Reflections on the Road: Week Fourteen

 

Reflections on the Road

Week Fourteen

"Pursued by Goodness and Mercy"

Focus Passage: Psalm 23

Focus Verse: Psalm 23:6

Bible Reading: Acts 3-9

      I am the primary cook in our household of five. It's not because my wife is a bad cook, if anything she is an exceptional cook. I have the joy of cooking dinners because I love it. I first mastered culinary skills when I was a bachelor. I quickly grew tired of eating ramen noodles, Pizza rolls, Chinese takeout, and McDonald's. Cooking for myself as a bachelor was easy because I was able to cook whatever I liked. Cooking for three children who do not have anywhere near the same palette is not easy. Typically on any given night one of my children will say dinner was so good while another one will say it is yucky. The joys of parenting. Traditionally my children do not like food that is good for them, ie green food like broccoli. I tell them that it doesn't matter if they like it, it's good for them. Our devotional today will focus on God's goodness, and God's goodness doesn't always seem good to us. Sometimes God's goodness is more like broccoli instead of ice cream. 

      The testimony of the sheep begins to wind down with some very encouraging words in verse six, "Surely goodness and mercy (loving kindness) will follow me all the days of my life."  Sheep are not known for their boldness or confidence.  If anything they are know for their trepidation and fear.  But the sheep uses a very bold word to describe the reliability of their shepherd, the word surely.  The idea of 'surely' is a guarantee, it is a promissory note, it is an indisputable fact, it has the seal of the shepherd upon it.  The word surely sets up something that the sheep can be assured of, something they can have total confidence in.  What can the sheep find total, unswerving confidence in? The sheep finds ZERO assurance in himself but instead anchors himself to the Shepherd,  the goodness and mercy of the Shepherd (God).  Charles Spurgeon called God's goodness and mercy our 'twin guardian angels.'  God is good to us (all the time).  His goodness is not fickle nor deserved.  It is not based on the circumstances and status of our life.  God is good to us because He is good.  It is part of His character as a loving Father.  God showers us as His children with goodness in ways that we will never understand on this side of heaven.  But goodness does not come alone, He is also merciful.  Mercy is God not giving us what we deserve.  Lamentations tells us that God's mercies are new every morning.  The reason why God's mercies are new each morning is because we daily transgress against His holiness.  God's mercy is freely given to us through Jesus Christ.  I can't buy it, work for it, or earn it.  Like God's goodness, His mercy is one of His unchanging and undeniable attributes.  The sheep doubles down on His assurance of this promise as he says "all the days of my life."  This reinforces the fact that God's goodness and mercy will not evaporate in difficult times.  Once again Spurgeon mentioned that as princes do not travel unattended, nor do we as Christians go without the attendants of mercy and goodness.  Where ever we may go, rich or poor, feast or famine, cold or hot, blackest of night or brightest of day, smile or frown God's goodness and mercy will always be there for us.  Unlike the weather and world about us, God does not change, nor does his goodness or Mercy. 

Reflections on the Road

God's goodness or Mercy never changes. This week's challenge is to think of how God has expressed to you those twin traits of goodness and mercy. Remember that God's goodness might not always initially seem good. Right now, no matter what, God is surely showing you goodness and mercy.

Churches in Missions August Update

 

Churches In Missions  P.O. Box 1559 Sanford, NC 27331

“Mobilizing the Church Through Short-term Missions”

Our faithful friends,

      It’s hard to believe that in a matter of a few days that summer will transition into fall.  Soon leaves will start to change color, temperatures will drop, and we will gather around camp fires bundled in our flannel shirts.  Before fall descends upon us we wanted to take a moment to recap how God blessed during these past three months.  Most recently we were invited to be missionaries at Dublin Mills Community Church and to teach their preschool class.  God blessed us with over forty energetic children each night, twelve in our class alone.  After VBS we traveled to Shamokin PA to present the mission and preach at Calvary Bible Fellowship.  This friendly and generous church was such a blessing to our family!

