YOU ARE MY REFUGE…

The Webster dictionary defines “refuge” as a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble. In 1 Samuel 22:1 we find David hunkered down in a cave in Adullam. Why? So, he could take “refuge” from Saul and his army that were in pursuit of him. Psalm 142, written at this time by David, is an incredible prayer. As you read this Psalm consider, David is experiencing emotions similar to what you or I would be. He probably has made his way as far back against the back-cave wall as possible, his heart is probably racing and before he gives room to total fear, he runs to his ultimate “refuge”, the LORD. Picture this intimate conversation (prayer) in your mind as he is hiding, fearful, and feeling somewhat hopeless.

Psalms 142:1-7 (NKJV)
 I cry out to the LORD with my voice; With my voice to the LORD I make my supplication.
I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble.

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Then You knew my path. In the way in which I walk, they have secretly set a snare for me.

Look on my right hand and see, for there is no one who acknowledges me; Refuge has failed me; No one cares for my soul.

I cried out to You, O LORD: I said, "You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.
Attend to my cry, For I am brought very low; Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.

Bring my soul out of prison, That I may praise Your name; The righteous shall surround me, For You shall deal bountifully with me."

Instead of marinating in fear David runs to the LORD. He says… I cry out to you with my voice. It’s me LORD! My voice! Here is what is going on, I’m in some big trouble here!

It is an understatement to say there is a lot going on in our world today. But, can I encourage you, if you are at the back of the cave, you have lost your job, finances are tight, you have loved ones that contacted Covid-19, or lost loved ones to Covid-19, or have lost loved ones and not been able to attend their funeral, have a house of kids and you are not a home school parent,  and you are going stir crazy being isolated from family and friends, etc., etc.
Please remember this, the cave isn’t your ultimate refuge, God is. Cry out to him, tell him your troubles, believe He cares and hears you.

Finding my refuge in Him,
Vickie

Things I KNOW…

As we watch, listen, and each acclimate to our particular part of the world being attacked by the corona virus, I challenge us to not be consumed with fear of the unknown but to stand strong on the things we do KNOW as believers.

There are 3 major truths I know in my life that all else is anchored to.



The first is, God is Sovereign over all.

Genesis 1:1-3 (ESV) 
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Psalm 33:9 (ESV)
For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.

I don’t understand about the corona virus, I am saddened by the lives lost from around the world near and far, by those that have lost jobs, for weddings put on hold or cut back, for school graduations being cancelled, etc. But it doesn’t move me away from the truth that God is in control. He has either allowed this or brought it into our lives. In any case, HE alone is God. And that is where my peace and confidence are anchored.

The second is, I am a Child of God.

John 1:12 (ESV) 
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV)
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.

What a joy to be able to rest in our identity in Christ! You can’t add to it or subtract from it with your performance and it can’t be taken away from you, it’s called Grace! It’s not about what you do but it is about what HE has done. Talk about your greatest form of identity theft protection. (ha,ha,ha)

Thirdly, all my days are ordained.

Psalm 139:16 (ESV) 
Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. 

Job 12:10 (ESV) 
In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind. 

It is clear to me through God's Word that my check in and check out dates were set before the beginning of time. I cannot change that. However, I do get to decide how I live within the time frame. I pray, I am living it with these verses in mind…

Mark 12:29-31 (ESV) 
The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.   And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 
The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

May I challenge each of you to look at the truths of God’s Word, that anchor you to Him in the storms!

His,
Vickie

Portugal Trip Cancelled…

It will come as no surprise that our trip to Portugal has been cancelled. We prayerfully have been waiting, watching and praying until this past weekend. Our Pure Joy Board made the best decision concerning the number of people that were being impacted and that was to close the conference. Sunday night, I visited with our staff at Pure Joy to let them know the trip was cancelled and then Monday made our Portugal team aware of the cancellation. Then began the process Monday night of letting the missionary women that would have been attending know as well. By the time Tuesday rolled around we were informed our flight to Lisbon had been cancelled. For all of you that have been praying, giving, gifting and, yes, even were apart of the team that was going, HE KNOWS. All moneys donated for sponsorship of missionaries for this trip will be moved forward to sponsor missionary women for the next trip. If you have questions regarding this, then please contact me at vickie@purejoyinternational.org

It goes without saying that we all need to be in prayer for one-another, our communities, the nation and the world. I would remind us during this time to not be carriers of the chaos! Where chaos abounds, the enemy is at work. So, be wise, follow the instructions of those that are doing their best to direct us to ways of protecting one-another.

And seriously, if anyone can explain to me the toilet paper hoarding, I’m open to it. I must admit I have seen some creative funnies posted on it.

Stay, safe!
 
His,
Vickie

Portugal Retreat is full and has gone to a waiting list!

We have no more open spots for the Portugal Retreat, and we have gone to a waiting list. Final Registration for waiting list will close March 18th. It is not uncommon for several people to have the chance to move up from the waiting list. So, if God prompts your heart, sign up still.

We still have 43 missionary women sponsored as of this writing. If God moves on your heart to give, please do so. We have 7 left to sponsor. Go to www.purejoyinternational.org and scroll down to Donate.

As we continue to prepare for the trip on this side of the world, I am reminded of how important it is to get your brain to take a breather. If I can possibly get my brain to take a breather. Ha,ha,ha,ha  
Just to show you how on task it can be: Many years ago, when I first got out of graduate school, I was a therapist in a group home setting for kids that were In Need of Treatment (INT). Most of these kids dealt with different levels of mental illness, such as, bi-polar, schizophrenia, major depression, etc. One particular day a young man that was a resident there decided he did not want to go to school that day. I explained that was fine, but he would be confined to his room for the day since he was so sick (his reason for wanting to stay home).

