"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all." Philippians 1:1-4 NAS

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." I pray you are filled with His grace today. When I read these verse's I often think of how the apostle Paul must have felt writing them in the circumstances he was in. I wonder if he knew that his writings of the New Testament would be the most published in the world. Did he know they would be the most read in the world for over next two thousands of years? Could he conceive truly how the Lord was using him to have an impact on millions of people.

Also when I read these verse's it especially reminds me of you all. This is my heart and is also in a way my almost ten year old son's heart. When we say our prayers together at night and if he prays first he seems to always remember to prayer for all those who get the devotionals. It has had a profound impact on him knowing they go around the world into places that are not so open to the spreading of good news of Jesus Christ. It blesses my heart so much to hear him prayer for you all.

I do "thank my God in all my remembrance of you" and as often as I can I pray for you. I pray for your strength and that you would be built up in Him. I pray you are protected and encouraged in your walk in Christ wherever you might be. One thing is true and that is that you all have given me much encouragement for nearly two and a half years since the Lord started this ministry. I am so thankful for all the prayers that have been lifted up for this ministry and for our family.

You have read of the different difficulties or tragedies we have been through and have been here right along side of us through prayer and encouraging words. The Lord Jesus is to be praised and He is always faithful to us. He is always here for us when we need Him. I can not even tell you how blessed I have been during the rough times even with the SIJ ministry when the enemy comes with his lies that the devotionals are not encouraging others or they probably just get deleted and not read.

Then comes an encouraging word from a brother or sister somewhere in the world on how encouraged they were. Then all I can do is praise Him; all glory to the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord is so faithful and the fact is that when the enemy comes with his lies and discouragement the Lord is right there reminding me that His word does not return to Him empty (Is 55:11). What a mighty God we worship, He is all truth and all-powerful all the time. Jesus is so good and I just wanted to take this devotional to tell you how much I appreciate you. I pray the Lord showers down His grace and peace upon you.

May you find rest for your souls this week as you take refuge in Him. In all you do, may you be blessed and encouraged in Him. If you are having a tough time then I pray you will seek shelter in the rock of your salvation. May He hide you in the cleft of the rock. May you be lifted up and strengthened by His presence in your life. We serve an awesome God and I wanted to just let you all know how much you mean to me in this ministry. I trust He will meet each one of you in a special way as you seek Him and His will for your life. Today walk in the grace and peace He has given to us freely.

Remember grace always comes before peace. His peace is a perfect result of His grace upon our lives in Christ. May the Lord bless and keep you safe wherever you are. Please continue to keep this ministry in your prayers. Pray for continued wisdom and strength. I also feel the Lord calling me to take a mission trip to Honduras in September and I would like to ask you to begin praying about that for with me. That would be of great encouragement. I will tell you all the details in an another e-mail at a later date. Have a great day in Christ.

"That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Phil 3:10-12