 1:3 (KJV) says
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Jesus arose, therefore He lives! And because of this we Live and we have our reservation set in heaven! How wonderful! Believe this by faith for Ephes. 2:8 (KJV) says
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
This gift of God is offered fully and freely. The reservations are made for the believers and it is without money and without price! Praise the Lord!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
TRUST
Greetings of God’s Peace to all of you around the world!
Well, it has been a few weeks since we have had this chance to look into God’s Word together. Many of you have said that you were in prayer for my trip. I really appreciate this. We could feel the prayers. My traveling partner was Pastor Dennis Hilman. Many of you know him as he is a full time missionary with The Foreign Mission of the ALCA.
Since I did not tell you where I went before the trip, I can tell you now. We went to India. It is a special place and we really enjoyed the trip. I am especially thankful that we were able to share God’s Word with so many Christians. I also am so thankful that so many non Christians were able to either come to the services, or hear them broadcast by speakers over the villages.
I learned so many valuable lessons on this trip. These included lessons about dedication, sacrifice, caring, sharing, and much more. This was shown by the Christians in India. The single most important thing I learned was about trust. So many things have happened since early December when I was first asked to go on this trip, until the trip was over, that this issue of Trust has become clearer to me. This is what we will look into scripture about this week.
Psalm 62:6-9 (KJV)
He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. 7In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. 8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
You can see that verse 8 says Trust in him at all times; This does not mean, trust in him only when convenient, or when we have money, food, or all the good things. This does not mean only in the large things or in the good times. TRUST in Him at all times.
I first did not want to go to India. This is because I had already planned to go to the Philippines. Also, I had heard of the terrorist attacks, and about the persecution of Christians in certain parts of that country. I am so glad now that God appointed me to go to India. I needed to learn about trust. Many things along the way happened perfectly that I was worried about. Some where small things like, would I be able to eat the food? No problem, in fact I enjoyed it. Things like would the travel go smooth and safely, how will they find me at the airport since we had never seen each other? Also I worried about many other such things. Then there were also big things I worried about. Would God be able to use such a one as I to minister His Word in this far off land? Would He supply me with words to speak? Would He provide me with texts from the Bible to use? Again and again He provided for all. It was revealed to me that I had not been Trusting in Him enough.
I even had a physical injury to my leg to teach me this lesson further. After many days of pastors training and services, we decided to take the children from the orphanage to the river. There I was running with the boys and I injured my leg quite badly. I had torn a hamstring. If you know what this is, it is quite painful. I had never had this injury before so I was concerned. I had to hobble back home which was quite a long walk. Once there for only a few minutes, a medical Doctor walked into the house. He was not called; he just came to visit because he had come back to town from where he now lives. He looked at my leg and treated me. This is the first time a medical doctor walked into the house where I have been in my life. See, God was teaching me to Trust. After only a day or two, our visit at this place was over. The next place we went to was the home of a Doctor. I have never in my life stayed with a Doctor. This Doctor also treated my ailment faithfully. See, I needed to learn Trust, and teach me the Lord did. He was with me at all times!
Dear reader! The Lord is also with you at all times. Have total Faith in Him. Trust in Him always. His Word promises that He will never leave or forsake us! Hebrews 13:5 (KJV)
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
God wants us to know, that even the small things are in His hands. He also wants us to know, that since He is watching over even these small things, He will also for sure watch over the big things in our lives.
Sometimes the answers He gives us do not feel good at first. Sometimes we think He did not hear our prayers. Remember, James 5:16 (KJV) says this way!
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
God does hear our Prayers! TRUST in HIM at all times!
In Christ’s Love and Care! John
Well, it has been a few weeks since we have had this chance to look into God’s Word together. Many of you have said that you were in prayer for my trip. I really appreciate this. We could feel the prayers. My traveling partner was Pastor Dennis Hilman. Many of you know him as he is a full time missionary with The Foreign Mission of the ALCA.
Since I did not tell you where I went before the trip, I can tell you now. We went to India. It is a special place and we really enjoyed the trip. I am especially thankful that we were able to share God’s Word with so many Christians. I also am so thankful that so many non Christians were able to either come to the services, or hear them broadcast by speakers over the villages.
I learned so many valuable lessons on this trip. These included lessons about dedication, sacrifice, caring, sharing, and much more. This was shown by the Christians in India. The single most important thing I learned was about trust. So many things have happened since early December when I was first asked to go on this trip, until the trip was over, that this issue of Trust has become clearer to me. This is what we will look into scripture about this week.
Psalm 62:6-9 (KJV)
He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. 7In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. 8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
You can see that verse 8 says Trust in him at all times; This does not mean, trust in him only when convenient, or when we have money, food, or all the good things. This does not mean only in the large things or in the good times. TRUST in Him at all times.
I first did not want to go to India. This is because I had already planned to go to the Philippines. Also, I had heard of the terrorist attacks, and about the persecution of Christians in certain parts of that country. I am so glad now that God appointed me to go to India. I needed to learn about trust. Many things along the way happened perfectly that I was worried about. Some where small things like, would I be able to eat the food? No problem, in fact I enjoyed it. Things like would the travel go smooth and safely, how will they find me at the airport since we had never seen each other? Also I worried about many other such things. Then there were also big things I worried about. Would God be able to use such a one as I to minister His Word in this far off land? Would He supply me with words to speak? Would He provide me with texts from the Bible to use? Again and again He provided for all. It was revealed to me that I had not been Trusting in Him enough.
I even had a physical injury to my leg to teach me this lesson further. After many days of pastors training and services, we decided to take the children from the orphanage to the river. There I was running with the boys and I injured my leg quite badly. I had torn a hamstring. If you know what this is, it is quite painful. I had never had this injury before so I was concerned. I had to hobble back home which was quite a long walk. Once there for only a few minutes, a medical Doctor walked into the house. He was not called; he just came to visit because he had come back to town from where he now lives. He looked at my leg and treated me. This is the first time a medical doctor walked into the house where I have been in my life. See, God was teaching me to Trust. After only a day or two, our visit at this place was over. The next place we went to was the home of a Doctor. I have never in my life stayed with a Doctor. This Doctor also treated my ailment faithfully. See, I needed to learn Trust, and teach me the Lord did. He was with me at all times!
Dear reader! The Lord is also with you at all times. Have total Faith in Him. Trust in Him always. His Word promises that He will never leave or forsake us! Hebrews 13:5 (KJV)
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
God wants us to know, that even the small things are in His hands. He also wants us to know, that since He is watching over even these small things, He will also for sure watch over the big things in our lives.
Sometimes the answers He gives us do not feel good at first. Sometimes we think He did not hear our prayers. Remember, James 5:16 (KJV) says this way!
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
God does hear our Prayers! TRUST in HIM at all times!
In Christ’s Love and Care! John
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