Hudson Taylor-If Only Life Was Not Complicated

By Mary Vee

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes

If only...if only. I wish the missionary life only meant go to places where people had not heard about God's love, telling them the Gospel, helping them with their needs, and growing a church. 

photo courtesy of visualbibleimages.com

Unfortunately, missionaries also have to work with mission boards, raising money, and oh, the paperwork for the people back home.

Yes, Dr. Parker and I still have not received the fund requested to set up a hospital, office, and school here in Shanghai. Our mission board decided not to fund works in port cities, only for inland work. 

To make matters worse, a magistrate from Jing Jiang reported to the British authorities that we had broken the law by venturing beyond the thirty mile restriction from treaty ports for foreigners. 

I continued to preach five to six times a day near Shanghai while living in the tiny house with two other families, Dr. Parker was one. All these problems and the return of summer sweltering heat wore on my body. I became quite ill. 

Still, the work must press on. I did not come here to lollygag. I rented a building near the south gate in Shanghai, and set up a school, chapel, and a place for Dr. Parker to provide medical services.

One evening, Dr. Parker sat with me in the kitchen. "My family and I will be leaving."

He paused. I hoped he didn't mean he was going back to England. He and his family had done well here in Shanghai. "Oh? Where will you go?"

"I have a letter from the merchants and citizens guaranteeing support to establish a hospital in Ningbo."

I must admit, I felt relief he wasn't giving up and going home. But on the other hand, I needed his help with the ministry in Shanghai. It was more than I could do alone with my poor health.

Without his rent money for the house I wouldn't be able to afford to stay there. The mission board wouldn't send the needed funds. The only thing I could do was to spend a long season of time in prayer.  God had closed another door. I needed to find where and what He wanted me to do next.

Please pray for me, that I will know His will. Oh, and if you could pray for my finances as well. I would like to plan my seventh missionary journey.

J. Hudson Taylor

Do you have any questions?


Photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

Research resources: J. Hudson Taylor, An Autobiography by J. Hudson Taylor; It is Not Death to Die, a new biography of Hudson Taylor by Jim Cromarty; Hudson Taylor Founder, China Inland Mission by Vance Christie; J. Hudson Taylor, A Man in Christ, by Roger Steer, and Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret by dr. & Mrs. Howard Taylor.

David Sings to the Lord

By Mary Vee

II Samuel 22

Dear Reader, 

David sings a song to the Lord. It takes fifty one verses in the Bible. Because of its length it will be broken into two posts. As you read, you will see why God speaks so favorably of David. 

Here is the first part of David's song, taken from The Message

image from
christianimagesource.com

God is bedrock under my feet,
    the castle in which I live,
    my rescuing knight.
My God—the high crag
    where I run for dear life,
    hiding behind the boulders,
    safe in the granite hideout;
My mountaintop refuge,
    he saves me from ruthless men.

 I sing to God the Praise-Lofty,
    and find myself safe and saved.

 The waves of death crashed over me,
    devil waters rushed over me.
Hell’s ropes cinched me tight;
    death traps barred every exit.

 A hostile world! I called to God,
    to my God I cried out.
From his palace he heard me call;
    my cry brought me right into his presence—
    a private audience!

 Earth wobbled and lurched;
    the very heavens shook like leaves,
Quaked like aspen leaves
    because of his rage.
His nostrils flared, billowing smoke;
    his mouth spit fire.
Tongues of fire darted in and out;
    he lowered the sky.
He stepped down;
    under his feet an abyss opened up.
He rode a winged creature,
    swift on wind-wings.
He wrapped himself
    in a trenchcoat of black rain-cloud darkness.
But his cloud-brightness burst through,
    a grand comet of fireworks.
Then God thundered out of heaven;
    the High God gave a great shout.
God shot his arrows—pandemonium!
    He hurled his lightnings—a rout!
The secret sources of ocean were exposed,
    the hidden depths of earth lay uncovered
The moment God roared in protest,
    let loose his hurricane anger.

 But me he caught—reached all the way
    from sky to sea; he pulled me out
Of that ocean of hate, that enemy chaos,
    the void in which I was drowning.
They hit me when I was down,
    but God stuck by me.
He stood me up on a wide-open field;
    I stood there saved—surprised to be loved!

