To the church in Philadelphia...

"I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no man can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied My name." Revelation 3:8

John's writing to the church in Philadelphia, which means "city of brotherly love" in Greek. So He could be writing to our team, since we're a group committed to loving others :-) And He's giving us a promise & also words of encouragement: He's opened a door for us to go & share His love in Brasil, & no one is going to be able to shut that door. That's such a great reminder because as the trip gets closer the obstacles may mount - but we can stand on His promise: He's called us & has opened the door.

And He's also telling us that we don't have to be important or strong or skilled - we just have to love Him & stay faithful to Him & His word. That;s all we need to accomplish everything He's called us to.

Thank you, Father, for Your promises & Your loving words of encouragement. Write them on my heart & remind me of them every day as I prepare for Brasil. Help my wonderful teammates to be encouraged, too. In Jesus' name, amen.

John 1: 14

"The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." John 1:14

"For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders. And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

All of history & time have been preparing for this moment: Jesus, the only precious son of God, will become a tiny baby and enter our world to save us. I don't deserve it, but I'm so thankful.

Father, I need your help to celebrate Christmas in a way that honors Jesus & reflects Your gift to the world. Help me to shine Your light brightly during this season. And I want to be preparing my heart for Brasil so that I can love people like You do - loving the least of these, serving them, telling them about You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Hello Brasil '11 team members - I just sent invitations so you can join the blog & post to it - that way we can share what God is doing as we get ready for the trip, & encourage each other. Let's each post something a couple times a week. Here's my first one:

On Tuesday night, I read Hebrews 12, & thought about verse 11: "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."

It's a hard verse to accept, and yet such a powerful one once I understand that when God disciplines me it's because He loves me, & because He wants me to be fruitful & strong. So when things are really hard, I can thank Him for what He's working in me, even when I don't understand it.

It reminded me of Romans 5:3-5 - "We rejoice in our sufferings, for we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom He has given us." This is one of my life verses, because there have certainly been times of suffering. But that suffering is what's made me into the person I am today - tested by fire, refined, & leaning on Him for strength. During the times of suffering I wish it would end, but after it's finished I can look back & see His handprints all over the situation, & I know He has been holding me, carrying me, loving me, and making me more like Him.

Father, as I prepare for serving in Brasil, please make me open to Your discipline. Let me see everything that happens as coming from Your loving hand, and let me see it as something You are using for good. In Jesus' name, Amen.