Ariège 09

Ariège is the ninth department in the region of Midi-Pyrénées.  Foix is the capital of this department.  Picture perfect but yet we know that people still need to know and trust in their creator.

Dear Father, we see the grandeur of your creation in the mountains.  Lord people still have pain and hurt even when they live surrounded by beauty.   Lord, I pray that in homes in  Ariège we ask that their will be harmony, and peace.  We pray that the children will crave to know you.  We ask for husbands to love their wives like Christ loves the church.  Lord, increase a hunger for your Word.  Lord, we pray for a revival to grow in this department in France and that many will come to know you as Lord and Savior.  We pray all these things in the name of Jesus our Redeemer.  Amen

Étape 15 Pamiers > Bagnères-de-Luchon

On route today we come to MAS-D’AZIL.  This town is rich in protestant church history.  When there were times of persecution they, early Christians, Albigensians, and Huguenots, sought refuge in these caves. . The biggest cave is Mas-d'Azil. Its Caverne Merveilleuse extends 2-1/2 miles.  Two scriptures come to mind.

Psalms 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.  and
Psalms 18:2  The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

I am glad the Word of God the Huguenots believed in is still the same today and their God is our God.  In times of hardship and persecution they trusted in God to protect them and to be their strength.  I am honored by the rich heritage we have as believers in Christ.  It will be glorious to be in Heaven and hear the stories of God's goodness to all of them. 

Sovereign Lord,
As we travel through France today, we see our church history unfold before us.  In these stories of the past we see your faithfulness and we are blessed to know that you never change.  I praise you for all that you did for this region in the time of the Huguenots and others who have lived here believing in your salvation.  Lord, I pray that you will gather together a mighty army of believers who will once more stand for the truth of the word of God.  Lord, thank you for those you have saved and those whom you will save, but we know that they can only be saved through the hearing of your word.  Bring believers to this area to boldly preach the gospel of Christ.  I pray these things in the name of Jesus the Alpha and the Omega.  Amen

Étape 14. Revel > Ax-3 Domaines

Into the mountains we go.  The Pyrenees will entertain us as we cheer these men  up and over then down to the finish line or up to the finish line  as it is today  The author of Hebrews talks about a race for us as well. 

Hebrews 12:1-2

 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I know our race can be like today's stage up hill all the way, but let us remain faithful to complete the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus.  Forget all the sins  and things that hinder us and continue on in the strength of the Lord.  Have you noticed the sprinters and they are coming in for a sprint finish they start throwing off any water bottles they have left so that they are as lite and as fast as they can be. 

 

Lord,

I pray for the people of these beautiful mountains.  Lord, I pray that we will run our race so that your glory will be seen in the Pyrenees.  As we leave Revel bless Église Évangélique Apostolique, and Église Évangélique Vie et Lumière as they preach your word on this day.  Lord, I pray that these churches love each other with your love so that the world will desire you.  Thank you for their faithfulness. Let only your truth be spoken today.  Lord, we give you all the praise and adoration as we cross the finish line.  We pray in the name of Jesus, the Truth.  Amen.