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Normally we would not think of an interruption in our regular course of life as a blessing unless it resulted in something better. This moment in Acts 9:1-9 for Saul was a huge interference to his plans and purpose to bring an end to “Ther Way” as the Church was called at that time. Saul even carried legal papers from the synagogue in Jerusalem that gave him authority for the persecution he was bringing against Christians. Suddenly, Saul was interrupted by another authority much greater than what he had.
While he was driven by religious status and importance, this event stopped him on an ungodly road. This is the most dangerous state for anyone to be in because it blinds us to the truth about ourselves. The divine interference was more intentional than Saul’s mission for Damascus and was necessary to cause Saul to realize that he was being confronted with a Person, power and authority that was much greater than his or the whole Jewish religious system. When self-centeredness and self-will becomes controlling in our minds and hearts, it takes this degree of interruption to awaken submission that leads to repentance. There are people in our lives that need this type of interruption, and we need to be specific in prayer that God will do this for the sake of His name, glory, and purpose for them. Maybe this person is YOU! Any interruption that God brings into your life is intended to change your future from disaster and judgment to the brightness of Christ’s life in you.
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I just got off a phone call that I could not rush. The person was having a struggle with evil thoughts that would not go away. Their cry for help was, ‘what can I do to make them go away?
Knowing that they are saved, I was praying in my heart for the Spirit to give me the right words and Scriptures that properly address this heart-felt need. I remembered an illustration I gave in a preaching years ago. I took a jar of dirty water that could not be used for drinking or for refreshment. Then I took a bucket of good, clean, drinking water and kept pouring it into the jar of dirty water. As I did this, bits of dirty and bad water were forced out of the jar. Eventually the water became as clean as the bucket of good clean water. Paul says several things that speak directly to this problem; that Christ “might sanctify her (the Church); having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word” (Ephesians 5:26). Then, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape,that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). And “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:2–3). Putting these two verses together, we can understand why Paul put two principles together in one verse, “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). So it is with our minds and hearts. Evil and sin is not removed merely by human will to remove them. We must intentionally take the power of God’s Word and pour it into our minds and souls on a continual basis – UNTIL JESUS RETURNS! Again, Paul says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). “But he (Stephen), full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55).
Acts 7:54-60 is a beautiful example of a normal follower of Jesus who is filled with the Spirit and, even under the severest pressure of persecution that led to death, Stephen redirects his attention to heaven. He knew where his strength for that moment came from. Though his message was inspired by the Spirit at the moment and required to give witness to God’s faithful work in Israel, he could do this because Stephen was well versed in the OT. Those two divine resources (God’s Word and the Holy Spirit) provided everything necessary for him to look into heaven and see the glory of God and Jesus standing, exalted. The glory of God in the OT was the same as what He saw in heaven. The contrast between this and the anger of the religious leaders was a gulf they could not handle. We must realize that evil CANNOT tolerate the presence of pure light. Either those who oppose will come to the light and allow their works to be exposed, or they will lash out against the light in a vain attempt to extinguish it. The first response will spread and magnify God’s glory and further reveal the Light. The second response will find itself fighting against a power that CANNOT be stopped. This ultimate failure will cause opposition to implode on itself. What is so amazing is that opposition actually advances the work and Word of God. Stephen knew this and was willing and ready to be the instrument of multiplication. Are we of this mindset? Footnote: God is using Zoom training to bridge the US and Vietnam in a very wonderful way. Please pray for both the facilitators and students. Both need the Holy Spirit to understand and apply the Scriptures. As a man in my “senior years” and one who often thinks about ending my life on earth well, I am deeply concerned about those I will leave behind. Many speak about leaving a legacy. If I left one, it would mostly be about me and that is what I DON’T WANT! My goal is to leave behind persons who have fallen in love with Jesus and pursue a relationship with HIM!
For that reason, I am very concerned about those younger than me; the younger generations. God is stirring up amazing interest with younger people and children in Spanish speaking nations, East and South Asia. The demand for our books in these age groups is exploding beyond what we can keep up with. These books are built on our training through God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD) and help the student discover for themselves the truth of the gospel and the New Testament Church. They lay a foundation in young hearts that will help them stand strong in a day of moral trouble and decay. Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:16). “At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.” (Matthew 11:25–26). If this blog has brought any conviction in your heart, please take 5, 10 , 15 minutes or more this weekend to pray for God to do a special work among the younger generations. Our prayer times as a team each week often take turns in directions we did not expect. Several of our “Timothy’s” are facing serious health issues (Nigeria and Uganda), and a dear Brother in Ecuador who, many years ago, saw the values of our ministry and promoted biblical discipling and church planting, is now with the Lord. His influence, witness, and passion for the Lord will be greatly missed.
