Saints.

“Greet every saint in Christ Jesus.  The brethren who are with me greet you.” Philippians 4:21 (NASB) 

I did a search on the word ‘Saint’ recently as I had read a commentary by Martin Luther that we are both ‘saints’ and ‘sinners’.  Are we saints?  The world causes me to reluctantly identify myself with that title as it tells me that is reserved for a person with a higher spiritual level than I possess.  Identifying with the title ‘sinner’ is a given for me, but being called a ‘Saint’ is something that some of us shy away from when that title is brought up in our conversations. 

Roman Catholic theology indicates that "A saint is one who has exhibited unsurpassable devotion to Christ."  The Roman Catholic Church teaches that a “Saint has a special work in interceding with God for the souls of people which are captive to the pain of purgatory.”  On the day of Reformation Luther took a stand on these teachings and we are so thankful that he did.  The saints in the attached photo attend Bon Berger Lutherienne in Caredeux and they, like us are both saints and sinners. 

It is interesting to note that the Apostle Paul’s most used word for Christians is the word "Saint."  A search on the Internet indicated that he used it 45 times in his epistles and when he speaks of saints, he is referring to ordinary Christians like the children in Caredeux and you and me.  The hymn ‘Saints of God, the Dawn is brightening’ was written by Mary Maxwell in 1849 and her words seemed to be an appropriate to close this devotion. 

“Saints of God, the dawn is bright'ning, token of our coming Lord; o'er the earth the field is whit'ning; louder rings the Master's word: pray for reapers, pray for reapers, in the harvest of the Lord!  Now, O Lord, fulfil Thy pleasure, breathe upon Thy chosen band, and with Pentecostal measure send forth reapers o'er our land, faithful reapers, faithful reapers, gath'ring sheaves for Thy right hand.  Soon shall end the time of weeping, soon the reaping time will come, Heav'n and earth together keeping God's eternal Harvest-home.  Saints and angels, saints and angels, shout the world's great Harvest-home.” 

Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen. 

May God be with you…Jay

Is everything in order?

“He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’” Luke 12:17 

In the parable Jesus tells of a rich man who had too much.  His crops were so abundant that he didn’t have enough storage bins to hold all of the grain; a good problem to have.  Today, my corn and soybeans are at the grain elevator in Ruby, NE for storage along with many other farmers.  The young man in our scripture thought that best way for him to alleviate this problem would be to build more barns and storage bins…tomorrow.  He took care of his earthly problems but didn’t consider his Spiritual problems as the Lord came to take him home. 

Is your life in order?  How have the pages of your legacy been unfolded?  There are over 28,000 children enjoying a school feeding program in Haiti today, and the number of children waiting to receive this blessing is to date unknown.  These five girls from Bon Berger in Caredeux were extremely happy when this photo was taken a few years ago, as they have received this blessing; their meals cost a donor about a dollar and a quarter.   

Like the rich man in the parable, we don’t know when the Lord will call us home.  As we look around us for opportunities to use our talents, treasures and lives we turn to Him, the Lord of the harvest and seek His directions.  I close today with the words to the hymn ‘Almighty Father, Heaven and Earth’ that was written by Edward A. Dayman in 1867. 

“Almighty Father, heaven and earth with lavish wealth before Thee bow; those treasures owe to Thee their birth, Creator, Ruler, Giver, Thou.  The wealth of earth, of sky, of sea, the gold, the silver, sparkling gem, the waving corn, the bending tree, are Thine; to us Thou lendest them.  To Thee, as early morning's dew, our praises, alms, and prayer shall rise as rose, when joyous earth was new, faith's patriarchal sacrifice.  We, Lord, would lay, at Thy behest the costliest offerings on Thy shrine; but when we give, and give our best, we give Thee only what is Thine.  O Father, whence all blessings come; O Son, Dispenser of God's store; O Spirit, bear our offerings home: Lord, make them Thine forevermore.” 

Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen. 

May God be with you…Jay

Praying for you.

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20 

“You are in my prayers.”  Has somebody told you that recently?  It doesn’t matter to me if one person, three people or a congregation is praying for me; it is still a comforting and rich blessing.  The young boy in the attached photo attends the school at Bois Marchand and he prays for you; his school gives thanks in prayer for you every day. 

