Jesus always knows what He’s going to do!

5th century mosaic discovered near the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee

In John’s account of the feeding of the 5000, Jesus sees a great multitude and asks His disciples a question, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” Was Jesus taken by surprise by the large crowd? Was He dumbfounded as to what to do? Perhaps he was trying to inspire the disciples to come up with a plan to work together with Him? No. Jesus actually said this “to test them, for He Himself knew what He would do.”

There have been, and currently are, many overwhelming and impossible situations in my life. I must admit that I usually find myself first seeking a human or logical solution to these issues. My natural inclination is to find a physical resource that will meet this need or solve this problem. Does that mean God doesn’t use physical resources to meet physical needs? No, of course He does. He used bread to meet the physical needs of the 5000.

What Jesus does when we trust Him is to do things beyond our imagination. I can’t organize Him, or strategize the way that He is going to work in my situation. I can’t limit Jesus with my own plans. I can only come to Him with my lack, my weakness, and my inability. Jesus can and wants to fill us, strengthen us, and do all that He wants in and through us. If He went to the cross to redeem us, how much more willing do you think He is take care of “impossible” things in our lives?

Be encouraged. Jesus has a plan when we don’t. Jesus knows our frailty, and just smiles and forgives us for giving Him advice. Perhaps you are going through a time of testing, as I am. Jesus knows what He is going to do. It doesn’t make the path we are on any easier, but perhaps it does make it a little more bearable. We are not alone, and our simple work that we must do is to believe on Jesus. Let’s labor for that today!

Interview with Pam Markey by Story4All – Part 2

“Pam Markey, continues her story, talking with Bryan about the joys and pain of serving on the field, especially after her husband died. The story clearly covers the amazing grace and comfort of the Lord and how the story continues today..”
Click HERE for the link to part two of the interview.
Click HERE for the link to part one of the interview.

Pam Markey Interviewed on Story4All

“Bryan Thompson from Story4All interviews Pam Markey, who, in this first show of a two-part series, tells how she and her husband and their family moved to the former Soviet Union to begin a new life, leaving behind the farmlands of the American Mid-West.” Click HERE for the link to part one of the interview.

FYI – Free ESV Study Bible Right Now for Kindle!

As a missionary, I always like free stuff. When we moved from Kyrgyzstan to the country of Georgia I had to get rid of most of my library. What difficult days. So now I am on the prowl for free resources. Whenever good, free books pop up in my email or Facebook, I try to take advantage of them and build up my digital library. I must admit that it is still hard for me to go completely digital, but I take comfort in the fact the my kids are asking for real books too, as opposed to just more digital downloads. Maybe the love of the printed book isn’t just a generational thing?

Anyway, here’s a resource that is free right now. Although I have not read this study Bible yet, I am looking forward to checking it out. The ESV Global Study Bible is free right now for Kindle. (Make sure you click the Kindle version and check to see that it is still free.) I have been reading the ESV version along with my regular version for the past several years. I think it is a good translation, and I like the commentaries of the ESV study Bible that I already own.

As we are beginning a new church here in Tbilisi, we have started an English Club where we offer free lessons for students, and soon for adults. It has been a very fruitful way to meet people and share the Word of God. For part a part of each class we use stories from the Bible. I have been using the ESV version in my classes, even though it is not as easy of a read as the NIV.

I just wanted to pass along this free resource to world-minded people. Have you read this study Bible? Any thoughts?

Skipping Thanksgiving?

I faltered this year. I suggested to my wife and kids that we celebrate Thanksgiving by eating out at a restaurant. Can you believe it? I actually had Renee talked into it, but those children…

Thanksgiving with Grandpa George, Kyrgyzstan 2006.

Thanksgiving has always been a big holiday for our family. Wherever in the world we have found ourselves over the past 20+ years, we have had friends and family with whom to celebrate this special Day of Thanks. With lots of planning for the occasion, the locating of just the right ingredients in foreign countries, and the grand times of feasts and fellowship with friends and family, each Thanksgiving holiday was highly anticipated, a labor of love, and left us with lasting memories.

However, this year we find ourselves in a new country and missing our friends and family. I mean, we are still trying to figure out where to buy life’s essentials, let alone the necessities for a festive celebration. So the Grinch (me) entered into our family and woefully suggested an alternative menu and a different locale.

Unacceptable! There were no mean words, but looks of wonder and astonishment. My children were aghast. “Father, how could we?” Although they are missing loved ones this year as well, they were ready to celebrate this special day with just our family. And so I find myself doing what I don’t want to do–shopping for a ham (which should be a bit easier since we are not in a Muslim country this year, but I am still having difficulty). I do have a secret though–since the kids haven’t mentioned sweet potatoes, I think I am off the hook on that one.

The main purpose of Thanksgiving does not change. In fact, perhaps the adjustment for us this year gets us even closer to the heart of the holiday. Yes, Thanksgiving is a time of gratefulness for family, friends, and loved ones. But when those things are stripped away from us, we see the need to continue to give thanks to a God who created us, saved us, and wants to be glorified in and through us. “Oh give thanks to the Lord…and make knows His deeds among the peoples!” Psalm 105:1. If you find yourself a little short on family or friends this Thanksgiving, join with us in reading though Ephesian chapter one–a list of all of the spiritual blessings that are available to us in Christ. And then, find ways to get involved in sharing those blessings with the nations.

• We are thankful for the priceless gift of salvation, and the many spiritual blessings in Christ.
• We are thankful for the privilege of serving the Lord overseas.
• We are thankful for the many who partner with us in making His deeds known among the nations.
• We are thankful for the legacy of those who have gone on before us.

By His Grace,

Jed Gourley

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