In talking with a few people this week, it seems that illness and pains are afflicting many. If you think that the title of this blog is a “play on words” in replacing “pains” with “praise” you are right, but there is more to it. When I began this blog in 2011, my intention was to share “aches” or burdens for others with believers who would pray.
I have recently learned that a colleague of a missionary friend in Mexico is facing health challenges. Please pray for Carol as she is scheduled to have an operation on January 20th.
Did you make any New Year’s resolutions? Maybe you are planning to read the entire Bible this year. (Karen and I got a big jump on this, as we started reading the Bible in a systematic fashion in September.) I am endeavouring to read a book a week and this week I am enjoying reading “God Is Closer Than You Think” by John Ortberg. One of the many interesting sections of the book examines the life of Naaman, a military man who found out that he had leprosy. If you’re not familiar with this story, it is found in 2 Kings 5. Ortberg writes: “In the ancient world the first sign of leprosy was regarded as a death sentence. There is nothing Naaman can do. All his brains, courage, wealth, power and connections are useless … But God intervenes.” The way that God intervenes is fascinating!
A new series of programmes by a sister ministry – “L’Heure de la Bonne Nouvelle”- begins this Sunday on V-Télé at 12 Noon. For several years, we have assisted in the follow-up of people who contact this ministry. May many Québécois and others trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as a result of watching these programmes and listening to Pastor Michel Martel’s messages on “La Voix de l’Évangile.”
By His grace,
Steve