Posted in missions

A Prayer, a Poem, and Two Songs

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

I was looking through my Bible earlier today and found a few things that I put there back in 2007 when God gave me a heart for missions.  It brought so much to remembrance, and I wanted to share with you today what I found – a prayer, a poem, and two songs that are very dear to my heart. The prayer and poem were written by Betty Scott Stam who was martyred, along with her husband, while they were missionaries in China. The video of the songs is actually two songs. Both were part of His call to me. I love the words to both.

God has a call (sometimes more than one) for all of us whether it be a life of service and sharing the Gospel right here or abroad … and even to travel near and far through the supernatural power of prayer. Sometimes He calls us to go and sometimes He puts us about His business of “going” right where we are. All of this world is His mission field and every time you walk past anyone, even your own family … you are on His field.

As my own calls go, I have learned they are not mine to figure out. Mine is to walk step-by-step in obedience. Help me Lord to listen for Your voice and once I “hear You calling” to obey with each step that I take.

God bless you all.

 

The Prayer

 

The Poem (written just before Betty Scott Stam was beheaded)

 

The Songs (The first song was written and sung by the missionaries that are pictured. The second is so dear to my heart….well, they both are)

Posted in Uncategorized

I Have a Mother Who Prays

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

Some have had kings in their lineage,
Some to whom honor was paid.
Not blest of my ancestors – but,
I have a mother who prays.

I have a mother who prays for me
And pleads with the Lord every day for me.
Oh what a difference it makes for me –
I have a mother who prays.

Some have worldly success
And trust in riches they’ve made –
This is my surest asset,
I have a mother who prays.

My mother’s prayers cannot save me,
Only mine can avail;
But mother introduced me to Someone –
Someone who never could fail.

Oh yes..I have a mother who prays for me
And pleads with the Lord every day for me.
O what a difference it makes for me –
I have a mother who prays.
Author Unknown
Posted in Hiding His Word

Do You Need Peace Today?

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

Whatever you need, the answer can be found in God’s Word, if you take the time to look for it. Below are twenty scriptures to encourage and guide. 

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. ~ Isaiah 9:6

 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. ~ John 16:33

 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety. ~ Psalm 4:8

The Lord will give strength unto His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace. ~ Psalm 29:11

 And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. ~ Leviticus 26:6

To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. ~ Luke 1:79

These are the things that ye shall do: Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbor; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates. ~ Zechariah 8:16

Moreover, I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. ~ Ezekiel 37:26

Depart from evil, and do good: seek peace and pursue it. ~ Psalm 34:14

The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. ~ Number 6:26

I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal him. ~ Isaiah 57:19

Now the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means. ~ 2 Thessalonians 3:16

But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. ~ Psalm 37:11

Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. ~ Psalm 37:37

And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. ~ Isaiah 32:17-18

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. ~ John 14:27

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:7

I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for He will speak peace unto His people, and to His saints. ~ Psalm 85:8

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. ~ Colossians 3:15

Thy faith hath saved thee, go in peace. ~ Luke 7:50

 

My Prayer

Thank You, God, for your Word that encourages and guide. Thank you, Father, for the gift of peace.  Oh, sweet Prince of Peace, may You always reign and rule in our lives.  May Your perfect peace live in our hearts, no matter what conflict is going on around us. May Your peace shine through each of us as a light in this dark and dying world and may it draw the lost, the lonely, the hurting to You. In the precious, magnificent, and holy name of Jesus I pray and for His glory alone.  Amen! Amen!

 

 

Posted in Hiding His Word

Dying Words

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

images

(Although I took a break from posting and working on the blog during the 40 days of prayer and fasting leading to Easter, I did write this article at the end of March for our April church bulletin. I pray it blesses you)

Then said Jesus, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” ~ Luke 23:34

We know words are powerful and especially dying words. As we go through this Easter season, it is important to remember what Jesus said right before His earthly life ended. Some of His last words, while hanging from the cross, were words of mercy and forgiveness.

Today I want to ask you this – if Jesus Christ could offer a prayer of forgiveness while on the cross for those who were putting Him to death, those who beat Him, those who betrayed Him can you pray a prayer of mercy and forgiveness for those in your life who have hurt or angered you? Despite what you have been through or may be going through today, can you look past it all and extend forgiveness?

Jesus’ last words and His willingness to die on the cross are a powerful example of how you and I are to treat others. We are called to follow His perfect example in every area of our lives. We are called to speak forgiveness and follow through with extending mercy to others whether we feel they deserve it or not. We sure didn’t deserve to be forgiven all our sins, yet Jesus forgave.

The Holy Ghost has challenged me, and I challenge you today to pick up your cross and follow Jesus! Each Easter we remember His death, and we celebrate His resurrection. We remember that He died so we can be forgiven, but He also died that we can now walk in forgiveness toward others.

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. ~ Ephesians 4:32

Posted in Hiding His Word

Leviticus on Leprosy

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

Leviticus 13 recounts God’s laws concerning leprosy. Leprosy, or Hansen’s Disease is a need dear to my heart.

Let me explain … While God has allowed me to go to Africa twice to work alongside and support the vision of other ministries, my earliest prayer to go to Africa was because I desired to go love and minister to those trapped by the bondages that come with Hansen’s.

The door has not opened in that area and it has been so long ago that I prayed those prayers. There is a tendency to think we have missed it. There is a tendency to just quit talking about it. In fact most of you don’t know this about me…but now you do. And you should know also that deep in my heart I do still believe, in God’s timing, I will be involved in some way in this very specific Gospel work. We do tend to forget…but God…He reminds me every single 2/22 when we come to this passage!!!

Leprosy or Hansen’s Disease

Tens of thousands of people in our world still suffer from leprosy. This bacterial infection not only affects the skin and destroys nerves, but it also brings incredible, unbearable shame for many who get sick.

Because the disease affects the nervous system, the areas of a person’s body affected with leprosy become numb to many things that ordinarily cause pain. When people suffering from leprosy no longer feel pain, they easily injure themselves. These injuries can become infected, resulting in tissue loss. Ultimately, people with leprosy can lose portions of their fingers, toes and even limbs.

The social stigma can be devastating—perhaps even worse than the disease itself. In their time of need, men, women and even children may be expelled from their homes and shunned by their community when leprosy is discovered on their bodies. Sometimes even those that do not have this disease are ostracized and required to live separated because a member of their family is diagnosed.

Leprosy can be cured without permanent damage if medical help is sought immediately. Unfortunately, the shame and social stigma surrounding the disease can cause leprosy to be viewed not as a curable disease but as a curse. In remote places and among the poor, diagnosis and treatment often come too late.

It is found in parts of Angola, Brazil, India, Mozambique, Nepal, and Tanzania and is still prevalent in some countries such as Madagascar, Nigeria, DR Congo, South Sudan and Burkina Faso.

Look at the Pictures

I highly suggest that you google “leprosy” and look through some of the images to see the effects of this disease that we read about today in scripture. It will give you a picture of not only of the potential affects of the diagnosis but also why precautions that seem so harsh to those of us in the modern western world had to be made in Bible times to prevent the disease from spreading.

Read the Scriptures

Once you have seen the pictures and read in Leviticus 13 the laws regarding leprosy suddenly scriptures like Matthew 8:1-4 really stand out and come to life. At least it did for me…

“When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.”

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