GRACE AND PEACE BE UNTO YOU!  

Did you know that here, in Brazil, every

time we meet a brother/sister in Christ we

greet them by saying that?

Or people will at least  say: Peace.

 

If you ever read the newsletters we sent,

you'll notice that we always start by saying

that too.  

 

When Matt and I preach that's how we greet the people.

 

Where am I going with this?   Well, I'm always amazed at the "amen" we get as an answer. Nothing wrong in saying amen, but I have the impression that  people don't get what it means.

 

GRACE AND PEACE BE UNTO YOU!  

"My GRACE is sufficient for you" He told Paul (2Cor 12:9). No matter what you go through, no matter what you need, my grace is there for you. There is nothing else you really need. It's possible that, sometimes, He has to keep us humble and weak  so His power can be perfect, or work best (as some translations say), but His grace will get us trough it. He is not asking you to suffer. He is telling: I got you! Take heart, I'll be your strength.  

Without His grace we would be doomed! There would be no hope of salvation. No hope of anything really.  

GRACE BE UNTO YOU! Let His grace surround you. Dive in His grace and get lost in His presence. There you'll find that the heavy burden you carry has already been taken care of on the cross. You will find that He loves you, no matter how much you have messed up, and He is ready to forgive you and give you another chance. You will find that He doesn't care about how much you've done, but rater if your heart was in the right place when you did it.  

PEACE BE UNTO YOU!  

Jesus said: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)    See, when we greet people like that we're not talking about the false peace that some prescriptions can give to you.

 We are talking about complete rest. Knowing that you can walk though the valley of the shadow of death, but death can not reach you. That the devil can roar like a lion, but the real Lion of Judah in on your side.

Can you picture that? Have you watched The Chronicles of Narnia? Have you seen the scene when the witch is accusing Edmund in front of him? He roars and she immediately sits down and can't say no more. (If you didn't watch it, try it, just to see what I'm talking about) That's obviously just a illustration, but not far from the truth. Be in peace knowing that THE ALMIGHTY GOD fights for you.  

Jesus also said: "But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house. And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it" (John 10:5-6). Did you even know you have this title? We are children of peace. His peace will rest on us. It will rest on our houses, it will follow us, so not only we will have it but we can also spread it around.  

Now that we gave a deeper thought to it, I'll say it again:    

GRACE AND PEACE BE UNTO YOU!  

August already?! Winter break is over and the kids went back to school this week.  

It's a funny season the one we are having, some sunny days, some rainy, some very windy. The other day it was raining quite a bit and the drops made a loud noise as they were falling in the roof. Stephen couldn't sleep and I told him: Don't be afraid it's just rain. Actually if you pay attention, you'll see God is sending the rain and is like music. 

A few days later he told: Daddy, did you know I heard Jesus playing music in the rain, I really did!   God is always orchestrating around us. We all should stop and listen sometimes.  

We are doing well. By His Grace. (bet you'll never look at this word so careless again ).  

It has been very interesting to see what God is doing. We are amazed at what He can do when you say "here I am".  

We've been given the opportunity to share in may different churches and in some houses. I had even to brush up my Spanish and completely believe that God can use you if you allow HIM so I could interpreter for Matt when we preached for a group of Bolivians living in São Paulo.  

There is nothing new about our vision: Our goal is to worship God and bring His presence so others can do the same and get to have a deeper relationship with The Father.  What is new is that we are starting to see it happen.  

Not in every church we go, but here and there as He touches people, we can see in their eyes, in their faces that something has changed. Matt said something the other day and I agree: It's great to be able to deliver His message and then step aside and let Him move. We watch as He heals, restores, saves...  

We still don't have a car, but we trust God is working  His ways  and in His time it will happen. The interesting thing about not having a car is that we get to have many adventures. Some of the rides we get are really interesting and they help our faith grow as they lead us to praying more. . .

We have some mold issues yet again, but this time is affecting the structure of some walls so we're getting ready to get into some tearing and building.  We can't afford paying someone to do it, so please pray that we'll be able to and that he will send the help needed and that we'll be able to get the materials for it. If you remember we told you, our house is old and needs lots of repairing. Harmony is growing and wanting some "personal space" as she says. So we're praying that somehow we'll be able to build a room of her own, where Stephen won't be able to spread his toys all over. We hope His time for this to be done will come soon.    

If you remember please pray for us;  

That God will keep our hearts open to His will and that we'll be faithful to do as He asks us to.

That His people will get closer to Him and worship Him in spirit and in truth, and His church will wake up.

 Pray for salvation in Brazil, as many don't know Him yet (it won't hurt to pray for salvation everywhere else too)

Pray for health over us. Harmony is having some bone issues in her mouth, pray for a miracle in her life.  

Pray for provision in every area but specially in these: For a car and all the costs that it will involve, for increase of our monthly support, financial provision for the construction and all the repairs around the house.  

 

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

 

Our prayer is that He will bless you and guide you.  

In His Love  

The Burks

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Updated  August 2011