Upholding or Upheld?

Some days I uphold people. It’s part of my calling. However, on other days, I need to be upheld. Let’s start with calling to servanthood. In Isaiah 41:9, God says He has called people from the “ends of the earth” to be His “servants” – that is, to do ministry on His behalf. I first understood that calling at age fourteen, at Palacios Baptist Encampment on the Gulf Coast of south Texas. On a hot July night, in that humid, mosquito infested, foul water tasting place that some thought was ten miles beyond “the ends of the earth,” I heard God’s call. So, on days when my priorities are in order, I join the called out ones from around the globe, to do God’s work. What is God’s work? In Isaiah 41:10, God says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” One of God’s works is to “uphold” those whom He has called to Himself and I try to do that on His behalf. But on other days, I am the one who needs to be upheld. Not only is God faithful to uphold me, but He sends other called out servants to assist in that upholding. So what about today? Are you upholding others or needing to be upheld?

Join me in praying for the following global concerns this week:
• Pray for one of my former Graduate Assistants, Endel who is serving as a U.S. Navy Chaplain in a tough location.
• Pray for Joe and a team from Georgia leading a Bible school this week in Dzerzhink, Ukraine for Russian and Roma kids; and for many mission teams serving around the globe this week.
• Pray for the International Baptist Convention meeting in Interlaken, Switzerland.
• Pray for Nena and Ignatius as they lead a food distribution program for families in need in their Greek province.
• Pray for Wendell & Carrie as they relocate to Nuremberg, Germany.