11/14/24 Devotional and some Admin details

In my study of the book of Job, I've been struck by several parallels in our mission, which is our everyday life as well as our time overseas. 

Job has been struck by the loss of family, possessions, and health yet he proclaims - 

"For I know that my Redeemer lives

And at the last He will take His stand on the earth.

Even after my skin is destroyed,

Yet from my flesh I shall see God," Job 19:25-26

Recall that Job wrote this about the same time as Genesis. Job had no Scripture to read, he only had his faith in God.

In the Psalms, written by the sons of Korah who had the Torah (the first five books of the Bible) available, the writter says - 

"Why are you cast down, o my soul?

And why are you oin turmoil within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him,

My salvation and my God." Psalm 42:11

Reading these verses sometimes makes me angry at myself, 
I have my health (basically), my family, warm home, and friends; so why does my soul become cast down? 

Because I stop looking up to my Reeemer and focus on myself.

Then I am reminded that what I see, hear, and feel in the here and now is temporary. I have hope, my Redeemer lives!

I pray that as we will all focus on this as the nitty-gritty details pile up as our travel dates approach.

~Roxanne

These past 8 weeks, we have been going over the sufficiency and authority of Scripture on Wednesday night in GBC Kids Club. It is amazing and encouraging to witness our kids recognize that God gave us the Bible so we can know His love and how he wants us to live. 

"So faith comes from hearing and hearing through the Word of Christ." Romans 10:17

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." 2 Timothy 3:16

We are witnesses of His love, grace, and mercy to all we interact with - at home, at work, at the store, at the airports, on the planes, and on our mission. May any blinders be removed and hearts be softened, and may we be aware of what God is already doing and join Him as He has prepared us to.

Now for some of the nitty-gritty admin details.  We are 63 days out of our mission, if you have not asked for someone to partner with you in prayer as we prepare, travel, and serve, please do so this week. 

For those traveling, please ensure that you have registered with Solid Rock for our mission trip on their website - www.solidrockinternational.org/missions-home/

Our next STM meeting is December 15, starting around 12:30. Some things we will be covering include prayer, signing up to lead devotions during our mission, potluck at our hotel in Chicago, and packing suitcases. I will also have my Chromebook available so we can start the online Dominican Republic immigration forms, as they need to be filled out before we arrive at O'Hare airport. 

Blessings, 

Deb