A Glimpse into a Wisdom Literature Assignment

Nurturing/Encouraging Assignment from Training in Wisdom Literature

-Guiding a conversation with a suffering believer using the assigned text.

Thank you for letting me visit with you today. After you shared with me all of your pain, and the struggle you are currently facing I just had to come see you face to face. My prayer has been that you would be encouraged today as we look into the scriptures at the first 4 verses from Ecclesiastes 7. Let me read it to you.

A good name is better than precious ointment,

and the day of death than the day of birth.

It is better to go to the house of mourning

than to go to the house of feasting,

for this is the end of all mankind,

and the living will lay it to heart.

Sorrow is better than laughter,

for by sadness of face the heart is made glad.

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,

but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

This text has so much grief in it. Would you agree with that? So, it is definitely something you can relate to. Let’s just look at it a little closer. The first verse talks about how someone is called do they have a good name? People are looked at as wise or as a foolish? Then it says the good name is better than precious ointment something very valuable and the day of death better than the day of birth. Now I don’t know about you, but that just makes me question. How in the world can the day of death be better than the day of birth? It sure doesn’t seem better, right? But if you think about it what happens to our heart when we are faced with death? Usually it breaks our hearts, right? And it reminds us how short and temporary this life is. We are caused to question, what are we living for, and is it worth it?

The same is true for the next verse. It is better to be in a place where we are reminded of what is wrong with creation and see our need for help than to go on feasting without a care. Because all of our lives on this earth will come to an end. Our days are numbered, and we know this in our hearts.

It continues to esteem grief highly stating how sorrow is better for us than laughter. Actually better. It is through sadness of our face that our hearts are made glad. Our heart is made glad in the eternal things because we see clearly the brokenness of this world, and long for the next. Our idolatry of creation is removed.

So, the section ends with a statement about where to find the wise. The wise hearts are in the house of mourning,  And the heart of fools in the house of laughter.

It is likely a little surprising to you this high esteem of mourning in these verses, but the author makes a point to contradict our natural perception of mourning.

God has designed it so that in the mourning of loss, pain, and suffering there is something profound to be found.

Not only is there great purpose in your suffering, but there is also this very precious gift that God intends to give you in the midst of it all. It is the greatest thing you could ever receive. He wants to give you a special knowledge and more of Himself. This very pain and suffering is allowing you to get to know Jesus in ways that others may never see. They haven’t experienced what you are currently struggling through so they don’t get to know Jesus in this unique way that you are getting to need him and know Him. And just look at his life. Can you remember his life? Can you remember his suffering? You would agree with me that he suffered greatly, right? And so was there any purpose to his suffering? Was it all just meaningless? No. Not at all! The suffering of Christ was not wasted, and served a great purpose. Remember, the suffering of Christ kept us from being completely destroyed by the wrath of God. The death of Christ brought life to us. Likewise, your tears and your cries out to God are not wasted. The wisdom and understanding you are gaining from this trial is protecting you from the foolishness of placing your hope in the things of this world, and ultimately leading you to a deeper enjoyment of eternal life with Christ. And maybe along the way he could use your story to connect with others who struggle and lead them into eternal life as well. So, continue looking to God and fearing his name. He will sustain you and give the lasting eternal comfort to your heart.

A Glimpse of Life and Death

I physically almost died yesterday. Actually, so did you. We almost die every moment, but then physically we live. Yet physically we are still dying. Strange concepts if you really think through them. What wrath we brought on ourselves in the beginning, when we committed cosmic treason against a holy yet loving God, and did exactly what He had instructed us not to do. We were surely warned! 

And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." - Genesis 2:16&17

My grandmother (87) my mother (55) and I (27) were in a serious car wreck yesterday on a major interstate. The van spun, flipped, and landed completely upside down on the side of the road. There were so many graces of the Lord. No other cars were involved, and Many gracious people stopped to help free us from the car. There was a first responder and nurse practitioner that were right behind us. My grandmother only received 22 stitches from a bad cut on her arm, my mother only has secere bruising on her abdomen, and I only have a few cuts and bruises on my knees. They were both wearing seat belts. I in the back was not. 

It would have been so very easy for us all to have just died. Therefore, I am reminded of this curse of death and dying in Genesis. From the moment of conception we are under the curse of death. We are broken people born into a broken world. 

Most of you will know the story of how Adam and Eve disobeyed God, but if you are not familiar I encourage you to read the first 3 chapters of the Holy Bible... Then just go a head and read the whole thing. It is a thrilling documentary of the beginnings of all things, and God's Words are essential to life!

