Blessings

In the Bible it was no small thing. Jacob gathered his sons to tell them “what will happen to you in days to come” (Genesis 49:1). The patriarch’s blessing to Judah had Jesus in mind: “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until He comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is His” (Genesis 49:10).

We have started a new collection. It’s a collection of blessings. We’re keeping track of people God has sent to bless us – and this new work – and the things they have said. These blessing confirm to us that He is working through us until the “obedience of the nations is His!”

Our collection of blessings begins with commissions:

July 24/25 at Peninsula Community Chapel: Tom Kenney and elders blessed our move to Brussels, committed their support, and challenged us as we begin not to despise “the day of small things” (Zech 4:10).

August 1 at Tabernacle Church of Norfolk: Kenny Bryant and elders sent us out as their own and commissioned us as “ambassadors” to a “ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor 5:19.20).

August 13 at the Christian Associates Staff Conference in Holland: Hud McWilliams and senior CA leaders commissioned us along with 18 others to ministry in Europe, admonishing us to “endure hardship” as we “entrust to reliable men” the Gospel of our Lord (2 Tim 2:1-3).

By God’s grace, the commissions have been confirmed by God’s people through blessings:

Zach and Amy Hardison and Jon and Rebekah Cardenas, former teammates, friends of Brussels: “We’re know God is in this and we’re praying for you.”

Marilyn, a CA leader who was the first to take us to Brussels: “Look at what God has done! Trust Him to do far more!”

Rita, the chairman of the CA board: “I will find a partner for your city.”

David, a Nigerian Christian in Brussels: “Welcome to the city, and may God favor your ways!”

Hammed, an Iranian Christian in Brussels, a convert four years ago from Islam whom we met at his church: “This is the first time I have felt moved to speak to a visitor. Please, let us help you. We will cook for you, introduce you to our friends. God will bless your work.”

And a climactic moment last Sunday in Brussels:

As a team, we attended Christian Center in Waterloo on our first Sunday in Brussels. I had spent some time with Terry, the pastor, in March and had told him we would be coming. Christian Center is a 30-year old Assemblies of God church 45 minutes outside of Brussels attended by about 500 people from 80 nationalities.
During the service there was a time to introduce visitors. To my surprise, Terry called our entire family by name and urged the congregation to welcome us to Brussels. He invited me to take the microphone and explain what God had called us here to do. He then prayed over our team and ministry and, on behalf of the church, blessed us, stating, “Lord, it’s a joy to partner with these people. Bless their ministry and give them success!”

After Stephen, Philip and others were chosen to supervise the distribution of food to Grecian widows, they were presented to the apostles, who “prayed and laid their hands on them” (Acts 6:6). They were commissioned and blessed to begin their service. The result? The next verse states: “So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.”

Obedient to the faith – yes, Lord, we are Yours for the obedience of the nations!