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"Homesick Camper" by Connie Armstrong
Isaiah 52:1 Awake! Awake, Tziyon!
Clothe yourself with your strength!
Dress in your splendid garments,
Yerushalayim, the holy city!
For the uncircumcised and the unclean
will enter you no more.
2 Shake off the dust! Arise!
Be enthroned, Yerushalayim!
Loosen the chains on your neck,
captive daughter of Tziyon!
3 For thus says Adonai:
“You were sold for nothing,
and you will be redeemed without money.”
4 For thus says Adonai Elohim:
“Long ago my people went down to Egypt
to live there as aliens,
and Ashur oppressed them for no reason.
5 So now, what should I do here,” asks Adonai,
“since my people were carried off for nothing?
Their oppressors are howling,” says Adonai,
“and my name is always being insulted, daily.
6 Therefore my people will know my name;
therefore on that day they will know
that I, the one speaking — here I am!”
7 How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news,
proclaiming shalom, bringing good news
of good things, announcing salvation
and saying to Tziyon, “Your God is King!”
8 Listen! Your watchmen are raising their voices,
shouting for joy together.
For they will see, before their own eyes,
Adonai returning to Tziyon.
9 Break out into joy! Sing together,
you ruins of Yerushalayim!
For Adonai has comforted his people,
he has redeemed Yerushalayim!
10 Adonai has bared his holy arm
in the sight of every nation,
and all the ends of the earth will see
the salvation of our God.
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When I was 12 years old, I decided to go to church camp. This was a brave decision, as I would be going for the first time without my older sister. Mom and Grandpa drove me to a neighboring town where a church bus was available to transport the campers. My suitcase was loaded, and I found my seat. Before long, however, tears began to flood my eyes. I stood up, got off the bus, and made my way to the car. I was homesick before I had even made it to camp!
So, how does a homesick girl grow up to be a missionary and live more than 8,000 miles away from home and loved ones? Only God can do that. I can imagine Him smiling that day, knowing what my future held. He has placed a love for travel, people, and different cultures in my heart that continues to grow even now.
What an honor and blessing it is to be one who can bring good tidings and proclaim that our God reigns! That applies to every one of us. We are all called to share this incredible message of hope and love, no matter if it is 8,000 miles or 8 feet away.-------
Hymn for Today: "If Jesus Goes With Me" by C. Austin Miles
1. It may be in the valley, where countless dangers hide;
It may be in the sunshine that I, in peace, abide;
But this one thing I know—-if it be dark or fair,
If Jesus is with me,
I’ll go anywhere!
Chorus:
If Jesus goes with me, I’ll go
Anywhere!
’Tis heaven to me,
Where’er I may be,
If He is there!
I count it a privilege here,
His cross to bear,
If Jesus goes with me,
I’ll go
Anywhere!
2. It may be I must carry the blessed Word of life
Across the burning deserts to those in sinful strife;
And tho' it be my lot to bear my colors there,
If Jesus goes with me,
I’ll go anywhere!
Chorus:
If Jesus goes with me, I’ll go
Anywhere!
’Tis heaven to me,
Where’er I may be,
If He is there!
I count it a privilege here,
His cross to bear,
If Jesus goes with me,
I’ll go
Anywhere!
3. But if it be my portion to bear my cross at home,
While others bear their burdens beyond the billow’s foam,
I’ll prove my faith in Him—-confess His judgments fair,
And, if He stays with me,
I’ll stay anywhere!
Chorus:
If Jesus goes with me, I’ll go
Anywhere!
’Tis heaven to me,
Where’er I may be,
If He is there!
I count it a privilege here,
His cross to bear,
If Jesus goes with me,
I’ll go
Anywhere!
4. It is not mine to question the judgments of my Lord,
It is but mine to follow the leadings of His Word;
But if to go or stay, or whether here or there,
I’ll be, with my Savior,
Content anywhere!
Chorus:
If Jesus goes with me, I’ll go
Anywhere!
’Tis heaven to me,
Where’er I may be,
If He is there!
I count it a privilege here,
His cross to bear,
If Jesus goes with me,
I’ll go
Anywhere!
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Thought for Today: Genesis 28:15 Look, I am with you. I will guard you wherever you go, and I will bring you back into this land, because I won’t leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”-------
Please Pray: That many people in Portugal will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of the Ruach HaKodesh.
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