Wow, it has been awhile since I attended to this blog. There is good reason for that. I have just recently returned from a mission trip to Louisiana. There were two parts to this mission trip.
The first part of our mission trip led us to the Louisiana State Prison at Angola. It is a large maximum security prison with more than 5000 inmates on 18,000 acres of land. It was once considered the bloodiest prison in the south. They say it is still the bloodiest prison, but it is now covered with the blood of Jesus. Our mission team took part in a celebration called the Returning Hearts Celebration where more than 700 children were reunited with their inmate fathers.
It was an incredible day that you cannot put words to. If you would like to see some pictures from this event, visit www.awana.org/lifeline . I will warn you now - make sure you have some Kleenex handy.
After leaving Angola we traveled to Chauvin, LA. It was a small town which was part of the Bayou of Louisiana. Our mission here was to help rebuild homes and lives that have been impacted by hurricanes and other difficult circumstances. We partnered with a ministry called Bayou Grace http://www.bayougrace.org/ .
One thing that this trip showed me is that there is a lot of hopelessness in this world. So many people living with a spirit of depression and poverty over them.
But as God's believers, we know our hope is in Jesus. That no matter how bleak the circumstances - God is more than able to overcome those circumstances.
When I returned this past week, I returned to a difficult circumstance. Lord of Life is currently experiencing a budget shortfall of $100,000. That is a lot of money and unless circumstances change we will be faced to make some deep cuts.
This is why Isaiah 49:8 stood out as I read it:
This is what the Lord says: "In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances . . ."
There is a powerful promise here. First, God will answer us. Second, God will help us. And third, God will make us to be a covenant people to bring restoration and healing.
When we go back to the covenant we see that God promises to bless Abraham so that he can be a blessing to others. It would be very easy to be discouraged in this moment. But I know from God's promise that we are experiencing this moment so that we can experience his blessing and then share that blessing with others.
Lord Jesus, thank you for your abundant provision. Thank you for your promise to answer us, help us, and restore us. Help us to walk by faith and not be sight. Lord, to trust in your promises and to shine your light of hope in so many places that are filled with hopelessness. Amen.
One thing that this trip showed me is that there is a lot of hopelessness in this world. So many people living with a spirit of depression and poverty over them.
But as God's believers, we know our hope is in Jesus. That no matter how bleak the circumstances - God is more than able to overcome those circumstances.
When I returned this past week, I returned to a difficult circumstance. Lord of Life is currently experiencing a budget shortfall of $100,000. That is a lot of money and unless circumstances change we will be faced to make some deep cuts.
This is why Isaiah 49:8 stood out as I read it:
This is what the Lord says: "In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances . . ."
There is a powerful promise here. First, God will answer us. Second, God will help us. And third, God will make us to be a covenant people to bring restoration and healing.
When we go back to the covenant we see that God promises to bless Abraham so that he can be a blessing to others. It would be very easy to be discouraged in this moment. But I know from God's promise that we are experiencing this moment so that we can experience his blessing and then share that blessing with others.
Lord Jesus, thank you for your abundant provision. Thank you for your promise to answer us, help us, and restore us. Help us to walk by faith and not be sight. Lord, to trust in your promises and to shine your light of hope in so many places that are filled with hopelessness. Amen.
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