Prayer

Thanksgiving in Spring

Thanksgiving in Spring

by Elaine Reimers, Latino ESL Ministry Director



“Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4


Heavenly Father,

This last month, I have been absolutely overwhelmed with joy and peace when I think about Your relentless love and mercy towards me. Who am I? Who am I, that I should be called Your child? What have I done for You, or what have I given to You that I should receive Your provision, let alone your grace and redemption? I have done wrong and You know this, and I will do wrong and You know this; and yet You are still going before me and Your Presence surrounds me. Thank You for Your protection over my heart, mind, and soul, and for giving me even a small portion of Your wisdom. Help me to delight in You all the days of my life!

In Jesus’ Name - Amen

God’s blessings are all around us even when we don’t see them as such. He blesses us before we ever even ask Him to and He does this whether we praise and worship Him, or not. I know this because there was a time in my youth that I did not honor Him, or even acknowledge Him. Yet even in my roaming from one wrong decision to the next, I now know that He was there and He protected me from so many things that could have destroyed me physically and mentally. He opened the doors along the way to get me where I am today. 

I know now that He never abandons us and that if we don’t feel Him, it’s not that He is absent; I can’t say that I know why we feel like He isn’t there at times, but I have witnessed time and again that everything always seems to work out when I just give it all to Him in prayer and delight myself in Him no matter the circumstance. The blessings I can see in my life now are countless and seem to be things that I never even asked for. I am in awe as I realize that they all seem to beat to the same rhythm as my heart. These blessings are the fruit of God’s love for me and are directly connected to dreams and desires within my being that I didn’t even know were there. Who, apart from my Creator, could know my heart enough to have blessed me with all the things that I didn’t even know I needed?

I would just like to thank our Almighty God for the privileges and opportunities He has given me over the years. I am not where I ever expected I would be, but I believe I am in and on my way to the right place. Thank you, Jesus!

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next trimester?

How can you help?

  • Pray for our program participants would create an impact in our community and grow with their walk with the Lord.

  • Volunteer – Come to our Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

  • Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with The Runner’s Edge! Join them on their runs as a portion of their race registration fees will benefit Mission Adelante's impactful initiatives.

Discover their next race: Ward Parkway Four on the 4th!
For more details and to register, visit: https://wardparkwayfouronthefourth.com

Navigating Life's Challenges

Navigating Life's Challenges: A Journey of Faith, Prayer, and Deliverance"

by Elaine Reimers, Latino ESL Ministry Director


Recently my life has taken an unexpected turn down a road I perceive will include ditches, potholes, and possibly stormy conditions. Truthfully, I think I would rather use the free will that God has given me to turn and walk the other way, leaving this undesired and inopportune season of my life in the dusty road behind my weary, dragging feet. After all, there are a few references in the Bible that imply we as humans have free will over our lives.

Take for instance 1 Corinthians 10:23 (NIV) where Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church saying that although we say “I have the right to do anything,” it does not mean that“everything is beneficial”; he ends that passage saying that “not everything is constructive.”

Then, there is Paul’s letter to the Galatians that says:

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love”

(Gal. 5:13, NIV).

I can’t think of a single moment of suffering I have been through in my life that I would have chosen at the time. The truth is, although we can choose things like the clothes we pick out in the morning and what we eat for lunch, no one can choose to have a problem-free life.

You have likely heard the phrase: “if it’s not one thing, it’s another.” I imagine this phrase has been translated into thousands of languages because problems are no respecter of nationality, race, nor economic status. Problems can be served on gold, ceramic, or wooden platters. Maybe this only happens to me, but I feel like just as I get one issue settled and I am feeling good about life again, something else is knocking at the door ready to steal away my peace of mind, my joy, and my hope; often leaving me with worry, doubt, and frustration. I have been through my share of problems and have yet to come up with the equation to solve them all in a set amount of time or steps. Each one is unique and requires a specific approach.

If I could create a math equation to solve the problems we face in this life, it would look something like this, I think:

In other words: if you add Prayer and Holy Grit together, and then multiply the sum times Faith to the Power of God you get Deliverance.

The equation seems simple enough, right? But when I examine it, what I discover is that our Deliverance ultimately depends on the Power of God-not us! What God requires of us is to pray and strive to maintain an attitude of steadfastness and endurance along with keeping our faith active and thriving. This can be easier said than done!

It takes work on our part to keep us going until God delivers us. Let me assure you that this work is not done in vain, rather it is preparing you for the next inevitable and unexpected trial to knock on your door.

I encourage you the next time you are answering the door to that unwelcome guest, to fall to your knees and cry out to God. Ask Him to remind you to pray unceasingly and to face whatever issue it might be with a steadfast heart and an unwavering faith in Him. Lay down your feelings of worry, doubt, and frustration and reclaim your peace of mind, your joy, and your hope! Then, get to work! In His timing, you will see your deliverance!

After reading this over and over while writing it the last few days, I am feeling encouraged by my own words-by the message that God shared through me. Thank you, Jesus, for the power of Your Word and the resolve that You have so graciously given me in this season.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next trimester?

How can you help?

  • Pray for our program participants would create an impact in our community and grow with their walk with the Lord.

  • Volunteer – Come to our Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

  • Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.