Luke 15:3-7
Then Jesus told them this parable:
"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home.
Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'
7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Ten years ago, Swine Flu arrived at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. I know because about five years ago, I was sitting needlepointing with some of my favorite people and the comment was made, "No one got Swine Flu."
Except - our oldest son was at Southwestern University and he was President of Kappa Alpha Fraternity.
My mother had just had a very serious foot surgery and was recovering in our downstairs den on our sleeper sofa, having an extra topper put on it and every pillow from her bed at home and a machine to move the foot. And a pain pump attached to her leg to automatically send out pain med.
And then the phone rang. Southwestern University was telling us to pick up our Oldest Son. Our First Born. This Brilliant Son we love so much had Swine Flu.
And suddenly this is the Bible Verse you want to seal the day:
Judges 6:36-40
36 Gideon said to God, "If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised- 37 look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said." 38 And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew
—a bowlful of water.
39 Then Gideon said to God, "Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece. This time make the fleece dry and the ground covered with dew." 40 That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry;
all the ground was covered with dew.
We want the Certainty of God.
Especially in uncertain times.
Today - there is a Student at Texas A and M, where Edward and I graduated, being tested for Coronaviruses- a group of viruses causing respiratory infections, which are often mild, but in rare cases are potentially lethal. And another Student at Baylor were our younger son graduated.
Cal was ill for two weeks. He said it was very horrible. The fever was very high. Father God interweaves all things for good and for the next ten years, Cal has really not been ill. I guess it was a steroid type affect in his immune system. My husband, Edward, and Cal went to my mother's home in Dallas. And in a week, returned home when Cal was fever free - until the car ride home.
For me a virus in China - is very worrisome. We have lived with a very ill college aged child with foreign virus.
And I realized this evening we know a family in Dallas with a grown son who does Christian Missionary work at a College in Beijing. During Bird Flu, this College Professor converted 2,000 Students for his bravery in staying during the allowed evacuation of Bird Flu for foreign expatriates. This Professor told his students he wasn't leaving because Christ was here for us in the most urgent times. And Prayer is a Fortress and God as expressed in Jesus Christ is our refuge. His care of his students and his dedication to prayer and belief in God's Goodness allowed him to have this house Church. Later, he retired to Florida and was invited back after ten years. Our understanding is the Chinese Government knows about this and has not found anything about this man and his family to be subversive.
The events surrounding this College Professor who had been in Beijing for more than ten years before the Bird flu. Is a tale of Jesus Christ. Incredibly patient, incredibly loving, unforgettable. A Love Story of one of the many Jesus Christ gives us. Explaining what John said about Jesus if all the books of the world explained Jesus - the story of Jesus would continue.
That House Church was never going anywhere. Hopeless. Except.
The College Professor had been in Beijing for a long time and House Church of 15. Allowable. Tame. Loving Jesus.
God of Love.
And then the diligent bravery and faith of someone who knows life on earth is temporary, while Life Eternal is important. The Students wanted to hear what their brave and caring Professor would say during the Bird Flu. And the Love displayed in staying when events are Terrible and Love is First - is the Acts of the Apostles. No surrender. Only Jesus is going to be their Refuge. The Professor and his family never got Bird Flu in the middle of a crowd where this was very likely. 2,000 converted. Jesus is God. The people were incredibly touched to be loved and held as important to his family.
Pray for this Good man and his family to be held safe in Jesus Christ.
Not everyone wants help in difficult times.
It's not unheard of for people to want to be resilient. We've know 4th stage Cancer Patients to turn down help at Christmas. Family members who felt they went home to die of Breast Cancer who would not make a phone call for help or even say the word cancer. A cousin who died of Leg Bone Cancer who never said she had Cancer. Another cousin who ran off 5 care giver family members and wouldn't admit she had had, it turns out, 23 strokes.
People don't always allow any help to be given.
And then sometimes you just don't know what to do to help. Or how to help Jesus today.
We are told to pray until the last hour and pray impudently. Even when we feel Father God is a bad judge. Jesus even said an Evil Judge. This is the tenderness of Jesus, the exact representative of our Father God.
Father God never considers chatting with God as burdensome.
Father God says Pray Ceaselessly. God tells us He is our Refuge.
I believe some of our best times and paths are talking to God.
When suddenly I feel the urge to pray for someone, even if it's someone I haven't seen for a good while, I pray and suddenly this person arrives at our home or calls. God rarely gives us an immediate reply, but we Know God is Working. Our God created All Things and the Stars are known and named by Him. His Plans go very far and He tells us He has His mind changed by prayer.
We have recently prayed for Australia. And most of us are praying daily for New South Wales Victoria.
So many people in China, we pray they know God Loves them. Their divorce rate is less than 1%. Children are mightily loved. The Aged are taken care of. Surely a lovable people. God bless the Chinese in the fear they must have for their own children.
Our prayers move our Father God's heart.
Abba,
Our Father, Abba, Who Art in Heaven,
Holy is the Name Jesus,
Thy Kingdom Come!
Thy Will be Done!
On earth as it is done in Heaven.
Give us this Day.
Our Daily, Living Bread Jesus.
Forgive me my trespasses
as I forgive those who trespass against me.
Lead us not into temptation
Deliver us from evil.
For Your's is the Kingdom, the Power in the Glory, Amen.
You know everyone's story, their very heart and soul. We ask in this time with so many prayer requests and prayer opportunities, that when we say, "Please Jesus" Your Mercy and Grace and Love Prevail.
Father, You are God of All. And we ask You for all these opportunities to be Covered by the Love Jesus Christ had for us to give His Life and Has for us Today to Live to see Your Glory.
We Simply and effectively say Jesus Christ with our hearts of Love for Your Love. And believe Jesus Christ will cover All.
Help us Father to live in Love, Peace, Joy to find and seek Your Kingdom every day.
Help us Father to live in Love, Peace, Joy to find and seek Your Kingdom every day.
Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †
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