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“He (Jesus) called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.” (Luke 9:1–2).
It is important to observe that when Jesus sent out the twelve, He combined “power and authority” (1). One of these gifts without the other would have made their ministry ineffective. He also emphasized dependance on Him by not giving them all the provisions they would need (3). Another point Jesus emphasized was the need for discernment (4-5). If they were not received in a place, they were not to continue in that place and force their message on persons God had not prepared in heart to receive the message of the gospel. This is a very important point. It does not mean that at some point in the future God will not open their hearts to receive the Good News. What it does mean is that God is not working in them now, but He may work in them at some future time by sending another messenger who is ready and equipped. At that time, God will prepare hearts to receive the message He has sent. We must be able to trust the Lord of the Harvest in sending us out by He will and “establish our steps”(Proverbs 16:9) with the gospel of grace. That is “power and authority” from the right source (Romans 1:16).
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We have experienced God’s hand during many training trips over the years, but there is something different about this one. He has opened new doors with the Thai and Hmong people that we have not had before. We bring each of these below to solicit your fervent prayer for the Spirit to provide understanding to every heart, young and old.
Jan 29 – Feb 1 Training in Jakarta, Indonesia – Moses & Randy will introduce GPHD to a dozen Burmese college students. Please pray that this will begin a discipleship movement at their university. Feb 2-3 Training in Bangkok, Thailand – God has opened a door of effective ministry among the Hmong refugees. Please pray that those who graduate GPHD will be empowered to expand the discipleship ministry to the vast numbers in the camp. Also please pray that GPHC introduction will produce many new leaders & the training of children’s workers will begin a new work for the young. Feb 4-6 Training in Northern Thailand – Thousands of Hmong have settled in Laos, near the border with Thailand, and because of government restrictions in Laos, these will join us in northern Thailand. Please pray that the GPHD graduation and the introduction of GPHC will be used to multiply the ministry in Laos. “At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison” (Colossians 4:3). Thank you for being partners in God’s work! NFI has a regular Zoom meeting every Thursday evening. The one tonight was very special. We had a guest who shared how he is using our training materials and Zoom to train Hmong and Vietnamese all over the world. He shared about one person who contacted him, someone he did not know. This person asked many questions about our books and said that he had never heard or known the details of Scripture as we present in our books. The New Testament Church, and Paul’s method of disciple making were totally new to him. The conversation lasted all night.
This made me recall a period of history that we know very little about, except there is a comment made about a few people at the beginning of this time of 400 years. “Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name.” (Malachi 3:16). The fervent prayers and conversations this evening gave me a strong sense that God “heard” us and will answer in a way that will bring Him the greatest glory. Are you touching God’s heart with fervent prayer? “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
Those seem like harsh and extreme words – to some. Take for example some of the words of Jesus that He said to the disciples and the crowds who wanted to follow Him. “And He said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me”” (Luke 9:23). The word “deny” is a very strong indication that the person is rejecting any recognition for themselves. This is very hard for any of us who were brought up in cultures that taught self- importance. Paul makes this clear when he says, “For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself” (Galatians 6:3). This test is hard! What is the purpose of this attitude? For the true answer to that question, it is found in the perfect model. “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:5–8). Humility is not an attitude we should put on at special occasions. As Jesus did, it is a purposeful mind and heart that becomes habitual – natural to those filled with the Spirit of Jesus. If you ask me what is the essential thing
in the religion and discipline of Jesus Christ, I shall reply: first humility, second humility, and third humility. Augustine of Hippo, North Africa “For the Lord takes pleasure in his people. He adorns the humble with salvation.” (Psalm 149:4) One of the more recent missions’ pioneers is Ralph D. Winter. His 1974 presentation at the Congress for World Evangelization in Lausanne, Switzerland – an event organized by American evangelist Billy Graham – was a watershed moment for global mission. It was during this presentation that Winter shifted global mission strategy from a focus on political boundaries to a focus on distinct people groups. Winter argued that instead of targeting countries, mission agencies needed to target the thousands of people groups worldwide, over half of which have not been reached with the gospel message.
Billy Graham once wrote: “Ralph Winter has not only helped promote evangelism among many mission boards around the world, but by his research, training and publishing he has accelerated world evangelization." This is where Joshua Project (https://joshuaproject.net) has taken what Winter’s started and has continual fine-tuned the definition of people groups so we can identify those that are still unreached with the gospel. Through their work, NFI has been able to encourage indigenous leaders to make it a goal to reach the unreached around them. The task of spreading the gospel is not finished. There is some part you and I can do so that those who have never heard the gospel will hear, believe, and become part of the Church. We are experiencing a winter storm with very low temperatures for this region of the country. Depending on where people live, they are having freezing rain, sleet, and snow. When I hear people complain about the weather, I wonder if they have forgotten the God who created all things for His glory.
“He sends out His command to the earth; His word runs swiftly. He gives snow like wool; He scatters frost like ashes. He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before His cold? He sends out His word and melts them; He makes His wind blow and the waters flow” (Psalm 147:15–18). Do we complain about the inconveniences, or should we glorify God for the majesty of His perfect design in every aspect of creation? There is another creation that fills me with praise as I see new creation in someone else which reveals such a perfect design – His image – His glory! Have you looked for it?  It is very exciting to get news from a Caribbean Island. One of our sisters there has a special care and interest in the spiritual development of children and young people. Here is a brief report from her.
‘We are good, thanks be to God, as we work in God's kingdom. Today I had the kid's manual (God’s Plan for Young Disciples – Workbook – in Spanish) first lesson. It was amazing! I love the manual and the kids loved it so much. You can see in the picture how happy and connected they are with the manual. I love this and I already invited the teachers from the other churches to do a big graduation when Tom comes in May. I am praying and so happy that it is easy to teach this helpful material to kids.” You can see from the picture how intent they are to study and learn truth from the Bible. Often these children come from home that do not have believing parents. They need our prayers for protection and spiritual growth. We received a wonderful report of what the Lord is doing in Ecuador. I have included some of the highlights below:
“This past month I connected with several pastors who are already using God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD) and God’s Plan for His Church (GPHC). One of the pastors is contacting several other pastors from different churches in Quito, Ibarra, and Ambato.” Another pastor is with his network of pastors who are working together to introduce GPHC in Ibarra. God willing, we will hold an introductory session in February or March, allowing ample time for everyone to gain an understanding of how to use the training materials. I am now presenting the complete package of NFI materials for children, youth, adult disciples, leaders, and pastors.” A report like this rejoices our hearts! We see “Timothy’s” like this brother, giving their time and resources toward establishing and strengthening faith in believers who have never had this kind of biblical teaching. Please pray for them! There were many subjects that Jesus felt had high importance. Among these was the topic of “unity” or “oneness.” He first refers to this topic as it related to Him and His Father.
“I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). This was so important to Jesus that He mentions it several times in praying to the Father. “That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one” (John 17:21–22). Notice that “unity” or “oneness” has a direct effect on whether the world knows that God sent Jesus here for their salvation. Jesus goes on to pray in verse 23, “I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me” (17:23). In this verse Jesus adds that we communicate to the world how God loves people (3:16) by our unity (see also 13:35). Paul uncovers the root of how this works. Be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). The word “eager” means to work hard at it and do it quickly. This is not maintaining human unity, but the Spirit’s. How are you doing in this? |
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