Newsletter, October 2011

Dear Friends, We are living in a time in which the nations of the world are turmoil, and many people are devastated by personal problems. Between the news and the prayer requests that come into the ministry, one would think the world is coming to an end - and it may very well be. However I do not know when, so in the meantime I have some encouraging words from the Lord for you. As some of you know, I have been studying and painting “Trees of the Bible” in recent months. Now I have moved on in my study to “water,” “the river of life” and the “fountain of life,” and I have come across some wonderful scriptures recalling that we need water in order to live. Psalm 1:3 combines the two topics of a tree and water…He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers. As I was studying the many scriptures on water, I was brought to Psalm 46 and I thought the whole chapter was important for us at this time. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change, and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling places of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Come, behold the works of the Lord, who has wrought desolations in the earth. He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. (Psalm 46 NASB) Throughout the study of water there are blessings and dire warnings. O Lord the hope of Israel, all who forsake You will be put to shame. Those who turn away on earth will be written down, because they have forsaken the fountain of living water, even the Lord. (Jeremiah 17:13 NASB) They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. (Psalm 36:8-9 NIV) “The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst; I, the Lord, will answer them Myself, as the God of Israel I will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the bare heights, and springs in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land fountains of water.” (Isaiah 41:17-18 NASB) Let the rivers clap their hands; let the mountains sing together for joy before the Lord; for He is coming to judge the earth; He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. (Psalm 98:8-9 NASB) Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the scripture said, ‘From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:37-38 NASB) - Praise and Prayer - Thank you for your response to our financial needs this past month. We were able to pay our bills and we are grateful! Please keep the ministry in your prayers. A used sound-board has been donated to the ministry. It is not here as of this writing, we are praying that it will work well and will soon be up and running. In His bonds, Norma Bonds