It was a pleasure for me to be able to join in a special online training session last night using Zoom. My good friend, Matthew Ling, in Malaysia, was hosting an online training in marriage and family ministry for leaders in Bolivia and Ecuador. I had the privilege to share the insights of Life in God’s Way with them. I’m still amazed at how far we’ve come with virtual connections around the world…immediately and for free. God is good!
The COVID-19 pandemic has created upheaval for our families, churches, and nations. It is a time when God is calling His people to re-examine their priorities. Join me as I talked with Prof. Ben Freudenburg (Concordia Center for the Family) about biblical priorities for families. I especially consider our important task of pointing all eyes to Jesus through what we say and do in the family. Listen to a recording of the interview that took place on 6-18-2020 by going to this LINK.
If you haven’t signed up yet to join the webinars starting tomorrow, I encourage you to do so! Go HERE! These will be a GREAT way to gain resources for yourself and to share. Families are hurting in so many ways, but God has the healing power we need. The ministry leaders featured in this webinar series will point you to the blessings Jesus has for free for all.
I’m joining with the leaders of six other ministries that strengthen and equip families to provide seven 30-minute webinars in June (Tuesdays and Thursdays June 9 through 30). The focus of the webinars will be “Equipping Families through COVID-19 and Beyond.” EVERYONE is encouraged to take part in these very insightful interactive events. To learn more and register (for free) go to: www.EquipFamilies.net
The participating ministries are …
Here’s another great blog post from my dear friend Ben Freudenburg at Concordia Center for the Family. Check it out HERE.
By dear friend, Ben Freudenburg, is the director of the Concordia Center for the Family (CCF). He’s put together some great material to support you and your family during this COVID-19 stay-home period and beyond. Check out his latest blog post HERE.
The CCF provides a host of other resources and support. Peruse their website to find out more.
In coming weeks, watch for more helpful resources from other ministry partners who are eager to support you, your family and the many families you are touching as you hand out life in Jesus’ name.
Psalm 23 speaks beautiful words of comfort and hope for us. As the perfect Husband, Jesus can also be described as the Good Shepherd. His care is there for us today as it was in the past and ever shall be. Listen as I reflect on the words of the 23rd psalm in this brief service from April 29th.
Rest secure, dear little sheep, in the Good hands of the Perfect Shepherd, Jesus!
My daughter, Hannah, is not able to be on her college campus right now, but her awesome school, Concordia University in Ann Arbor, cares so much about its students that her art professor is allowing her to complete her pottery class at home. As I’ve watched her create some wonderful items on the wheel, I’ve been reminded of a passage in scripture that speaks of a potter. Romans 9:20-24 (ESV) says, “20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, ‘Why have you made me like this?’ 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— 24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?”
In this passage we’re reminded that God has made every human being that has ever walked on earth. He’s also able to use some that seem terrible for His good purposes. Thankfully, He does that with us too. In spite of our flaws and cracks, He can and does use us for His good purposes. Sometimes our flaws are the very thing that make us all the more useful in God’s plan of leading other flawed sinners to His free gift of eternal life in Jesus.
We thank Jesus for His masterful work as potter. He has made us well. We joyfully let Him use us now for His good purposes as we live life in His way.
How can we praise the LORD in the midst of illness, suffering and trial? Because He is STILL the same gracious, loving and caring Lord who is directing all things for our good. He HAS already guaranteed our salvation. He DOES love us as the perfect husband caring for His beloved bride. We WILL be with Him for eternity. All is STILL good! PRAISE THE LORD!
Check out my message on this theme as drawn from Psalm 148 by joining Faith’s online worship for 4-19-2020 on YouTube HERE!
Even in the face of very challenging times, it’s good to remember that God IS working all things together for our good as we cling to Him in faith. You can view/listen to a devotion I shared on this subject yesterday (April 15th, 2020) by clicking HERE or going to the www.faithgb.org website under the MEDIA section, daily devotions. Come back often to see what other members of my staff and I are sharing each day about life in God’s way. It’s all good as we keep our thumbs up to Jesus.
Romans 8:28 (ESV) “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
