 “Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God…” 2 Timothy 1:8
“More Christians are murdered for their faith in Nigeria than in any other country. Violent attacks by Boko Haram, Hausa-Fulani Muslim militant herdsmen, ISWAP (an affiliate of the Islamic State group) and other Islamic extremist groups are common in the north and middle belt of the country, and are becoming more common farther south…Given the continuous occupation of their villages by Fulani militants, the lack of government support, the lack of proper education for their children and the high vulnerability of IDPs (internally displaced persons), these believers continue to suffer even after the brutality of the initial persecution.” (Open Doors) Despite the ongoing persecution in Nigeria, God is raising up leaders who are strong in the faith and deep in their devotion to our Lord Jesus. A picture of 85 EMS (Evangelical Missionary Society) is included who completed “God’s Plan for His Church” and are moving into very difficult parts of the country with the aim of starting church planting movements that will take the gospel to the most vulnerable and least reached people. A training event in Gombe was only one during this trip. In Jos, 45 key leaders graduated from our training, and another 65 in Bauchi did the same. One church in Jos had 30 people complete “God’s Plan for His Disciples” and have eagerly begun “God’s Plan for His Church.” Many of these are heading out November 4-7 to bring the gospel to a poor village of Fulani who often hate and persecute Christians. Again, we are seeing God inspire, empower, and equip His people to go to places that are far from safe and comfortable. It is a joy and privilege for us to join them on this journey through prayer. Where does this kind of devotion to Jesus come from? It is the work of God, for sure, but I also want you to see that leaders, young and old, model and teach this kind of love for God and others.
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 ECUADOR - Tim is going for the Quechua graduation of those who finished GPHD, November 1st to 11th. This is a very exciting event as those who graduate will be prepared to disciple others through this study. In addition, God’s Plan for Young Disciples has been translated into Spanish by Marlene. She and her husband will go with Tim to introduce this new book and take responsibility for getting it started in all the Quechua churches. Pray for Tim as he travels to elevations over 12,000 feet. Someone had planned to go with him but had to back out at the last minute.
MOROCCO - With the translation of GPHD and GPHC into Arabic, Tim has finalized plans to introduce these, December 1st to 8th. Please pray for the Spirit to prepare the soil in every heart. More will be said about Bangladesh, Turkey and return trips to Burkina Faso and Nigeria in the next newsletter. We need your fervent prayers for the Farsi translation of GPHC. This is needed for the introduction and training in Turkey. We can’t thank you enough for your consistent interest, prayers, and support. Printing this year has been demanded in order to keep up with the number of those being trained. The Lord has been so good to meet every need. “Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”” (Revelation 5:11–12). This day has included phone calls from individuals who are facing changes in plans, difficult medical news, and other situations that raise the level of anxiety if we let them. The challenge I face in each of these cases is to be able to provide wisdom that fits each case and direct their hearts into “the peace of God which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
More and more I find myself taking time when I get one of these phone calls, to ask the Lord for wisdom for a specific situation. James says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5). The first part of this promise assumes that we realize that we lack wisdom and are willing to ask for help. Anxiety usually escalates when we try to resolve problems on our own. It goes against our nature to rely on others for help and support. Let me remind you of the promise of Scripture when we refuse to be anxious. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7). We must believe that God works everything perfectly according to His will. Release your anxiety to the Lord and receive HIS peace. This word “flesh” is used 124 times in the New Testament and in most cases refers to our human nature. In most of the references, “flesh” alludes to something we allow or use to hinder God’s work in and through us. J Oswald Sanders has a definition that you might find helpful.
“The flesh may be defined as man’s (mankind) fallen nature as under the power of sin. It is the evil principle in man’s nature, the traitor within who is in league with the attackers without. The flesh provides the tinder in which the devil’s temptations can kindle.” (ibid, page 79). Most of the New Testament writers deal with this menace we carry around with us until the Lord comes. Paul clearly described the struggle in Romans 7:7-24 but ends his rhetorical argument with a shout of victory; “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin” (7:25). John points to the same victory. “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them [the spirit of the antichrist], for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). We make a serious mistake in thinking that our struggle with sin as believers is a losing battle. Every time you face a battle with sin in the flesh, remember that Jesus has already secured your victory. Walk in Him by the Spirit and you will also walk in victory. “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law” (Galatians 5:16–18).
I agree with the description that J. Oswald Sanders gives on these verses. “The implication is that in our daily life we are to live in constant awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is as if Paul were saying, “Habitually order your lifestyle through the Spirit’s guidance, and then you will not be deflected by the desires of the flesh from a walk in fellowship with God.” (1) Last evening, I was speaking with someone about the struggles they face. Their comment has always been, “I will try harder.” That never works! The harder we try the more our flesh intrudes into our own efforts and makes us fail. We forget that a Divine Person dwells inside a believer who can be called on for help at any moment and under any conditions. The Spirit will immediately provide grace (help) to follow His leading and by His power do the will of God. The Holy Spirit is also the active Guard against doing things by our flesh. He will activate our conscience, so we have discernment in difficult situations. Trust Him, rely on Him, and follow Him! (1) Enjoying Intimacy with God, Discovery House, 2000, page 77.  As you have seen in previous blogs and from news outlets, the conditions in Haiti are deteriorating and becoming increasingly difficult and dangerous. Daily prayer is needed for the nation, and particularly for believers and those held captive.
