“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3
A devotion yesterday told of an commercial airplane pilot telling his passengers that they were going to belly land; “put your head between your knees, grab your ankles…and if you are a Christian say a prayer for us.” The attached photo is of Keith Logan and a food vendor inside his business in Jacmel. Keith had been in Haiti for three straight weeks and one of his tasks was to meet with food vendors in many of the areas where Trinity/HOPE buys the food locally and then is taken to the local schools. Every penny that can be saved on the price of a pound of rice or beans can feed more children not yet enjoying a Trinity/HOPE meal. When you are asked to keep Trinity/HOPE in your daily prayers it really affects quite a large number of lives. The Trinity/HOPE staff and donor base here in the U.S., the Haitian food vendors, truck drivers, cooks, teachers, principals, Pastors, feeding program directors and of course the cloud of over 22,500 souls who eat the food and take the Gospel to people living without Hope. I am closing today with the words from one of my most favorite hymns, ‘For All the Saints Who from Their Labors Rest’ that were written by William W. How in 1864.
“For all the saints who from their labors rest, who Thee by faith before the world confess, Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest, Alleluia! Alleluia! Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress, and their Might; Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well-fought fight; Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light. Alleluia! Alleluia! Oh, may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold, fight as the saints who nobly fought of old and win with them the victor's crown of gold. Alleluia! Alleluia! O blest communion, fellowship divine, we feebly struggle, they in glory shine; yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine. Alleluia! Alleluia! And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long, steals on the ear the distant triumph song, and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong. Alleluia! Alleluia! But, lo, there breaks a yet more glorious day; the saints triumphant rise in bright array; the King of Glory passes on His way. Alleluia! Alleluia! From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast, through gates of pearl streams in the countless host, singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Alleluia! Alleluia! The golden evening brightens in the west; soon, soon, to faithful warriors cometh rest. Sweet is the calm of Paradise the blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!”
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