July 2022 — Sandy Barner
a letter from Liz —
Dear AP Ladies,
Transition is on my mind as I write this letter. Some of you may have just returned to the field, and some of you are here in the States. Some of you may have moved to a new home or a new ministry, and maybe your kids are moving into a new school year with a new curriculum or school. Some of you have added new babies to your family, bringing change to your family dynamics. I am praying for you especially in this transition time, because change is constant in our line of work.
Deuteronomy 31:8 reminds us, “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed” (ESV). I find comfort in knowing our Constant will never change or forsake us. He goes before us to make connections and equip us for situations we have no idea are coming our way. No matter how we have responded—well or poorly—He will not disown or quit on us.
My prayers for you today are that you will be strong and fully confident in Christ alone to be everything you need when you need it.
Today’s devotional thought is from Sandy Barner in Thailand. The Barners bless us with confidential pastoral care and counseling for our AP team. Thank you, Sandy, for all you do for us!
Liz
Bless the Lord
By Sandy Barner
How many times do we pray and ask God for His blessing on our food, work, ministries, and families?
In Psalm 103, the psalmist David encourages us to bless the Lord saying, “Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (vv. 1–2, NKJV, emphasis added).
Just today I was reading this passage and was struck by the benefits we have as daughters of God. I thought I would remind us of five benefits we have been given through the Cross:
1. Salvation: “Who forgives all your iniquities” (v. 3).
We have salvation through the blood of Christ. There is only One who can forgive our sins. He sacrificed His sinless life so our sins would be gone forever! Verses 10–12 say, “He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him. As far as the East is from the West, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (ESV). Can you think of anything better in this world? If He had done nothing more, our salvation is more than enough!
2. Healing: “Who heals all your diseases” (v. 3).
Isaiah 53:5 says, “He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed” (NLT). He took the stripes on His back with the whip that tore open His flesh so that we could have healing in our bodies, our minds, and everywhere we are diseased. His body was broken for us. That is what we celebrate as we partake of the bread in Holy Communion.
3. Redemption: “Who redeems your life from destruction” (v. 4).
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7, ESV). When we deserved death, He paid a ransom to save us and set us on a new path that leads to life with Him—how thankful we are!
C.S. Lewis states it perfectly: “Non-Christians seem to think that the Incarnation implies some particular merit or excellence in humanity. But of course, it implies just the reverse: a particular demerit and depravity. No creature that deserved Redemption would need to be redeemed. They that are whole need not the physician. Christ died for men precisely because men are not worth dying for; to make them worth it.” (The World’s Last Night: And Other Essays)
4. Transformation: “Who crowns you with lovingkindness [goodness, kindness, faithfulness] and tender mercies” (v. 4).
He placed a crown of righteousness on our heads and changed our lives, and we will never be the same gals we once were! We are new creations. “Therefore, if anyone is united with the Messiah, [she] is a new creation—the old has passed; look, what has come is fresh and new!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, CJB, emphasis added)
5. Blessing: “Who satisfies your mouth with good things” (v. 5).
Jewish thought believes the word mouth is incorrect, and they interpret as, “the days of old age.” So they translate the first portion of this verse to say, “Even in your advanced age, you will be satisfied, because of the good things with which God supplies you” (The Divine Benefits Package - A Study of Psalm 103: Christian Courier).
The people of God are adorned with covenant loyalty and mercy like a wreath of honor or esteem presented to a dignitary or king. He satisfies us with every good and perfect gift, and we lack nothing. Are you satisfied with Him?
“So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (v. 5).
This verse conveys divine providence and peace so that youthful strength is renewed. “But those who hope in Adonai will renew their strength, they will soar aloft as with eagles' wings; when they are running they won't grow weary, when they are walking they won't get tired” (Isaiah 40:31, CJB).
Aren’t all of these incredible blessings our loving Father has given us?
Remember, He placed a crown of righteousness on our heads and turned us around so we would be new creations. I am not what I used to be! I am a daughter of the King—and so are you. That makes us all princesses, royalty! Let us walk with our heads high, smiles on our faces, a dance in our steps, and a song in our hearts and on our lips, remembering and reciting these benefits we have because of the Cross.
