Meditation on Psalm 119:65-72

65 Do good to your servant according to your word, O Lord. 66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands.

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. 68 You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.

Before I knew the Lord, I did whatever I wanted to do. I did life my way. My way was terrible. It took me 42 years to figure that out. I had completely gone astray. But I was afflicted. Being the stubborn person I was and even still am, I was afflicted often. But now I obey God through His word. Everything He does is good and for my own good. He is my Father in heaven and He loves me.

69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep your precepts with all my heart. 70 Their hearts are callous and unfeeling, but I delight in your law.

Before I knew the Lord, my heart was callous and unfeeling like everyone else who does not know Him. I praise God for giving me a heart of flesh! I truly know it’s because I delight in His law.

71 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. 72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

I thank God He afflicted me! If He hadn’t kept afflicting me, I would never have found my way back to Him. How much does He love me that He didn’t stop drawing me to Himself by afflicting me until I surrendered? God is amazing! His mercy and grace are unending! His law is more precious to me than all the money in the world! Hallelujah!

In Christ… Michelle

Amos 9:7 (New International Version)

Where oh where shall I go in Africa? I am very intrigued by the Karamojong in Uganda. They are a people who desperately need the Lord. It will only be by the grace of God they stop killing each other over cattle. They are fairly unreached, which is odd considering Uganda reports that 80% of the people are Christian. I’m sure it has a lot to do with their nomadic, warring life style. It takes the courage of the Lord to go to scary places. The main obstacle to Uganda right now is Pioneers doesn’t actually have a team established there.

Now I am also praying about Sudan. There is a great opportunity to become part of a team of tentmakers. There are teachers and medical workers in Khartoum, reaching out to the people with the Gospel. I am equally intrigued by Sudan. They are mostly a Muslim nation. There are nations in Sudan who are direct descendants of Noah through Ham, the Cushites. There are very many unreached people groups in Sudan. They are in the 10/40 window. I am drawn more and more to the Muslim peoples. I am currently learning about Islam in my class and find it very fascinating. A plus is there are at least two established teams in Sudan I could join. I definitely want to be a part of a team. I’m good at being on a team. I’m easy going and flexible.

It’s funny. I used to say I would never live in the middle east, there isn’t enough money in the world that would make me live in the middle east and/or the Muslim world. I still say that now, but with this addition, “I would live there for You, Lord.” I find it all so very ironic.

I have to tell you this decision is one of the hardest I’ve ever had to make. How do I choose where to go? There are so many good places to choose from. I know God will be pleased by any place I choose because the purpose is to share the Gospel. That’s what’s important to Him. I’m actually feeling kind of discouraged about it all right now. I can’t go everywhere, even though I want to.

I keep praying for a sign, for confirmation, but that may never come the way I want it to come. So I sit here at a loss for what to do, except to keep praying. Last night I asked the Lord to show me in His Word, to give me a scripture. I woke up this morning at 9:07. I have been waking up at exactly 9:07 everyday I don’t have to set my alarm for a couple of weeks now. The first thought I had this morning was to look up 9:7 in all the books of the bible that have 9 chapters or more. When I came to Amos 9:7, I raised my eyebrows!

⁷ “Are not you Israelites
the same to me as the Cushites ?”
declares the LORD .
“Did I not bring Israel up from Egypt,
the Philistines from Caphtor
and the Arameans from Kir?

Is this the confirmation, the sign I’m looking for? It certainly shows me that God thinks we are all equally important, especially when taking into consideration His blessing to Abraham that ALL nations will be blessed through him. Maybe this is confirmation. I most definitely don’t believe in coincidences. These are the times I wish the Lord had a phone so I could call Him and bounce my ideas off of Him to hear His opinion.

This is where I’m at today. I believe God has a plan. I wish I could see the future so I make the right choice. But I know whatever choice I make, God is already there waiting for me. Please tell me what you think. I could use a little wisdom.

In Christ… Michelle

 

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Christian Carnival! This would I guess be the Thanksgiving Edition of the Carnival. I pray the Lord bless you this Thanksgiving with wonderful time spent with family, rejoicing in all the Lord has provided this year. May the peace of the Lord fill your hearts and the love of Christ bind you to Him for all eternity! Enjoy!

This week Minister Mamie L. Pack offers a lovely refelction on Thanksgiving – Thanksgiving has presents posted at The Life I Now Live.

Justin Allison writes “This one is about 2 Sam 14:1-17, and the interesting features of that story.” The Woman from Tekoa and King David posted at Old Testament Ecology.

FMF writes, “Is building bigger buildings a good use of church money?” Opportunities Lost posted at Free Money Finance.

Don Boucher writes a beautiful post based on Genesis 24:1-9. Controlling the Present, Managing the Past, Agreeing to a Future posted at Gates of Praise Ministries.

Barry Wallace writes a beautiful tribute to his mom to urge others to seek the One true God for salvation through Jesus Christ. My mom died 2 years ago today posted at who am i?.

Rodney Olsen writes about redemption and living a fruitful life beyond your past. Redeeming the past posted at RodneyOlsen.Net.

loswl tells a sweet story about the love of Jesus Christ even in little things. Jesus Cares posted at INSPIKS | Inspirational Piks.

John writes, “So, what should orthodox Christians think when Christians invoke God to control or predict natural events? Is that indeed magic? If it works, do you think God is the supernatural being that makes it work? Is this what is warned about in the scriptural admonitions against magic?” Jesus is Magic? posted at Brain Cramps for God.

Michael writes, “To grow in the ways of the Lord, you must plant the seeds now. Either way, you’re sowing. What will you reap? A study of the blessings found in Psalm 128.” Blessings for Those Who Fear the Lord posted at Chasing the Wind.

Chris Lambert submits an excellent post on what we worship. American Idolatry posted at From the Roots.

Stephan Huller is happy to share on the news of an article he wrote that was recently published. My Article on the Throne of St Mark posted at Stephan Huller’s Observations.

Ridge Burns tells us, “Worship comes in many forms, and fellowship can happen in many places.” Saint David’s Episcopal Church posted at Ridge’s Blog.

Jeremy Pierce writes, “The American Philosophical Association has implemented a policy intended to prevent religious schools from requiring their faculty to refrain from same-sex sexual acts, but the policy seems to be inconsistent in also prohibiting discrimination on religious or political grounds.” APA Issues Contradictory Policy posted at Parableman.

Rey Reynoso has a fascinating article. He writes on “An overview of the themes of blessing and curses in the book of Genesis.” Thematic Patterns in Genesis posted at The Bible Archive.

Marcus Maher presents Giving thanks for the misguided who cause us grief posted at Seeking the truth…. “A Thanksgiving reflection on Paul’s thanksgiving for the Corinthians.”

Rodney Olsen writes, “A key political figure in Australia has presented an address defending God.” Defending God posted at RodneyOlsen.Net.

And my own tiny offering – What I’m thankful for this year.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of christian carnival ii using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

In Christ… Michelle