1 Sam 2:30 for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.
ex·pect regard (something) as likely to happen
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
We have a right to expect good things when we esteem God and put Him first in our lives. Even if we don’t see it, by faith we can and should have great expectations. If we expect good things as a result of esteeming God, we put up with the drudgery. We don’t mind forgoing desires and worldly passions, with the expectation that it will be better for us in the long run.
An example. I hate doing push-ups, but I have done them my whole life, because I have expectations that they improve my life. There’s about 6 physical exercises I try to do every day but the one that takes me a while to work up the most nerve to start is push-ups. Once I get down into position, I know the physical, emotional and psychological torture begins. So I do them first thing in the morning, before I can even think, so I don’t dread them. I do them with the expectation that I will do the rest of my daily exercises as well (which are much more enjoyable). I do them with the expectation that I will feel better when I get them out of my way, without the cloud of the dreaded push-ups lingering over my head. I do them with the expectation that I will stay strong and healthy if I do them every day. I do them with the expectation to burn calories and to keep my self discipline and routine in order. I have lots of expectations from doing just this one thing, even before I brush my teeth in the morning.
Esteeming is as much a feeling as it is a thought. Sometimes life throws me a curve ball. I can’t speak for others, but sometimes in the heat of the things, I don’t even think about God. Sometimes when I am suffering, I don’t feel God’s warm and fuzzies. To esteem God, even when it doesn’t make logical sense, happens when you just dwell on His goodness, and expect that much good will come out of doing so. Kind of like I say, ´playing to an audience of one´ is how I quickly return my thoughts to Him.
We esteem God because we know He exists. If we know that God exists, we know He deserves our highest estimation. When we esteem God, we can expect that He will esteem us and our things as well. (See the opening verse, God’s words, not mine). We know this because God says so in His Holy Infallible Word. God can not lie.
When you expect good things from esteeming God, it is because you actually believe in Him. Lots of people say they believe, but do they? By expecting good results, you are training your mind and heart (soul) to do the things that please Him, in a way that pleases Him, and in a way that permits Him to bless you. First and foremost, you have to be saved. That actually is the only way we really can please God. If we reject His Son´s sacrifice on the cross, you will never please Him. If you are not born again you can not see the Kingdom of God (John 3:3)
I am a Christian missionary serving Jesus Christ for the rest of my life, and Yes! I have moments of doubt, we all do. We are at war with the world, and at war with our own flesh. It isn’t easy. Anyone who is honest (and Christians should be honest), will agree that there will be times of confusión, wonder and doubt. Especially when you are working with the poorest of the poor, in the 2nd poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. You see things that make you really have to seek God.
Usually God’s Holy Spirit is just as real to me as someone walking besides me. But there are moments and circumstances where I doubt everything. There is really nothing in this world more important than esteeming God, especially in those dark times like that. Make it a priority in your thought life. When I am shrouded by darkness, I get alone, praying in the spirit, and just thanking Him. Gratefulness helps me to esteem God, because I am expecting that He loves gratitude. The more you expect from God, the more you’ll esteem Him. The more you esteem Him, the more you’ll expect from Him. That’s not a presumption, just fact. Also, the more you expect from God, the more you’ll be able to receive (take) from Him. That brings me to a missionary story.
I often buy or give something really nice to the humble farmers down here just because I feel led to. They work themselves to death for about a dollar a day. They are so generous, sweet and kind. Many are strong believers. I love blessing them as Jesus leads. Some almost faint with joy. But more than once I took a tool, or a bicycle for their kids or something, and although they received it with joy, I found out they never used it. They stored it away really nice. But when I would go back several months later it was still unused. Sometimes I’d be so startled that I’d yell at them. Sometimes it was because they thought that I just wanted to store it there. Or it was too pretty to scratch up. So I have learned over the decades that if it’s a plow, or a oxy/acetylene welder, or a bicycle, or a vice that I brought them, I make them use it while I am standing there and make it as clear as possible that it is a gift for them to keep, and use, permanently. I say that to say, I gave them things that they weren’t expecting, and as a result they didn’t receive it because it wasn’t in their bandwidth. Expectancy makes you ready to receive (take).
