Renewed day by day, no matter the news reports
Linda Krieg
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self[d] is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 16-18, ESV)
While we are not suffering persecution, as Paul was when he wrote this, Satan is waging a battle with us, all the same. No, I’m not saying that Covid-19 is caused by Satan, but that he certainly will try to use it to discourage and defeat Christians so that Christ’s light won’t shine through them. May we believers never forget that, while difficult heartbreaking trials may come, the eternal glory that is promised by our Savior to his children is SO much great and far beyond anything that might occur on this sin-soaked earth! We are secure. Let’s stand strongly on God’s truths without fear.
Being a retiree, I realize that I have an advantage over many of those who stand with me in prayer-that monthly social security check deposit into my bank account means that finances are available. And Medicare combined with my supplemental health care plan mean that my health insurance is not in danger of being out of reach, financially, as some of yours may be. While our age provides us with that earthly security, our ages put us in the bullseye for this virus, so I guess that all evens out. The fact is, my life is just like yours-in the hands of our loving Father and we can trust him, no matter what he allows through his protective wall around us.
Living at a retirement center and having given up my car over 8 months ago, getting necessary supplies has been a bit of a challenge, but one for which I had already made several adjustments for procurement. Because of all the high-risk residents here, even those of us out in the duplexes have been asked to avoid all contact with those outside of our own households, strongly imposing the 6 foot principle and to not leave the property, except for urgent necessity-like medical appointments.
Having gotten on Walmart’s unlimited deliveries subscription early on has turned out to be a really great option for me. I order for myself and for one of the staff couples, who doesn’t have the time to deal with the complexities of what’s available and delivery times. It works out well, since then we can meet the minimum order requirement and order more frequently to try to get the things in short supply. And with the new policy of mailing out medical prescriptions, that has solved another problem for me.
Thursday is a big day for me-the day that my first Misfits Marketing box arrives. It is a subscription mail order group that sends out a box of misshapen produce either weekly or every two weeks, as requested. I don’t get any choice in what will be in it, but having 10-13 pounds of fresh produce sounds really great and may provide an eating adventure. (If you are in an area where it is available, you can use this code: COOKWME-PM0FBA to sign up for a subscription and both you and I will get 25% off on our next box of produce.)
How wonderful it was recently to get some news about my Siawi brothers and sisters! The elders report that they are continuing to gather each Sunday morning for services, though all the other special activities have stopped. Hmm, though I don’t know if they are meeting on Sundays now that the PNG government has banned all public gatherings-probably not.
They recently completed teaching through the phase 1 chronological lessons (Genesis through Christ’s resurrection, centering on who God is and why Christ’s sacrifice was necessary for our salvation). They had started teaching through Acts, though again, that may not be happening now. You can be praying for the Siawi church family, but also for all the tribes still waiting for the gospel message. I know of at least two people groups in the Sepik region that were all set to beginning hearing the truths of God’s Word, but now all gatherings are forbidden. God is NOT surprised by that, though, and in His timing, it will all take place.
It was such an encouragement to hear from our missionary contact out on the coast of his radio conversation with Nokee about a false teaching that was trying to creep into Siawi. The false teaching is called “generational sin,” where you must confess the sins of your ancestors for God’s blessings to come. Sounds like an interesting variation of the Cargo Cult thinking of how to get blessing from God-cars and material wealth that is, not strength and courage for our lives here on earth.
The missionary asked Nokee what he thought of that teaching, and he said that Nokee gave a Bible-based answer. What a joy to hear that. How I thank God that they have the Scripture available there in their own language, so that when things like that come up, they have the Truth in their own hands, with the Holy Spirit to give guidance. Thank you, too, for being a part of making that happen!
Last night I heard that Nokee had been up on the shortwave radio asking about me, since he’d heard that Covid-19 is a major threat in the USA. So far, PNG hasn’t reported but one case (last time I heard), but that is just as likely to be from lack of testing as all our US counts. Thankfully, it isn’t ravaging the people there, though. In the past, the flu waves that hit the USA also passed through PNG eventually. As you pray for those in your own circle, please do be praying for the remote people groups who have no understanding of germs and usually little or no medical care available. These will be especially scary times for them. Believers in those areas have such a huge responsibility to be a light and a testimony for God and a witness to the source of our true Help and Sustainer. Hmm, same responsibility as we believers have here in the civilized areas, isn’t it?
Thank you so much for your faithfulness in prayer. I’d love to hear from you about how things are going in your corner of this virus- laden world. May the Lord give you courage and strength each day to rest in him and trust, not in science’s defeat of the virus, but the Creator of the Universe’s control over it all.
Safe and upheld by his faithfulness,
Linda
Linda_Krieg(at)ntm.org
232 Brazil Court, Sanford, FL 32771
Ethnos360 Hdqts: 312 W 1st St, Sanford, FL 32771
