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God With Us

As we look back to what the world looked like for the Jews at the time when Jesus was born, we see that there was much darkness. There had been no word from God for 400 years and the people were living in spiritual darkness. They were under the oppressive rule of Rome which was a military dictatorship. Because there were four groups (Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, Zealots) who each wanted to lead the people, this caused constant friction and tension. A virgin birth was not a celebrated event in those times. There was a census that forced a long, hard journey. Baby Jesus was born in a stable with no family to celebrate. And finally, through Herod’s paranoia, Satan tried to kill Jesus.

Into this darkness Jesus came to bring light, hope and life. Ephesians 1:18 says, “I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.”

We all experience dark seasons, but as believers, the Holy Spirit lives in us, giving us hope that God will bring light to our darkness and that He will restore us.

The lyrics to the song ‘Great are You Lord’ sum it up. “You give life, You are love You bring light to the darkness. You give hope, You restore every heart that is broken. Great are You, Lord.”

No matter what restrictions (darkness) will be around Christmas we can still celebrate the Light of Jesus that came into the dark to bring hope and life and so much more! May the light of Jesus shine through us in our dark world today. May we live in the expectancy of His return.

Updates

One-on-One Discipleship—I am again meeting in person with two gals. I am trusting that we will be able to continue in person as it makes a big difference in having actual human contact versus Zoom.

Shayil Home—myself and Kate continue to do Genesis Process via Zoom. Shayil Home is again accepting gals into their program. Two gals who have graduated from the first year program and are now in the second year program, want to keep meeting with us once a week. Last week there was a new gal and it sounds like there will be another one next week. That will give us four gals there. We are hoping to meet in person once a month so we can make a more personal connection with the gals.

Healing Hearts Church Ladies Bible Study—I am leading again this year and we started back at the beginning of October. We are doing a study called ‘Get Out of Your Head’ by Jennie Allen. It’s about the choice we have to take our thoughts captive. We are not victims to our thoughts but we have authority over our thoughts. It is based on Philippians. We are all enjoying this study and learning to say “I have a choice” when our thoughts start to spiral downward.

Healing Hearts Ministry Inc Conference—We had our conference in October. There were not many of us but it was so great to connect with the other missionaries and hear how they were able to still do ministry this past year. It was a great time of encouraging one another. The speaker spoke on God’s grace. God is the one who connects us to Himself – it’s all about God’s grace and His commitment to us. He loves us and took the initiative – we respond. Jesus says, ‘Come and sit with Me, be with Me, and I will lead you.’

Praise:

• For the gifts that our Father freely gives to us—salvation, love, mercy, grace to name a few.
• For K. who graduated from the Shayil Home program. She has worked hard and continues to grow in the Lord.
• God’s faithfulness in providing for us spiritually and physically.

Prayer:

• For HHM Church in Regina—that we would love and care well for people.
• Pray for the HHMI Board as they discern God’s will for the mission.
• That we would have receptive hearts to God’s leading.
• Pray that we would have an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving.

I am so blessed to have you partner with me in God’s Kingdom work in Regina. Thank you so much for your interest in what I am a part of through notes of encouragement, for bringing myself and Wally before the Lord in prayer, and for your financial gifts.

May God richly bless you as you serve Him where He has placed you.