Biblical salvation, Biblical healing, Biblical prosperity, Biblical understanding and anything else God has for you requires three things in order to receive it (reap it, or take it). You have to believe for it, have faith for it. You have to expect it. You have to reach out and possess it. No one that is a Christian has a problem with believing, expecting and receiving salvation. But many have problems with the rest. Lots of people even make fun of believing in other things, and the same people are sick, broke and Biblically confused as well. Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe- If we don’t expect it from God, and don’t have faith for It, we will never possess it. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him:
Manna from heaven was a gift from God. The Israelites in the desert had to believe it was food or they wouldn’t have eaten it. They had to expect it or they wouldn’t have looked out of the tent to see if it was there. Then, they stand up, get off of the sofa, turn off the TV’s in their tents, and walk outside, and then bend over to grab (take) a Manna flake to eat. If they just stayed in their tents, and not believed or expected anything, they certainly wouldn’t have gone outside. Likewise, even if they did expect and believe, the Manna flakes wouldn´t have floated into the tent and onto their laps to eat. They had to step outside to take it. It required exertion.
Expectation is joyful. I would caution people who embrace the ‘new normal’ to hold their horses. How bleak! Expect God to do something great! Not normal, but fabulous! Beyond our wildest imaginations. Ever notice we expect good things and dread bad things? Turn your dread of hiding in your apartment for the next ten years to expecting a mighty move of God. Expecting is anything but normal. When we expect good things, miraculous things from God, He gives us so much more than our wildest dreams. I will close out with a beautiful NT story. Here’s the part I want you to notice. The beggar was crippled from birth. Couldn’t walk. Never walked, nor even stood up. How long does it take a baby to finally learn to walk? 1-2 years? This man went from never taking a step in his life, not even able to stand, ever, to jumping and walking instantly. Muscles and coordination and balance didn’t need to develop, they were there, instantly! What was he expecting? Money probably, just to buy something to eat with. He expected something from God (Christians). Talk about getting more than you were expecting! First step though, to really esteeming God, is to expect something because God loves you and is crazy about you. God is a good Father, who loves His kids. God will give you so much more than what you are expecting, but you need to expect God to do something. That takes us back to esteeming Him.
Acts 3
3 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping,and praising God.
SO, WHAT’S NEW AT PUREHEART?
We are trying to buy a commercial sink, dishwasher and garbage disposal for the sink.
Everything is back to normal in ministry. School, feeding programs, daily discipleship and English classes are in full swing. (see pictures below)
COVID 19 UPDATE – NOT ONE CASE AMONG OUR STAFF OR THE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WE SERVE (thousands if you include their families! – PSALM 91
PRAYER REQUESTS, all in all the same. Warning! Sometimes I pray for years for the same thing, because I know it’s what God wants. I pray according to promises God has shown me in the Bible.
- Government wise, we are up to date, and legal again,,, just waiting for the next step towards LEGALLY opening an orphanage.
- NOTHING HAS CHANGED FOR OUR OWN HOME APART FROM THE MINISTRY. IT WILL BE CLOSE ENOUGH TO DIRECT AND OVERSEE EVERYTHING, BUT NOT INSIDE THE MINISTRY’S WALLS. IT’S NON STOP HERE AND WINNIE’S NOT WELL. SHE NEEDS A HAVE. I FOUND A HOUSE FOR 29K, we have almost $10,600 towards it.
- FOR THE ORPHANAGE THAT I KNOW IS IN OUR FUTURE. NOT ONLY AN ORPHANAGE, BUT AN OLD FOLKS HOME AS WELL. I THINK THE TWO CAN BE SIDE BY SIDE ON THE SAME PROPERTY, IT’S ONLY A MATTER OF MONEY. IT WOULD BE A BLESSING TO THE OLD FOLKS TO HEAR KIDS PLAYING, AND IT WOULD BE A BLESSING FOR THE KIDS TO HAVE ABUELAS AND ABUELOS.
- AMERICA!
- WINNIE`S HEALTH
- Our own children, going to school in Ohio. That they have Godly, Fanatical, Jesus Freak friends, and that the Holy Spirit fills them afresh.
PRAISE REPORTS
- All is back to normal, the Pre-k kids are so cute
- Had a few unexpected financial snags, but getting it back in control.
- Little Yolanda is having a baby in a couple weeks
- We are relaxed, ministry is thriving, all is well.
PLEASE KEEP ON DOING WHATEVER IT IS THAT YOU`RE DOING, IT’S WORKING!! pray, donate, and spread the word about us, what we are doing and the needs here!
- We have seen some healings, and some people getting saved. Pray for the harvest.
- God miraculously provides, non stop.
Please share this letter on FB and with your friends, churches & civic groups!
Thank you!!!
Dean and Winnie Peters