This past Sunday we were looking at Acts 3:1-10. This man, lame from birth, had to be carried by others every day to the temple so he could beg from those entering the temple. His whole life was dependency on others and no way to give back to persons who had been generous to him. Plus, he was so near the place of worship with no inner motivation to join others in a much higher calling.
Peter and John looked like they were potential donors. “Peter directed his gaze” (4) at the man which raised expectations that money was about to come his way. How quickly that hope was dashed when Peter said, “I have no silver and gold” (5). Peter offered a far greater gift. In many places we have been around the world, even the Christians we meet have expectation that ‘these rich Americans’ are going to raise them above their circumstances with money. Money does two things:
When money is not given as with this lame man, something far greater is given, the inner working of God through the Holy Spirit. This leads to worship and becoming part of a fellowship centered in the sufficiency of Christ, not human need.
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Peter was initially surprised when men appeared at the door of Simon’s house looking for him. “What is the reason for your coming?” (Acts 10:21). Once Peter hears from the men as to why they came to get him, he begins to piece together the reason why he had received a vision from “heaven.”
At the same time God was working in Peter’s heart to accept the gospel going beyond Jewish boundaries, He was also working in Cornelius, a Gentile, to receive the gospel. No wonder Peter says, “I understand that God shows no partiality…the word that He sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ…to Him all the prophets bear witness that everyone [Jew and Gentile] who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name” (10:35-36, 42). We (NFI) are learning that it is no surprise when we discover that God is preparing the soil in souls before we are sent to them. So often we find out after our initial visit that there had been a stirring by the Spirit. This confirms one key principle that we seek to follow:
If you really want to be effective in the Lord’s work, make it your top priority to ask God to direct where He wants you to work. All the other details will fall in place after getting HIS direction. I received a phone call today from Tim who is in Ecuador, that made me want to hop on a plane and join him and Tom. They have had a wonderful time over the weekend as dozens of Quechua students finished God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD) and graduated. There were so many graduating that Tim, Tom, Juan, Oswaldo, and other leaders went separately to different churches so at least one from our group could be present at each graduation. What a wonderful problem!
As the weekend progressed, news of what was taking place reached churches in Guayaquil and other places along the coast. They are asking to be trained through our Spanish material like the Quechua. We are so thankful that God is raising up local leaders who will carry on the training even though we can’t be there all the time. This is the way it should be. As this is taking place, some are starting to teach children using God’s Plan for Young Disciples (GPYD). In a nation where COVID has been harsh and claimed lives of some we knew, it encourages us to see so many pressing on with the study of God’s Word. They are getting their foundation right and preparing the next generation to stand faithful in a crooked world. God is at work!! The saying that is often used, “go the extra mile” may have come from Matthew 5:41, “And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles” (Matthew 5:41). But this is not exactly what is on my mind.
Shepherd care for people is not always measured by what we do for them, but how we carry them in our hearts and prayers. This is not always easy. Some are more difficult to carry as a shepherd than others because of the individual needs and circumstances, but we carry them with love. Take for example the attitude Paul demonstrated toward the church at Corinth. Issues there were difficult and he was criticized by the very ones he tried to help. “For the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children” (2 Corinthians 12:14). Paul took on the role of being a parent to this church, not because he wanted any monetary gain from them, but he wanted their spiritual growth and maturity. Notice how he words his intentions; “for I seek not what is yours but you!” Every pastor, preacher, teacher, or church leader needs to put this test to their motives in ministry. If money is ever the motive for doing the Lord’s work, that person should immediately step down from their work until they have repented of this sin. The world is full of those who claim to have authority and the last word. When it comes to truth, there is only one source for “absolute truth” because there is only one Author - God. Peter lays this point out very clearly in his second letter where he refers to those who were divinely selected to record what God wanted us to know as “absolute truth.”