 God made my life complete
    when I placed all the pieces before him.
When I cleaned up my act,
    he gave me a fresh start.
Indeed, I’ve kept alert to God’s ways;
    I haven’t taken God for granted.
Every day I review the ways he works,
    I try not to miss a trick.
I feel put back together,
    and I’m watching my step.
God rewrote the text of my life
    when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.

The second half of the song will be given in the next post

*****************

1. What was David singing about?

David-Giants in the Land

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 21

From David's Notes

photo courtesy of visualbibleimages.com
the city of Gath.

The Philistines went to war against us, again. Some of their soldiers grew as tall as Goliath, one was Goliath's brother. Four wars happened one right after the other.

The first war: I went with my brothers down and fought against the Philistines. All right. I admit it. I no longer had a youthful body. My arms grew tired and I couldn't run as fast as the others. I needed to take a break before I fainted.

Ishbi-Benob stood tall as a giant. He carried a bronze spear weighing three hundred shekels. He ran toward me ready to attack. I would have died except the Lord sent Abishai to save me. Abishai struck the giant and killed him. 

The men gathered around me, very concerned. "My lord, you cannot come to battle with us any more. Stay at the castle and let us fight. We don't want the lamp of Israel to go out."

I had to admit it, they were right. My days of fighting were over.

The second war: The Philistines attacked at Gob. At this battle, I received a report stating Sibbechai killed the Philistine giant named Saph.

The third war: The Philistines attacked at Gob, again. Elhanan, from Bethlehem killed the brother of Goliath. His brother was a giant also, carrying a spear powerful like a weaver's beam.

The fourth war: The Philistines attacked at Gath. Among their soldiers was a tall man, a son of a giant, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. He mocked our army.  My nephew, Jonathan burst forward and killed the giant.

After the fourth battle we had peace, and I was glad . . . because I was, and am tired.

Here is a Psalm we sing. You call it Psalm 24

The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.
 For He has founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the waters.

 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully. 
He shall receive blessing from the Lord,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
 This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him,
Who seek Your face. Selah

 Lift up your heads, O you gates!
And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty,
The Lord mighty in battle.
 Lift up your heads, O you gates!
Lift up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory. Selah

*****************************

1. David fought in how many of these last four wars?
2. Why didn't he fight in all of them?
3.  What giant died in the first war?
4. What giant died in the second war?
5. What giant died in the third war?
6. What giant died in the fourth war? 

Hudson Taylor-Total Makeover

By Mary Vee

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes

My first five missionary journeys inspired me to new goals. I wanted to find a place, far inland China, that could be used as a base. Time for a sixth missionary journey.

photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

On May 8th I set out for my next journey, one that would last twenty four days. The small junk I bought wouldn't handle a long journey. I hired a junk and a Chinese crew designed for shallow and deep water and set sail up the river.

All the time I spent studying and practicing Mandarin paid off. I was able to not only speak with the crew but understand them. 

We sailed about two hundred miles deeper into China to a city called Zhenjiang. Along the way God gave me opportunity to give two thousand seven hundred Scriptures and other Christian literature to cities and villages along the way.

In one city, I met a friendly, elderly man who liked to visit. He gave me his book, and I gave him a Bible. During our conversation he shared why he believed the earth moved around the sun. He felt doing good would result in happiness. When he said those words, I wanted to tell him about the God who loved him and had sent His Son to pay for all our sins. We can do nothing to save ourselves. I waited until he finished speaking before sharing this good news.

In some of the places I visited, drunks and angry people threw mud at me. They called me a foreign devil. And some people ran away from me, frighten by my skin and hair color, my clothes and the shape of my eyes.

I brought my medical bag with me wherever I went and learned people would listen to the Gospel when someone took care of their health. I also learned how to eat with chopsticks. Those rascal skinny pieces of wood make eating difficult, but in time I mastered the art.

One day, a boatman saw me eating with chopsticks. He said, "You should wear Chinese clothes and shave your head like the Chinese men." 

What a fantastic idea! Why didn't I think of that before.

