36 6.87n 115 10.3w

Thailand Bound Oct…

Coming in October Hope Baptist Church will be sending a group to Thailand with the expressed purpose of partnering with a pastoral training conference for pastors in and around the country of Thailand.  Thailand is a country with close to a 70% unreached population with countries surrounding it that are closed off to the Gospel all together.  The implications of this training and those to come stand for great possible Kingdom expansion not only in unreached peoples but also in areas that are not “supposed” to be reached.

During this conference there will be a VBS held for the pastor’s children and the children that attend the school in which the conference will be held, up to 600 children and 600 youth!!!  This, my friend is where my heart is and why I believe God has opened a door for me to be able to participate in this mission (my first).  As you know children ministries is one of the major aspects of my life where God has called me to use my talents and abilities.  My desire for this trip is not only to be able to teach…and play…and love on these children with Gods love, but to love on a culture.  I look forward to seeing how God opens up our view to the world and to our faith practiced in the world, with intentions of being able to bring some of that back to America for use and practice.  I truly believe our faith is more than what America says it is and I am looking forward to see Gods hand and Gods work in other countries. 

One of the most interesting aspect of this trip is that we, as a group are planning, organizing & producing this VBS from the ground up.  We are currently in the planning stage and as we evaluate our needs for this to happen many needs come to mind.  First, I ask that you pray for me and the team going…though my words are far from as eloquent as the Apostle Paul’s I request prayer on behalf of this team “…Pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored…and pray that we may be delivered from the wicked and evil men…” 2 Thessalonians 3:2-3.  We need prayer support and this is reason ONE that this post exists.  We also need your support in encouragement.  Time and time again I’ve seen the devil take advantage of God’s people as they prepare for such a time.  I ask, on behalf of the team for your encouragement building up to this time as a continual reminder that God’s plan is in effect and nothing will shake that.  Lastly I ask for your involvement.  This trip will cost each member 2400.00 to meet the costs of the mission; will you please pray about providing support for us in raising the money to go on this mission?  However God moves you to provide support, I thank you…I thank you, prayer’s; I thank you, encourager’s; and I thank you, donor’s!  In all sincerity, God bless you.

The Great Commission

Matthew 28:16-20

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

In Praise of Plodders :: Warren Wiersbe

Although he had only an elementary education, by the time he was in his teens, he could read the Bible in six languages. He later became Professor of Oriental Languages at Fort William College in Calcutta, and his press at Serampore provided Scriptures in over 40 languages and dialects for more than 300 million people.  

His name? William Carey, “father of modern missions.”  

His secret? He was a plodder.  

The one criterion 

“Eustice,” Carey said to his nephew, “if after my removal anyone should think it worth his while to write my life, i will give you a criterion by which you may judge of its correctness.  

“If he gives me credit for being a plodder, he will describe me justly. Anything beyond this will be too much. I can plod. That is my only genius. I can persevere in any definite pursuit. To this I owe everything.”  

Getting your feet wet 

The etymologists tell us that our word “plod” comes from an old Middle English word that means “a puddle.” The Danish have a similar word that means “mud.” A “plodder” is someone who is willing to get his feet wet and wade through water and mud to get to his destination. He keeps going!  

Shakespeare was wrong when he wrote, “Small have continaul plodders ever won.” History shows that it is the plodders who finally make it. “By perseverance,” said Spurgeon, “the snail reached the ark.”  

In this age of fast food, digests and quick fixes, plodding is not held in high esteem; but it is still the plodders who are getting things done, a day at a time, a step at a time. Paul had the plodders in mind when he wrote: “And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary” (Gal. 6:9).  

Direction 

Of course, the plodder needs to know where he is going, or his daily toil will be in vain. He doesn’t want to become like the airline pilot who told the passengers, “We’re lost, but we’re making very good time!” It is important to have direction.  

This means setting goals, definite goals, that may be measured. It also means breaking down these long-range goals into bite-size tasks that can be handled day by day. A Chinese proverb says, “The man who removed the mountain began by carrying away small stones.” Don’t be so dazzled by the distant destination that you get on the wrong path and lose your way.  

Make a list of the things you feel God wants you to do, arrange them in order of priority, and use the list as a prayer guide and a road map for your ministry. It isn’t necessary to share the whole list with everybody; some things are better kept quiet.  

“When the pilot does not know what port he is heading for,” says a Roman proverb,”no wind is the right wind.” The pastor who has his destinations clearly in mind can adjust his sails as the winds change and still make it to the harbor.  

Discipline  

The plodder has to be disciplined. As he mended shoes, young William Carey taught himself Latin, Hebrew, Greek, French, and Dutch. We might arguet hat he had a special gift for languages; but even if he did, his achievement at least encourages us to do more with the gifts God has given us. Persistence without ability is futility; but if God calls us to serve, He will equip us for the task.  

Plodders have their eyes on the goal; they resist every effort to get them on a detour. “This one thing I do!” is their special verse (Phil. 3:13), and they will not change. David Sarnoff, president of RCA, said, “The will to persevere is often the difference between failure and success.”  

Divine encouragement  

Isaiah 40:31 is a special promise for plodders. There are days when God enables us to soar like the eagle or run like the deer, but they are few and far between. However, when we wait each day on the Lord, He gives us the strength to plod: “They shall walk and not faint.”  

“God never communicates surplus power,” said Joseph Parker. “God promises no strength beyond the day in which it is required.” He cited Deuteronomy 33:25, the perfect text for the faithful plodder.  

“Strength to walk may be yours,” said Alexander Maclaren, “patient power for persistent pursuit of weary monotonous duty. That is the hardest, and so it is named last.”  

“Duty” is just another name for the will of God; and to Jesus, the will of God was satisfying food, not bitter medicine (John 4:34). When duty becomes delight, then plodding becomes pleasure; adn the daily walk takes on new joy and excitement.  

“Consider the postage stamp,” said American wit Josh Billings. “Its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there.”  

Remember that the next time you open your mail.  

(Copyright Warren Wiersbe, All Rights Reserved)

Being Filled

“Being filled with the Spirit detaches us from the desires, the standards, the objectives, the fears, and the very system of this world and gives us a vision of God that comes in no other way”  John MacArthur  New Testament Commentary on Ephesians

In so many words there is freedom from the entrapment of this worlds standards and expectations.  Giving us, the believer a right view of God and allowing us to dream in way that is completely God inspired.  In turn allowing us to take that dream toward steps into a literal life-style that reflects the teaching of Christ.  Our “Spirit Filled” dreams played out into life will be the thing that effects the world, not meticulously planned methods. 

Be Filled

“Unless we know what it is to be directed by the Holy Spirit, we will never know the bliss of the assurance of Heaven, or the joy of effective work for the Lord, of having our prayers answered constantly, or of indulging in the fullness of God’s own love, joy, and peace within us.” John MacArthur New Testament Commentary on Ephesians

Direction of the Holy Spirit is not only essential, but a command.  Second to the concept of an unbeliever putting faith into Jesus for salvation falls this concept of being filled and lead by the spirit.  Nothing of God, including obedience is obtainable any other way.