A Pastor's Perspective 06-11-2024
This morning, I awoke to a text from one of our missioners currently in Kenya sending a video of children quoting scripture in one of the schools we support. So many children in the last 25 years have grown up learning the scripture. It is overwhelming to think of the “ripple effect” that Mary and Wallace Kamau’s calling is having in Kenya and even on us here at Snyder. To date, we have sponsored an additional 100 NEW children in the coastal community called Chumani. This number brings us to 250 kids that we individually sponsor. These sponsorships are enabling kids to attend school where they get 2 meals a day, uniform clothing and medical attention when needed. More importantly, they are receiving an education and being presented daily with a saving knowledge of Jesus.
What the Kamau’s are doing is hard work, and I am glad our team of students and adults are there to help them. To be a part of the ripple effect of the Word of God being passed from one generation to the next. Making Kenya and the church in Kenya stronger, but also making us stronger. The difficulty of the Kamau’s work beckons them to hold onto certain scriptures.
Let’s look at the second one they shared with us two Sundays ago. Psalm 84:11.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
As the Rolling Stones sang, "You can't always get what you want ...", and that is true. Life denies us things: acceptance into the school we wanted, the promotion we were well qualified for, or some other relationship for which we longed. A gloomy reality? No! Remember the end of Mary's "hold onto" passage, Psalm 84:11, "No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly."
Over the years, when the good things I have hoped for and worked for did not come my way, for no lack of praying or working, I have learned that while those things might be good for someone, they were not the good God designed for me. Otherwise, God would not have withheld them from me because "No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.” That is true for you also.
As you walk through this week, I pray that your heart is encouraged and grateful for all the good that He has provided. Like the song “Goodness of God” says, “All my life you have been faithful, all my life you have been so, so good to me.” May God continue to extend His goodness not just to us, but through us. May the Good News of Jesus ripple through us to others even today.
Looking forward,
Blake
What the Kamau’s are doing is hard work, and I am glad our team of students and adults are there to help them. To be a part of the ripple effect of the Word of God being passed from one generation to the next. Making Kenya and the church in Kenya stronger, but also making us stronger. The difficulty of the Kamau’s work beckons them to hold onto certain scriptures.
Let’s look at the second one they shared with us two Sundays ago. Psalm 84:11.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
As the Rolling Stones sang, "You can't always get what you want ...", and that is true. Life denies us things: acceptance into the school we wanted, the promotion we were well qualified for, or some other relationship for which we longed. A gloomy reality? No! Remember the end of Mary's "hold onto" passage, Psalm 84:11, "No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly."
Over the years, when the good things I have hoped for and worked for did not come my way, for no lack of praying or working, I have learned that while those things might be good for someone, they were not the good God designed for me. Otherwise, God would not have withheld them from me because "No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.” That is true for you also.
As you walk through this week, I pray that your heart is encouraged and grateful for all the good that He has provided. Like the song “Goodness of God” says, “All my life you have been faithful, all my life you have been so, so good to me.” May God continue to extend His goodness not just to us, but through us. May the Good News of Jesus ripple through us to others even today.
Looking forward,
Blake
Recent
Archive
2024
January
February
March
April
May
June
A Pastor's Perspective 06-04-2024A Community Walk by Abi HerringCommunity WorshipInfectious Joy by Wills NoonA Pastor's Perspective 06-11-2024This Little Light by Victoria MorrisonWe can't, but He canKen-ya Dance? by Bella GarciaA Great Day at MOHI High Schools by Jackson Van WormerJust the Beginning by Lily GarciaA Pastor's Perspective 06-18-2024A Pastor's Perspective 06-25-2024
July
Generations working together using our God given GiftsKenya Youth Mission TripIndescribable JoyPrioritiesFirst Day at BondeniThe Future is Purchased by the PresentThe Importance of Youth Mission TripsUntil NowThe Lord's Real WorkSweet, Sweet SpiritWhat Has Happened, Has HappenedReflection of the Kentucky Mission Trip
August
September
2023
September
October
November