When William Carey, known as “The Father of Modern Missions,” left for India, one of his friends observed that his departure could be likened to someone being lowered into a deep, unexplored mine. For someone to be safely sent into the mine and enabled to begin mining for souls, others were needed to “hold the ropes” that lowered him down into it. As William Carey and his friends stood at the brink of decisions, considering this venture into India, William volunteered to go—if his friends would faithfully support him as he went. His mission would not be successful if they did not do their parts in “holding the ropes.” Though missionaries ultimately depend on God for their every need, we can be the human instruments that God uses to support and help them in their endeavors. Here are some practical ways that we can do this:

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16 KJV, emphasis mine.)
   
​Here are some notes from a sermon that my pastor preached a few weeks ago, that help us know how to pray for others.

Throughout the New Testament, there are several verses which speak about showing hospitality to others. In 1 Peter 4:9, we are told, “Use hospitality one to another without grudging.” Two other passages list  hospitality as a requirement for leaders in the church. There are numerous examples of people who showed hospitality to others, in the Bible. Think of Mary and Martha, who with their brother, Lazarus, received Jesus into their home! Later, we see believers opening their homes to other Christians as thy traveled through each area. And in Romans 12:13, we read that we should be “Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

“Mom, may I please invite a friend over today?”  Elizabeth requested. 
   
“Yes, you may, dear,” replied Mama, “as soon as you finish chores and school.”  Later that afternoon, Elizabeth and Victoria were sitting on the porch happily deciding how to spend the afternoon.
   
“I know, why don’t we play that we each own a little store and we can buy and sell things to each other with our play money?” suggested Elizabeth.
   
“Yes, that would be fun!” Victoria said agreeing with her friend.
   
Skipping cheerfully into the living room, the girls began to set up their stores.  Then a thought popped into Elizabeth’s mind, Maybe I should check with Mom and make sure she doesn’t mind if we make a mess in the living room.  Oh well, I don’t know where Mom is, and Victoria might think I’m silly.  After working busily, the whole living room was full of merchandise on display.
   
Hearing a sweet voice, Victoria turned around.  It was Elizabeth’s little sister, Hannah.  “Can I play too?” Hannah asked.
   
Oh no, she’s too little and we’ll have to help her.  Why did she have to come along?  Sour thoughts were filling Victoria’s mind.  “No, why don’t you play over here with these markers and coloring books?” Victoria said hastily as she shoved the little girl into another room.
   
A few minutes later Mama walked inside from checking the mail.  She was a very patient and kind mother, but a shadow of disappointment crossed her face.  “Girls, I need to have dinner ready and the house clean soon because we are having a special guest for dinner.  Where is baby Hannah?”  When Mama found Hannah, she looked up and flashed a rainbow colored smile at Mama while waving a chewed-up marker in her hand.
   
​Later, before bed, Mama sat down with Elizabeth.  “Let’s see what the Bible teaches us about friends:

Start each day praising the Lord for His lovingkindness & End each day praising Him for His faithfulness
“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto Thy name, O most High: to show forth Thy lovingkindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness every night... For Thou, LORD, hast made me glad through Thy work: I will triumph in the works of Thy hands. O LORD, how great are Thy works! and Thy thoughts are very deep.” from Psalm 92

I have been reflecting much lately on the mercies of God. Truly, they are new every morning and His compassions never fail! To commence my day praising the Lord and end it equally joyful is a mighty refresher as I spend the in-between time serving Him! It also aids me in maintaining a Christ-centered perspective. We are glad to do His work and we will triumph in His hands!
 
 
Remember that you are a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ & should Delight in doing His Will from the Heart
“Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.” Ephesians 6:5-8
 
Who we serve makes all the difference, girls!  Do we serve Him in singleness of heart? Consider what an honor it is to be called a servant of Christ and live out that honor each day. It is a truly marvelous thought. Also, are we serving Him with our hands and our heart? He wants both! As we give Him our heart, the hands will follow along quite pleasantly. Fulfilling God’s will for our lives is very serious and it should come from a heart intent on pleasing Him. Your labor is not in vain in the Lord—He will reward you!
 
