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All of us respond to times of crisis in different ways and from different world views. I trust that you and all those you know will take a few moments to read this blog, not because it is written by me, but for the sake God’s Word and truth reflected in these verses.
Jesus told His disciples, “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”” (John 16:33). Notice that our peace is in the person of Jesus, not in outward circumstances. Though Paul was in prison and chained, he urged the believers with these words, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:15–16). What we feed our minds with will determine the condition of our hearts. Should we be called on to suffer for our faith in the Lord Jesus, let Peter’s exhortation settle our hearts. “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (1 Peter 4:12–14). My last word to you in this blog is, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might” (Ephesians 6:10).
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One of the most exciting pieces of news is what God is doing in Ecuador. Oswaldo has been introducing and training with God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD) in many parts of this South American country. Last week, he went to Montalvo by bus help them celebrate the graduation of those who finished the book. Here is his report:
“I am thanking God because, despite the heavy downpour, 33 of the 76 graduates arrived safely for the graduation. A 68-year-old sister passed away a few days prior and was also scheduled to receive her Certificate of Completion. An entire family was absent because just before the meeting, a 3-year-old girl had a seizure and was rushed to the hospital. The power went out in the middle of my message, but thankfully, it was just for one minute. Young people, adults, and children received their Certificates, and in the end, the glory belongs to the Lord whom we serve and honor. A tremendous door remains open to return and introduce God’s Plan for His Church(GPHC). I am certain that the next time I will not come alone and someone else besides my wife must come and see all that God is doing.” This is worth our faithful prayers and support as we see God moving in every generation to revive the Church and prepare it for what He will do in the future.  We have often mentioned the amazing work that God is doing among the Hmong people group. After our team was in S. E. Asia for a little over three weeks, we continue to hear of how this visit and introduction has created a growing interest among these believers to study God’s Word. God’s Plan for His Disciples in the Hmong language was printed locally which has made it much easier to distribute the books where they are needed.
The box and books, shown in this picture, was received by a pastor and 15 people have already signed up for the GPHD class. This is a great answer to many prayers that God’s work in this people group would expand far beyond what we see. It confirms what Paul said about the church in Thessalonica: “For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:8–9). Please pray for the Spirit to give them rich understanding as they study. God touched our weary bodies with His power,
And gave us strength for many a trying hour In which we might have faltered Had not you, our intercessors, Faithful been and true. Because you prayed, God touched our lips with coals from altar fire, Gave Spirit fullness, and did so inspire That when we spoke, sin-blinded souls did see, Sin’s chains were broken – captives were made free. Because you prayed, The dwellers in the dark have found the Light. The glad, good news has banished heathen night. The message of the cross so long delayed Has brought them life at last because you prayed! (Lenard Ravenhill, (Revival God’s Way, 1983, page 112). I am struggling! Whether there is a concern in any church or a passion in some heart to reach a people group with the gospel, there is very little response when the church is asked to pray that God would intervene. Why is the response so small, weak, and ineffective?
Lenard Ravenhill says that ‘a spiritual revival is not important to the Church. It should be imperative!” When Ravenhill wrote that statement, he added, “this moment (1983), I believe it is the darkest in our nation’s history and, for that matter, in the world. The Church is plagued with inertia (no spiritual momentum). What about now – 2026? If anyone is convicted of our real condition, we should ask, “where do we begin? As believers, we are “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14), and judgment must “begin at the household of God” (1 Peter 4:17). I am tired of complacent Christianity. (Revival God’s Way, 1983, pages 55-57). Stop looking around for others to take the initiative. In my heart and with my feeble voice I am crying out for the church to start a revival in our hearts. Calling for a prayer gathering to spark a revival will not go far. It is when our hearts realize that we are too comfortable with our “complacency and amnesia” and REPENT! We spend a lot of time talking about prayer and saying a lot of nice sounding words in prayer, but very little time being broken in spirit about our spiritual condition. WHERE ARE YOU? When our teams leave a place, they put complete trust in the Holy Spirit, that if He has done a work through them while they were there, He will continue that work until it is finished. Here is the proof of that statement: “I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6). The short reports below are evidence of this truth. This is a pastor who attended our first introduction of God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD) in Bangkok, Thailand. He took it upon himself to lead a group and graduate them when they had finished all the lessons. The picture below is a group of pastors and leaders in Togo, Africa, who completed and graduated from their study of GPHD. The trainer is a passionate, indigenous leader who has grasped the biblical principles of the gospel and the Church and desires others to be established in God’s truth.   Stories like the one below remind us that God has His servants strategically placed where they are most effective. We should be very thankful and make sure we are on His team.
“Every Sunday and Tuesday, an elderly man comes to our church — not because he was invited, but because he came searching for a church himself. He found this house of God and chose to spend his time here in prayer. He lives alone, and we are his family. He never seeks attention; he simply kneels and prays. When he heard that Pastor M. is going to Kohalpur to start a new church, he was in tears, carrying the burden deeply in his heart. Today, I was able to help him, and we shared lunch together. What a blessing it is to fellowship with such a faithful prayer warrior! Do you have such a praying man in your church? Someone who comes willingly, just to pray? Someone who fights battles on their knees? Churches grow not only by preaching the gospel, but by prayer. Are you one of them?” (NFI Partner in Nepal) What responsibilities do believers in Jesus and members of the Body of Christ have toward one another in the Church? Paul the “wise builder” (1 Corinthians 3:10) laid out some very clear principles to the Thessalonica church.
“And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle,1 encourage the fainthearted,2 help the weak,3 be patient with them all4” (1 Thessalonians 5:14).
As you think about these imperatives, ask the Holy Spirit to help you put them into practice. It is a privilege for me to be the messenger of good news, but also an advocate for prayer. Both need our attention; one for praise and the other for fervent prayer.
“I wish wholeheartedly that you are in good health. Give my greetings to your family and ministry brothers. Today I delivered God’s Plan for His Disciples, study material to Pastor S. and his wife. They pastor in a fishing village on the coast of Ecuador.” “I hope this message finds you well and rejoicing in the Lord. I want to begin by expressing my heartfelt gratitude to you for all your love, support, and prayers. We remember you daily in prayer, and the upcoming camp and all our efforts to serve God and His people. Many of us have diligently studied God’s Plan for His Disciples and God’s Plan for His Church, striving to complete our books and grow deeper in our walk with Him. From time to time, we visit and encourage one another in this journey, and it is truly a blessing to see how God is using each of us for His purposes. The months of October, November, and December were extremely challenging for our family. We faced the passing of seven close family members, sometimes just weeks apart. The passing of my uncle was particularly painful. His home had been burned and his land seized, which caused him immense grief. It was a very difficult and sorrowful time for all of us. Yet, in these trials, we continue to thank the Lord for His comfort, strength, and sustaining grace. God carried us through every sorrowful moment. Amid these challenges, there was also a joyful blessing.” (A Closed Country). You will not know these Brothers and Sisters, but the Father who hears our prayers for them knows them and every detail. We should be very thankful that Peter learned from the personal teaching and mentoring of Jesus. Peter is often the subject of our criticism, but when we read his letters, it is obvious that he learned much more that we give him credit for. For example, compare the challenge and mandate Jesus gave Peter in John 21:15-19 on caring for the Lord’s sheep with what Peter exhorts in 1 Peter 5:2-3.
“Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.” Being a shepherd in the church must be an intentional ministry done with love and grace. Notice the imperatives:
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