”’For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare
and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope.’” Jeremiah 29:11
Hey Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
How’s your autumn going? I looked it up, (somehow I forget this because I have looked it up in the past) when winter starts and autumn begins. Having spent the morning snow blowing the driveway, my kindly neighbor did the east to west part of my sidewalk (thanks Tom!) I now doubt my googled discovery of December 21st, the winter solstice, still a good week away as I write. The Scripture says we should know the seasons of life in a metaphorical sense. We read in 2 Tim. 4:2: “…preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”. This obviously is a lot to do, and just like living in Chicago, takes some elasticity because life holds the unexpected. I’m not sure where it is still autumn, but in Chicago it is winter and going down to 8 degrees tonight.
One of the first things to remember in being in the will of God and walking by the Spirit is to continue to trust that God has a plan. This is not easily done when we encounter sorrow, or get hassled by cops for talking to peeps about God on campus. But if we believe God has a plan we know it makes sense. I move around a lot from building to building so as not to give a bureaucrat opportunity to call the police on me. And if they do not have a complaint they leave me alone, so far. Not that God doesn’t do things we don’t expect. This will always be true, but He will also warn us and give guidance. If we are often sick, possibly we should seek out better nutrition, or think about wearing a warmer coat. We can hope in wisdom to fit into the world and God’s work in it. We don’t believe God is utterly random and chaotic. This gives us comfort to trust that we have done our part and the rest is simply God’s plan, though it may include pain or grief. I once heard Warren Wiersbe opine, “God heals every disease but the last.” We can ask for things to see what God’s will may be. Paul writes concerning his wish to come to Rome in Romans 1:10: “…always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you.”
God wants us to take comfort by His Holy Spirit, but that comfort is a deeper faith in Him, not necessarily in changing our circumstances as we may wish. “But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.” John 14:26&27
Fortunately for us Faith is a gift, (Eph. 2:8) not something we just need to suck up and gain by force of our own will. So we can ask for more Faith , ask our faith to increase beyond measure: as that is what the Greek word huperauxano actually means, translated “greatly enlarged” in. “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater;” 2Thessalonians 1:3
We have been blessed this year and been able to continue in the work on campus. Next semester I am going to take a credit class so I will be a student talking to students on campus, hoping this gives me more rights, and being of this mind – continued courage. We will be hosting a Christmas party in our home for current & former students on Dec. 21st. We feel so fortunate to have these relationships
These are the names of the 51 students who have prayed to receive Jesus this semester. (An * means they did not pray with me but committed to Christ as Savior.) This was made possible by the Power of God through your prayers & help. As you read through their names would you please pray for their faith to increase beyond measure? You can read their stories on our website: http://www.thethirdwatch.org/
Michelle, Soe, Kristine*, Samantha, Teddy, Misael, Aja, Shaya,
Mark, Kamera, Dontrel, Ryan, Kayla, Zach, Jewellel, Brian*,
Frangela, Theresa, Brittany, CJ, Lucia, Luis, Ryann, Nick,
Laversa , Martin, Ana, Karen, Zach, Kyra, Precious , Meishan , Brandon, Edwardo, Andy, Maria , Edwardo*, Rob, Maribel, Kyanna,
Joel*, Montez, Dylan, Dionnie, Kevin, Matt, Taylor, Tracy,
LaDonte, Shanice, Amber, Andrew, Teresa, Nadia and Patrick
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours! May you feel the love of God surround you fully this season and in 2014.
In Him,
Bob & Ellen
email: bob.thirdwatch@sbcglobal.net
website: www.thethirdwatch.org
To donate online to our college ministry:
http://www.razoo.com/story/Third-Watch-Ministries-Nfp