On this third anniversary of ChristianBlessings we do well to remember the Lord and His work in and among us at ChristianBlessings.

1. Re-dedication

At Shechem, Joshua challenged the people to choose nothing short of wholehearted rededication “in sincerity and truth” (Joshua 24:14). He told them they could either choose their parents’ bad examples or their culture’s examples, but that the ultimate decision of whom they would serve remained theirs alone.

Centuries later, Jesus (whose name in Greek reflects the Hebrew name Joshua), said the same thing just outside of Shechem in Sychar. He told the woman at Jacob’s well that God seeks those who worship Him in “spirit and in truth” (John 4:23–24). Similarly, Joshua had said to serve God “in sincerity and truth.”

Both Joshua and Jesus remind us of the need to choose our Lord over all false gods or idols—whether they are passions, possessions, or people. Shechem  (or ChristianBlessings) can represent that place for us as well.

You don’t have to go to a particular place to rededicate your life to God. You can do it right where you are—right now. But it does help to “go back” in your mind to where you were before you knew the Lord.

• As you do when you take Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, remember how Jesus Christ saved you by grace through faith when you could never have saved yourself (Titus 3:5).
• Examine your life and confess any known sin—not in order to be saved—so that your fellowship with God is restored (1 John 1:9).
• Choose to walk with God in spite of  your past—including your upbringing, your culture’s temptations, and your own inclinations.

As Joshua said, “Choose today whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15).

I am re-dedicating myself to God’s service not only to ChristianBlessings but to do His will wherever He leads me.

Would you  like to join me whether as Contributor, Commenter or Reader? If you have been blessed by ChristianBlessings then be a blessing to others not only here but also to wherever He sends you.

2. Community

a. Care – As long as we remain a “Hi!” and “Bye!”  community, we can obey the Lord more,  change to love Him and others more.  So in the coming year let us take the time to pause to comment on other’s blogs and perhaps  share a little on self-applications  of  the blogs you have been blessed.  You will be exposed to risk of comments which you may not be comfortable with, but remember you have been blessed to be a blessing. Encourage blog Contributors by your thoughts too in addition to “I Like”

b. Pray – Pray for one another. When the going gets tough and we stay united  we scare the enemy away for he trembles when the children of Almighty God call His attention to  attacks. When we struggle together, it is then we become closer with empathy and understanding and we  grow  spiritually together – unity is strength. Amen. Let us pray one for another. There are several of our Contributors, Commentors  and readers who need healing. May the Lord’s healing hand be upon them to heal and manifest His mighty power in body, soul and mind

c. Missions – We have been praying for different missions and having our blogs translated in Urdu and sometimes in Tagalog.

i. Pakistan – We will collaborate with our Urdu translator Majida’s  pastor and brother,  in discipleship training materials. We have collated  our first 100 translated Urdu blogs  and printed 200 copies for  distribution  as encouragement to those who  attend the discipleship- training being introduced (to women as well)  and to the 100 pastors who receive our Urdu blogs on an on-going basis for their churches.  While women teach(new  ministry) sisters in Christ  in the ways of the Lord, the community is  blessed at home and in ministry. Let us pray if we should support  development of  a prison ministry with Gideon Bibles in place. We need the Lord to go before us in this effort. Pray for those who are locally involved in this ministry while the door remains open to the gospel.

ii. Philippines –  with our recent leader,  Franchesca’s appointment,  we thank the  Lord   for He has provided us with someone who knows the Word and can lead in  encouragement in victory  as the Lord prompts her –  an answer to our prayers.  Let  us keep trusting  in the Lord for this ministry will grow and touch lives of Filipinos at home and abroad. Many are far from home, facing temptations on their own, and without Christ they will surely succumb to the enemy’s lies. They need the Lord.

iii. Senegal – the Lord has taken us a  long and circuitous route to send 400 Bibles to Senegal with expected delivery in first  week of August 2013. We praise Him for He has grown patience in us in the process.  Praise the Lord for Matt Boyd and his family – pray for them  for good health and protection, and  the people who are being reached with the Bibles sent and other evangelistic materials purchased. Let us pray that the Lord will provide them with a new bore hole water supply of drinking water. It will be wonderful if they can come under the World Vision bore hole well water project in Senegal.

iv Seed Ministry –  let us we pray for  the Seed Ministry monthly  team visits  to India, Nepal, borders of the Golden Triangle of Laos, Thailand and Myanmar, to work among the established churches in the big cities in evangelistic and healing crusades, discipling among men and women, workplace evangelism and in the small churches in the countryside where faith is simple and miracles take place.

v People in Need Ministry, India – as we pray for this growing ministry, may the Lord lead us how else we can collaborate with them.

vi. Teens blog – I have prayed  for some time, that the Lord will send us someone He will raise to lead in the Teens ministry.  If you know of someone who is talented for youth or teen ministry, and is interested in developing such a ministry, please inform me. May the Lord’s will be done in this ministry as He leads us to develop  Teens blog  for the next generation as the Lord tarries.

d. Thanks

– Thank God our Father, Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit for blessing, leading and sustaining us  personally and here at ChristianBlessings .

– Thank you faithful Contributors  and Commenters and loyal followers. God bless each one of you each time you Click a Blessing here.

– Thanks to Bible Society of Singapore and Bible Society of  Senegal for delivering the Bibles to Matt Boyd in Senegal in the first week of August 2013. Praise the Lord.

– Thank you Singaporean financial supporters of the Bible for Senegal project.

Personally, I would like to thank God that God-willing in the first half September 2013, I will be part of a Bible land tour to Greece and Turkey, led by  the founding principal emeritus of the Biblical  Graduate School of  Theology in Singapore.

Join us dear reader, as we await His blessings and leading in our fourth year. I am excited as He leads us into change. We need the  Lord’s presence here  every step of our way. We will not just sit here blogging, we must be about our Father’s business in the marketplace, in the world, as He was when He came to earth, to His praise and honor.  Amen.

In His royal service,

Evelyn ptl2010