20 March 2006

 To: Prayer Partners

From: Pastor Lucenay

 Saturday I rode a boat with some of our young people and their leaders. One family was with us and when we started hitting some larger waves, I watched the youngest son run to his father. That reminded me of some boat trips with my own sons. The Proverbs give us a picture of the protection we find in the Lord. A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it (Proverbs 22:3) or as the Contemporary English Version translates the verse When you see trouble coming, don’t be stupid and walk right into it—be smart and hide. I believe the teaching in this verse guides the wise person to be on guard for evil and when he/she spots it, flee the presence of evil and hide in God.

Sometimes God hides us. For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock (Psalm 27:5 New American Standard Version).

 When Corrie Ten Boom wrote her story she used the title “The Hiding Place.” Certainly, in the days of her troubles in the Nazi prisons this friend to the outcasts was as aware of God’s ability to hide her as she was of her need to hide from evil.
 
As you stop to pray this week how are you handling the presence of evil? We all face it. Are you running into evil, with evil, or from evil? Are you using rationalizations to excuse your desire to follow Jesus at a distance? There is no better time for self-evaluation than right now. In your prayer time ask God to help you consider the little things that are going on in you that God wants to address. Ask God to make you aware of the danger they harbor. Seek the Father’s guidance in avoiding these temptations. No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it (1 Corinthians 10:13).

 Perhaps you are thinking, “I’d like to hide in the Lord, but how do I do that?” There are many passages in the Bible that can guide your steps. The Psalmist wrote I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you (Psalm 119:11). One way to resist evil is to memorize scripture. Another way is to surround yourself with Christian people who are doing their best to remain faithful to the Lord. Another way is to be faithful in worship. The regular encounters with God’s people and God’s Word will help you become sensitive to the Word and ways of God. Ask God to help you find the ways He wants you to follow so you can be faithful in all your ways.

 Perhaps you are reading this page a little later than you wished you had. Maybe you are surrounded by more troubles than you thought possible and you are thinking “if only” about several things. In the storms of life we must learn to ask God to show us what we need to change, help us to be honest with God and others, be humble, and direct us in the paths to the “now what” that lies on the other side of our “if onlys.” God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).

 I am very thankful for a wonderful visit with Maik this past week. This young seminarian met many of our people in a variety of encounters. As the week progressed I could see his heart opening to Hong Kong day after day. We will pray for God’s hand on his life and guidance in our efforts. Hopefully, all will work out and he can be with us in mid-summer.
 
We often have small group bible studies during the week. Pray for God’s guidance in the Ladies’ Bible study group on Thursday. Some pre-believers came for the first time last week.

 Our Mandarin groups meet on most Friday nights. Pray for these groups as they help fellow believers and seek to reach pre-believers. The Saturday afternoon fencing class also seeks to reach pre-believers.

 Sometimes I think we encounter things which can only be defined as “spiritual warfare.” At times these troubles come from a disturbed individual who disturbs others. At other times these troubles come for good things that distract and derail us from God’s clear purpose in a given situation. In recent weeks I have been witness to several situations that could easily be labeled as “spiritual warfare.” With the spirit of privacy and keeping confidentiality we want to pray for one another and for God’s guidance in these difficult situations.

 Our ongoing prayer concerns include:
For Salvation: J, T,  A, J, E, C, D, J, M, T, A, W, J, B, A…
For Health: R will have surgery on her eyes on Wednesday; J H will have cancer surgery on 27 March; B, B, Cl M (young mother taking chemo); L, S and M N; M and N; Mr. and Mrs. C…

For Personal Issues: family problems; marriage struggles; children’s tests; employment; work related difficulties; parent’s physical/mental struggles; repayment of loans; business deals; interpersonal relationships; J F interviewing for worship pastor ministry…

For the Church: God’s hand on our worship; God to speak to people in Bible study; for our music ministries; our deacons…
For the Staff: the pastor and his wife as she continues to minister to family in the US; A in her ministry with music; K as she goes on vacation; the other staff in their work and families

For the Kindergarten: God’s guidance to the right person for principal; to the right children for enrollment next fall; the administrator and teachers; the spirit of the Lord to be strong in that place;

For our City: God’s wisdom for the government and His protection from the smog and the avian flu.

 Thank you for your prayers for the L. N and I are both looking forward to her return. However, this week she must go to Dallas to be with her mother as her mom faces cancer surgery in two areas. Your prayers for N and her mom are greatly appreciated.  As you pray for your pastor, I want to let you in on a little secret. I never cease to be amazed at the way things surface to distract the pastor when he is seeking to prepare people to recognize the meaning of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ and to celebrate the resurrection. I know the weight of these distractions and seek God’s wisdom, strength and inner peace so my heart may be where it needs to be as I seek to be the person God wants me to be as I serve our church.

 May God bless and guide you as you walk with Him in prayer.