So after Adam and Eve disobey God, miraculously God does not utterly destroy them immediately. Which is what we actually deserved. The human race could have been completely annihilated in that moment, but God let them live and only begin to die. He protected them from eating of the tree of life in the garden after they had eaten from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Otherwise we would all live broken forever. Instead of being destroyed the relationship between God and man is only broken, and God as he sacrifices an animal to covered the shame and sin of Adam and Eve in animal skins physically He gave them a glimpse of the eternal covering God would later provide spiritually when The Word would become flesh and dwell among us as it is shared with us in John. Jesus (Fully God and Fully Man) lived, suffered, died, and miraculous rose from the grave-Conquering the curse He made a way for us to Come near to Him again- He ascended to heaven, and now sits at the right hand of the Father. He is interceding for and covering those that trust and follow Him as we live and grow spiritually yet die and decay physically. He broke the curse of death for us. For death physically while in Christ spiritually we are freed to live in the eternal restored relationship with Christ.   

While the van was spinning many things came into view... Then the trees, then the sky, then the dust. I kept my eyes open just looking... In the midst of such chaos there was this thrilling excitement of us going home, knowing fully, seeing fully, and being fully with Jesus. Then I saw nothing, and just felt confused. I immediately knew I was still here. It was a little disappointing at first, but as the afternoon went on I became very thankful to God for the sake of my family and friends, especially those yet to follow and trust Jesus.

The Lord still has a plan for me here, at least at this moment. Still things to show me and grow me closer to Himself. Maybe as he does that He can use me for the sake of His name going to unreached people. Just maybe He can use this dying body yet living spirit to go to a people that have never heard or had the opportunity to worship Jesus. 

For today to live is Christ, but one day to die will be gain!

as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. - Philippians 1:20-21

A Glimpse of a Struggle

So, I don’t know about you, but something that I struggle with sometimes is the sudden realization of the unknown. I have been working through this for a while. As this training year ends I begin to stress about summer plans, and wonder concerningly what next year will look like when all the second year trainees leave while new trainees join in as first years. It is concerning when I have assumed then suddenly realize that I have no clue what is going to happen. Usually I am excited about these sorts of things. Well,except people I love leaving. I have never been very fond of that. However, the reality check for me the other night was exactly that. I assume that I will wake up tomorrow, and do life similarly as I have today. However, I truly never really know what will happen tomorrow. No one does, but thankfully my God who has me does. We have a kind, gracious, and loving God that knows us fully well, including what tomorrow will hold and every day after that. And for those of you that believe and have entrusted your life to following Him one of those days includes the last day where one day will be as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. We get to spend eternity in His presence. I think we can trust him with the todays and tomorrows of this world knowing the eternal worship we get to spend in the next.  This has been my prayer lately… Father, please help me learn to live in light of the eternal dwelling in the presence of the lamb that was slain. Forgive me of my fears, and anxieties of the unknown. Please keep me from the anxieties of this temporary world, and keep me constantly fixed on seeking your presence. So that I will trust in all your ways, always. 

 "You keep him in perfect peace who’s mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you.”  Isaiah 26:3

"Show us Christ"

A Glimpse of Peace

This is all my hope and peace 

Nothing but the blood of Jesus 

One day last week I was struggling in all kinds of ways. There was homesickness, loneliness, and discontentment. It was not just the usual ach of being away from friends and family. It was way deeper and it was ruining me. It was evident that something was wrong in my heart, and I knew the discontentment was there. So during lunch I just sat by myself and listened to worship music trying to pray. Some noticed that I was being more wierd than usual, but I didn't really have answers for them except that my heart was discontent. Thankfully, we were let out of training early that day, which doesn't happen too often. I was able to go home and sit on my bed and pray for those I missed for a long time, and also seek the lord to purify my heart of selfish discontentment. During this time while just listening. The lyrics of the song above came to me, and I begin to sing them. However, I am immediately convicted and recognized that I was singing something different than what was actually true in my heart. You see hope had become something other than Jesus something physical, places and physical people. That I even knew would not fill the peace longed for. After seeking the lord for restoration and peace. He restored my Hope to Himself. The next day the burden was lifted, and the excitement for what God has instore for each day returned. Yes, I am excited to return home and spend Christmas with my family, but I am no longer controlled by this. 

2 Corinthians 5

14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;

15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

So what is your hope or hopes? What gives you peace? 

IS IT TRULY NOTHING, BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS? 

Spend some time worshiping the Lord through this timeless Hymn 

1	What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus; What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
	Oh! precious is the flow That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know,   Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
2	For my cleansing this I see— Nothing but the blood of Jesus! For my pardon this my plea— Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
3	Nothing can my sin erase Nothing but the blood of Jesus! Naught of works, ’tis all of grace— Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
4	This is all my hope and peace— Nothing but the blood of Jesus! This is all my righteousness— Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

A Glimpse of God's Provision and Protection in Mexico

In Mexico things never go as we plan, but that is okay because they always go as God Plans!

