Greatful, Thankful, and Humble

We are in Thailand on a visa run during the holidays, and I am studying different articles on missions for a Seminary class I am taking while we are here. I just wanted to share what God just laid on my heart while reading an article by Tracy K. Jones.

I am greatful for the Southern Baptist Church that is our family back home, from whom we have come overseas to do God's work. I love the staff, and I feel they are led by the two authorities in any Christ-follower's life- God and His word.

I am thankful for the IMB, through whom we have come to do God's work overseas. I believe the leadership to be fully led by Godly men who are also led by God and His word.

But, I am humble to think that a mere simple man can be used by God, who has called us out. We will not do the work, but through us He will do His work.

God calls, the church sends, the agency facilitates. At the front of all this, it is God who calls us. He calls all of us in His time, when He has equipped us in His own way for the task.

Is God calling you? How will you know if you aren't talking to Him? How will you know unless someone explains it to you, like your church staff? Ask God, ask Godly leadership.

The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Every 2.5 seconds, someone dies in South Asia, 99% of those do not know the salvation that has been offered to them. How can they ask for salvation if they don't believe? How will they believe unless they hear? How can they hear unless someone tells them? How can someone tell them unless they are sent? (Romans 10:14-15)

God is calling. He has been calling since He gave us the great commission to go and make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:18-20). That we will be His witnesses to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).

It's not too late. After 16 years of professing that I was a Christ follower, He called my family and I to "pick up and move to the land I will show you." Many times, I wish I had heard that call earlier in my life, but God knew He had to do some pruning in my life. In 2005, it was time. I submitted. In His time. It wasn't too late for me, it's not too late for you. He may call you specifically one day. Just be ready to go where He asks you, with hands and a heart open to His will.

Notes From The Field

I have just returned from four days on the field, and I had an encouraging time visiting 3 of our 14 this past week. We went with Paul*, whom I had visited with a couple of months back. He was excited to find people in a new place interested in the Gospel. Paul has been going back there often, and has 2 men of peace in this village of fishermen. One of them was always drinking alcohol and getting drunk. He would argue with his wife and children. He had been listening to the Gospel from Paul*, but hadn't accepted. One day, one of their children was sick, but he had no money to take him to the doctor. He remembered that he could pray to Jesus for help, and the next day, someone gave him money to see the doctor- the exact amount needed! From then he has been believing more. One night, his wife had terrible stomach pain. It was 1 o'clock, so no doctors were available at that time. He prayed to Jesus to heal her. Immediately, she felt better! Since seeing God's power, he has repented and believed. He no longer drinks and he feels peace in his heart. He has been a witness of how God can change lives. Many others have seen the change in him, and it is only a matter of time before this village begins to accept Jesus. Church meetings take place every week in their house, and Paul* is teaching him the things we teach Paul*. Praise the Lord!
I visited with another of our 14, Matthew*. Recently, he had 2 young men come to know Jesus. They went and shared with one of their friends, and he accepted Christ. I taught all three about assurance of salvation in the Bible, and also about baptism, as they have not taken it yet. They have been believers now for 1 month, and their friend for 1 week. One of Matthew's* church planters that he has been teaching, has had 5 people in a village he has been sharing in come to him wanting to know more about Jesus. On Saturday, December 6, he and Matthew* are going to share the gospel with them. We are praying that they receive it and become fishers of men!
I also received word from my team member about another of our 14, who I was not visiting this week. James*, who has a network of CP's and a mission organization, has been very forward about pushing his guys to do the things we are teaching. He himself committed in his plan to visit 6 new villages. However, running a network and organization, he has been very busy and unable to visit any new villages. James* called and he had taken Thomas*, another of our 14 who lives near him, with him to a new village. He said that he was excited to have found a person of peace and that they accepted Christ as their savior!
Slowly and little by little, our 14 are catching the vision. Once we get more of them to consistently do what we are teaching, and coming back to report to the entire group to rejoice, the whole group will begin to move forward even quicker.
Pray for our 14, that they continue to put into practice the things we are learning together, and that they remember that planting churches is not enough- they need to plant churches that plant churches. That is how over 1 billion souls have a chance to hear and respond to the Gospel of Jesus!
*Names of 14 changed to Apostle names for security.