E.C.H.O. ~ Encouragement Can Help Others
                            Volume 10       Edition 03       29 June 2006
http://www.forministry.com/USWAIFCAISBCSB
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ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”   Hebrews 10:22

3 - EDITOR's CORNER  

AMERICAN…

Dear Friends,

The children are doing well, and maybe even better than Julee and I.  But we too are doing well.  So much has occurred both good and not so good, but all in all God has remained 100% in control and there’s no doubt that HE is caring for our family in a gracious and loving way.

Some of our household goods arrived here in Turkey nearly 2 – 3 weeks before we did.  We only had to wait in temporary lodging 2 weeks before obtaining a 4 bedroom facility.  On average, most people wait about 2 – 3 months, and sometimes longer, before they move into a house.  The rest of our household goods arrived ahead of schedule too… and our vehicle is now in our possession, as of today, and everything has moved so quickly that nearly everyone we talk to asks how did we do it… how is it we received everything so quickly and easily…?  It’s in the Lord’s timing. HE controls the movement and shipment and process way greater than anyone could truly understand.  I must give HIM the glory and credit for all the good that has occurred!  We have been blessed, and I praise HIS name!

But we have also had our share of frustrations and struggles along the way.  As near as we can tell, approximately $2,000.00 of our household items were stolen – and most likely by those who packed our items in the states.  But even in this, we must still rejoice in the Lord, knowing that we have been blessed throughout the entire journey and process.

We reduced much of our possessions before moving.  The only furniture we brought with us is a small living room chair and James’ bed, plus a couple light weight desks and some patio furniture.  We had to reduce so much weight as we are only aloud to ship 8,000 lbs (even though there are 6 of us moving – that’s 1,333 lbs per person).  Julee and I sleep on foam mattresses’ on the floor, the rest of the children (except James) are sleeping on camping fold out cots.  And you know what, we are here as a family and enjoying the new adventures we are living in.

Here’s the real kicker… even though we have so little in comparison to the “average American family,” we still have a lot, and maybe even too much.  The nationalist that live here have less on average, yet they appear to be happy, joyful, and full of life.  Many are willing to help you, even though they might not have what it takes to help, yet they go out of their way to be the neighborly gentleman that we as Christians ought to be.

When our household goods arrived a short while back, the movers who brought our items in were friendly and good natured.  As they unloaded the truck, they spoke to us in English, but amongst themselves in their native Turkish tongue.  I must admit, we do have a large screened television.  It was a family Christmas gift a few years back.  When the Turkish movers brought it into our living area, they chatted in their own language but stated in almost a jokingly demeanor tone “American!”  I could only hold my laugh in as I heard it knowing they were labeling us as they do all Americans, rich, fancy, expensive toys, and overabundant in un-necessities.  And you know, as I look back at my life… I must agree.  I might not have as much or in quantity as a neighbor across the street, or a family who has 2 working incomes, etc…  But we do have more than many in this world will ever posses.  And do we appreciate it, or expect it?  Hmmnn.  American.  Yes, blessed by God, and more than we deserve, but blessed none the less.

And what about my spiritual life….  “Christian.”  Hmmmn is that a derogatory title, or is it a compliment to be known as one who follows Christ and lives according to HIS Word?  Examining my personal heart, it hurts to see my past and times I have lived for self and not for Christ…  And I don’t have to look very far into the past to see this either.  I want to change that…  I want others to see Christ in me, to want what I have in my heart and life.  I want to be called a Christian, and to take pleasure in knowing the name is true to the effect that I am being Christ like…  Maybe this move to Turkey will be that stepping stone I need to advance my spiritual life even closer in a right relationship with my Lord.

Your servant,

Daniel
Phil 1:6/ Isa 6:8

4 - PICTURE of the DAY!!! 

(NOTE: the above bridge is a Roman Bridge in Adana , Turkey , which is currently under renovation for traffic use.  There is a great possibility that the Apostle Paul walked across this bridge before and during his missionary travels.)

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CROSSING OVER

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“On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them,
‘Let us cross over to the other side.’”

M

ark 4:35

Photo by Julee
Roman Bridge – Adana , Turkey – 07 June 2006

Your comments, suggestions, ideas, and thoughts are welcomed.
Do you have an image (not copyrighted) you would like to share?
Please e-mail an image and feel free to suggest a verse/verses you think might go well with the picture.
(Photo's / images submitted become the property of E.C.H.O. and might be altered.
Images, requested verses, and topics are subject to display per discretion of E.C.H.O.)

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”   Hebrews 10:22

5 - DEVOTIONAL

(1 John 4:14-16)

         CONFESS & ABIDE

1Jo 4:14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.  15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.  16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

As a child, did you ever travel somewhere with your parents, grudgingly, disgruntled, upset, aggravated, and unwillingly.  That is, to say, you went with them because you had to go and not because you “wanted” to go?  Was that trip fun?  Or did you make life miserable for both you & your family?

There’s a huge difference between going willingly and going grudgingly.  Christ was sent by HIS FATHER to this earth, and HE came willingly, without grudges, complaints, or regrets.  HE came with a purpose…

Lu 9:56 "For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them."…

Lu 19:10 "for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

Joh 3:17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Joh 12:47 "And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.”

1Ti 1:15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…

The HEAVENLY FATHER “SENT” HIS SON (who “CAME” of HIS own free will to this world).

Joh 5:43 "I have come in My Father's name...”