There were issues galore this week in Mexico including closed visa offices, freezing cold weather, and our car breaking down in a dangerous spot. Yet there was the grace and provision of God to cover it all!

It normally takes under 3 hours to get to village ML, but on this trip it took 6 hours because we had visa issues at the border which the Lord helped us through, and our car broke down about 45 minutes away from the village. After my fearless leader and teammates tried seeing if it was just something basic they called our field director who was translating in a village about an hour away. While we were waiting for a while only kind and helpful people drove by or stopped to assist. A huge provision of the Lord came when O the believer we are working with in ML stopped, and he knew a mechanic near by. So, when the other team arrived they towed us to a mechanic about 20 minutes down the road, and then dropped us off in village ML before going back to their village. The mechanic was able to have our truck fixed the day before we left. It was neat to be able to make a new connection to a small village through the mechanic, and we hope to connect with them and share more when we return.
It was freezing cold that day and night, and continued into Tuesday the day we had planned for our outreach through the movie Courageous and a Gospel presentation during it. We walked the village Tuesday morning telling the whole town and inviting them to the evening event with flyers. I wondered if people would come because of the cold. Then they did! 13 people 12 of them unbelievers! Now maybe those numbers sound small to you, but that is over 10% of the entire village of 90 people, and way more unbelievers than we have ever had at a Bible Study this year. We were able to serve popcorn and hot coco. Then the Gospel of Jesus Christ was proclaimed. A few young shy girls also came that I hope to connect and share with more and more. We were not able to follow up with the guest as we wanted to, but we are confident that the Lord always follows up with those that belong to Him! It will be exciting to see how He has moved when we return!

Praising the Lord for His faithfulness to His work, and Thanking Him for the privilege of being a part of it!

PSALM 33:1-6
Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous!
Praise benefits the upright.
GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD
with the lyre; 
make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
Sing to him a new song; 
play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
For the word of the LORD is upright, 
and all his work is done in faithfulness.
He loves righteousness and justice; 
the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.
By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. 

A glimpse of Bible Storying

This is a drawing of a story board. It reminds me of cave drawings. 

It may sound crazy, but 16% (775 million) of us are illiterate. In some countries the illiteracy rate is as high as 84.6%...

So the question is how do these oral people learn?

It is Through Stories

Many cultures are oral learners because they have never read or written. Therefore, they connect and learn new information through dialogue, images, and other ways.

This past week at the CPCP we walked through many stories from the New Testament, and memorized each of them in a story fellowship group. Then at the end of the week we each got to story one for the hour long Story Fest that took the listener from the birth of Jesus to His return. On Thursday alone we memorized 4 different stories. It was a worshipful week constantly verbally sharing truths of the scriptures to one another. Our tool boxes were filled with truth this week, and now we can use these tools with those we are meeting.

WATCH THIS AMAZING 10 MINUTE PRESENTATION OF THE STORY OF GOD!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4cL-Zcxa9M

A glimpse of Psalm 18

Sometimes it can be discouraging when things change. Change has always been a challenge for me. For some reason it just makes me feel like I don't know anything about the future. My heart gets frustrated, and then anxious, and then doubtful, and I can easily tumble into despair if I neglect to remember WHO I belong to and live in. Maybe I'm the only one, but maybe not.

It is a reality that plans will continue to change, and as a missionary there will be constant grief and loss in those changes. Loss of ideas, plans, and the reality of constant transition of people can be exhausting when I neglect to remember the author and controller of the universe. Thankfully, there are truth in the scriptures to remind us.

Psalm 18 is a chapter I have spent some time in lately. It begins with verse 1 "I love you O LORD my strength" and ends with verse 50 "Great salvation he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever. " Do you see why David is in such deep affection for his LORD? God gives Him a great salvation from his enemies, and so proves His steadfast Love. Throughout the other 48 verses of this chapter he reflects on the Old Testament truths, and he also talks about The Lord equipping him for battle. Midway through in verses 29-31 is a truth that calms my anxious heart. 

"For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God-his way is perfect, the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock except our God? "

Now the battle and walls for us are a little different these days, the barriers are spiritual and sometimes physical, our battle is spiritual, and our enemy is the spiritual forces of darkness that constantly seek to kill, steal, and destroy us and the truths we believe, as well as, our faith and only eternal hope in Jesus Christ! So when you feel the darkness pressing in hold fast to the light of Christ in communion with him. Do not be deceived by the fading refuges/temporary comforts of this world because they cannot protect you, but dwell in the truths of the Scriptures! Remembering "This God-His way is Perfect; the word of The LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.