We live in a very confusing world, especially during the current pandemic. Some countries have closed their borders completely while others let anyone in. Some countries will reopen their borders only to travelers with proof of their vaccination. The variety of situations could fill pages.
As followers of Jesus and law-abiding citizens, we respect the regulations as long as they do not prevent us from obeying the Word of God (Romans 13:1-7). Laws and regulations are not really on my mind. I am thinking of those activities God has given us to do that cross borders, cultures and languages from north to south, and from east to west. Remember what Jesus told the disciples just before He ascended into heaven? “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The problem with carrying out this command is that we think of doing this with our limited human ideas. Our planning is often limited by what governments tell us instead of appealing to God (who created the nations) and asking Him to show us how He wants us to fulfil His will. I see God doing more in our day to spread the gospel than ever before in my lifetime. He is using technology and supernatural means to accomplish His will and purpose. Let’s join Him and be amazed!
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Throughout Scripture God has given promises to His people. Some were general promises in the sense that they were given for all the people of God, while others were specific to an individual. For example, God promised Abraham that Sarah would give him a son (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-6). Abraham suffered the consequences of not hold on to God’s word and attempted to have a son by Sarah’s maidservant, Hagar. This brought conflict in his household that still rages today.
Zachariah lived at a pivotal point in history. John the Baptist (the forerunner to Jesus) was going to be born by his wife, Elizabeth. Both were old and past the normal child-bearing years. When the angel Gabriel came to Zachariah and gave him the news, he doubted the message by saying, “How shall I know this?”(Luke 1:18). This cost him the ability to speak for nine months until John was born and brought into the temple. He spoke when he confirmed his name was “John” (1:60). What does it take for us to believe God when He speaks to us? One thing is certain, we must have a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. That includes having the Holy Spirit dwelling in us and we are not quenching His voice by seeking to achieve God’s will man’s way. God is always looking for persons who will walk closely enough with Him that He can speak as with a friend (Exodus 33:11). How close are you walking with the Lord? The other day someone asked the question, “who was the first person that recognized Jesus when He came into this world?”
“In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb” (Luke 1:39–41a). The baby in Elizabeth’s womb was John the Baptist and he recognized from Elizabeth’s womb that Jesus was in the womb of Mary. Can you imagine the divine preparation that went into both unborn babies? This example proves the viability of life in the unborn. David knew this truth. “My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth” (Psalm 139:15). Instead of finding arguments against life in the womb, as many do, the reaction of John to Mary’s voice should humble us that anyone should consider one unborn child unworthy to live. It was the life of the unborn John who recognized the life that was born, grew up, was crucified, and now provides eternal life to those who humbly receive him. Jonathan continues to reflect on his time in Nicaragua.
“God has truly been developing a strategy in David to reach Nicaragua and Central America. We made plans to follow up on several graduations in March with those who complete God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD). We are also planning a trip to El Salvador at the end of February to do a graduation of GPHD students. As we talked about this movement, I found us talking mostly about our personal time with the Lord and our necessity to be filled with the Holy Spirit. I have been reading a book by Steve Smith, “Spirit Walk” where he says, “methods are mere mechanics without the Spirit of God”. And as David and I continued to talk we agreed that this work cannot be our method. All our plans and strategies fail if we are not being filled daily with God’s Spirit. Please continue to pray for David and the work in Nicaragua and throughout Central America. His heart and devotion to the Lord and God’s work puts most to shame. Let us follow his example.” “For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 2:20–21). (Report from Jonathan). God is working and the wind of the Spirit is blowing in Nicaragua. Our brother David remains a source of great encouragement in God’s plan for reaching not only his country, but all Central America. Our time together was spent reconnecting with the work and planning a strategy for 2022.
The gospel of grace is spreading across Nicaragua. Everywhere we went, whether to a house meeting or a more formal setting, there were testimonies of God using His Word to change the lives of people. One woman testified that her adult daughter was saved a month ago. She started a study using God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD) and had a question on Lesson 2 about the Holy Spirit. She did not understand “What it means to be born of water and the Spirit?” I encouraged her to keep working through the lesson, keep searching and she will find the answer. It is always a joy when students ask questions, and the right ones. God always answers a longing heart. Information about the strategy for Nicaragua will be given tomorrow. Let’s rejoice together at what God is doing in this Central American country. We must pray that this work will spread. Now that they have a supply of books for training, only God knows how far “the Word of the Lord [will] speed ahead and be honored” (2 Thessalonians 3:1). What would you say if an angel came to you and asked you to do a very unusual task? First, would you recognize it was an angel and if you knew it was an angel sent by God, would you be willing to do exactly what was requested?