Joh 8:16 “…I am with the Father who sent Me.”

1Ti 1:15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,..

1Jo 5:6  This is He who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.

Mt 9:13 "…For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." (cf. Mr 2:17; Lu 5:32)

Lu 19:10 "for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

  "No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, "that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

  "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”  John 3:13-19

2- GOD ABIDES IN THOSE WHO CONFESS JESUS AS THE SON OF GOD... (15)

CONFESS…  The word “confess” here comes from the Greek word homologeo (omologew), which is a compound word from Homou (omou) meaning at the same place or time:--together & logos (logov) meaning something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive… communication…

Confess (homologeo) means to assent, i.e. covenant, acknowledge…

We often think of confess, confessing, or confession as expressing sorrow, remorse, or guilt stating we did something wrong and we’ve been caught.  But here, confession is much more than admitting our wrong, our sin, and our misdoings.  Here we confess that Jesus is the Son of God!  That is, we acknowledge the fact and truth of WHO Jesus is.   Obviously, we need to admit our sin’s and not try to conceal or hide them.  But confession here goes deeper than that, proclaiming that Jesus is God the Son.

If we confess with our mouths that Jesus is the Son of God, if we believe the truth and accept the reality that Christ died for us and rose again, and that HE is the only way to heaven (John 14:6), then God ... the very God who created all things, the very God who created you & me ... the one & only God ...  dwells in us.  That’s exciting!

Mt 10:32 "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.

 Lu 12:8 "Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God.

Ro 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Yet, if we do not confess Jesus as the true Son of God and that HE came, in the flesh, to save mankind, then the spirit (attitude) of the antichrist consumes us.

1Jo 4:3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

2Jo 1:7 ¶ For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Ro 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

The same Greek word in Rom 10:9 & 10 is the same word in 1 John 4:15 – “homologeo.”  We must admit that Jesus Christ is indeed the Son of God in order to receive salvation from the eternal penalty of our sin.  What starts in the heart will show forth as evidence through our speech and with the words from our mouth.  Without Christ, there is no salvation.  We need Jesus, we need HIS salvation.

3- WHOEVER ABIDES IN LOVE, ABIDES IN GOD & GOD IN HIM... (16)

To abide means to live in, to stay constant in, to not be moved from or swayed from...  TO  REMAIN.....  If we abide in love, then our dwelling is in God, and God dwells in us.....  So God not only can live in us, but we can live in God!  But, to do so, we must abide in love, HIS love.

Joh 12:46 "I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.

 Joh 15:4 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

 Joh 15:6 "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

 Joh 15:7 "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.”
John 15:9 

Because the Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, He can dwell in us.  But we must first confess Jesus as the Son of God.  And then those who abide in love live as in the presence of God and God lives in him/her.

This is most exciting and challenging, to know that the very God who created us can also live in us and wants us to live in HIS presence as well.  But it begins with confession.  A confession that admits who Jesus Christ really is and that we need HIM to save us from our sinful life and eternal destruction we face without HIM.

But it’s not easy to daily live as HE wants us to.  The shadow of our old nature inside us, that is dead and has no life, wants so much to control and live our life for us.  And our human wants can so easily yield to the life of our past disposition.  But if we truly live in HIS love, according to HIS Word, then we can live a meaningful and rich life filled with the presence and love of God.

I encourage you as I challenge myself to live in the Love of God.  To allow God’s love to flow in and through us... to have His love become an intertwining part of our lives so much that we feel empty and lost without it… to love others as Christ loves.

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“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
Cleanse your hands… and purify your hearts…”  James 4:8

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6 - NEXT ISSUE

Join us in the next issue, as we’ll pick back up in 1 John 4
and discus further the topic of LOVE.

7 - PARTICIPATION

Please feel free to share your stories of encouragement with ECHO.  Share your letters of hope, your favorite verses … a web link you enjoy or have been blessed by… etc.

----- Original Message -----
From: John

Finger Prayer

1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger - the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

----- Original Message -----
From: James
Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2006 1:49 PM

A little boy was spending his Saturday morning playing in his sandbox. He had with him his box of cars and trucks, his plastic pail, and a shiny, red plastic shovel. In the process of creating roads and tunnels in the soft sand, he discovered a large rock in the middle of the sand box!

The boy dug around the rock, managing to dislodge it from the sand. With no little bit of struggle, he pushed and nudged the rock across the sandbox by using his feet (he was a very small boy and the rock was very huge). When the boy got the rock to the edge of the sandbox, however, he found that he couldn't roll it up and over the little wall. Determined, the little boy shoved, pushed, and pried, but every time he had made some progress, the rock tipped and then fell back into the sand box.

The little boy grunted, struggled, pushed, and shoved; but his only reward was to have the rock roll back, smashing his chubby fingers. Finally he burst into tears of frustration. All this time the boy's father watched from his living room window as the drama unfolded.

The moment the tears fell, a large shadow fell across the boy and the sandbox. It was the boy's father. Gently, but firmly, he said, "Son, why didn't you use all the strength that you had available?"

Defeated, the boy sobbed back, "But I did, Daddy, I did! I did use all the strength that I had!"

"No, son, you didn't use all the strength you had," corrected the father kindly. "You didn't ask me."

With that the father reached down, picked up the rock, and removed it from the sandbox.

ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO

The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you,
Sincerely yours,

Daniel
"Family For God"
Philippians 1:6
 

ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO