Right now in China, volunteering at an orphanage, are 2 of my bfs, this post was what I shared a week ago at a supper and prayer time with them and for their team, it keeps coming back to me as I think about them and all the experiences they are having and do the work they felt led to do there.
As I was trying to decide about whether
to initiate a prayer evening, and then as plans came together to move
forward with one I kept seeing hands, and as I thought about the team
leaving my mind kept coming back to this word, hands, so I sat down
and let my pen do the talking a few times and I’d like to share
with you, a few things that God put on my heart for you guys, some
verses and references, some thoughts and a poem.
Everyone of us, unless we've been
through an accident or tragedy of some kind and has had a few of our
digits unwillingly removed, or God designed us at birth without any,
have fingers at the ends of our hands, and every soul has a print on
each of these amazingly powerful and useful digits uniquely his own,
no ones print is the twin to an-others!! think about the amount of
souls in this world and each having 10 unique prints of their own and
try to add up all that, I'm pretty sure that would equal a sum of
digits, that, few, if any soul, could read!! (pun intended) everyone
of us has the Fingerprint of God on our lives, on the very creation
of us as a human being and as His daughters, and each of us are our
own unique individual, no 2 alike, therefore we won't all be called
by God to travel the same path, do the same work, reach the same
people, go through the same battles, struggles, triumphs and joys.
Because he has made us each uniquely our own persons each one of us
leaves our own fingerprints on many and various people, places and
things every single day!! as I was thinking of the China team I
thought about all the things you were doing with your hands to just
get ready to go, typing out info, signing papers and documents,
making phone calls, sending emails, making food for those staying
behind, folding clothes to travel, picking up and folding little
garments to take to the little orphan kids along with toys and
treats, collecting your travel funds, and the list goes on and on,
and in all of this you each left your fingerprints on it all. Our
fingerprints, like our lives could tell a story, how will ours read,
one thing I know every chapter of every soul will be a different
adventure. Just like our fingerprints, our story is our own, we won't
all get to go and do the same work, same mission, we can't all be the
hands and feet of Jesus to the same people group, at the same time,
but we can all be His hands and feet where we are at all times. as
the China team gears up to leave and embarks on this journey of
actively being Jesus hands and feet for 10 days to these precious
babies and those living and working and caring for them daily, those
of us sending them off, staying behind can step up and be his hands
and feet where we are by supporting, encouraging and lifting them
daily to our Father in prayer. We may not be able to physically be
there to love and hold and rock and cuddle these babies, but because
of our love for God and for each of this team we can still have an
impact on each of these tiny lives as we carry the team in their
work. Each one of this team will leave a trail of fingerprints from
here and all along the thousands of miles to their destination in a
faraway China orphanage where they will then leave their fingerprints
on every one of those precious little’s, and because this team is a
part of the tapestry of each of our lives and our fingerprints are on
them we can feel a part of this great mission as well. Sometimes the
devil likes to get me to believe that because I live the in the
boonies and I’m not in the trenches somewhere in a war torn, third
world country, or passing out God's word in secret, or digging wells
in Africa, that my life isn't worth much, or that I’m not building
God's kingdom, and the doubts creep in and threaten to disturb my
peace, but the truth is, even if it seems small and insignificant, if
we're where God has placed us for the time being we are building His
kingdom. So even if we all can't physically go along to China our
work here carrying them through prayer is every bit as important,
cause while they're in the messiness of the hands on of changing
diapers, feeding little mouths, drying tears, coaxing smiles, patting
little backs, caressing chubby cheeks, holding tiny hands we can be
petitioning our Father to provide and bless them with courage and
strength and bravery emotionally and physically.
(Philippians 1:3-6,9.........Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying with a glad heart. I am so pleased you have continued on in this with us believing and proclaiming God's message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears. So this is my prayer; that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much, but well.)
