Triad

Tuesday morning took the T to Gary's hacienda (Harvard). Got into Romans 8, looking particularly at what God has done for us in Christ as revealed by verses 31 to 39. God not only gave us His only Son, but all things. He has elected and justified us, and both Jesus and the Holy Spirit intercede for us before the Father. What better prayer partners could one ask for? And nothing shall separate us from the love of Christ. That's wonderful news.
Wednesday evening had the privilege of fellowshipping with Brazilian believers in Topsfield. They gave me a handout of a ten plus page Bible study that they are embarking on, saturated with Scripture. These are married couples, some with children, who are willing to set aside a midweek evening after having worked all day, travel up to an hour if necessary, in order to study and apply the Bible together. I wonder how many American Christians one could persuade to do the same.
Thursday the Holy Spirit orchestrated a full day of visiting with three different brothers, one young, one middle-aged, and one seasoned veteran. Josh and I are working through 1 Timothy, and examined the passage on deacons in chapter 3, leading to a good discussion on this and related topics. I was very blessed to learn that he is ministering to others in the spirit of 2 Tim. 2:2.
Tom and his wife Carolyn are life long missionaries who ministered in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Russia. They continue to fight the good fight, to finish the race and to keep the faith. ( 2 Tim. 4:7) through forty-eight years of marriage. There aren't many like them. Bill is a friend of many years. I am thankful for his hospitality, serious questions, and perseverance in the light of the most prolonged physical suffering that I have ever witnessed.
"And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness." ( 2 Tim 2:24-25a ESV)