Hello again Prayer Force One,
What a battle, what a Captain, what fearless warriors HE makes of all of us. Please pray for the kids, I can't imagine how hard it has been, how it continues to be and yet I know they are well grounded. I praise God for HIS word and especially the word planted in those little one's hearts. God sent me back to the book of Nehemiah after I did some reading in the New Testament in my reading through the bible. I share this key verse in Nehemiah 6:9
"For all of them were trying to frighten us, thinking, “They will become discouraged with the work and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands."
We really need to pray for each of the children to not be frightened, not be discouraged and that God will strengthen their "hands" for this continued work. We know some good news, they know nothing yet. This really bothers me but I have to trust in the LORD to have this all in both His plan and His timing. He is really challenging me to trust His word, it even seems at times clear scriptures don't "mesh" with the battles on the ground, if you get my drift. It just seems like I am either being lied to by the world and they are either in complete control or somehow God is having a terrible time dealing with the devil. Based on sound biblical teaching, neither could be possible even though I do believe the devil wars with God's people and does win some skirmishes at times. The war or battle is already over, JESUS ROSE. We are just fighting the good fight for our Captain Jesus.
What a battle, what a Captain, what fearless warriors HE makes of all of us. Please pray for the kids, I can't imagine how hard it has been, how it continues to be and yet I know they are well grounded. I praise God for HIS word and especially the word planted in those little one's hearts. God sent me back to the book of Nehemiah after I did some reading in the New Testament in my reading through the bible. I share this key verse in Nehemiah 6:9
"For all of them were trying to frighten us, thinking, “They will become discouraged with the work and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands."
We really need to pray for each of the children to not be frightened, not be discouraged and that God will strengthen their "hands" for this continued work. We know some good news, they know nothing yet. This really bothers me but I have to trust in the LORD to have this all in both His plan and His timing. He is really challenging me to trust His word, it even seems at times clear scriptures don't "mesh" with the battles on the ground, if you get my drift. It just seems like I am either being lied to by the world and they are either in complete control or somehow God is having a terrible time dealing with the devil. Based on sound biblical teaching, neither could be possible even though I do believe the devil wars with God's people and does win some skirmishes at times. The war or battle is already over, JESUS ROSE. We are just fighting the good fight for our Captain Jesus.
It is hard to call "the battle" good at times, I know you guys have your own battles and this resonates with all of you. I am concerned though with so many Christians today "falling away from the faith" as stated in 1 Timothy 4:1
"But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,"
Knowing the Lord Jesus is coming soon, we really need to be standing firm on His promises and looking up as our redemption is clearly drawing near. I realize some don't like so much teaching on "end times events" but we are living in the end days and we need to be aware of what is happening around us from a biblical standpoint and not from the world's viewpoint.
I truly believe one of the main reasons I am having such a horrible time battling for the 10 beautiful orphans is because Satan is aware the days are short and he is concentrating more effort to deceive. We already know he is the father of lies and the father of murder and is this not what we see all around us. This also goes with the immoral things going on as the days of Noah and Lot. If I chose three things to describe what evil is supposed to be prevalent in the end times, I would no doubt choose "The big three" lies, murders and immorality. Oh yes, it can always be said these have happened all throughout man's history but not to the degree and severity we see today.
Praise God we are concentrated on the good prophetic sign mentioned in Matthew 24:14
"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come."
I am so excited about all the children that have been saved through my ministry over the past 12 or so years as well as many adults coming to know Jesus Christ. This is what it is all about. The bad signs are for us to warn the world of impending judgement and lend credence to the message of salvation which is the only solution for the lost. Amen?! I hate the bad signs and so does the world, we have the only answer. Preach it in season and out of season! For those of us who are well seasoned in "out of season" preaching, pray for special grace for us and especially for the saved children.
As for my process of adoption. It will continue to be a battle but I believe we are winning. I have clear promises from some in charge of important matters and yet I know Satan will send his "Sanballat's, Tobiah's and Gershom's" Nehemiah 6:1
We have no fears, love casts out fear but please pray for my kids to not be afraid as I have taught and demonstrated to them. I guess my only fear is that they would be afraid. I do have confidence in God's word in their hearts and that is sufficient. Amen?! I want them to know some good news. It looks like this will only come when they get moved to a State run orphanage and I can see them then and begin the process of ID papers on each one. Then we would move on to adoption paper work for me to take all 10. This sounds amazing and believe me, it is. I am pretty sure it has never been done. I hope you are chuckling like I am. Praise God, although we are "not there yet" we are moving the mountains, all be it too slow for me. I guess mountains shouldn't be real easy to move anyway. This "Abraham going by faith in the wilderness stuff" is driving me batty. Thank God I can take it all out on the basketball court. I can't tell you how many times "I have shot the lights out" on my B ball buddies. It's really fun to be compared to "Curry" when I hit a bunch of 3's. Now that is a compliment. We have a lot of fun, I just wish I could dunk like some of the guys. White guys can't jump. hahaha Anyway, it is good to stay strong and healthy, like my good Alaskan friend Sandy said she read "Breathing Beijing air is like smoking 2 packs of cigarettes a day." I don't know how God does it for me but I keep my breath for the 2 hours on the hard court even with the 20 year old guys. Pray for these guys to be saved, they really look up to me and it is fun to chat with them during short breaks. I need to make effort to talk with them at other times as the court time is very busy.
