Open hands

‘When you supply it, they gather it. You open your hand to feed them, and they are satisfied’ Psalm: 104. 28.

Held in the hollow of His hands, the very shadow of His hand is all we need for each day.

The final week, four weeks, where have they gone? What about the ‘whenever’, ‘wherever’, ‘whatever’? Have I shown the love of Christ even in the things He has allowed and faithfully shared that in the midst of what He has not allowed? The Lord will stay with us as long as we remain in Him. Our Lord knew the depth of pain. His tender touch was always available; ‘ask and it shall…’ To those who came with human infirmities, His hands were always outstretched saying ‘Come’. We read in Mark 6:34 ‘He had compassion on them’. This particular mission trip, I feel as if a ‘tornado’ has hit many lives; those who suffer in silence frightened of the quietness that surrounds. I have held ‘other people’s children’ and although not my own, I have felt the pain of a father, mother watching in ‘silence’. A word of reassurance is quietly spoken telling them that even in impossible situations when we trust Him, His grace sustains in the darkest hour. His outstretched hands are waiting to hold us close to His heart. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is not certain, today? Am I listening to His voice?   Am I trusting in every situation? Today is another day of opportunity; I must feel, I must do, I must love. Even the unlovable? I must!

When I can’t sleep and my thoughts run around in my head, rest is far from my mind. The remains of the day weigh heavy on my heart, ‘Am I doing everything I can?’ The Psalmist must have felt as I when he penned ‘I think how much the Lord has helped me, and even in my heartache, His joy is to be found in the ‘shadow’ of His wings’. Soon it is morning, sunrise, heavy rains, one of the ‘whatever’s’, but how? The Lord will give me the words of comfort but I must listen and listen carefully, learn and follow. Read more

Psalm 103: 11. ‘For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him’

As high as the heavens are above the earth! This is the extent of His love for me. No height or depth can reach beyond His love, because it is an endless love, without measure, always available and overflowing with goodness.   I read in Proverbs 2: 11 ‘A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver’. My personal Treasure Chest flowing with gifts of His grace, my life enriched with gifts of loyal love, tender compassion. My deepest longing, desires, satisfied with His goodness.

During this month, I have been anxious and yes my tiny seed of faith needs to be rooted deeper. I long to touch the desperate, the lost, the unloved, to tell them there is One who can raise their spirit because His grace is greater that their need. Yet in my private moments of concern, I am assured that He alone is the answer to humanity’s cry.   What physical bread is for the body, He is for the hungry heart. He is the Bread of Life. His invitation so clear: ‘Come Unto Me, You Will Never Hunger’.   This is the definitive answer to all doubt and fear. Read more

He healed them all – the blind, the lame, the palsied
The sick in body and the weak in mind;
Whoever came, no matter how afflicted,
Was sure a sovereign remedy to find.

 His word gave health, His touch restored the vigour
To every weary, pain-exhausted frame;
And all He asked, before He gave the blessing,
Was simple faith in Him, from those who came.

‘GIVE WITH YOUR HEART’ is a feeding programme ministry of Tell Romania. We seek to provide food for the bodies and souls of sixty families in Romania who face terminal illness or extreme poverty. £20 will help feed one family for one month.

 What is my purpose, my goal, as I launch this appeal throughout 2017? My heart is in Romania with those I have learned to love and cherish. I can try to mend their brokenness, relieve their pain, offer food. The Lord Jesus gave much more displaying His love, kindness, tenderness, patience through His compassion and grace toward those who came. He always took time, so why not I? The Lord Jesus is the bread of life and through this appeal, Tell Romania will give, withholding nothing, and in doing so also give the living Word.

 I ask you to remember me as I visit the terminally ill of Emanuel Hospice and the desperately poor families within Casa Grace Foundation. I read in Song of Solomon 1: 7 – ‘Tell me …. where you feed your flock?’ I prayed, ‘Lord tell me, that I may go’. I find all I need through constant communion with Him, reading His word, sharing my heart in private devotion before Him. He will direct; then I will walk in His path with a whole heart.

No one but Jesus can supply our need. I thirst! His presence is my refreshment. And so, where do I feed? In His presence, in the shadow of that rock, where I will be strengthened, safe beside the still waters of His presence. This is my purpose, my goal – to serve with equal expectation, content to rest by His side – He is never too tired to listen, we are never refused entrance into His presence.

The desire of Tell Romania is to share the glory of His presence, where instead of fear of the unknown, His presence will fill their emptiness, bringing comfort, assurance and a hope only to be found in gospel.

Shirley

Below is the monthly flyer for February for distribution to churches and individuals. We encourage you to share. Thank you.