“But men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (1:21). John was also captured by this revelation about the Spirit being “the Spirit of truth” (John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13, and 1 John 2:27). Read this powerful statement about the Spirit: “But the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in Him” (1 John 2:27). That also confirms John 14:26. As Jesus taught in John 14, He asked the Father to send the Holy Spirit to indwell the disciples “forever!” This took place at Pentecost and continues to take place at the moment we are saved. Through the Spirit we are taught from the Scriptures what is truth. There is no other truth! John is very clear about those who base truth on another foundation. “Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ” (1 John 2:22). I urge you to read this whole section - verses 18 to 27. This is truth! What is happening in Ecuador this weekend is very exciting. 2,000 God’s Plan for Young Disciples were printed in Spanish and about 1,000 are being handed out to Quechua churches so they can start teaching basic biblical principles from Scripture. This will build a foundation in children and prepares the next generation to stand firm in faith and share the gospel without shame.
There is a hunger among these people we have rarely seen anywhere else. Can you imagine whole families studying the Scriptures together and becoming witnesses in their communities and beyond to the power of the gospel. We had spoken with these churches years ago, but nothing happened. Suddenly, God has ignited a fresh movement through the Holy Spirit. This has NOTHING to do with us! It is a work of God. At the same time, we are convinced that prayer for these places has played a major role in preparing us and them for this moment. What would God do if each of us took more seriously the ‘missionary heart of God’ for the nations. This is also taking place in Nigeria. Is God placing a burden on your heart for some place? PRAY!! This coming weekend in Nigeria is very unusual. Four men along with many others who have completed God’s Plan for His Disciples and God’s Plan for His Church, are leading an outreach armed with the gospel. We are seeing this as a movement of God through those who have faithfully studied over the last few months. God’s Word has ignited a fire in them to spread the gospel, even in a country where persecution is escalating. They are asking for URGENT PRAYER.
This outreach has the potential of turning hearts from the evils that plague this land to new life in Christ through new birth (John 3:5-8) and regeneration (Titus 3:5). What a joy and privilege we have of being partners in the gospel through prayer! “The Bible does not offer a plan or a blueprint for living.” When I read this comment by someone I normally respect, I paused and began asking if this was true. Let me be very clear, it is not true!
Numerous times in the gospels Jesus said to the disciples and to crowds that were curious about His healing and free food, “follow Me.” That invitation was not just to observe His life, but to live what He modeled. He even gave the disciples a promise in His call; “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men” (Mark 1:17). The “blueprint” was Himself. For any who doubt the Bible to be able to give a complete plan for your life, consider how Jesus tested the disciples when he sent them out to spread His gospel, “He said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.”” (Luke 22:35). Those who think the Christian life according to the Bible is impossible, they do so because they have never tried it and have not known the Author personally. Jesus is essential for knowing the blueprint and the Spirit for ability to live it. “Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking Him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules” (Daniel 9:3–5).
As I put my thoughts together regarding a special prayer service tomorrow night, this is one of the Scriptures that came to mind and it humbled me to the core. Daniel faced challenges much like what we face today. The emperors he served were no different from those in government today who have no use for the Church or the biblical principles we hold as truth. Daniel would not compromise in the slightest degree, even when he was thrown at the door of death. Even with such hatred and vile treatment, he never complained. Do we? I wonder though why he included a prayer of confession in seeking God for mercy? Though his personal life was an example for all, he identified with his own people, confessing the sins that led them into exile. Are we willing to spend time in God’s presence and let Him reveal our sins and the sins of the Church that have fostered weakness and compromise with God’s precious truth? There is a plaque in my office that says, “BREAK MY HEART FOR WHAT BREAKS YOURS.” It is only from this humble place that we begin to see ourselves as God sees us. It is hard to remember church leaders with the kind of passion as we are seeing today. It took time for many to realize that God allowed COVID-19 for a reason, and it is time to seize the opportunity. But more than that, the authority of Scripture and the Holy Spirit is energizing their hearts. In Nigeria, Rev. Elisha, the Director of EMS, spoke at a graduation, urging the missionaries to persevere in tough times. Before Randy left Nigeria, he met with Elisha about how we can partner even more, and he has committed to opening 18 other countries for our training. Along with seasoned leaders like Rev. Elisha, and Peter, in his mid-twenties, Peter has become a beloved Timothy. 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 Randy’s last trip, he quietly told us that his cousin and her children were killed by the Fulani the night before. Peter, like all EMS missionaries, has known his share of grief and suffering, yet he presses on with a joy and peace only our Lord can give. Randy says, “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!” |
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