If we focus only on the bad conditions, we will miss what God is doing. From October 14th to 17th, Tim introduced God’s Plan for His Disciples. Around 150 pastors were in attendance. Normally, there are over 300 who attend this yearly conference. The highlight of these four days was Lesson 1 and 2, The Authority and Sufficiency of Scripture and (2) the Holy Spirit. They had never been taught these subjects before by just looking at Scripture. Lesson 6 was another eye-opener; How to Study the Bible. The simple method of Observation, Meditation, Discussion and Application opened their hearts with a new hunger to study God’s Word. Tim left these men in the hands of a humble, godly older man who will help them complete the study and graduate early next year. One of the missionaries who has worked there for many years saw our newest book, God’s Plan for Young Disciples. She wants to get this into the hands of children ASAP and will start translating GPYD into Creole so it can be available for the mission school children and those in local churches. This is a huge undertaking, and she will need our prayers. We all have moments in our personal lives and in ministry when our degree of humility is put to the test. We (I) try to avoid these moments and move on. That usually does not result in the outcome we desire.
As I faced a situation today that challenged my attitude, I began thinking about how Paul points to our model in Jesus. “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:3–5). The concern for “self” tends to influence our thinking and response to situations more than we are willing to admit. How are we to deal properly with pride that naturally rises in our hearts? James tells us to “humble yourselves before the Lord” (4:10). Peter says, “Clothe yourselves, all of you with humility toward one another” (1 Peter 5:5). The Holy Spirit in us is the Spirit of our humble Jesus. He will gladly assist in applying humility where and when it is needed - ALL THE TIME!  Where does the devotion to Jesus we see in Nigeria come from? It is the work of God. I also want you to see that leaders, young and old, model and teach this kind of love for God and others.
Rev. Philip Elisha (picture at left) the Director of EMS spoke at our graduation, urging the missionaries to persevere in tough times. Before I left Nigeria, I met with him about how we can partner even more, and he has committed to opening the other 18 countries for our training. Along with seasoned leaders like Rev. Elisha, Peter, in his mid-twenties, has become a beloved Timothy to me. Representing the next generation of 2 Timothy 2:2 leaders, Peter is highly involved in his local community in Jos and travels with us throughout Nigeria. During my last trip, he quietly told us that his cousin and her children were killed by Fulani the night before. Peter, like the EMS missionaries, has known his share of grief and suffering, yet he presses on with a joy and peace only our Lord can give. On my last day in Nigeria, Joshua, Peter, and I introduced “God’s Plan for His Disciples” to a group of 15 leaders in a small, poor village outside Jos. I cannot express the joy of working with these precious and bold believers. I am humbled and blessed when I see entire families hungering for God’s Word and passing it along in their own villages! Thank you for your powerful prayers! (Randy)  “Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God…” 2 Timothy 1:8
“More Christians are murdered for their faith in Nigeria than in any other country. Violent attacks by Boko Haram, Hausa-Fulani Muslim militant herdsmen, ISWAP (an affiliate of the Islamic State group) and other Islamic extremist groups are common in the north and middle belt of the country, and are becoming more common farther south…Given the continuous occupation of their villages by Fulani militants, the lack of government support, the lack of proper education for their children and the high vulnerability of IDPs (internally displaced persons), these believers continue to suffer even after the brutality of the initial persecution.” (Open Doors) Despite the ongoing persecution in Nigeria, God is raising up leaders who are strong in the faith and deep in their devotion to our Lord Jesus. Above is a picture of 85 EMS (Evangelical Missionary Society) who completed “God’s Plan for His Church” and are moving into very difficult parts of the country with the aim of starting church planting movements that will take the gospel to the most vulnerable and least reached people. This training event in Gombe was only one during this trip. In Jos, 45 key leaders graduated from our training, and another 65 in Bauchi did the same. One church in Jos had 30 people complete “God’s Plan for His Disciples” and have eagerly begun “God’s Plan for His Church.” Many of these are heading out November 4-7 to bring the gospel to a poor village of Fulani who often hate and persecute Christians. Again, we are seeing God inspire, empower, and equip His people to go places that are far from safe and comfortable. It is a joy and privilege for us to join them on this journey through prayer. In the Early Church, God was working one miracle after another following the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost. God was using this to draw thousands, not to the Apostles, but the saving power of the gospel about Jesus. You would think that people would be very thrilled to see loved ones healed and set free from bondage. Look what happened!
“But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison” (Acts 5:17–18). Ordinary people like the Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit, doing God’s will, and for this they were put in prison. This did not discourage them. Instead “during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life”” (19–20). GOD CANNOT BE STOPPED! The gospel message the Apostles were given was “words of this Life” and is repeated in Acts 11:18; “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to Life.” Proclaiming eternal life to those who have never heard was worth prison. Do we value the gospel that much? |
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