“And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus” (Luke 1:30–31). After asking for confirmation, “Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her” (1:38). We may excuse this as being a very unusual case and really does not apply to us. What about others who were asked to do very unusual assignments, and though they did not understand how, they accepted what was required. There was Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Paul. The point is never the size of the task or its difficulty but our degree of willingness. God’s requests ALWAYS come with the assurance that He will supply ALL that is needed to complete them. Mary’s degree of obedience was “let it be to me according to your word.” She did not agree according to how well she understood the instructions or whether she could see the request working out. Mary submitted to God’s will as it had been communicated to her. That is called “trust.” Are we that willing? It may be easy for us to sense God’s love for us as we pray and meditate on Scripture, but do we feel as deeply God’s love for others in the church who we see on Sunday or during the week? This point was a real challenge to me yesterday as I met with a brother, and we studied God’s Plan for His Disciples together.
He asked me a question about a situation which caused me to pause in our conversation. If I wanted him to feel good about my answer, I would reply one way. But if I truly loved this brother, I would be more concerned that I answer to promote obedience to the Lord whether it made him feel good or not. John uses the expression “whom I love in truth” in two of his letters (2 John 1 and 3 John 1). Paul uses the term “love toward all the saints” (Ephesians 1:15) and give the Colossians and Philemon credit for having this quality. This is not a superficial love that is only concerned with externals, but a love that will sacrifice personal gain and acclaim for the spiritual well-being of those loved. How deeply do you love those you serve? John puts it this way; “By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers” (1 John 3:16). Don’t ask how that is to be done, just be willing “to lay down your life for” someone else A dear brother in Africa sent me the saddest email today. I felt the intense burden on his heart as he told me that many churches never hold baptisms or celebrate the Lord’s Supper. Because of the clear command in Scripture (Baptism - Matthew 28:19-20 and the Lord’s Supper - 1 Corinthians 11:23-26), the church should make these a priority. In reading the Book of Acts, these occasions were part of their regular events the Church was devoted to (Acts 2:42).
Why has the church in some places ignored these instructions? I believe what my brother is so burdened about points to some serious conditions that must be addressed.
Other issues could be mentioned, but these three lie at the root of this issue. Unless there is genuine repentance, they are in danger of the Lord removing their light (Revelation 2:5) and coming under His severe discipline (3:19). Let us not fear to speak the truth to each other “in love” (Ephesians 4:15) so the Church matures and more fully glorifies our Lord. Some of us have been reading through the Book of Revelation as this year comes to a close and pondering some of the events that will take place. As the seven seals are opened, the sixth seal reveals powerful events that happen in creation. These cause a reaction that we cannot ignore.
“Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”” (Revelation 6:15–17). John the Baptist looked at Jesus as he began His ministry and said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). That first look on the face of the “Lamb of God” was acknowledging that He came to save the lost by His blood. What will cause this difference for some when “the Lamb opens…the seven seals”? This second appearing will be a “face” of judgment on all those who refused to receive the “Lamb of God”at His first appearing. This huge difference is what propels us to share the gospel and help the Church share the gospel effectively through the power of the Holy Spirit. Are you sharing it? “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also 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 4:2-4
From Jonathan: “Nicaragua has been a special place where God has poured out His Spirit, igniting the faith of those who hungered to return to Scripture in the power of His Spirit. This has been seen especially in the planting of churches and strengthening of disciples as it was in Acts 14:21-23. This trip I will be spending in Managua with my dear brother David and his family as we begin to lay out a strategy for 2022 to reach the marginalized people groups of Nicaragua. We will also plan for trips to Cuba, El Salvador, and Honduras. David planned that we follow up with the 3 church plants in Managua and the surrounding area, that have completed God’s Plan for His Disciples and are eagerly awaiting the introduction of God’s Plan for His Church and God’s Plan for Young Disciples. Please pray for this work.” Prayer requests for the trip: 1. Pray that I would proclaim Christ and not myself. 2. Pray that I would be a “servant” to these brothers and sisters. 3. Pray that the church in Nicaragua would see the plan and purpose of God. 4. Pray that God would continue to pour out His Spirit on this group of believers and fan their faith even more into flame. Revelation 5:9 “And they sang a new song…Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation…” |
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