He was not happy about being confined to his room. In the meantime, I got up to go to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. When I walked out the door of the office, he kicked me from the side across my jaw and knocked me out. The next thing I remember I was lying under a big light in the emergency room at the local hospital with a cracked skull and a concussion.

The house staff told me the following when I returned to work a week later. They said I got up from the floor that day when I came to and went back to the young man’s room and said, “(his name) that type of behavior will not help you get what you want” and  then returned to my office. One of the house parents stuck her head in and said, “Vickie, do you still want a cup of coffee?” To which I responded, “who’s  Vickie?” She said, “you are”. To which I responded,  “I am?”

It was at this point I suspect she thought, “Houston, we have a problem.” Ha,ha,ha,ha

So, maybe my brain will take a breather and maybe it won’t. I can only hope! Ha,ha,ha

In the meantime, please continue to pray for all things Portugal. Pray for the missionaries coming, the team going, the prayer warriors at home, the prayers warriors overseas, those making gifts, those writing encouragement notes, those giving towards the last 7 missionaries to be sponsored, for the messages being prepared, testimonies, the worship being prepared, etc., etc.

Love you all and so appreciate your love for the ministry of Pure Joy International.

His,
Vickie

Lots of Flu Going Around…

Not sure how things are in your part of the world, but the flu is taking over here in Arkansas and obviously lots is going on with the Coronavirus around the world. I personally have been isolating myself due to some surgery coming up in the next couple of weeks. It’s really been nice. I didn’t realize I needed the isolation so much. (ha,ha,ha) But, for the last couple of weeks I have lived between our home and my office, which is only about a quarter of a mile from our home. My longest trips away are to my Aunt Myrna’s and to our ‘Portugal Prayer’ time at my home church 25 minutes down the road once a week.

Speaking of Portugal, we have 46 missionary women signed up with 4 spots still open. Please get the word out!  Also, thank you so much for your missionary support for this trip. We had 3 more missionary women sponsored last week, which brings us to only 7 more needing sponsorship. Thank you all, as you continue to give.

May I leave you with a word picture from Deuteronomy? God is addressing the children of Israel.
His Word says…
Deuteronomy 11:8-12 (ESV)
“You shall therefore keep the whole commandment that I command you today, that you may be strong, and go in and take possession of the land that you are going over to possess, and that you may live long in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers to give to them and to their offspring, a land flowing with milk and honey. For the land that you are entering to take possession of it is not like the land of Egypt, from which you have come, where you sowed your seed and irrigated it, like a garden of vegetables. But the land that you are going over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water by the rain from heaven, a land that the LORD your God cares for. The eyes of the LORD your God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year."

Did you catch God’s promise of provision when we obey His commands? We will have strength to do what He has called us to do. Forget your past (Egypt), where you did things in your own strength. He will make provision from heaven. He will take care of that which He has provided for you because He cares for you!!!!

Never think that our God is an uncaring God. He loves you! Trust Him!

His,
Vickie

Only Four Spots Open for Portugal Retreat Before We Go to Waiting List…

Just wanted to get a quick reminder out to those of you that are planning on coming to the Portugal Retreat April 29 – May 2, 2020. We have 4 spots open before we go to our waiting list. Yes, I know the graphic has 5 people in it and yes 3 of them are men. Forget all that and stay with me here (ha,ha)!!!!

It is not uncommon for people to move up the waiting before the final deadline for the Retreat closes. So, even if you get put on the waiting list, God knows. We strongly believe that He will have exactly everyone that was supposed to be there when we step off the plane at Lisbon. To sign up go to www.purejoyinternational.org and click on registration for Portugal. Must be a missionary woman serving Internationally, outside your country of origin with a sending/supporting missions organization and/or sending/supporting church.

I want to give a shout out to the LORD because we already have 40 of the 50 missionary women attending the retreat sponsored. This means we only lack 10 more missionary women to be fully supported for this trip. If you would like to donate to missionary sponsorship please click on donations to the right of this page or go to www.purejoyinternational.org scroll down and click on donate.

I absolutely love watching God make provision for that which He has orchestrated. He is faithful!

Have a Great Week!
His,
Vickie

Lisbon, Portugal Registration Is Open

Please get the word out to missionary women serving cross-culturally, outside their country of origin. Registration for the Lisbon, Portugal Conference is open. As always, we will go to a waiting list after the first 50 women are registered. If you have questions contact me vickie@purejoyinternational.org.

As we step into 2020, I am praying for an amazing year in the LORD for all of us as His children. I hope that you have taken time to ask God to give you a verse for the year. If you haven’t,  may I encourage you to spend time with Him and ask Him through the power of His Holy Spirit to direct your path to a verse for 2020. The verse God put on my heart for the year is Psalm 4:3, “Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for Himself; the LORD will hear when I call to Him.”

I think of it this way:
I am confident in knowing the LORD has chosen me and set me apart for Himself and therefore cares about what I have to say to Him, whether it is praise and worship, confession of sin, prayers for the lost, prayers for my brothers and sisters in the LORD, cries for family, friends, and/or self, etc. He hears because His word tells me so!

Therefore, again, I encourage you to ask God to give you a verse to stand on for this year. And as you wait on Him to speak to you through His Word and Spirit, write it down. Memorize it.

Have a great week coming up and get the word out to your missionary women friends serving outside their country of origin to register for the Lisbon, Portugal Retreat. Go to www.purejoyinternational.org and follow the directions on the home page.

His,
Vickie