We have also been invited to fill the pulpit for Pond Bank Independent Church for the next few weeks.  Matt has started a message series in Nehemiah called “God’s Building Manual.”  Pray for this church as they start to search for a pastor.

Matt also had a meeting with Westside BIC to offer them counsel and advice.  Overall we have been blessed these past three months with the opportunity to travel 2,916 miles, preach in eight different churches, teach at three different camps, participate in a VBS, coordinate with our local rescue mission, meet with countless pastors to encourage them during these trying times, and most importantly see at least dozen people saved and many more called to serve the Lord.  PRAISE THE LORD!

Please continue to pray for us.  God has continually amazed us by providing multiple speaking occasions to share the mission.  In the coming weeks we will continue to be with Pond Bank, Calvary Community, First Baptist of Brunswick Maryland, a mission’s conference at Waynesboro Bible Church, and speaking at

the Martinsburg Rescue Mission.  We also are attempting to find a way to minister with CEF online in our area.  Matt will be meeting with multiple pastors the next few weeks who find themselves at different seasons in ministry.  Matt enjoys encouraging these pastors.

      We also wanted to give you a family update.  For the first time ever all three Robinson children are in school at Heritage Academy.  We are so excited to watch God work in the lives of children as they continue to learn more about their Savior. Tiffanie has started working at the school as a teacher’s aid and Matt is helping with the morning daycare.  Continue to pray for them and us during this busy season.

    Covid has continued to cause trouble with raising support.  Many churches have put their budgets on a ‘hold’ and most are not taking new missionaries.  Tragically most churches are cutting missionaries.  Pray that God would open the doors for us to present in churches that looking to take on new missionaries.  We are also looking for individuals to join our giving and prayer team.  A HUGE thank you for your single gifts and regular monthly giving.  We are getting closer to our goal so we can start taking Christ honoring, life changing mission’s teams around the world and here in the U.S.

Gifts sent to:  P.O. Box 51519 Durham, NC 27717

Or give online via www.churchesinmissions.org     

 Designate for Matt & Tiffanie Robinson

Reflections on the Road: Week Thirteen

 

"Reflections on the Road"
Week Thirteen

The Cups that Runs Over

Focus Passage: Psalm 23

Focus Verse: Psalm 23:5b

Bible Reading: John 17-Acts 2

       Last night my family and I were driving the ministry machine (a cool name for our family minivan) and my four-year-old decides to be his four-year-old self and opens a small bottle of water leftover from his school lunch.  No problem.  He loves water and happily drinks it.  But, those of you who know my four year realize that he can turn the world upside down in a matter of seconds with the most seemingly innocent of items.  For whatever reason, he decided to turn the water bottle upside down and pour it all over his older brother riding in the backseat.  Needless to say our "ministry machine" quickly became a messy and mad machine.  I asked my four-year-old why he did that and his response was that the bottle overflowed.  Needless to say, I didn't believe his story (though he was cute when he gave it).

      The image in my mind brought me back to Psalm 23.  The testimony of the sheep continues in verse five "thou has anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows."  As intentional as my son was with offering a premature baptism to my oldest child so also is God intentional with our cup of blessing overflowing.  God doesn't just provide enough, but more than enough.  All the sheep needs to do is to look around him and realize that all that he has is because of who the Good Shepherd is. He is God and perfect in His provision.  The Shepherd has provided green pastures, still waters, and has directed the sheep through some pretty scary moments, and has protected the sheep.   The sheep might not have everything, but he does have everything that really matters.  We are the sheep in Christ's fold and we should likewise be able to say that our cup overflows.  Christ has blessed us in more ways in this life than we could ever count or give thanks for.  Most importantly He has granted us salvation full and free through no effort of our own.  But the question should be asked, why does our cup overflow?  Isn't that wasteful?  My four-year-old would say that pouring water out wasn't wasteful (I would disagree).  But our abundance of blessings is meant to benefit others.  The overflow in our life is given so others could come and drink the waters of life freely.  God has blessed us in immeasurable ways spiritually with the intention that we would share those spiritual blessings with others, namely unsaved people who need the Good Shepherd.  We can not be selfish with the blessing of God.  We give Him thanks and we share with others.

