Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. Hebrews 13:3 ESV
This morning we go into day two of Jacob Pursley’s appeal for prayers for Armenia in this off and on war with Turkey and Azerbaijan. As I watched and listened, I remembered this verse and how it is so easy for us, here in the Western world, to complain about small things. A leaky toilet, a termite problem or a higher tax bill can prevent us from seeing the suffering of others. The Bible reminds us that we are a part of the world of our brothers and sisters. When we enter into that spiritual connection with them, we will both be enriched: they by our prayers and we by the richness of their faith. I love how Jacob ends his second video by saying that the only true solution to the hatred and spiritual evil behind this war, is the good news of Jesus Christ. So let us pray for not only Armenia, but also for the Christians in Turkey and Azerbaijan, that God will open a door for them to share the gospel, and that hearts may be changed, and nations won for Jesus Christ.
Watching a video update by missionary Jacob Pursley on the current situation in Armenia stunned my heart. Jacob is the son of our friend Dow Pursley who once taught at the Baptist Bible College in Clarks Summit. Jacob left for Turkey with his wife Lisa 20 years ago and served there until moving across the border into Armenia in 2017. I am posting his video on the almost untold and unknown war going on in which Armenia has come under attack from Turkey and Azerbaijan. This is the first of a two-part series. Note that Jacob is not looking for our financial support but for our prayers. In Hebrews 13:5 Jesus promises to never leave us or forsake us. On our part we should never forsake praying for any of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV
As some of you know who follow this blog, I served most of my ministry as a lay pastor (as in didn’t get paid). But far from being a problem, the lay pastor situation gave me opportunity to serve as an associate at a small Brazilian church for 14 years, and a volunteer chaplain at a large nursing home. Some days, it was like the Clark Kent/Superman scenario, where I rushed home to shower and change clothes, then hurried out to hold the Wednesday afternoon services at Allied Skilled Nursing. I loved serving both at church and nursing home, but it was at my secular job, that God taught me the best lessons. So, let’s rewind 30 years to a day when I was mowing lawns. My home state Connecticut could be named after a Native American word meaning, “Land full of rocks!” Practically every lawn we mowed had at least one large granite boulder to mow around. One very nice property in particular, was blessed with an abundance of enough stones to build one of our famous New England stone walls. My friend Noel, who just started working with us, was not familiar with our properties and so he accidently grazed over one unseen stony protrusion after another. Finally, He stopped, said a few choice words and stated, “You guys have the worst lawns I have ever seen!”
“Come on Noel.” I said trying to keep a calm tone. “These are the ones Jesus gave us.”
“Well then, Jesus must not like you very much!” Noel retorted, then restarted his machine and began mowing the back half of the property.
Now, I know Noel’s opinion isn’t proper theologically, but I have often felt a lot like him! Some days it feels like other folks have nice easy lawns to mow. They don’t have rocks to mow around or hidden outcroppings lurking just beneath the tops of the long grass. Sure, I know that Jesus Loves Me Because the Bible Tells Me So, but there are some days I wonder how much He likes me! The answer I have discovered after whacking a number of rocks in my 71 years, is that God allows rocks to mow around because He does care. He loves us so much that He has given us the chance to go back time and again to difficult people, hard places and sticky situations until we remember where the rocks are. Then we can give Him thanks, in every situation as we learn to mow around them!
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