As we sailed back to Shanghai, I remembered the terrible problem I had sleeping. Rats and mice scurried around the house, even on my bed. After we docked I saw a cat with two kittens at a house. "May I buy your kittens?"

The owner agreed. I took the two kittens with me, and solved the rat and mice problem.

Can you see me? I look different. I wear Chinese clothes, shaved my head, eat with chopsticks and have two kittens who eat quite well in my house. I feel at home.

J. Hudson Taylor

Do you have any questions?


Photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

Research resources: J. Hudson Taylor, An Autobiography by J. Hudson Taylor; It is Not Death to Die, a new biography of Hudson Taylor by Jim Cromarty; Hudson Taylor Founder, China Inland Mission by Vance Christie; J. Hudson Taylor, A Man in Christ, by Roger Steer, and Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret by dr. & Mrs. Howard Taylor.

David- Gibeonites Receive Justice

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 21

From David's Journals

A famine struck the land. For three long years, year after year. We had done something to anger the Lord.

I went and asked the Lord what we did. He answered, "It is because of Saul and his blood thirsty family. They killed the Gibeonites."

photo courtesy of visualbibleimages.com
Gibeon

Oh, yes. I remembered. A treaty had been made long ago between Joshua and the Gibeonites to never harm them. While the Gibeonites had been dishonest about the treaty, Joshua and all Israel had to keep their word. 

Saul, while he was king, enjoyed conquering all the nations in our land. One of the nations he fought with a powerful attack was the Gibeonites.

The problem had to be solved to stop the famine.

I asked the remaining Gibeonites to meet with me. I greeted them. "I understand your anger."

Their spokesman answered, "Yes, we had a promise and Saul broke it."

I shook my head. "What can I do for you. How can we repay what has happened to restore the treaty?"

"We don't want silver or gold from Saul or from his house. We don't want any Israelite to die for us."

I stroke my beard and waited, giving them time to think. "There must be something we could do."

"All right then." The spokesman looked at the others then replied. "The punishment we ask is give us seven of Saul's descendants. We will hang them before the Lord in Gibeah of Saul, the one whom the Lord chose."

Their request was reasonable, considering how many Gibeonites died under Saul's hand. "I will give them to you."

I considered which seven to send. I wanted to spare Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son. Seven men from the house of Saul were sent to the Gibeonites and hung on the first days of the barley harvest.

Rizpah, the mother of some of the men stayed by their bodies to keep the birds from attacking. 

After I heard what she did, I had the bones from Saul, Jonathan, and the seven men from the house of Saul who had been hung by the Gibeonites buried in the tomb of Kish, Saul's father.

When all the work ended. The Lord was pleased and He ended the famine.

Here is a Psalm we sing. You call it Psalm 21

The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord;
And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
 You have given him his heart’s desire,
And have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah

 For You meet him with the blessings of goodness;
You set a crown of pure gold upon his head.
 He asked life from You, and You gave it to him—
Length of days forever and ever.
 His glory is great in Your salvation;
Honor and majesty You have placed upon him.
 For You have made him most blessed forever;
You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence.
 For the king trusts in the Lord,
And through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved.

 Your hand will find all Your enemies;
Your right hand will find those who hate You.
 You shall make them as a fiery oven in the time of Your anger;
The Lord shall swallow them up in His wrath,
And the fire shall devour them.
 Their offspring You shall destroy from the earth,
And their descendants from among the sons of men.
 For they intended evil against You;
They devised a plot which they are not able to perform.
 Therefore You will make them turn their back;
You will make ready Your arrows on Your string toward their faces.

 Be exalted, O Lord, in Your own strength!
We will sing and praise Your power.

********************************
1. What happened in the land for three years?
2. When David asked the Lord what was wrong, what did He say?
3. David called the Gibeonites to meet with him. What did he ask?
4. What punishment did the Gibeonites ask for?
5. Did David grant their request?
6. Who's life did David spare and why?
7. What was the last job needed to stop the famine?

David- Sheba Rebels Against David

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 20

From Joab's Journal

photo courtesy of visualbibleimages.com
Abel of Beth Maachah

David led us, all the soldiers and families who went with him to escape Abaslom, back to Jerusalem.