Reflections on the Road:

God has been so good to bless you.  Be content in those blessings.  Focus on those blessings and cultivate a heart of gratitude.  Next, share those blessings with other people.  Share the gift of salvation by telling your unsaved friends and family.  Share the gift of music.  If God has blessed you financially share that too.  In whatever way God has blessed He never intended for you to be a miser with it.  There should be no "Ebenezer Scrooge's" with God's blessings.

Reflections on the Road: week twelve

Reflections on the Road

Week Twelve

Supping in the presence of my enemies

Focus Passage: Psalm 23

Focus Verse: Psalm 23:5

Bible Reading: John 10-16

      The last few weeks have been very hot and humid.  If the virus didn't keep us inside surely the intense heat will.  My kids love being outside but are not fans of the blazing sun.  We typically go out in the evening hours when the sun starts to set over our West Virginia mountains.  The temperature starts to become cooler and more pleasurable to play.  The other night the wind started to kick up so the kids wanted to fly a kite.  We went outside, strung the beautiful kite with the long tail, and let the wind take it.  Higher and higher it went into the sky until you almost couldn't see it.  My oldest child made an observation that if the wind wasn't strong enough then the kite would not rise.  There is a beautiful spiritual truth in his thought.  As Christians, we are going to face opposition and troubles.  Jesus promised us as much.  When the world's oppression comes against us we will either crash down to the earth or we will soar higher and higher for the Lord.

      The Psalmist has a similar thought in mind when he tells us in verse five "You (God) prepare a table before in the presence of my enemies."  Keep in mind we are still talking about the sheep's testimony.  A sheep is constantly beset with danger and is helpless to defend himself.  Around every corner the feeble sheep finds something that can harm or molest him.  He is literally encompassed about with enemies.  As Christians, we also understand that we are surrounded by enemies, now probably more so than ever.  Evil men are waxing worse and worse and the voices grow louder and louder against the faith.  The verse might strike because it says that we will have enemies.  We don't necessarily want enemies but as a believer, we can expect to have them.  Charles Spurgeon once wrote, "the good man has his enemies."  If we choose to live righteously and pursue the Good Shepherd in obedience then we can expect enemies.  Our Savior did, so why wouldn't we?  If we have enemies in this world then it is evidence that we are friends of God.  What are we to do when we are in the presence of those that are against us?  Do we run?  Do we flee?  In a moment when fear should cripple us, God tells us that is the one setting up a table that will be surrounded by our enemies.  Their presence is no mistake.  God put them there and it is there that God will show Himself incredibly faithful.  It is there that God will pour out His richest blessings.  We need not fret when our adversary is before us, we need not cower.  There is a purpose and an opportunity that God will not waste to prove Himself faithful.

Reflections on the Road:

Have you ever been opposed for your faith?  Maybe it was a workplace or a conversation with a friend or family member.  Maybe they laughed at you or thought you were crazy for coming to church, listening to Christian music, reading your Bible during lunch break, or refusing to go along with their sin.  Maybe they even labeled you as the 'choir boy' or a 'puritan.' What did you do at that moment?  Were you silenced?  Did you recoil in the presence of your enemy?  God wants you to stand your ground because it is the table He set before you.  You are not alone when the enemy presses against you, He is with you, and in that place He will bless you in ways you have never known.

