Pray today.

“He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!  Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”  And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” Luke 24:25-27

Last week the news from my eye doctor was that I no longer will be driving and while that brought colder temps into my winter season the next challenge of giving up writing because of the arthritis in my fingers matched with fading eyesight is more difficult to understand.  God closes doors.  As Pastor Schnake says; “and now we pray.”  Please pray for the children attending Christian schools in Haiti today as they are the next generation of missionaries in Haiti to bring the Good News throughout their country.  Please pray that I dress warmly during this winter while seeking the next open door.  I am closing today with the words from the hymn ‘Abide with Me!’ that were written by Henry F. Lyte in 1847.

“Abide with me!  Fast falls the eventide; the darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.  When other helpers fail and comforts flee, help of the helpless, oh, abide with me!  Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day; earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away; change and decay in all around I see.  O Thou, who changest not, abide with me!  Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word, but as Thou dwell'st with Thy disciples, Lord, familiar, condescending, patient, free.  Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.  Come not in terror, as the King of kings, but kind and good, with healing in Thy wings; tears for all woes, a heart for every plea.  Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide with me.  Thou on my head in every youth didst smile, and though rebellious and perverse meanwhile, Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee.  On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.  I need Thy presence every passing hour; what but Thy grace can foil the Tempter's power?  Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?  Through cloud and sunshine, oh, abide with me!  I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless; ills have no weight and tears no bitterness.  Where is death's sting? where, grave, thy victory?  I triumph still if Thou abide with me.  Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes, shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies.  Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee; in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!”

Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen. 

May God be with you…Jay