God@Work...
Last night we had a prayer meeting @ the Millers with all of the families of those leaving for Belgium next week. We worked out some of the details of our trip and made some final preparations. It was a very encouraging time. For me it was very encouraging to hear how many prayer & financial partners have joined our team. Praise God and thank you, through your prayers and generoisity the airfare for each person on the team is now covered and the elders of CBC have approved a gift of $2,000 that we can bring with us to help with construction costs & materials.

We also learned last night that the first Sunday we are there, the Church of Diepenbeek will be dedicating their building and holding their first service in the building. Please pray that this event would attract people to the church and pray that those that come would not leave unchanged - but would learn and accept that fact that Jesus loves them and desires to have a relationship with them.

Reflections...

I have been reflecting on the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount:

You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.(Matthew 5:14-16 NET Bible)

Jesus is the true Light of the World (John 1:9;8:12) and when we choose to follow Him we are delivered from darkness for the purspose of being lights in the Lord (Ephesians 5:7). Jesus went on to say that He is the Light of the world while he was in the world (John 9:5; 12:35), now that He has left the world to be seated in the heavenly places He has left us who would follow Him to be the light of the world (Matt 5:14-15).

Here Jesus makes the clear statement: "You are the light of the world.". He did not say you might be a light, but that you are a light. As a light we are a representative (or as Paul would say an ambassador) for Jesus.

What Jesus does not say is what kind of light we will be. We will be representing Jesus, the question is how well will we do? That is where our choices and actions will determine how well we are a reflection of the true Light - Jesus.

Please pray for me and the rest of the team that we would let the light shine through us so that others would see Jesus clearly through the work we are going to be doing and the words that we say. And seeing this they would be compelled not to give glory to us but to our heavenly Father.

Please pray that when opportunities present themselves that we would not shrink back in fear or silence but would in boldness clearly be able to communicate the gospel. If Paul, one of the greatest evangelists, asked for prayer to be bold & clear (Ephesians 6:19), then I figure our team could really use help here too.

Please pray for our families. Pray that they are safe and that the difficulties they face would not overwhelm them while we are away. I know I will miss my three precious ladies while I am away, may I come home with a greater appreciation for what God has blessed me with in my family.