In the meantime, Sheba, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, the same tribe Saul, Jonathan, and Mephibosheth came from, led a rebellion. He wanted the ten tribes of Israel to join him in a fight against David.

David didn't wait to act for even one minute. He sent his army to capture Sheba before he hid inside a city. 

We chased after him, but unfortunately he hid in Abel of Beth Maachah. The city had fortified walls surround it. 

I ordered the men to set up a siege mound against the city. They battered against the wall, pounding to knock it down. 

Surprisingly, a woman stuck her head out a window and called out to us, "Wait, wait. Please call Joab to me that I may speak to him."

I went closer to the wall and listened. 

She called out, "Are you Joab?"

"Yes," I answered.

"Good. Will you listen to me?"

"Yes. I'm listening."

"It has been said about our city men will seek guidance at Abel. So men would come to end disputes here. I am one of the peaceable and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why would you try to harm something that belongs to the Lord?"

I answered, "I would never want to harm or destroy. But a man from the mountains of Ephraim, his name is Sheba, has rebelled against king David. If you give him to me I will leave the city."

The woman said, "Stand watch. HIs head will be thrown to you over the wall."

Apparently she went to the city people, told them the problem They found Sheba, chopped off his head and flung it over the wall toward us. Since she kept her word, I blew my trumpet, ordering the battle to end and for all soldiers to return to Jerusalem.

This ended the rebellion and brought the kingdom back together. 

Here is a Psalm we sing. You call it Psalm 17

Hear a just cause, O Lord,
Attend to my cry;
Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips.
 Let my vindication come from Your presence;
Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright.

 You have tested my heart;
You have visited me in the night;
You have tried me and have found nothing;
I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
 Concerning the works of men,
By the word of Your lips,
I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer.
 Uphold my steps in Your paths,
That my footsteps may not slip.

 I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God;
Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.
 Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand,
O You who save those who trust in You
From those who rise up against them.
 Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
 From the wicked who oppress me,
From my deadly enemies who surround me.

 They have closed up their fat hearts;
With their mouths they speak proudly.
 They have now surrounded us in our steps;
They have set their eyes, crouching down to the earth,
 As a lion is eager to tear his prey,
And like a young lion lurking in secret places.

 Arise, O Lord,
Confront him, cast him down;
Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword,
 With Your hand from men, O Lord,
From men of the world who have their portion in this life,
And whose belly You fill with Your hidden treasure.
They are satisfied with children,
And leave the rest of their possession for their babes.

 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness;
I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.

*****************

1.  Who rebelled against David?

2.  Who did David say was worse than Absalom?

3.  David told his men to hurry and find _______ before he _____

4.  Why did the woman call out to David's army?

5.  What did she give to Joab?

6.  Why did she help Joab?

Hudson Taylor-The Mandarin Says, "Yes"

By Mary Vee

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes

This is the end of the report for my fifth missionary journey, both trials and triumphs. 

The first officer, who made us wait a very long time, sent John and me on to his supervising magistrate. After reporting the abuse we received from the militia, I demanded we receive proper treatment . The officer allowed us to be carried on chairs to the next required destination.

photo courtesy of visualbibleimages.com

The military carried us through long winding roads, it seemed we had entered a city within a city. The soldiers continued their march through large arching gates that resembled a prison. I didn't know the instructions given to these men. John and I wandered if the chairs served as nothing more than a last right before our punishment of death.

My concerns eased when the military set our chairs down in front of a doorway bearing the inscription: The father and mother of the people. This office belonged to the magistrate. We were told to wait outside while a soldier took our identification cards into the magistrate.

This time we waited only a few minutes before receiving permission to enter the office. The soldiers who took us inside bowed before the magistrate. One signaled me to do the same, but I refused. 

The mandarin greeted us and led us into his inner chamber. Writers, runners, and other officials under the mandarin's instruction followed us. 

The mandarin invited us to speak. I looked at John who told me to speak. "Sir, we have come to tell the people about the God who loves them. We have books--" I pulled one from my satchel and handed it to him. "We want to give these books to any man or woman who can read." 

