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FIRST NATION MINISRIES, INC. P.O. Box 30055 Portland, OR 97294 Phone: 503.408.2391
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011
ISSUE 31
Hello there, Neighbor!
Well, Teammates, as we begin a new year in these unsure times, there are a few things we need to remember. First, we should remember that our God is in sovereign control of all the events of this earth. He may not explain Himself, but He has planned or permitted the events of this earth. “Job answered the Lord and said, ‘I know that You can do all things and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.’” Job 42:1. Secondly, God is our refuge. What a comfort this is! “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Ps. 46:1. When you wake up in the night in a cold sweat and filled with fear, remember that He is your refuge and strength, a very present help. Thirdly, He is our protection. We are under Heaven’s lock and key; the best security system ever! Nothing can ever weaken God’s ultimate protection of our lives. “We…are protected by the power of God, through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” I Peter 1:5. The saints are to have peace. This peace is with earthly enemies, mysterious evils, and with little annoyances. Any of these might keep us from resting, but none of them will do so. The Lord will destroy those things which threaten His people. Fourthly, He is our provider. Poor believers may be led into anxiety as to where their next suit will come from. The soles are thin, how will we get new shoes? There may be patches and darning, but clothing we shall have! The One who provided clothing for man who had sinned, also in mercy will provide what we need. “In your goodness, oh God, you provided for the needy.” Ps. 67:10, and “My God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19. Fifthly, He is our future. “After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me so that you may be where I am.” John 14:3. In the blink of an eye, He will come back and everyone will see Him. Bodies will come out of the dirt and break the surface of the sea and those who don’t know Him will be afraid. But we will not fear because we will know Him. Praise the name of the Lord! So, Neighbor, let’s rejoice as we begin a new year with new opportunities to reach out into the darkness of the reservations and tell as many Native Americans about Jesus as we can.
Your old missionary brother, Don Cline
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MY PRAYER FOR 2011
I CHOOSE LOVE . . . No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.
I CHOOSE JOY . . . I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical…the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.
I CHOOSE PEACE . . . I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.
I CHOOSE PATIENCE . . . I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.
I CHOOSE KINDNESS . . . I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.
I CHOOSE GOODNESS . . . I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.
I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS . . . Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My spouse will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their parent will not come home.
I CHOOSE GENTLENESS . . . Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice, may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make demands, may they be only of myself.
I CHOOSE SELF-CONTROL . . . I am a spiritual being…. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.
LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, AND SELF-CONTROL. TO THESE I COMMIT MY DAY. IF I SUCCEED, I WILL GIVE THANKS. IF I FAIL, I WILL SEEK HIS GRACE. AND THEN, WHEN THIS DAY IS DONE, I WILL PLACE MY HEAD ON MY PILLOW AND REST.
Max Lucado
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