In the middle of all the adrenalin rush of traveling and the
excitement of experiencing new sites and new country and new
adventures and loving on these precious China dolls I’m sure there
will be moments of pure exhaustion and jet lag, alongside panic and
joy and happiness and yet fears and doubts and questions, there will
be celebratory moments, and what was I thinking moments, and maybe I
should throw in the towel moments, and tho some of it may be our
emotions or us over thinking or borrowing troubles, it is all
understandable, and you are human and it doesn't take away the fact
that each and every emotion is very real to each one of you at that
moment, but don't let the evil one crowd out the goodness of God's
work. When He comes to steal your joy and tries to rewrite the story
that God has outlined for you, command him to “TALK TO THE HAND!!
this phrase might not be as popular now as it was a few years back,
but when it first came out it was used a lot by parents to their
kiddos, especially to those whiny, want their own way, persistent
kids, or the arm twisting ones, that, After repeatedly saying no,
telling them to go talk to their daddies or mamas, or proclaiming
we're not discussing this right nows, parents, especially mama's,
would put a hand on their hip and raise the other one and exclaim,
usually in a stern somewhat raised voice, “TALK TO THE HAND!” in
other words this conversation is over!! I’m moving on!! we're done
here!! I'm no longer listening or engaging in this verbal battle!! so
when the devil tries to get in your face with fears or doubts or
worries, give Him the hand!! Stop the evil one in his tracks and
command him boldly to TALK TO THE HAND!! the hand of God, the hand
that reads your name, engraved right by the scars declaring you are
His daughter, His own little girl held in His safe keeping forever
and no evil can stand up to Him, no power can come between you and
His hand. And at the end of the day when you are exhausted and
emotionally spent and feeling pulled in all directions, get on your
knees and tell your heart to TALK TO THE HAND!! the same hand that
you point the devil to in a bold, we're not going there or I'm so not
having this conversation with moments, is the same hand that holds
you close in safety and unconditional love and guidance forever, that
hand will never leave you on your own!!
(Hebrews 13:5B-6 Since God assured us, I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you, we can boldly quote, God is here, ready to help; I'm fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me? )
(Isaiah
49:15B-16A I'd never forget you, never. Look, I've written your names on the backs of my hands.)
(Psalm 125:3 Mountains encircle Jerusalem, and God encircles His people- always has, always will.) (Psalm 94:14,17-19 God will never walk away from His people, never desert His precious people. If God hadn't been there for me I never would have made it. The minute I said, I'm slipping, I'm falling, your love, oh God, took hold and held me fast. when I was beside myself, you calmed me down and cheered me right up.)
(Psalm 62:5-8,11 God, the one and only- I'll wait as long as He says. Everything I hope for comes from Him, so why not? He's solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, an impregnable castle; I'm set for life. My help and glory are in God- granite strength and safe harbor - God,- so trust Him absolutely people, lay your lives on the line for Him, God is a safe place to be. God said this once and for all; how many times have I heard it repeated? strength comes from God.)
( Psalm 55:22 pile your troubles on God's shoulders-he'll help you carry your load, He'll help you out.)
(Psalm 34:4-8,15,17-19 God met me more than halfway, He freed me from my anxious fears. look at him, give him your warmest smile. never hide your feelings from him. when I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot. God's angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray. open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see- how good God is. Blessed are you who run to Him. God keeps an eye on his friends, His ears pick up every moan and groan. Is anyone crying for help? God is listening, ready to rescue you. If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there; if your kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath. disciples so often get into trouble; still God is there every time.)
TALK TO THE HAND
TALK TO THE HAND!
I heard Jesus Whisper,
Read between these bloody lines,
See your name engraved forever,
Under the scars that made you mine.
TALK TO THE HAND!
I heard Jesus whisper,
When your called to do my will,
I will always be there leading,
Only trust me, and be still.
TALK TO THE HAND!
I heard Jesus whisper,
When you feel forgotten and alone,
You will never find me sleeping
I'm always with you, while on my
throne.
TALK TO THE HAND!
I heard Jesus whisper,
When life is crowding, pressing in
hard,
I will always be your refuge,
Your quiet place, your shield and
guard.
TALK TO THE HAND!
I hear Jesus whisper,
When fears arise, and bravery fails,
In me there's all your strength and
courage,
This storm is mine, adjust your sails.
TALK TO THE HAND!
I hear Jesus whisper,
When joyful or sad, afraid or alone,
I walk with you always, I'm never out of
reach,
You are my Child, My Heart, My Own!
TALK TO THE HAND!
The devil heard me shout,
Against Jesus hand you've no power, no
say
Read between His scars and these bloody
lines,
You'll see I'm His Child, my name's
engraved there, forever and a day!!
Hebrews 13:20-21 May God, who puts all things together, makes all things whole, who made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus, the sacrifice of blood that sealed the eternal covenant, who led Jesus, our Great Shepherd, up and alive from the dead, now put you together, provide you with everything you need to please Him. make us into what gives Him most pleasure, by means of the sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah. All glory to Jesus forever and always!!
* all scripture taken from "THE MESSAGE" version Bible