Reflections on the Road: Week Eleven

Reflections on the Road

Week Eleven

Corrected by the Good Shepherd

Focus Passage: Psalm 23

Focus Verse: Psalm 23:4

Bible Reading: John 3-9

      There was an interesting article from a newspaper in Saint Joseph Missouri.  Dennis and Cindy Kovac, concerned when their daughter collected her second speeding ticket, issued a warning—to other drivers.  They put a bumper sticker on her car that reads, “If I’m Speeding, Call My Parents,” and lists the family’s phone number.  So far at least at the time of the publication of this article, there have been no calls and no more speeding tickets—just a little ribbing from schoolmates. Her parents are pleased with the results. “That sticker may save some lives,” Cindy Kovac said.

       Each one reading this can recall a time when your parents had to correct you or discipline you.  That correction was not very fun at that moment but it left an imprint (not just a handprint) on your life.  The Bible makes it clear that if a parent loves their child they lovingly correct them.  To allow a child to go wild without boundaries and discipline is one of the most unloving things a parent could do.  The same can be said about our relationship with the Good Shepherd.  The sheep continues his testimony in verse four with these closing words "Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."  The rod and the staff were traditional tools for each shepherd.  The shepherd would wield them against wild animals that came against his flock or use them to direct sheep back on the correct path.  It could also be a tool of rescue.  But that isn't their only use.  These tools were also used by the shepherd to correct a sheep that was disobedient.  Sheep wander aimlessly and need constant correction.  The Good Shepherd uses these tools to gently tap the animal to go the right way.  God does the same thing with us.  We need correction because we stray and disobey.  We become stubborn and bullheaded and think that our way is better.  We wonder in the fields of sin grazing and Jesus comes to correct us.  He lovingly disciplines us as His spiritual children because He has better things for us than the trifles of sin.  His fields, waters, and ways are better.  But notice when the sheep seems most tempted to stray, in the valley of the shadow of death, in a moment of defeat and difficulty.  It is in those moments where we fear or our faith melts like snow in the heat.  In those moments we try to recoil to our own judgment or understanding.  God sees this and knows this and jumps to action with tools of correction...tools to put us back on the right back to obedience.  Remember, God does not correct you because He's angry or mad at you, but because He loves you!

Reflections on the Road

Take a moment to look back at the moments when the Good Shepherd corrected you.  We didn't have a party saying "Yippy I'm being disciplined" but we rejoice in the aftermath, we rejoice that God loved us enough and we were of such high value to God that He would patiently and lovingly correct you.  He didn't leave you to your devices and in the mire of sin.  He chose to let you know that there was a better way, His way.  If God is correcting you right now, repent, surrender, yield.

CIM May Update

 

Churches In Missions  P.O. Box 1559 Sanford, NC 27331

“Mobilizing the Church Through Short-term Missions”

Blessed friends,

      A famous preacher one time said that God’s power is unleashed when God’s people pray.  My family and I have been encouraged and humbled by your prayers for us these past months.  Your prayers have been much felt as we have continued to minister at Locust Valley Bible Church.  This precious church has been such an incredible blessing.  One of CiM’s missions is to aid churches that are looking for full time pastors by filling their pulpit and assisting them in the process of finding a new pastor.  Churches looking for pastors often panic and make poor choices, feeling the need to make a quick decision. We fill the gap allowing them to be patient as they seek God’s face.  Pray that God would give this church a man that would love them and encourage them.

      Your prayers have also been felt as we have continued a growing work at our rescue mission.  In the past month we have had over a dozen people team up with us to provide physical and spiritual food at the Martinsburg Union Rescue mission!  Because of your unending prayers and support people are hearing the Gospel and getting saved!

      We also look forward to your prayers for future ministry adventures on the horizon.  Due to the pandemic two VBS’s have been canceled along with countless other Sunday engagements.  But not all is lost.  We are scheduled to speak at Frizzelburg Bible Church in Westminster Maryland on June 21^st for Father’s Day and we are still are speaking at three weeks of camp in our area, the first being the week of June 22^nd.  That week we will be at Good News camp in Waynesboro PA.  We are the camp missionaries and will be teaching Bible classes to young children.  Pray that God would give us the words to share and that the Gospel would reach into tiny little hearts.  We will also be camp missionaries in Fulton County during the week of July 13^th and teaching Bible classes at Camp ToHiGlo for their pre-teens during the week of July 20^th!  SO EXCITING!

Will you prayerfully consider partnering with us?  Missionaries are not islands in an ocean, they need a team, a strong network of people who pray for them and financially support them. A winning team is composed not of one all-star but players who work together in unison to win games.  Many of you have already joined our team and by your partnership you have allowed us to be the hands and the feet of Jesus.  We could NOT do this without you. Without you we would not be able to speak in churches, lead camps and children’s ministries in the tristate area, lead evangelism and discipleship seminars, nor plan missions’ trips in the future that will further the Gospel unto the uttermost part of the earth.  We would love to have you join the team!

Gifts sent to:  P.O. Box 51519 Durham, NC 27717

Or give online via www.churchesinmissions.org      Designate for Matt & Tiffanie Robinson

Reflections on the Road: Week Ten

Reflections on the Road

Week Ten

The Presence of the Shepherd

Focus Passage: Psalm 23

Focus Verse: Psalm 23:4

Bible Reading: Luke 20-John 2

      Storms, thunder, lightning, rain, and wind.  None of those things usually equate to a good night's sleep for anyone, but especially not for children.  There was a time a few years ago when a particularly bad storm rolled through the Panhandle of West Virginia.  The intensity of the storm shook our windows, lightning filled our rooms, and rain drove against our house.  Needless to say, our three children woke and they quickly traversed messy bedrooms, somehow by a miracle they did not get injured, and they jumped into our bed.  They were noticeably scared.  Their hearts were racing, and a few tears were being shed.  But as they nestled closer to my wife and me, their hearts became calm, their tears dried up, and they were so calm that they fell asleep.  What I found interesting is that the storm did not end when they came into our room, nor did it diminish in the least (if anything the storm got worse).  The only thing that changed in the equation was the presence of my wife and me.

      The same truth can be said about our walk as Christians.  Our last devotion ended with the valley of the shadow of death.  We mentioned that this valley is scary and doesn't seem to contrast with the green pastures and calm waters.  But this is the place where the shepherd leads.  His leading is the same, He did not direct you to this moment by mistake.  The Good Shepherd reminds us that not all of life will be mountain tops, but there will be valleys mingled along the way.  How do we manage those valleys?  Psalm 23:4 says "I will fear no evil, for thou art with me."  Notice the testimony of the sheep is not the absence of evil.  No Christian can say "I've lived a life of total ease devoid of problems."  Evil surrounds us, we are not immune to it but we need not fear it.  Evil is rearing its ugly head in our world.  Hatred, division, and depravity as evident but that does not mean we recoil to fear.  Instead, we can rest in the promise given to all of God's sheep, thou (Good Shepherd) art with me.  O' the rapture of this beautiful promise from God, o' the joy that should flood our souls!  No matter if it is the valley high or the mountain below we can know without a shadow of a doubt our Good Shepherd is with us.  Joshua 1:9 says "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”  God has not called His sheep to be enslaved to fear but to rejoice knowing that He is with us.  He has not left us nor abandoned us in the moment of distress.  He is there and He will never leave you.

Reflections on the Road:

Have you found yourself lately distressed, discouraged, depressed, etc?  Has the dark shadow of fear started to take hold of your heart?  If so, please turn off the screen and the noises that drive fear and instead open the Word of God and rest in the promise of verse four "I will fear no evil, for thou art with me."  You need not fear, the shepherd has not left you high and dry.  He is with you in the midst of this scary and uncertain time.  The Good Shepherd is Jesus, who goes by another name, Immanuel, God with us.  He is here for you and He cares for you.  Rest in His leading and unending presence.