Pray for David too as we come up on his birthday. He turns 13 on July 1st. It is "Father's Day" this Sunday and wouldn't it be nice to see the kids soon???!!! Praise God for all you fathers out there, rejoice in God's little gifts to all of you.
I am trying to figure out the process on the State's side too. I now know I need to do all the paper work though the State of Alaska. If there is anyone who thinks they can help me, please do. It is a very, very unusual situation with me processing paper work for all 10 at once and I know the adoption agency will need to hear from both me and somebody official hear to believe it. If any of you thinks they can help me in any way, please let me know. Usually the Chinese side is the hard part to get the approval from, in this case I am prepared for more battles on that side of the "pond".
I close with asking you all to continue to pray for Jiang Jia Ya and her parents. She is doing better, getting stronger and yet I have no idea what to say about the bills. I help out as often as I can with their rent and some hospital expenses and also their daily needs. We study God's word as I call both of them on the phone. The dad stays with Jiang Jia Yi during the day and the mother at night. I go to see "Da Boys" every Saturday and I really enjoy that. They are growing like weeds
Keep the faith brothers and sisters! Love ya all. Ray and the 10 and keeping the Gold kids in prayer and other orphans in my plans.
"But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,"
Knowing the Lord Jesus is coming soon, we really need to be standing firm on His promises and looking up as our redemption is clearly drawing near. I realize some don't like so much teaching on "end times events" but we are living in the end days and we need to be aware of what is happening around us from a biblical standpoint and not from the world's viewpoint.
I truly believe one of the main reasons I am having such a horrible time battling for the 10 beautiful orphans is because Satan is aware the days are short and he is concentrating more effort to deceive. We already know he is the father of lies and the father of murder and is this not what we see all around us. This also goes with the immoral things going on as the days of Noah and Lot. If I chose three things to describe what evil is supposed to be prevalent in the end times, I would no doubt choose "The big three" lies, murders and immorality. Oh yes, it can always be said these have happened all throughout man's history but not to the degree and severity we see today.
Praise God we are concentrated on the good prophetic sign mentioned in Matthew 24:14
"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come."
I am so excited about all the children that have been saved through my ministry over the past 12 or so years as well as many adults coming to know Jesus Christ. This is what it is all about. The bad signs are for us to warn the world of impending judgement and lend credence to the message of salvation which is the only solution for the lost. Amen?! I hate the bad signs and so does the world, we have the only answer. Preach it in season and out of season! For those of us who are well seasoned in "out of season" preaching, pray for special grace for us and especially for the saved children.
As for my process of adoption. It will continue to be a battle but I believe we are winning. I have clear promises from some in charge of important matters and yet I know Satan will send his "Sanballat's, Tobiah's and Gershom's" Nehemiah 6:1
We have no fears, love casts out fear but please pray for my kids to not be afraid as I have taught and demonstrated to them. I guess my only fear is that they would be afraid. I do have confidence in God's word in their hearts and that is sufficient. Amen?! I want them to know some good news. It looks like this will only come when they get moved to a State run orphanage and I can see them then and begin the process of ID papers on each one. Then we would move on to adoption paper work for me to take all 10. This sounds amazing and believe me, it is. I am pretty sure it has never been done. I hope you are chuckling like I am. Praise God, although we are "not there yet" we are moving the mountains, all be it too slow for me. I guess mountains shouldn't be real easy to move anyway. This "Abraham going by faith in the wilderness stuff" is driving me batty. Thank God I can take it all out on the basketball court. I can't tell you how many times "I have shot the lights out" on my B ball buddies. It's really fun to be compared to "Curry" when I hit a bunch of 3's. Now that is a compliment. We have a lot of fun, I just wish I could dunk like some of the guys. White guys can't jump. hahaha Anyway, it is good to stay strong and healthy, like my good Alaskan friend Sandy said she read "Breathing Beijing air is like smoking 2 packs of cigarettes a day." I don't know how God does it for me but I keep my breath for the 2 hours on the hard court even with the 20 year old guys. Pray for these guys to be saved, they really look up to me and it is fun to chat with them during short breaks. I need to make effort to talk with them at other times as the court time is very busy.
Pray for David too as we come up on his birthday. He turns 13 on July 1st. It is "Father's Day" this Sunday and wouldn't it be nice to see the kids soon???!!! Praise God for all you fathers out there, rejoice in God's little gifts to all of you.
I am trying to figure out the process on the State's side too. I now know I need to do all the paper work though the State of Alaska. If there is anyone who thinks they can help me, please do. It is a very, very unusual situation with me processing paper work for all 10 at once and I know the adoption agency will need to hear from both me and somebody official hear to believe it. If any of you thinks they can help me in any way, please let me know. Usually the Chinese side is the hard part to get the approval from, in this case I am prepared for more battles on that side of the "pond".
I close with asking you all to continue to pray for Jiang Jia Ya and her parents. She is doing better, getting stronger and yet I have no idea what to say about the bills. I help out as often as I can with their rent and some hospital expenses and also their daily needs. We study God's word as I call both of them on the phone. The dad stays with Jiang Jia Yi during the day and the mother at night. I go to see "Da Boys" every Saturday and I really enjoy that. They are growing like weeds
Keep the faith brothers and sisters! Love ya all. Ray and the 10 and keeping the Gold kids in prayer and other orphans in my plans.
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