Today was sad for part of our team. As you are aware, airlines and immigrations require evidence that those traveling can present proof they test “negative” for COVID. As part of our team waited for their flight from JFK, one of them received a “positive” test result. This meant the whole team had to cancel the trip because they had been together Monday. Our brothers in Bangladesh were very disappointed since there had been cancelations before because the country was in lockdown.
Though the team felt discouraged after all the planning and preparation that went into getting training into this needy country, I reminded them that when God makes plans, they never fail! It may be that His timing is different from ours because He sees ahead and knows what we cannot see or know. We have the responsibility of trusting an infinitely good and perfect Father. Jesus makes a striking comparison we need to remember. “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11). In the context, Jesus encourages His disciples to “ask, knock, and seek” and expectantly wait for the “good things” God will give in His way (7:7-11). We must remember that “our Father who is in heaven gives” at the time and amount that He knows is best for us. We must learn to look more to Him, the Giver, and less at what and when He gives. James calls these “good and perfect” gifts (1:17).
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Some events recently got me wondering about persons who think that their few years of experience in ministry qualify them for positions of leadership. Paul faced this problem with the Corinthian church. There were persons who even claimed to be apostles, but they were purveyors of teaching that caused grave concern with Paul because their motives were wrong. Notice his warning:
“But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3). He wanted their motive to be pure and focused on one person- CHRIST! When motives are not pure, there is always some hidden agenda that benefits “ME” in what we do and speak. Devotion to Christ means that He is the only one who matters in decisions and actions. I am deeply saddened by those who make sure others know what ‘they have accomplished!’ These comments are often placed in a deceptive context to appear as if the Lord is the center when in fact “I” is at their center. Paul’s concern is valid today. Let’s be very careful to judge ourselves and make sure we are “sincere and pure [in] devotion to Christ”! Finally, after almost 2 years of waiting, Lord willing, we will travel to Bangladesh to introduce the Bengali GPHD. This is a Muslim country and mostly unreached. Pray that we can connect with a key person who can allow us to connect with the Rohingyas. Because of persecution in Burma, thousands have fled into Bangladesh and make up one of the largest refugee camps in the world, almost 1 million. Bangladesh is a dark place. The gospel has made little progress through the country. Currently, according to the Joshua Project, only .33% of the 165,000,000 people of Bangladesh are Christian. Out of the 310 ethnic people groups, 276 of them have not been reached with the Gospel. This place is, as Jesus said, “white for the harvest”. We want to join God at work in the places where they have never heard His name so we can see Christ return. Please join us in prayer for Tim, Jonathan and James who leave Tuesday on this trip. They will be introducing God’s Plan for His Disciples to key leaders as well as with a group of young people in an orphanage. Our desire is that God will take this trip and use it to “fan into flame” the gift that God has already given to these hungry believers, equipping them to go to 276 unreached people groups around the world. It is always a thrill to my heart to bring you news of places where there is a fresh work of God. Many African nations have been in turmoil due to COVID and radical groups seeking to stamp out the name of Jesus. We know this is impossible, but the pressure of persecution is often intense, and Burkina Faso is no exception. God has allowed us to start a training there this weekend. Their situation reminds me of so many churches that were planted by the apostles in very adverse circumstances. Jesus was well aware of each suffering for Him and what caused the suffering. To the church at Smyrna He wrote, “I know your tribulation and poverty (but you are rich)” (Revelation 2:9). It is noticeable that poverty and persecution often go together. Yet in these conditions the soil of the heart is fertile and ready for God to plant His truth. In their poverty, God has made them rich in His Word. What can we do to prepare the soil in our hearts for a divine planting by the Spirit of God’s Word? The first thing we can do is ask God to give us a hunger and thirst for His truth. When He places that in our hearts the rest will come naturally. As I have been encouraging you to make it a habit of spending time alone with the Lord in His Word, I have been thinking of the circumstances that many of you face. Some are very hard. If we could turn back the clock and visit Abraham, Moses, David, and the prophets, what would they say to us about their “hard times?”
After watching the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham may have wondered what his future held for him. The Lord came to him with special assurance. “Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great” (Genesis 15:1). That was a personal promise from God. He assured Israel of His care for them even though they had often turned to idols with no eyes, ears and cannot speak. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10). To the Church and His children, God says, ““I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So, we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”” (Hebrews 13:5b–6). As you face the challenges of a new year, let the promises of God dispel the doubts and fears as you spend time with Him. After many years of reading the Bible each morning, there is an unspeakable delight that enters my heart as I open God’s Word. It is not just reading a section of Scripture that brings this to me. David expresses this better than I can.
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11). Notice the threefold result of being in the presence of God with His Word.
I trust this becomes a growing experience in your life! 4 – APPLICATION – “DO IT” – How can I apply it to my life?
Application: How and when will you make changes in your life? I will invest my time and resources in the Lord’s kingdom and serving Him first, not for my personal pleasure and benefit. I will start today to make choices to serve and obey one Master, my Savior, the Living Word and stop trying to serve Christ and the world, myself, money, things and pleasure. 3 – DISCUSSION – “TALK ABOUT IT” - What do others say?
Note: This step will most likely blend in with the Meditation Step 2. You will not use this discussion step if you are doing your own personal quiet time study.
Discussion: Contrast the principles you learned from Matthew 6:33 with your life experience today. Today we attempt to serve and invest our lives and resources into the__ world and the Lord. Our culture and traditions say we can have both money, pleasure and self-fulfillment, and the Lord. What changes do you need to make in your life? Stop trying to serve two masters and seek to serve Christ only. I no longer need to be anxious about things since God knows all my needs and will supply them, if I seek Him first. 2 – MEDITATION – “THINK ABOUT IT” – What does it mean? ACTS 8:26-38
You cannot serve both God and things like money, food or clothes. It is either one or the other. When you attempt to serve two masters, you will be anxious because your mind and heart will be divided. You must seek and serve only one Master who is God. Put Him first and only Him. You can trust God with confidence because He knows what you need, and certainly if He can feed the birds and clothe the flowers, He will take care of your needs. Instructions on How to Study the Bible (Acts 8:26-38)
Before you get started in learning how to study the Bible, read the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8:26-38 and see if you can pick out the four key principles of Bible Study in this story: OBSERVATION (Verse 28), MEDITATION (Verse 30), DISCUSSION (Verses 31-35) and APPLICATION (Verses 36-38). 1 – OBSERVATION – “LOOK AT IT” - What does it say?
As an example, let’s discover what the Bible says in Matthew 6:33. In order to understand the context for verse 33, you should first read verse 24-34. After reading the context, write down some of your observations of what Jesus is saying in verse 33. The following is an example to get you started. You will probably want to add many more observations. You cannot serve both God and money. Do not be anxious about what you will eat or drink or wear. God feeds the birds and clothes the flowers and knows what we need. Seek Him first and all your needs or things will be added to you. Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow or things |
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