I handed him a New Testament which also included Genesis through Ruth. "This book teaches what God has done for you." I also gave him some tracts and shared the Gospel with him. He listened to all John and I had to say. The others standing in the room listened with great interest as well.

When I finished, the mandarin called for refreshments to be served. John and I hadn't eaten or drank all day and appreciated his gift. 

At the end of our visit, I asked if we might walk through the city, visit with the people, and tell them about the God who loves them. 

"Yes, of course," he answered.

"Mandarin, if I may speak freely. We suffered terrible treatment when entering the city. We realize the soldiers didn't know we came in peace. However, we request protection as we walk throughout the city and when we leave."

"Yes, of course." He turned to his runners. "Go about the city and warn the people no harm is to come to these men." The runners left immediately.  

The mandarin walked us to the door and treated us with the kindness expected of an official.

We walked through the city telling people about God's love and handing out the books. Runners stayed in front of us, warning the people not to harm us. When the streets grew too crowded to let us pass, the runners swung their long braid like a whip to make the people clear a path. 

It didn't take long to give away every Bible we brought and then return to our boat.

My report of this fifth missionary journey reached the British and Foreign Bible Society. They sent me back a note telling me how pleased they were with our work. Inside the envelope I found a gracious gift. The society included enough money to buy more scriptures and to set up a small clinic for Dr. Parker.

I never expected to receive support from the Bible Society, and am deeply grateful for God's provision.

Please continue to pray for us and God's provision for our needs,

J. Hudson Taylor

Do you have any questions?


Photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

Research resources: J. Hudson Taylor, An Autobiography by J. Hudson Taylor; It is Not Death to Die, a new biography of Hudson Taylor by Jim Cromarty; Hudson Taylor Founder, China Inland Mission by Vance Christie; J. Hudson Taylor, A Man in Christ, by Roger Steer, and Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret by dr. & Mrs. Howard Taylor.

David-A Time to Help-Barzillai

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 19

From David's Journal

There was such a kind man named Barzillai who lived in Rogelim. God had blessed him with great riches. But not every rich person wants to share their money with those in need.

photo courtesy of visualbibleimages.com

He provided the people who joined me in the escape from Abasalom's threat the supplies we needed. During the entire time we camped in Mahanaim he gave us more than what we could want.

After the battle, and we stood by the shore of the Jordan River, I turned to Barzillai and looked into his old eyes. He was eighty years old and travelled all the way from Rogelim to see us to the shore. "Please, Barzillai, come with me. I will provide for you while you live in Jerusalem with me."

His lips curled up in a tender and wise smile. "My lord, how long do I have to live? Should I go up to Jerusalem with you when I am an old man of eighty years? Will I be of any use to you by knowing right and wrong when I can hardly see, or taste, or hear the voice of singing men or women?

He shook his head and put a knobby finger on my arm. "No I don't want to be a burden to you.I will go a short ways with you across the Jordan but return to my home. I don't deserve a reward. If you please, let me return back home that I may die in my own city, near the grave of my father and mother."

He turned to a man standing next to him and invited the man to step closer to the king. "Here is my servant, Chimham. Please let him cross over the river with you, my king, and give him or do for him what seems good to you."

Again Barzillai chose to be kind to someone. I nodded. "Chimham may cross over with me, and I will do for him what I would have done for you. Whatever you ask, I will give."

The whole army and many others who came with me crossed the River Jordan together. On the western shore I turned to Barzillai and blessed him and sent him back to his home as he asked. 

Oh that we all could be as kind as Barzillai, a man of God.

Here is a Psalm we sing. You call it Psalm 16

Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.

 O my soul, you have said to the Lord,
“You are my Lord,
My goodness is nothing apart from You.”
 As for the saints who are on the earth,
“They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.”

 Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god;
Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer,
Nor take up their names on my lips.

 O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You maintain my lot.
 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Yes, I have a good inheritance.

 I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel;
My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
 I have set the Lord always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will rest in hope.
 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
 You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

****************************

1. What kind of person was Barzillai?
2. What did he do for David and all those who escaped with him?
3. When David was ready to cross the River Jordan what did he want to give Barzillai?
4. Why did Barzillai say no thank you?
5. Who did Barzillai ask David to give the gift to?
6. Did David agree?