Let me begin with some very exciting news. The Ukrainian God's Plan for His Disciples (GPHD) translation was completed yesterday! The last graphic was put in place and the whole book carefully reviewed and sent off to Ukraine for printing. They want enough copies printed immediately so the church Tom visited can start using them this weekend.
There is far more to this event than just the book. Followers of Jesus in Ukraine are hurting. The war has not only hurt them physically with death, suffering, and exhausted resources, but they feel spiritually empty. Please pray that God gives us the ability to strengthen His Church in Ukraine with the eternal truth and power of His Word. From April 4th to 16th, Randy will be with Rogers in Northern Uganda attending many graduations in multiple places. Rogers has really caught the vision for what God's Word can do through our resources. Please pray for Rogers who leads this expansive work. “You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.” 2 Corinthians 1:1
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In the many years I have had the privilege to teach and preach, one of my deep concerns has been that it be done with the goal of fostering spiritual maturity in all I minister to. That is why I prefer a discussionary format rather than lecture or preaching. Paul used discussion when he "reasoned daily in the hall of Tyrannus" (Acts 19:9).
The value of interchange is NOT to see who has the best ideas. It is intended to allow the teacher to receive feedback from the students so he can determine if they understand the principles that Scripture is presenting. Why is this important? MATURITY! In many of Paul's writings he, and others, point to the importance of the Church becoming mature. Paul gives a good reason for this; “until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes” (Ephesians 4:13–14). If you are teaching and/or preaching and this is not one of your primary concerns, I suggest taking time to evaluate your goals. "We are to grow up in every way into...Christ" (4:15). About an hour ago I sent a message to a dear friend who is facing serious medical treatment for cancer. As I typed out my words, I thought of our heavenly Father's care for us, and these verses came to mind.
“Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:9–11). If you think Jesus' words "If you then, who are evil" are harsh, remember the setting. He was addressing the crowds who had gathered on the mountain to hear Him (5:1). Those of us who have a relationship with God as Father through His Son, Jesus Christ, have a very different appreciation of our " Father who is in heaven" and what He does for us, not only in difficult times, but all the time! For this dear friend and for you, my longing and desire is that you would increase your trust in our Father in heaven. BUT He is not just in heaven. Because the Spirit has come and dwells in every believer (John 14:16), this means that Jesus and the Father also live in us by the Spirit (14:23). Along with His continual provision, we also have His continual presence! "We (Tom and team) are now in the second largest city in Ukraine, about 25 miles from the Russian border. They wanted to take this city but have been repelled so far. There is destruction all around the city and especially in the surrounding villages, more so to the east.
We have visited several churches both in the cities and in villages near the front lines. There is a tremendous amount of fear wherever we go. Constant air raid sirens mean that missiles are on their way somewhere. We have seen and heard and even felt explosions, Including a lot of fires. We had the opportunity to hear people's stories everywhere we go. They're all praising God for their protection and for the opportunities this war has given them to minister to people. Almost everywhere we go, I had the opportunity to share the gospel with groups of people and present God's Plan for His Disciples (GPHD) to them. We have also gone to several villages near the front lines. Some villages have been totally leveled and burned. Many apartment buildings are demolished by bombs or missiles. Listening to many heartbreaking stories is very humbling. We met children who have lost both parents killed in the war and these children were found hiding in basements for weeks. In talking with people who are ministering to the needy, especially the children, they refuse to leave as long as there are children here in danger." (Tom) We are so thankful the Lord has protected Tom and his team over the weeks he has been there. Within a few days we will complete the Ukrainian GPHD and send it there for printing. PLEASE BE IN PRAYER for its completion by Wednesday for printing, and delivery. Pastors there tell us that this resource is exactly what is needed to strengthen the church and disciple believers in Ukraine. 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. 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. |
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