Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, June 4, 2010
Isaiah 50:7 For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.
In this prophetical chapter dealing with the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus, we are reminded of the confidence that we can have in our God. It is He that helps, it is He that gives us victory and allows us to overcome. Yet along with that great truth, there is another phrase that must not be overlooked – I set my face like a flint. I was greatly challenged this week as I reflected on the determination and unwavering commitment that Christ demonstrated through His life and in His death. In considering what Christ was subjected to and the incredible pain and loss that others have had to endure in this world, I realized how much more determination and reliance on God I need daily. We know Satan will stop at nothing to thwart the work of spreading the gospel. Then again, our God, that worketh all things together for good, will also allow tremendous affliction at times for reasons that we do not understand but that ultimately lead to His magnification and glory. May we find solace in His grace while maintaining steadfastness in the cause.
We rejoice to report this month that God has kept us safe, drawn us closer to Him and once again shown His exclusive ability to orchestrate our progression to the field in ways that we would never expect. There were two examples of this last month alone but the one that sticks out most was getting a phone call from a man in NC where we had a meeting a number of months ago. The church could not financially support us but this man happened to be visiting the church that night (Thursday service) and months later he was led to call us and begin supporting us through the church that he pastors!
Just recently, and for the first time in our deputation, a situation arose that warranted me traveling to a series of meetings without my family. It is away from my family that I write this prayer letter now, eagerly anticipating a joyous reunion with my wonderful wife and four precious daughters. I rejoice that during this time they have been able to finish the homeschool year, get refreshed a little from life on the road and enjoy the fellowship of dear friends and family where we have spent most of our lives. At the same time, this has been an incredibly profitable time for me as I have been able to get alone with God and spend some extended time in prayer, the word of God and study. The Lord has been gracious in meeting with me and allowing me to be refreshed and refueled to set my face as a flint toward the Philippines. My prayer is that I will reunite with my family as a better father, husband, friend, leader and example moving forward. During this trip there have been many opportunites to go soulwinning, work on a bus route and teach kids as well as preach and present our burden for the islands. Then, just this week, I thoroughly enjoyed a great camp meeting in Jacksonville, AR where I sat under some great preaching and had tremendous fellowship with many missionaries heading to fields around the world. This meeting had numerous benefits as it establish contacts with pastors in the area that we trust will translate into meetings in the future. Equipped with CD’s of all the great messages that were preached, I look forward to sharing what God fed us with at this conference to my family upon my soon return. Pray for us this month as we will travel many miles to meetings in multiple states. We are expecting great things from our great God yet again.
2Cor 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
By the grace of God,
Aaron & Stephanie Putney
Autumn, Anna, Sarah and Emma
Grace Independent Baptist Church
Pastor Paul Perkins
3707 Bienville Blvd
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
www.PutneysforChrist.com
Aaron@PutneysforChrist.com
585 298 3807
Saturday, June 5, 2010
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