Ministry Web Site of Jim and Phyllis Null

eNewsletter January 2012

// January 1st, 2012 // eNewsletters

Pondering Out Loud

I’m amazed at our grandson’s (Isaac) ability to memorize Scripture. He’s involved in Awana and has a keen grasp of memorizing the Word. Memorization for me, Jim, of any kind, has always been a struggle. Thus I’m more of a “ponderer” of Scripture. I’ll ponder a verse for days, sometimes weeks and even beyond.

One such verse of Scripture I’ve been pondering of late is from Matthew 26:39 where Jesus is in the garden and his crucifixion is rapidly approaching – Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”   My pondering of this verse is related mostly to my own prayer life as I asked God to solve certain things, prevent certain things and even stop certain things that are happening – for me, my Phyllis, my children and many others – in 2011. My pondering has brought me to the realization that I’m really really good at “may this cup be taken from me” but very very poor at “Yet not as I will, but as you will. ” And the truth is, as a follower of Jesus I should be growing in the not my will department.

During this past year of 2011, the number of times I asked the Father to remove “this cup” is beyond counting. In thinking back I realize this exhibited a great amount of distrust in that our God can handle anything, and that He uses all things to shape us into the character of his Son. He really is sovereign, all powerful and everywhere at all times.

Thus, pondering out loud with you, I’ve come to realize an area of my walk with the Lord that needs growth – and I know this is the kind of growth that only comes as a result of being tested by the circumstances of life.

2012 Has Arrived

Yup, it’s here. Phyllis and I didn’t make it to midnight on New Year’s Eve, we seldom do any more. 10pm is much more appealing these days than midnight. We come into 2012 with some great anticipation!
Perhaps, in this New Year….

• A young woman in Africa, crippled by disease, will receive needed health care, and receive the Good News,
• A church in the coldest depths of Siberia will be able to, in their own language, write Bible-based praise songs for their worship,
• Someone in South East Asia will begin to understand why Christians do what they do,
• A Muslim in Africa will ask “Tell me more about this Jesus”,
• A person in the United States will decide to go into full time ministry work because they visited a mission field in New Orleans,
• A student accepts Jesus as their Savior at a summer Bible camp,
• Lives will be changed, hearts mended, bodies healed, faith established in unnamed places from Louisville to Timbuktu to Australia, to a ‘stan’ country.

And when that does happen you’ll have a part with it happening. These are some of the kinds of places that we touch through our ministry and mission work. Because you prayed and through your financial partnership with us we are able to serve in the ministry of enabling the Gospel around the world through many different ministries.

Yes, 2012, a year of great anticipation! It’s gonna be amazing the things we get to see God do – and more amazing to know that He is doing a whole lot more than we can even imagine.

Till the trumpet sounds – Jim and Phyllis Null

 

Jim and Phyllis are faith-based independent missionaries commissioned by Faith Bible Church, Cincinnati, Oh, serving with CrossRoads Missions in Louisville, Kentucky. Donations to their ministry may be made through CrossRoads Missions, 3231 Ruckriegel Parkway, Louisville, KY, 40299. Please include a note with your donation indicating your desire to direct it to Jim and Phyllis Null’s Ministry Area.