Glory to Jesus, precious friends! It's been quite the week here at MarchMin as we pray and pour ourselves into that which He's placed before us, praise His great name!
On Thursday night my wife, Maria, and I enjoyed the privilege of attending a dinner that gathered together attorneys, leaders and such who are on the front lines, fighting for our religious freedoms in the highest levels of our governmental and judicial systems. It was an honor to join and worship God alongside them (thank you again, Doug!).
I walked away from the evening so excited. It was like the Lord showing me this great army He's assembled--that few of us are even aware of--who are standing in the gap on behalf of our families, churches, and freedom to live as the Lord calls us to live. I thought of 2 Kings 6:17 where the Lord opens Elisha's eyes to see His heavenly armies. The whole evening was like the Lord saying, "Open your eyes, Bruce, and see!" Glory to Jesus!
I want to encourage you today, my friend. I can guess that many among us feel "hard pressed on every side" in one way or another. But let us make zero mistake--the Lord is doing His thing! His "armies" are battling even as you read these words! Let us live confident of His power and faithfulness. Let us "lift our eyes to the hills from where our help comes" (Psalm 121); "forgetting what is behind and straining forward toward that which Jesus has won for us" (Philippians 3:13-14). Glory to Jesus!
Another thing that struck me so deeply during that event is that the Lord uses people--His children--to do "His thing." The men and women in that room have all dedicated their skills, education, etc., to--well, to you and me, to be perfectly frank--as they stand in the face of all that seeks to degrade God's order and peace around us. Others support them financially and I'm certain there are scores of others involved, each giving of themselves in one way or another, each doing their small part. And it all comes together to form the hand of God "miraculously" advancing His kingdom--through His people. Glory to the name of Jesus!
By way of a quick MarchMin update, I'm thrilled to tell you that we just broke ground on the kitchen/dining hall for our South Africa kiddies. We've been working toward this day since 2011! So you can imagine how much this photo means to us! Thank you, Sally Herman, who pressed this project through and all the donors who made this day possible!
On The Gospel According to John front we had $8,500 come in for the month of June. Thank you so much! We need to just keep at it, ok? All the way to the finish line! Let's get those cameras rolling and bring this storyboard frame and a whole lot more to life! Praise to Jesus!
Alison's Choice
continues to make impact as we receive a flow of emails and Facebook messages saying how it has touched lives. We continue the DVD give-away to every pregnancy center in Canada, having just covered BC, Ontario and English-speaking Quebec (thank you, Cherie!). And soon we'll be on DirecTV. Praise to Jesus--and thank you again to you donors who made AC possible!
Be strengthened and encouraged
today, precious MarchMin friends. The Lord is with you. Our "flesh" tends to be so focused on what "isn't." But on our knees the Lord lifts our eyes "to the hills from where our help comes." On our knees the Lord shows us His armies on the move. On our knees He gives us the strength of commitment to get past ourselves and give of ourselves unto Him and His kingdom. On our knees we see as He sees and hope in Him--and what a glorious hope He offers!
Enjoy your weekend, friend! Glory to Jesus!
Bruce Marchiano
