Be Ye Warmed and Filled

1 John 3:18 KJV
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

My wife and I were reading the Scriptures together yesterday evening, and came upon this verse. I could not help but immediately begin to apply it to my own life!

How many times, as Christians, do we hear of a Brother or Sister in Christ, or any other person for that matter, who has some need- be it great or small, and we simply pray for them. Please don't get me wrong! I am not saying we should not pray for these, but are we doing anything more?

I believe the Bible clearly teaches us that God would have us be His instruments of blessing- "vessels unto honour". I ask you, as I ask myself, what have you done this year, this month, this week, even today, to show the love of Christ in deed and in truth. The words "I love you" are so easily uttered, but to act upon them is so much more difficult! God told us He loved us, but then he demonstrated this by sending His only begotten Son to die for our sins.

A young shepherd boy named David loved his nation and his God, and he went to battle for them, when every one else- including the King- was too afraid. Nehemiah loved Jerusalem, and he rebuilt the city walls. The Apostle Peter loved God, and broke the tradition of men, thereby ensuring the Salvation of Cornelius and his household.


James 2:16 KJV
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

I wonder, what has each one of us done that is putting love into practice? Have we allowed God to use us to provide for a need? Is it enough that we simply pray for the needs we hear of, or is God waiting for us to act? How many times has a need gone seemingly unanswered, when God has had the answer there all along- in my power to fulfill? In your power to fulfill? Has my selfishness been to blame for someone loosing faith in God because their prayer went unanswered, just because I would not show love in deed and in truth?

We laugh about be ye warmed and filled, but how often is it really the case?

What a Shame

Proverbs 20:1 KJV
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Last night was youth-group night, and what a great time it was. Without a doubt, there is a very real need for clean, safe, wholesome entertainment for our young people. I like the fact that in our youth-group, the kids are given a time of Bible Study that is directed right at their level. So often churches take them for fun, but then totally neglect the spiritual needs they have!

Anyway. On the way home, I was driving along the main road past a bottle 'O, where there were a few cars parked. I thought it so sad that the cars occupants could not pause in their quest to obliterate themselves, that they could not pause long enough to close the car doors. Even though it was raining! Unless they were going to rob the store, I can't think how booze could be more important than protecting the interior of the car.

I guess the above is just another example of how wretched our world has become. The love of Christ has been rejected for the temporary pleasure the Devil has offered. All the glitter on offer is just fools gold- but people have had the wool pulled over their eyes. It is sad to think that, all because of the desire to have what is thought of as a "good time" thousands- no, millions- of people will eventually end up in Hell.


James 4:7 KJV
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Discouragement Looms Above

Matthew 16:24-27 KJV
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.


Something I have discovered is that, when you decide to go to the mission field, discouragement can bash you over the head like a two-inch steel pipe.

Sometimes things come up that make me ask, "Is this all worth it?" Not to say that I don't want to go, or that I don't believe God has placed a call on my life and that of my family, but simply that the pressures of this life are enough to make one question (in a heathen like manner) the value of surrendering the life God has permitted us to live, for a life that has a largely unknown direction!

I had a good job with a great future, I could have worked up to having all the money I ever really wanted. I had a nice house (read: warm), with nothing much to complain about. Now, the food in our refrigerator is warmer than the food on the bench top! I am working a job that I know I will not be doing for very long- and it certainly wont make me rich.

But in the midst of my discouragement, I started thinking about the above verses. Talk about conviction! I realised that the Devil is even now trying to dissuade me from following through with what God has required of me. How sad that one can be so easily trapped in this present world that to serve the Lord seems a great sacrifice. If we started out with little, it would not be so hard to go when He sends.

I am praying that in the future, I will not be so weak minded. Christ gave His all for me, why should I not give Him the little I have to offer. Dear Lord, help me be stronger!!!!

James 4:7 KJV
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Please pray for us as we prepare for the Mission Field. We are committed, however we need the Lords help. I will post a prayer letter of sorts later on, it is always good to be able to be specific in prayer. Thanks for stopping by.