 Jonathan and Lena left today for Nicaragua and will be there through March 6th. This is their summary of the trip.
"God has been doing a unique and amazing work in Nicaragua as He continues to pour out power through the name of Jesus and multiply His Word across all people groups of the world. We have witnessed a movement of the Spirit as He has developed leaders and sent them out to reach the least and the last through the gospel and through planting churches. We will be in Managua visiting and encouraging David, his family, and the brothers and sisters who fellowship with them. Please pray for us that "God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ...that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak" (Colossians 4:3-4). Your prayers are greatly appreciated!" “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14).
0 Comments
 You may remember that I came to you several times in the past few weesks through this blog asking for urgent prayer regarding translation and printing of God's Plan for His Church (GPHC) in the Oriya language for India. It seemed like we were facing something impossible. In the week before the training, I was still finding errors and sending a list of edits to the translator and printer. Two days before the conference I received the final file for review. I dropped everything and carefully went through the entire book again.
Today was the first full day of training. I received a video phone call from Tim as 100 pastors held up their books they had just received. This picture (above) is of all the pastors working together as they begin their study of a course that will equip them in ways they have never known before. They begin in Chapter One with what it means to RETURN TO SCRIPTURE as their only authority for faith, practice, and teaching others. Tomorrow they will discover God's eternal purpose and plan for His Church. These two vital chapters will launch them into several months of study. Our team will return in October for a graduation and celebration of their intense study and preparation as leaders to be effective in shepherding the flock of God. Please pray for them!! Yesterday we looked at Stephen in Acts 7 and his 'fixed' vision on Jesus Christ in glory at the right hand of God. This made a huge difference to his ability to endure suffering, even death. I want us to consider another side of this "fixed" vision and how it can transform each of our lives.
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Notice first that this process is not reserved for a certain segment of the Church leadership, but it is open to "all" who have the Holy Spirit. The only requirement (if you want to call it that) is looking on " the glory of the Lord." It is the beauty, the wonder, and glory of His person that works in us a transformation. This gaze is not about us in any way. There is only one purpose for transformation: to change us into the image of Christ! This transformation does not take place all at one time. It happens " from one degree of glory to another." Becoming more like Christ is an ongoing process until He comes for us. Never become "weary" of the process because it is glorious! One of the questions that is often asked of those who go through suffering, trials, and persecution is, 'how could you go through that.' While their answers vary, there is a common theme that rings through their answers. Their focus was not on the suffering, trial, or themselves, but on the person they love more than the suffering.
When Stephen faced false witnesses who hated what he stood for, when the truth he spoke touched a nerve in their conscience, their hatred drove them to stone Stephen, he had the solution for endurance. “But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55). Notice these two things about Stephen:
These attitudes do not come naturally to us, nor do they suddenly come on us in trials. They are developed through a consistent walk in the Spirit who reminds us of Christ and His glory. “He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you” (John 16:14). "PERSECUTION IS NOT A DESTINATION.
IT IS A DOOR TO TRANSFORMATION." Jeff King For several months, plans have been made to return to India and introduce God's Plan for His Church (GPHC) for the first time to around 100 pastors in the Oriya language. Tomorrow, Tim, and Don leave for this very special event. The translator/printer was given the GPHC and the format instructions months ago, and we finally received the files at the beginning of this week and immediately went to work checking the format before they started printing. PLEASE PRAY FOR GOD TO WORK A MIRACLE so the books are printed and ready for the training on the 27th!
The Oriya language is spoken in Odisha State of India, one of the most persecuted parts of this country. Pray for these leaders and their churches. Jesus said to the church at Smyrna, “I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich)...Do not fear what you are about to suffer...Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:9–10). After India, Tim and Don will go to Nepal for a follow-up to the GPHD training. Our "Timothy" has worked very hard to introduce and train many churches. Now it is time to introduce GPHC. We expect this to be a great time of encouragement for all. There are many other details that could be added, but just keep us in prayer regarding many languages that are still in some phase of translation, formatting, or printing. We extend our sincere gratitude to each of you who pray and support the Lord's work. There are two quotes from Robert Murray McCheyne that have gripped my attention and challenged my heart and mind. I trust they will yours as well.
"Lord, make me as holy as a pardoned sinner can be." "A man is what he is on his knees before God, and nothing more." These two quotes speak to different issues in our walk before God, they also challenge our inner desires and willingness to let God transform us daily. To be holy requires a sanctifying work of the Spirit, a continual removing habits of the flesh that hinder our fellowship with God and representation of Him. On our knees before God, we must be willing to let Him expose things that are unholy. Consider the words of David that he spoke to God: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23–24). It was not that God did not know everything about David, but he wanted everything exposed to himself, removed from his life, and purified from what should not be there. Do we? Earlier today I received a call from Randy who is in a S. E. Asian country to encourage pastors and church leaders. He reported on the difficult conditions believers face. One of the hardest situations is that the army is forcing young people to join them, even through kidnapping. This is very hard on any Christian family whose beliefs are so different to the current regime. Please pray for them.
Food and electric power are very limited which makes it difficult for our "Timothy" and his family of seven and for being able to carry on ministry. Through all this, they are committed to being faithful to the Lord, though it costs them dearly. “Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned...They went about...destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy” (Hebrews 11:36–38). God supplies the inner strength to carry on in the face of such trial. Let us stand with them! Tom and his wife visited a new church plant in a rural area. About twenty-five people from the community, plus the ten or so who went with them, gathered under a Mango tree. Tom was able to introduce God's Plan for His Disciples (GPHD). They promised to complete the manual and before he returns for their graduation in a few months. Please keep them in prayer that they will be diligent in their studies.
Tom shared GPHD with a group of non-denominational pastors. After reviewing the manual, several asked for copies, saying they want to use it in their churches. They all said that what they liked about the manual is that it takes the people back to the Bible to find answers. Pray that we can get copies shipped soon. Tom and his wife carried about seventy-five copies in their luggage this time, which could become expensive the next time depending on the number of suitcases. On their last trip to Cuba was six months ago, they introduced GPHD to a church of around twenty-five people. Since they completed the book, a graduation and celebration was held. This was a special time, and several new people said they would have their manuals completed when they return. They had several other opportunities to share a word of encouragement from the Word and pray with them, so the trip was indeed a blessing. Thank you for your prayers and support! THERE WAS NO POST ON 2/19/24 BECAUSE OF FLIGHT DELAYS AND CANCELATION.
This past Sunday was a very special day! By God's grace my wife and I celebrated 55 years of marriage. Even though we spent the weekend serving others at a memorial service and gatherings after, we felt the Lord using our presence with this family. Over 55 years, the Lord has given us to some degree His wisdom and grace through many trials and suffering, so we can comfort and encourage others. This is the point that Paul makes in his second letter to Corinth. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4). Not only that, but all those who are put together in the body of Christ by faith in Him and by His Spirit, are able to suffer along with other members of Christ's body (1 Corinthians 12:26). God has given us a capacity to comfort because of the trials He has taken us through. Leaning on His grace has supplied us with love, care, and compassion for others. This is the uniqueness of being children of God, endowed with His Spirit and equipped with His Word. |
Archives
January 2025
Link To Our Old Blog:
|
RSS Feed