Mission Update:
At Mount Etna, the tallest Volcano in Europe.
WOW is really all we can say, and I want to tell you why. We say “WOW” when we hear or see something that is surprising and is done by someone or something else. We really cannot “wow” ourselves. When we do or at least try to we are typically desiring someone else to be wowed by us if we are honest. We are currently in a state of awe at what the Lord did in Italy. It was something that was done by someone else as we were present with couples hearing their stories, where they are, what they need, and where they want to be. Stephanie and I are very intentional about “being out of the way” and letting our testimony, the LIVING Word of God, and His Spirit in us speak into people. And approximately 100 percent of the time what we say, also ministers to us and drives us deeper in relationship with the Lord and a more intimate look at what His words says and is saying.
I could not recount many of the stories we heard, and experiences these couples are having if I wanted to, which for me is a further testament that we were out of the way. And I want to be honest and transparent, most of the time in the first ten days with the first four families I was putting off flesh and lies from the enemy the whole time we were in meetings with these couples. It is something that I am used to every single morning, but my own mind was relentless the first ten days, and it was exhausting. Thankfully the Lord does not need me to do anything but keep what I think, feel, and want humbled at His feet so that He may use me. And so through it all, my hope was that we were being obedient in the seed we were sowing. The Last night of the first group we had Erev Shabbat meal all together and gave time for the couples to share Testimony of what the Lord spoke to them, tools that felt that gained, and anything else the felt lead to share. I was in a state of WOW, I knew that I was being astonished by something I did not have a part in. The deep works of the heart that only the Holy Spirit can do. I was relieved, astonished, and overcome by thankfulness at the continued simplicity that we realize at deeper levels of how we are used to prosper the Will of the Lord. We just have to put our own thoughts to rest, Trust Him, and be obedient.
The second group went much the same with one key difference, we now had personal testimony of the work that the Lord wanted to do during this time in Italy with these families. That alone builds confidence and quiets our own minds and how we see ourselves. It is also hard to take many steps back and start at “square one” so the second group got a bit more of an abrupt start, but the Lord had already cultivated their hearts for this which was really beautiful to see. And much like the first group the last night during our last meal together the Testimonies were amazing, and I could not help but weep almost the entire time. The Living Word once again had renewed minds, transformed hearts, and given grace to continue.
I want to share with you that are still reading that this is not just the desire of the Lord for these families, for our family, or for others that you know. It is for you and every other person in the world that hears the word of God and allows themselves to be changed by their belief in the Truth. The Truth is a man and His name is Jesus. He is the way, the Truth, and the Life. Which means He will show you where to go, will be honest about the difficulty of the journey, and sustain you through it all. You have a calling on your life, a job to do for the Kingdom of God that only you can accomplish, this is the amazing quality of your uniqueness that the Lord placed in your design. This is from one of the most beautiful verses to me which is Ephesians 2:10. I urge you to spend some time with this verse.
I want to encourage you with some insight into Hebrews 4 that I got to see firsthand in Italy as the Holy Spirit comforted, loved, edified, and ministered to the hearts of His people right in front of Stephanie and I. Hebrews 4:12-16 say: For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joint and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all thins as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Jesus knows everything you are going through, every thought that you disqualify yourself with, He knows what you have to put off and fight through just to be present sometimes, and He knows your sin. He did not go through it all so that you would not have to not go through anything. He went through it all to gain a victory that you could not, because He did it without sin. Now He sympathizes with you, not so you can have a pity party, but you have the Lord of Lords saying to you “I have been there.” We cannot sympathize fully with anyone if we have not been through what they have been through, at the level at which they have been through it. Because he KNOWS, you can come with confidence that He knows the mercy that you need and will give you the grace to empower you to continue in the mission that He has just for you! His Throne is a Throne of GRACE. This is not the Grace of undeserved favor; this is the Grace of empowerment and Holy ease, without Him opposing us. (James 4:6).
CAUTION: Do not come to the throne of Grace and leave with what you brought.
Another beautiful point in this passage is that His word is “able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart”. A lot of times when we ask others “what do I do about this?” we hear “pray”. Rest assured, prayer is powerful. But His word (Logos) is what we use to judge the thoughts and intentions of our own heart. If you are a believer, and you have a thought or desire, be in His word more than in your own head about it. It will bring clarity to a degree that only it can.
I did not intend this to be a sermon, but I pray that it is something for somebody. And if it is not for anyone but me, then I am glad at the very least I have it bookmarked. The Pulaski family loves you and appreciates you more than you know. Your prayers are seen coming to fruition before our very eyes.
Jake.