Our Lord Jesus is present when His people gather together to pray.  The common prayer and fellowship is so important to their spiritual lives.  When this young child prays before going to sleep on the mat on the floor his relationship with our Heavenly Father is precious.  When you and I pray for the children attending Christian schools in Haiti our common requests to feed these sheep is heard, daily.  The hymn ‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus’ was written by Joseph Scriven in 1865 and his words seemed like a very good match for this devotion. 

“What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!  What a privilege to carry ev'rything to God in prayer!  Oh, what peace we often forfeit, oh, what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry ev'rything to God in prayer!  Have we trials and temptations?  Is there trouble anywhere?  We should never be discouraged, take it to the Lord in prayer.  Can we find a Friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?  Jesus knows our ev'ry weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.  Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?  Precious Savior, still our Refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer.  Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?  Take it to the Lord in prayer; in His arms He'll take and shield thee, thou wilt find a solace there.” 

Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen. 

May God be with you…Jay

Being blessed...on this side.

"Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" Matt. 6:33 

In all that we do on this side of Heaven, we should always first seek His direction for our plans.  North American mission teams should not build Churches on ground that is not already owned by the congregation; the local congregation should purchase the land first and then construct the foundation before a mission team leaves North America. 

These children attending school at Merrotte were not blessed with a Trinity/HOPE feeding program until the Arcahaie District President, the school principle, teachers and parents fully understood what was expected of them to make the program work.  The prayers of those attending this school were not answered overnight; it came about in His time and in His way.  Too often we imagine that we are the ones in control and that generally provides satan with an opportunity to stir up a mess.  It can be a humbling experience to call upon Him when we have move forward relying upon our own wisdom and abilities.  Trinity/HOPE is feeding over 28,000 children in Haiti daily in 141 schools; this didn’t happen overnight.  He continues to bless this program.  I recently heard the hymn ‘Seek where ye may to find a way’ that was written by Georg Weissel in 1623 and I thought that its words are a fitting way to close this devotion. 

“Seek where ye may to find a way that leads to your salvation; my heart is stilled, on Christ I build, He is the one Foundation.  His Word is sure, His works endure; He doth o'erthrow my every foe; through Him I more than conquer.  Seek whom ye may to be your stay; none can redeem his brother.  All helpers failed, this Man prevailed, the God-man, and none other.  Our Servant-Lord did help afford; we're justified, for He hath died, the Guiltless for the guilty.  Seek Him alone, Who did atone, Who did your souls deliver; yea, seek Him first, all ye who thirst for grace that faileth never.  In every need Seek Him indeed; to every heart He will impart His blessings without measure.  My heart's Delight, My Crown most bright, Thou, Jesus, art forever.  Nor wealth nor pride nor aught beside our bond of love shall sever.  Thou art my Lord; Thy precious Word shall be my guide, whate'er betide.  Oh, teach me, Lord, to trust Thee!  Hide not from me, I ask of Thee, Thy gracious face and favor.  Though floods of woe should o'er me flow, my faith shall never waver.  From pain and grief grant sweet relief; for tears I weep, Lord, let me reap Thy heavenly joy and glory.” 

Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen. 

May God be with you…Jay

Twelve smiles.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!  The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” 1 John 3:1 

What comes to your mind when you think about the love that our Heavenly Father has lavished upon us?  The twelve smiles in the attached photo bring a smile to my face as I have hugged each one of them; each one of His children attending school at Caredeux.  The world does not understand the reason for their smiles as these children live in a Third World country. 

They know Jesus.  I smile when I think about being so blessed that I can buy lunch for these twelve kids for about three dollars.  As John Hall used to say, “ain’t God good?”  The hymn ‘Hail, Thou source of every blessing’ was written in 1810 by Basil Wood and seems to express the joy we have when we fully realize all that is lavished upon our lives each day.

“Hail, Thou Source of every blessing, Sovereign Father of mankind!  Gentiles now, Thy grace possessing, in Thy courts admission find.  Grateful now we fall before Thee, in Thy Church obtain a place, now by faith behold Thy glory, praise Thy truth, adore Thy grace.  Once far off, but now invited, we approach Thy sacred throne; in Thy covenant united, reconciled, redeemed, made one.  Now revealed to Eastern sages, see the Star of Mercy shine; mystery hid in former ages, mystery great of love divine.  Hail, Thou all-inviting Savior!  Gentiles now their offerings bring; in Thy temples seek Thy favor, Jesus Christ, our Lord and King.  May we, body, soul, and spirit, live devoted to Thy praise, glorious realms of bliss inherit, grateful anthems ever raise!”  

Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen. 

May God be with you…Jay

Living by Faith.

Living by faith.

“All these people were still living by faith when they died.  They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.” Hebrews 11:13 

What a beautiful statement regarding all those saints who fell asleep before the coming of our Lord Jesus.  It really doesn't matter how they died, where they died or when they died but the most important thing that they had in common is that they all "were still living by faith when they died."  Our Heavenly Father wants you, me, these children from Haiti and all people on this earth to be living by faith when we breathe our last.  He sent His only Son to come into this world to seek and save the lost. 

Believers in Christ should not die while resting in a recliner or basking in the glow of our earthly accomplishments, but firmly holding to our faith in our risen Savior.  The followers of Christ in Hebrews 11 understood that it is as precious to die by faith as it is to live by faith.  These children living in Haiti are learning more about their Savior every day and are enjoying their daily meal.  For many of them, their ancestors practiced vodou and probably denied Christ and did not receive the same promises of Eternal Glory in Heaven as these young saints are waiting for in the coming days.  These young children are confident of their acceptance by God, daily enjoying the rays of His love and resting in His faithfulness to the very end.  I close today with the words to the hymn ‘Savior of the nations, come’ that was written by Martin Luther in 1524. 

“Savior of the nations, come, virgin's Son, make here Thy home!  Marvel now, O heaven and earth, that the Lord chose such a birth.  Not by human flesh and blood, by the Spirit of our God, was the Word of God made flesh; woman's Offspring, pure and fresh.  Wondrous birth! O wondrous Child of the Virgin undefiled!  Though by all the world disowned, still to be in heaven enthroned.  From the Father forth He came and returneth to the same, captive leading death and hell; high the song of triumph swell!  Thou, the Father's only Son, hast o'er sin the victory won.  Boundless shall Thy kingdom be; when shall we its glories see?  Brightly doth Thy manger shine, glorious is its light divine.  Let not sin o'ercloud this light; ever be our faith thus bright.  Praise to God the Father sing, praise to God the Son, our King, praise to God the Spirit be ever and eternally.” 

Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen. 

May God be with you…Jay

A V.I.P.

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” Ephesians 4:11-12 

The world will tell you that this little girl at the Bon Barger Lutheran School in Caredeux is not important, she is too small and lives in a Third World Country; the thinking of our sinful world is wrong.  She is being brought up with the knowledge that she has a Savior who loves her and has conquered death and the devil; she will learn that the Holy Spirit has much more power than the evil spirits from the vodou priest.  She is being fed daily in the Trinity/HOPE school feeding program and will grow up to be a strong witness of Christ, equipped to do His service.  Samuel J. Stone wrote the words to the hymn ‘The Church’s one Foundation’ in 1866 and these words seem to be a fitting way to close this devotion. 

“The Church's one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord; she is His new creation by water and the Word.  From heaven He came and sought her to be His holy bride; with His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died.  Elect from every nation, yet one o'er all the earth, her charter of salvation one Lord, one faith, one birth. one holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food, and to one hope she presses, with every grace endued.  The Church shall never perish!  Her dear Lord, to defend, to guide, sustain, and cherish, is with her to the end.  Though there be those that hate her.  False sons within her pale, against both foe and traitor she ever shall prevail.  Though with a scornful wonder men see her sore oppressed, by schisms rent asunder, by heresies distressed, yet saints their watch are keeping; their cry goes up, "How long?"  And soon the night of weeping shall be the morn of song.  Mid toil and tribulation and tumult of her war she waits the consummation of peace forevermore, til with the vision glorious her longing eyes are blest and the great Church victorious shall be the Church at rest.” 

Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen. 

May God be with you…Jay

Standing up for Jesus.

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42 

The attached photo was taken at the Ordination service of Pastor Paul Touloutte in Les Cayes.  The four Pastors laying hands upon him and reading Scripture passages are from the left, Pastor Daniel Paul from Ouanaminthe, Pastor Thomas Bernard from Port-au-Prince, Pastor Isaac Jacquet from Jeremie and ELCH President, Pastor Marquis Kessa from Jacmel. 

These five Lutheran Pastors are responsible for the lay Pastors, school Principals and Teachers within their Districts throughout Haiti.  They represent quite a few of the 141 schools that currently have Trinity/HOPE school feeding programs.  The children in these schools are being taught the teachings of the Apostles and are the future missionaries to Haiti.  These Christians in Haiti and you and I all have the same objective; to pursue in our lives, stand up for Jesus and seek and save the lost.  The hymn ‘Stand up, stand up for Jesus’ was written by George Duffield in 1858 and seemed to accompany this devotion. 

“Stand up!  Stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the Cross!  Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss.  From vict'ry unto vict'ry His army shall He lead till ev'ry foe is vanquished and Christ is Lord indeed.  Stand up!  Stand up for Jesus!  The trumpet-call obey; forth to the mighty conflict in this His glorious day!  Ye that are men, now serve Him against unnumbered foes; let courage rise with danger and strength to strength oppose.  Stand up!  Stand up for Jesus!  Stand in His strength alone; the arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own.  Put on the Gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer; where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.   Stand up!  Stand up for Jesus!  The strife will not be long; this day the noise of battle, the next, the victor's song.  To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be; he with the King of Glory shall reign eternally.” 

Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen. 

May God be with you…Jay

Prayer guide for November 2019

Trinity/HOPE

Prayer Guide for November – 2019 

We begin our prayer time in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. + Amen.

Psalm 19:14; “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

 ‘Adoration’

Genesis 1:1-5; “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.  And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.  God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.  God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.”  And there was evening, and there was morning; the first day.” 

Living in the Midwest makes it difficult to not see God’s Hand still creating as with each new day, more leaves are turning different colors as the winds are delivering cooler temperatures from the mountains; ‘it is good’.  With every new day that He has created for us there are new tasks to challenge us with the unique talents that each of us have been given.  He created us to accomplish His work on this planet and ‘it is good’ to consider that at the end of this day He looks down upon us, sinful as we are, and says ‘it is good’ to the work that was done thru us this day.   

A time of ‘Adoration’ to our Heavenly Father.    

• Please take time to sit and consider how our Triune God has impacted your life and molded and brought you to this very point in your life’s journey.

• Consider the lives of the workers in Haiti who walk closely with our Heavenly Father; parents, teachers, principals, feeding program directors and Pastors and how He prepared them for this moment in time and for eternity.

 ‘Confession’

Luke 11:28:30 “He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”  As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation.  It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.  For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation.”

We were born, sinful and unclean, through no fault of our own, but because of the sins of our parents, grandparents…Adam and Eve. 

God sent His only Son to die for our sins.  Jesus did everything right while he was here on this earth. He loved you with a love that cannot be measured.  He gave to the world when no thanks were returned to Him.  He healed when there was no hope, and He died without complaint.  Jesus did nothing wrong and everything right; all this for you.  He lived for you and died for you.  Our sins nailed Him to the cross on Calvary and kept Him there until His life on earth had ended.

Psalm 32:1-7; “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.  When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.  For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.  Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.  I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD" and you forgave the guilt of my sin.  Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.  You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”

• A time of personal confession.

Our sins are placed at the base of the cross...His cross, and we give thanks that the times we have fallen short in the eyes of our Heavenly Father have been washed clean and we have been forgiven through the Blood of our Risen Savior Jesus Christ.

 ‘Thanksgiving’

Colossians 3:15-17; “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.  Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” 

Considering the turbulent challenges affecting Haiti these days, there are times when it seems difficult to give thanks.  The shortages of fuel and food, riots and corruption that Haiti is facing right now is not very uncommon in our sinful world today.  We give thanks that our Triune God is still in control of this world and that the evil foe has already lost the battle when an empty tomb near Calvary announced that a victor had won the battle, the savior of this world; Jesus Christ. 

Psalm 92:1-3; “It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp.”   

We come to You now with hearts, minds and words filled with ‘Thanksgiving’.”

• We give thanks for our Creator, Redeemer and Holy Spirit.

• We give thanks our providence; monetary, food, clothing and shelter.  As we give of our first fruits may we also give a portion of our best to His children who need the assistance we can provide.

• We give You thanks for the Haitian children who are not only the prime purpose of Trinity/HOPE but also Your missionaries for the future generations in Haiti.

• We give You thanks for the countless hours that Keith and Denise have expended this year working with volunteers here in the U.S. and in Haiti.

• We give You thanks for the work that is being accomplished by the Haitian parents, teachers, school principals and Feeding Program Directors who are shaping the lives of young Haitian children this school year.

‘Supplications’

Philippians 4:4-7; “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

The apostle Paul reminds us with the words; “The Lord is near, do not be anxious about anything”.  There are empty fuel tanks in Haiti this morning; taptaps and human beings.  There are burning tires in the streets with their black acrid smoke rising in the morning sky and the sound of frequent gun shots can be heard.  “The Lord is near, do not be anxious about anything”.  Through all of the turmoil that is taking place on this planet this morning…here and there, present your prayer requests to our Triune God.   

Heavenly Father, we bring our supplications before You; 

• Heavenly Father, continue to lead and bless Trinity/HOPE with Your loving hand; may we always strive to accomplish Your will.

• Bless the workers here in the U.S. and in Haiti and give them courage as they face challenges from the evil foe.  Provide them with courage, endurance and love.

• Lord, please protect Haiti; may Your hand bring peace, harmony and Godly leaders in their country.

• Heavenly Father, bless the Haiti Hunger Fight events that are planned for this month.  Provide safe travel for speakers and guests.

• Heavenly Father, bind satan from throwing challenges in the workings of our feeding programs in the new schools that are starting this year.in Haiti and in our activities here at home.

Lord God, bless Your Word wherever it is proclaimed.  Make it a Word of power and peace to convert those not yet Your own and to confirm those who have come to saving faith.  May Your Word pass from the ear to the heart, from the heart to the lip and from the lip to the life that, as You have promised, Your Word may achieve the purpose for which You sent it; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

2 Corinthians 13:11-14; “Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.  Greet one another with a holy kiss.  All the saints send their greetings.  May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 

May God go before you to guide you; may His arms be beneath you to support you, around you to protect you and above you to bless you.  And may the blessings of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you always dear sister and brother in Christ, 

In His love

Jay Brinkmeyer

Kind and compassionate.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 

Being kind and compassionate are two qualities that seem to be in short supply these days.  When our world tells us to look up to our sports stars, movie stars, political commentators and musicians it becomes more evident that we are holding up the wrong people to idolize as the world tells us that if we are kind and compassionate instead of mean and always being number one then we are weak and not strong.   

To forgive as God forgave us requires great courage and great strength; the world tells us otherwise.  The attached photo of a young girl at Labodrie seems to scream out the words ‘kind and compassionate’ when you look into her eyes.  Serving His children in Haiti is a humbling experience and the fruits of your labor and their labor will bring more children and adults into the Kingdom.  The hymn ‘All Depends on Our Possessing’ was written by an unknown author in Germany in 1673 and then translated by Catherine Winkworth in 1858 and words seemed like a fitting way to close this devotion. 

“All depends on our possessing God's abundant grace and blessing, though all earthly wealth depart.  He who trusts with faith unshaken in His God is not forsaken and e'er keeps a dauntless heart.  He who hitherto hath fed me and to many joys hath led me, is and ever shall be mine.  He who did so gently school me, He who still doth guide and rule me, will remain my Help divine.  Many spend their lives in fretting over trifles and in getting things that have no solid ground.  I shall strive to win a treasure that will bring me lasting pleasure and that now is seldom found.  When with sorrow I am stricken, hope my heart anew will quicken, all my longing shall be stilled.  To His loving-kindness tender soul and body I surrender; for in Him alone I build.  Well He knows what best to grant me; all the longing hopes that haunt me, joy and sorrow, have their day.  I shall doubt His wisdom never, as God wills, so be it ever,  I to Him commit my way.  If on earth my days He lengthen, He my weary soul will stengthen; all my trust in Him I place.  Earthly wealth is not abiding, like a stream away is gliding; safe I anchor in His grace.” 

Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen. 

May God be with you…Jay