Paul understood the unique value of his Timothy’s that he left or sent to various places. “I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed, he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow” (Philippians 2:25–27). There is more at stake in Nigeria and Uganda than we realize. Please us in prayer for God’s mercy to be on these brothers. At the same time, there is good news. One of team reported a salvation that took place this last week. There is a major corporation in CT where a Bible study started using God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD). They just ordered a full case of books because of the sudden interest in being discipled through God’s Word. Tom is going to El Salvador today to follow up on a new hunger for discipling young people there. Another brother is taking our Spanish books to Honduras this coming week. These events cause both thanksgiving and prayer. Sorrow is always mixed with joy in the kingdom of God on earth. The Lord designed these things to motivate us to greater perseverance and determination to represent Him better.  God's Plan For His Church (GPHC) Conference in Nepal (May), brought together 72 pastors and leaders for a time to fellowship, to look back at their progress and get ready for their graduation at the end of September. It was a chance to bring together what participants had been learning from their study of the manual over the past months. It became much more than just a simple event as it turned into a true time of spiritual renewal for the Church across Nepal.
Many of the leaders are among the simplest and least educated people in the villages across Nepal - most without a seminary degree, many under the age of 30, and many not married. These leaders have been judged and treated differently by other believers because of these things. They say, “you can't do ministry because you have not been a parent, because you don't have a degree, and because you are not qualified for this ministry. Yet at this conference, the opposite happened: these pastors and leaders were built up, encouraged, and set free. Person after person shared that they felt deeply encouraged to hear that the only things needed for ministry are the power of God’s Word in the gospel and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Everything else does not matter! This truth lifted a heavy weight many had carried for years, and they left full of new energy for ministry. “Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”” (John 8:31–32). Man-made traditions produce bondage and hinder God’s work moving forward at His speed and in His power. May our hearts be convicted by God’s truth, not man’s words.  The life of a dear friend and brother in Christ in Ecuador, hangs between a miracle of recovery and being at home with Jesus. We have known Juan for many years; Tim much longer than anyone at NFI. He has always displayed passion for the Lord, his wife and family, and for God’s work in Ecuador. He is a disciple-maker, both in ministry and his manner of life. Through his business and many relationships, he witnessed the saving power of Jesus for all. Juan planted a church in his home town and used NFI resources to disciple and train other churches so they would become faithful disciple-makers.
While his life hangs on a human thread, his testimony and memory remain eternal. There is a welcome waiting for Juan as he enters his final home with a new white robe, a new name, and an unbroken conversation with Jesus, his Savior and Lord. He will hear these words: “‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter the joy of your master’” (Matthew 25:23). There is a question that also hangs in God’s balance: “Is this our assurance?” What tips the scale between doubt and absolute certainty is our relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. There is a big difference between human scales and God’s. Human scales allow for our ‘good works’ to add weight to the final decision. God’s scale is totally based on faith in Jesus’ work for us! Which scale are you trusting? It makes an eternal difference! We are seeing God work in ways we did not expect. One of our team spoke with a brother who is visiting the United States from Mongolia. After hearing about our resources, he requested copies of God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD) to take back to Mongolia with the possibility of having it translated in preparation for an introductory training in December of this year. This needs your prayer support for several reasons:
Two events can quickly change the way we look at the future and the way we plan and pray. A few weeks ago, our Arabic translator lost his battle with cancer but gained the eternal presence of Jesus. He will be greatly missed! Please pray for his wife and two daughters. Also pray that the Lord will provide another translator who knows Arabic and English and has a heart for God’s Word and its impact on people.
In Randy’s last visit to Indonesia, his introduction to God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD) opened the door for another visit in September. This requires formatting GPHD into the Iban language in preparation for this visit. Please pray for efficiency in completing this project. As we come to you through this blog and our newsletters, we usually include items or events for prayer. These are not just a ‘wish list’! They are critical concerns and needs. CONSIDER: “The church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men – men of prayer! The Holy Spirit does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men - men of prayer! (E. M. Bounds, The Complete Works of E. M. Bounds on Prayer. Prince Press, 2000, page 447.) Take time to ponder and consider. Are you a man or woman of prayer? One of the challenges we face in training leaders in other countries is catching the concepts of Paul’s principles of church planting, so they become self-sustaining, self-governing, and self-propagating. This is a difficult transition when the old model has been used so long.
As we lean on the Lord, we see Him go before us in arranging circumstances that help certain places make the change, not because we forced it, but because God ordered the events that required a change. For several years we have trained pastors and church leaders in South Asia by taking them through God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD) and God’s Plan for His Church (GPHC). These events are usually scheduled for August. It became apparent this year that only one person could go, but the place requires at least two. To say we can’t come was hard to hear. Randy had a phone call with our “Timothy”, and he has embraced by faith the challenge of training the camp without us this August. He had a great conversation and they prayed together, assuring him that this is not a step backward, but a step forward. We will supply the cost of the camp and printing more books that will be needed after camp. Please keep our Brother and the camp (August 24-28) in your prayers! |
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