M is for Miracles

M is for Miracles. This ministry is in great need of MIRACLES. Cristina is my invaluable assistant living in Peru. Her niece, Ale (for Alejandra), is displaying the M she made with her aunt’s help.

Let me tell you about a MIRACLE I had this weekend. Some Sundays ago, I asked for prayer at 29ELEVEN CHURCH that I attend in Tahlequah. The pastor prayed with me asking God to provide the necessary means to continue my ministry. He asked specifically that funds would come from “unexpected sources.”

I’ve been thinking about what those sources could be at the same time praying that I would be able to pay Cristina. Since I have run out of money, she is only working some 15 hours a week. There is also the rent of office space and insurance to pay for.

On Saturday I sent her the money “by faith,” trusting that the Lord would provide for my expenses as they come along. Then came the miracle! From an unexpected source! My friend Nancy, who helps me with all the stories (adapting them from Spanish) sent me a love-offering. It covered what I had sent off to Cristina and left me the exact amount for the tithe. Talk about an unexpected source! She has been volunteering her time for years. I would never have expected that she would send me money. She had a blessing come her way and then sent some on to me.

I’m living in expectation of how provision will come this month! I’ve put a big M on the desires of your heart. My desire is to continue the ministry of providing teaching materials online. There are thousands of teachers subscribed to my different pages.

Put an M on the Miracles you need. Make a list of the Miracles you hope to see. Let’s form an army of believers who trusts in the miracles God will do.

“Your heavenly Father knows…” (Matthew 6:32). Our responsibility is to seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness (v. 33). God will do the miracles! It’s so comforting to know that OUR FATHER KNOWS!

As M is for Miracles, C is for COMPASSION, a beautiful virtue to spread the fragrance of Christ. A compassionate person has a tender heart and reaches out to a neighbor in need. COMPASSION is the theme for the stories I’m offering today.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1,2

As we imitate God as beloved children, let’s remember that one of the qualities of our Heavenly Father is compassion.

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Psalm 103:8

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:15

As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. Psalm 103:13

The apostle Paul exhorted us to “Love one another with brotherly affection” and to “outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10).

At the beginning of Paul’s missionary ministry, the brothers doubted him. They were afraid due to the ruthless way he had persecuted the followers of Christ. But there was someone who had compassion on him. His name was Joseph.

Joseph was such a tender and compassionate man that the apostles changed his name. They called him Barnabas, which means “Son of Encouragement,” or “He who comforts.”

“He who comforts” had compassion on Saul and brought him before the apostles, guaranteeing that this new disciple and preacher had had a true and transforming encounter with Christ.

Barnabas’s compassion was rewarded. He and Saul became fellow ministers. By then Saul began using his Greek name, Paul, and they made a missionary journey together.

Saul/Paul was accepted in the circle of apostles in Jerusalem because there was a compassionate man. Let us be the “Barnabas’” of the 21st Century. Let’s support our neighbors with tender compassion.

What was Barnabas like? “He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (Acts 11:24). A good man! What a beautiful description of Joseph Barnabas!

• a good man
• full of the Holy Spirit
• full of faith

Our world needs good men and good women. Men and women filled with the Holy Spirit and of faith. As we await the soon return of Jesus for his Church, let’s be persons like Barnabas. Jesus will come for a holy church, without spot or wrinkle.

So that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:27

Are you looking forward to Jesus’ coming? Are you ready to meet Him? That will be the greatest miracle of all. How awesome it will be to meet Jesus in the air!

Jesus is coming soon! On that day we’ll see each other in heaven, right? How wonderful to meet the friends who have been following me online! It would be great if we could meet here, which is not possible because of the distances. BUT we know that we’ll meet there!

Welcome to read stories 37 & 38 about compassion: THE TREASURE CLUB

Encourage the children to be compassionate!

These are four countries in South America where there is political turmoil and unrest. Please pray for God’s people to stay strong and for the Gospel to have an impact on people.

BOLIVIA

CHILE

ECUADOR

VENEZUELA