We are with you!

Good afternoon Prayer Partners,

I just wanted to let you know how much we love you and are praying for you, as well as our brothers and sisters in need in Haiti. For God did not call us only to minister His love and provision in Haiti, but also to our local brothers in the Lord and even to the ends of the earth.

This is a very hard and challenging time that we are facing right now and we are all facing it in some way or another. Here in the Northwest, across the United States, and over most of the world. Some are minimally effected and many severely effected by this virus and the many ramifications of it. Health, jobs, family, finances, isolation, are just some of the many challenges we are facing because of this. Sometimes the biggest challenges are what comes out of us during hard and challenging times. Things like fear, anxiety, stress and greed. 
   
This is not a time to shut off our emotions. These are hard times and this is real. But God knew that we would face these hard times and He wants us to be honest with Him and bring them to Him. "When we draw near to Him, He will indeed draw near to us." I was struck with the revelation of His peace this morning as I was praying for all of you. (Yes, I pray for all of you, your relationships, your families, and your businesses, that you would be blessed because you have been such a rich blessing to us and the people of Haiti.) 

^{Philippians 4:4-7 encourages us to "}Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all, for the Lord is near to us.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

In John 14: 27 Jesus tells us personally;  ^"Peace I leave with you; my own peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. So do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Jesus wants us to have His peace! His peace is His presence. He says "not as the world gives." In the world, peace is the absence of something. The absence of fear, anxiety, or doubt. That's all fine. But in the Kingdom of God, peace is the presence of something. Peace is the presence of Jesus, "The Prince of Peace." If we are a child in our room and are scared of the unknown, we can convince ourselves to have peace because its not likely that something would really happen. But how much more peace comes from our Father coming into the room with us, to reassure us of His provision and protection in our time of need. In Revelations 3, Jesus says; "Here I am, I stand at your room door and knock, if you will hear me and open the door, I will come in to your room and bring my peace to you." (Paraphrased by Mike)

It is in these hard and challenging times that bring us closer to God and proves to us that Jesus really is who He says He is! We are then able to be a light to the world. Because we, in Jesus, cannot be shaken. Though the things of this world can, and indeed will be shaken. We, in Jesus, will not be shaken.........Amen

Please let us know how we might be more specific in our prayers for you. If you would like to join with me, I will be fasting and praying for the condition of the world, all day Monday. Please feel free to respond, call or text me, to let me know................. Bless you, in Jesus, this next week. We love you and are with you in this.........Mike

Please, if you have a prayer request during this time, feel encouraged to share it with us. We would consider it a privilege to lift you up in prayer. 

Many Blessings, Chris and Mike
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