The Magic Number

100. Such a great number. And as of yesterday it's my number! The Lord brought in the last bit of my support yesterday, bringing me to that magical percentage of 100. I'm fully funded to return to Japan.

While in my heart of hearts I knew this moment would come, the Lord would provide, and I would be able to return, there is still an overwhelmed surreal feeling now that it is here. The moment has come, the Lord did provide, I am returning to Japan. It blows me away that the Lord would chose me for this!

All I can think is an echo of Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 2:14- "but thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him." I'm grateful to be in that triumphal procession, spreading the fragrance of the knowledge of the Lord in Japan.

My view the last few days of support raising

Voice of Truth

Well, here we are, the last official day before my support deadline. I'm currently sitting quite hopefully at 87% of my support. It's a little nerve-racking, but also super exciting to be in a place of expectancy, knowing the Lord will show up. The last week has been a huge learning experience for me as God really brought me to a place of dependence. I was reminded that I can't do any of this on my own and for the support to come in, He has to show up.

The reason I'm raising support is so I can go to the nations and proclaim the Lord's glory there. But I'm totally missing the point if I fail to give God the glory in this initial process. Support raising is not just a means to an end. Every step of the way is an opportunity for God to receive the praise and glory he deserves.

As I learn what it looks like to work faithfully and trust the Lord to provide in his time, there have been some verses that have really encouraged me. I'm grateful that he uses scripture to encourage and uplift us, and that I have friends who are in this adventure with me and sharing the truths he has revealed to them also.

So what follows are the words of truth the Lord has given me to keep me going the past week or so. To him be the glory!

 

"Wait for the Lord. Be strong, take heart, and wait for the Lord."

Psalm 27:14

 

 

"The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way;

though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.

I have been young, and now am old,
    yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread."

Psalm 43:23-25

 

 

"But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
    and the flame shall not consume you.

For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you.
Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life."

Isaiah 43:1-4

 

 

"God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful."

1 Corinthians 1:9