 
Take time to be refreshed...physically, emotionally, and spiritually;
Rest on the Lord's Day
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.” Psalm 46:10-11
 
I have learned that there should be moments (and occasional seasons) of rest. Even the physical upkeep of our bodies (the temple of the Holy Spirit) is important. Allow the Lord to minister to you during moments of discouragement, just as He did for Elijah. Remember that you are not alone. Without a respite, the journey was too much for Elijah, one of God’s most devoted servants (1 Kings 19). He, too, needed to be refreshed in the Lord and have physical needs met. The effectiveness of our service to the Lord is in direct proportion to how much we allow Him to fill us with Himself. Daily personal time with the Lord is an absolute necessity! Faithful attendance to your local church--preaching of God’s Word, worshipping the Lord, and rich fellowship--is also very important. Be sure to rest as much as possible on the Lord’s Day, setting aside each Sunday to honor Him.
 
 
Make every duty of service to your King, something to be thoroughly enjoyed
“He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.” Proverbs 29:21
 
“I delight to do Thy will, O my God: yea, Thy law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8
 
We are more than servants; we are daughters of the Most High, joint heirs with Christ! His gentleness as He tenderly teaches and guides makes us great (Psalm 18:35). Since God is our Father as well as our King, learn to really delight in doing His work. Make the jobs fun. You might not always do what you like, but you can like everything you do. Think of practical ways to make your service more enjoyable--a pretty apron, background music or singing, enlisting help, keeping written records of your service journey...be creative and enjoy every minute!
 
 
 
Establish godly friendships with family and others who will encourage you as you serve the Lord
 “Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by
hearty counsel.” Proverbs 27:9
 
The Lord is the only One we ultimately need, but He delights in using His children to encourage one another. He did not intend for us to walk alone. Surround yourself with encouragement through family, friends, mentors, books, and sermons that will point you back to the Lord as you serve Him.
 
Keep your eyes on the Anchor of your soul...Jesus, the Author & Finisher of your faith
“Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 24-25
 
As servants of the Lord, we long to be faithful all our days. The key is to look unto Jesus, Who is working through us, the Author and Finisher of our faith. He is faithful!! Hebrews 12:1-3

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall
it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot
be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before
men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” —Matthew 5:13–16

“We could really use your help at the children’s ministry next week,” a friend mentioned as we stood on the church sidewalk. “Are you available?”
   
​I had volunteered for this particular conference in the past. However, that summer was one of the busiest of our lives, with various other ministry projects piling up and the three youngest members of the family still in diapers. “I’m sorry I can’t help out this year,” I smiled to my friend, “but, you know, God has given me a ‘children’s ministry’ in our own home right now!” We both laughed.

Do you have a heart for missions? Have you ever wondered how to practically prepare to maybe one day go into the missions field?
  
​One idea that our family has implemented to learn about the nations, pray for laborers to enter His harvest field, and to get a heart for missions is to have a monthly missions night.

What do you think are the most desired qualities in a wife and mother? That she can cook a mouth-watering roast? Or bake up scrumptious scones? Or maybe keep the home neat as a pin? Maybe running a household of ten smoothly? Or maybe being able to knit a cardigan, teach seven homeschoolers, and feed the baby all at the same time?! All these skills are wonderful and would be greatly appreciated by a husband :), but the most important thing as we prepare to be a godly wife and mother is…

our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Christmas—what a special time of year! For many, it is a favorite holiday. But the meaning goes far beyond cookies, music, and presents. It’s about the risen Christ Who has come to this world to save us from our sins. That is something to be excited about!
  
​Even though most of us are quite aware of this wonderful news, we occasionally take it for granted and do not joyfully share it with others. But Christmas is a time when we have ample opportunity to proclaim Christ’s birth, death, resurrection, and the gospel message. Here I would like to share with you an ideal way to do that.