“You have planted much but have harvested little.
You eat, but are never filled. You drink, but are still thirsty.
You put on clothes, but are not warm.
Those who earn wages end up with holes in their money bags.”
(Haggai 1:6, NET)
“Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, spoke the Lord’s word to the people:
“I am with you!” says the Lord.”
(Haggai 1:13, NET)
I (Bruce) have been questioning whether we are doing the right thing, traveling around the country to visit friends and family, to see America’s wonderful sights, and to help ministries in their calling. Are we “eating” but yet not “filled”; “drinking” but still “thirsty”?
Rebecca Van Noord writes:
“The work that the Jewish exiles did outside of God’s purpose for them had no lasting effect or real merit. Because they were neglecting their first calling, their frantic attempts to meet their own selfish needs were doomed to fail anyway. Outside of Yahweh, there could be no blessing. God used Haggai to speak this truth into the lives of the Jewish exiles, but He also encouraged them with His presence: “I am with you” (Hag 1:13).”
(Connect the Testaments: A One-Year Daily Devotional with Bible Reading Plan)
As we have arrived in Marthasville, MO to visit with friends we’ve known for over 20 years, but not seen in ages, we are at peace. “I am with you” is the reminder we needed. We are doing what He’s called us to.
We will stay here a few days to help them with a few of their projects and catch up on each other’s’ lives. Then at the end of the week we will head to the NTM training center (Ethnos360) in Roach, MO to visit a young family from our church in Lynchburg, VA who are currently there for training. Ethnos360 is also a SOWER project, so we will be able to check out this project for possible future work!
What a blessing it is to serve Him in whatever He calls us to do, go wherever it might be, and do it whenever for as long as we can! 🤠🤗
This week’s Blessings, Prayer Requests, and Schedule are here.
