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One of the biggest challenges about Easter and other occasions like it is that we tend to be stirred up while listening to a powerful message, then tomorrow comes. If we do not act by faith immediately on what we heard, the devil steals away its power in our souls.
Remember the parable of the Sower? “As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22). For some it may not be riches, but other pursuits that are more important than the seed of God's Word. For Thomas, it was a problem of genuine faith. “So, the other disciples told him (Thomas), “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe”” (John 20:25). Notice how adamant Thomas was by using the word "never," putting his own requirements for believing what was told him. Is that you? You may not be in either of these groups, or you may be somewhere in between, they are very dangerous places to be. I urge any who may have turned down the volume on what you heard, please ask the Spirit to rekindle His voice in you.
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By the time you read this blog it will be Easter morning, so I bring you a few thoughts from Scripture that should make our remembrance of Christ's resurrection more meaningful.
Three days before, Jesus had been crucified and buried in a tomb that belonged to Joseph of Arimathea. It is interesting that most of the disciples forgot Jesus words, "After three days I will rise" (Matthew 27:63; Mark 8:31; 10:34; Luke 18:33). Some went back to their businesses rather than stay for this momentous event - resurrection! The chief priests had heard Jesus say he would rise on the third day and believed it could happen. Jesus' miracles were a proof that He could do anything. “Therefore, order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.”” (Matthew 27:64). So, a stone was rolled to the entrance of the tomb and sealed. Would these actions hinder the power of God from accomplishing what was promised? "God raised Him from the dead on the third day..." (Acts 10:40; 13:30; Romans 10:9). There is nothing in all creation that could ever stop the plan and purpose of God. Just as Jesus sent Mary to tell the unbelieving disciple that He was risen (John 20:17), so we need reminding that the same resurrection power is available to us so we can walk in His new life. “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death” (Philippians 3:8–10).
I trust you read these verses and felt the intensity of Paul's heart and love for the Lord. One thing is very clear by this section is that every religious or secular gain Paul had achieved was worthless in comparison to having a relationship with Christ. The points Paul makes need to be carefully considered by every believer.
Easter is not just a weekend remembrance, but it should become the daily experience of Christ living in me because of His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. As Randy and Tim conclude their time in Cambodia, they had the privilege of participating in a graduation of those who had finished God's Plan for His Church (GPHC). This is a long course (217 pages), but they had all finished every lesson. For a country where education is a challenge, this was an amazing sight. Pray for this group of leaders as they carry what they have learned through God's Word with them and begin applying it in their individual lives, settings, and with their churches. Imagine the fruit and glory God will receive because of their willingness to obey!  As we approach the end of March, Randy and Tim are finishing their time in Cambodia where they were introducing God's Plan for His Church to pastors and church leaders. Though I have not heard any details, we are praying for the Holy Spirit to expand the understand of these Church leaders to God's purpose and plan.
From Cambodia, they will move on to Laos and Vietnam. Please keep them in prayer. Mar 29-31, LAOS – By God’s grace, a few key people are working in rural villages with many who are illiterate. Please pray for these and new leaders we hope to meet. May God pour out His Spirit on this very needy country! Apr 1-3, VIETNAM – It was 10 years ago that Tim and Randy first met and prayed with Brother Bay who has taken GPHD and GPHC all over this country through 183 trainings. We go to encourage him in this ever-expanding work. Please keep him and his family in prayer as they impact many. Thank you for standing with us during the period of travel, training, and being sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading. As Tom continues to travel from places in central Ukraine eastward, he asks for our prayers. Here is a short report that gives a sense of what he is experiencing.
"I want to pass along some prayer requests as we move eastward tomorrow (March 27th). There have been a lot of great opportunities and have met some wonderful people who I enjoy being with. Many of them are refugees that fled from their homes. A lot of them have lost everything they owned and escaped with just their lives. Others have lost family members in the war. Some family members were soldiers that died from missile attacks. It is heartbreaking to hear their stories. If you could pray for pastor Vladimir and his family who are busy sharing the gospel and providing what they can for the needs of the people. Every opportunity I have to preach and teach reveal they are hungry for God's Word. They have also asked me to come back and do some more teaching, so I'm trying to figure out when I can do that in the future." We are very close to finishing the Ukrainian book, God's Plan for His Disciples. Please pray for God to provide the right printer and what is needed to cover the cost. We can only imagine the long-term impact this will have on God's work and the Church in Ukraine. “Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God” (1 Peter 1:18–21).
I love the word "ransomed" because it gives the idea that we have been "released" from something that once held us in "slavery," to use Paul's words in Romans 6:6. We are "set free from sin...dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (6:7, 11). How does this truth impact our attitude and drive our purpose for living? This means we have been set apart for God or reserved only for Him! This, all because of the price of "the precious blood of Christ!" We no longer belong to this world, its ideas, trends, or philosophy. We belong to God alone! For many years I have counted it a privilege to come alongside persons who are passing through times of trial. These times come for many reasons, but when they come, persons are not always prepared spiritually so they maintain a biblical perspective through them.
Peter was writing to believers who had suffered because of their faith in Jesus. He gives them some wise counsel that we all need to implement in our lives no matter what degree of trial we are in or will face. “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” (1 Peter 4:12–13).
The proper perspective on trials and suffering is only gained as we connect them to what God is doing to increase His glory in and through us. After you read Randy's report on the events of this week, I will link these events to the Apostle Paul and how he responded to sudden change of plans.
"After many attempts online, over the phone, and a trip to NYC, I simply could not obtain a visa for Nigeria. It was frustrating to say the least, but I am confident that this is according to the plan of our Father in heaven. Please pray for Joshua and his fiancé Peace, in Nigeria. They had asked me to officiate their wedding, and this change of plans impacts them the most. All is well, but we are all dealing with sadness that I cannot be with them. Job faced more severe trials and testing than anyone except our Lord Jesus, and in the end of all his struggles he concluded: "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted" (Job 42:2). Whatever we face this day, we can rest in the One who is over all and works all things for His glory and our good (Romans 8:28). Thank you for praying for this trip. Knowing you are standing with me in prayer brings such sweet confidence in our Sovereign Lord." (Randy) For a New Testament setting that is a little more like ours, Paul was hindered from his plans in Acts 16:6-10, because "the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them" (7). Later, Paul's plans were fulfilled another way. Our test is knowing when changes are because God has different plans or Satan is interfering with God's will (1 Thessalonians 2:18).  It is so much like our God to orchestrate a perfect timing for certain events to remind us again that He oversees everything and is in control of the smallest details.
As I have mentioned before, through a missionary contact we have in Ukraine, we learned of a translator in the US who would translate God's Plan for His Disciples into Ukrainian. On March 11th, I received the translation files which were 90% finished. Knowing that one of our team was going to Ukraine, I pushed through three days of formatting so we could quickly print ten copies which could be taken and presented to pastors and leaders in Ukraine. This week, Tom met with a pastor and presented our training material. The timing could not have been more perfect! They feel a huge need for basic training in the basics of the gospel and establishing believers in their faith. The war has caused a void in their souls and this material pours God's truth into their weary hearts. I have just received the final pieces of translation so the book can be finished and prepared for printing. Tom presented and introduced GPHD two days ago and there was a huge reception to the training, not just with the pastor, but with all present. Please pray with us that the final edit can be done this weekend and printing can start early next week. |
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