It is always a joy to receive a phone call from our "Timothy" in Ecuador. He is so committed to advancing God's work, not just in this country, but wherever the Lord leads but especially in the Spanish speaking world.
Toward the end of April, we spoke on the phone and realized their supply of God's Plan for His Disciples(GPHD) was very low and they were having a meeting with about 30 pastors from Spanish speaking churches in the Quito area, to introduce this training material. The result of this meeting was that ALL the pastors want to use GPHD (Spanish) in each of their churches to disciple every believer. We were able to provide funds through generous gifts of many like you, so they could print more. What will be the end of such a movement like this? We like to hope and dream of what God might do in Ecuador or any other country around the world. But I want to remind you of the vision God gave to John. “And they sang a new song, saying, “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, and You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”” (Revelation 5:9–10). God has left us here with a glorious message to give those who have never heard so they can be added to that numberless multitude. Will you carry it to someone who has not yet heard?
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As I have surveyed the development of our children's book, God's Plan for Young Disciples (GPYD), it becomes clear that God was looking far ahead of that moment. The inspiration came from a mother in Nicaragua who gathered about 15 children and young people around her. The biblical content of God's Plan for His Disciples (GPHD) gripped her heart and forged an idea of simplifying the adult book (GPHD) into a book that would transform young hearts and make them strong in biblical truth and faith.
The idea came home to the USA and captured the heart of two mothers who were teaching Bible stories to children of needy families. From these two events, the new book took shape. This team grew into five of us working together so that a final product was edited and ready for printing. Since the printing of GPYD in English, this book has been translated into eight languages with the Arabic translation in progress. What is even more amazing is that the non-English languages have taught far more children and young people than we had ever dreamed would happen here in America. Was our printing of a few thousand books in English a waste? NO! This account of the GPYD development is a powerful reminder that we must hold our plans lightly and be perfectly willing to allow God to use what we have done in ways that are not our design. This willingness will ensure that God gets ALL the glory. Through Jesus Christ, God has given gifts (abilities) to individuals in the Church to edify and build up each member in the body of Christ so each one can do the "work of ministry" with the maturity of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. Through this, every member grows in the same faith and understanding of who Jesus is until all reach their fulness in Christ.
Why do I place emphasis on this subject? In my years of ministry and observing many churches, both in America and in many countries around the world, I see a disturbing practice. It may not be intentional, but none the less, it is a problem that needs to be addressed. Certain individuals in the church are overlooked in the maturation process. We might never admit that we are avoiding our responsibility with such by not helping them grow and be built up in maturity. My own experience is that these persons want to grow just like anyone else. I will repeat Ephesians 4:13, “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.” For emphasis, here Paul's words to Corinth; “On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable” (1 Corinthians 12:22). Why are they "indispensable”? Because they were bought with the same price as everyone else with purpose for being saved. We need to see others in the body of Christ through the eyes of God the sovereign creator and redeemer. Remember, you and I are as much the subjects of God's grace as anyone. There are glories associated with the redemptive work of Christ that we need to review often to remind ourselves how extensive and glorious the results of His work are.
Among these works forged at the cross are how God removed differences that once separated Jews and Gentiles which are now taken away by the "blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that He might create in Himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility” (Ephesians 2:14–16). This displays the glory of Jesus and His finished work! It was always in the mind and heart of God the barriers created by man and his sin should be removed by the cross of Christ. Be careful that we do not allow divisions in God's work that He never intended. We will be traveling tomorrow and not able to access the internet for most of the day, so I wanted to wish you a VERY SPECIAL MOTHER’S DAY!! People have made a big mistake of making one day a special day to remember mothers. EVERY DAY IS MOTHERS DAY!
Adam was correct when he named Eve (the mother of all living). She soon forgot the unique role God gave her. Never forget that He has given you a unique role which I treasure. Many trials, pain, heart aches, sleepless nights are mingled with joys and victories. Be sure that none of these issues blur the beauty of your God-given role. As you fulfill your role, you lift up the glory of God and His perfect plan for motherhood. It is easy to question your impact because of moments we call “failures.” Your Heavenly Father is the perfect judge and evaluator and has already secured your righteousness in Christ. Because of Him, your perfection is secure (Hebrews 10:14). REST IN THIS! At the same time, be sure to pass on the lessons you have learned and are learning. The beauty of sanctification is that God the Holy Spirit is making you more into the image and holiness of Christ (Hebrews 10:14). The more His glory shines through you the greater will be your impact on the next generations. You will see some fruit, but the magnitude of what you leave behind is only measured by God who designed your purpose for being here just at this role and this slice of time. May the Lord use this day, and every day, to fill your life with blessing, the peace of Christ, and the joy of the Holy Spirit. I thank the Lord for you!! I add a very important note to all the women who want to be mothers and have not acquired this status or are unable. Your value is just as great as if you were a mother. God's purpose for you is a high and holy calling. He may call you to mother those younger than you with special wisdom and grace. Live for this and do it for the glory of God. With abiding love in Christ. It has only been in the last few months that the work through NFI has gained momentum. We are very thankful for this. When we began to see God moving through the influence of GPHD, GPHC, and GPYD, we realized there was a hunger for a solid teaching and application of God's Word. Tanzania is probably our fourteenth country, but we desire that biblical teaching will have a lasting impact on all 54 countries of Africa.
Here is a brief report from our "Timothy's" recent work in Tanzania: "I would like to bring this brief report, my special brothers and sisters. From the wisdom and instruction, you sent me in Tanzania (God's Plan for His Disciples (GPHD) and God's Plan for His Church (GPHC), I have been able to train disciples to become faithful leaders, by God's grace. It hasn't been easy, but by the help of the Holy Spirit, the students have moved one step ahead by completing and graduating from GPHD. l have successfully introduced GPHC to about 45 leaders. l divided them into groups by congregation so they will be working together doing the assignments. l ask for your prayers so they will be able to finish all the lessons by December. The work is spreading, and I have been assured by the pastor in charge that if they complete GPHC and graduate by December, we will be moving to another region of Tanzania to introduce GPHD, by God's grace. Through this work, I am seeing the great expansion of God's kingdom in Tanzania. Thank you for this very special material and the assistance you have rendered to me since December 2023. God bless the works of your hands!" Let us keep this work in prayer. We are only sowers of the seed and water carriers, but God makes His Word grow and have a long term impact! The following are prayer requests I received from Tom.
"I have a praise item. The manuals that we needed for Uganda have arrived. The plan is to introduce God's Plan for His Disciples (GPHD) in several locations. I am also scheduled to teach on a number of subjects while I am with James, so please pray for the Lord to guide with His words and the power of the Holy Spirit so this visit is effective and give God glory. A pastor and his family continue to ask for prayer regarding their ministries in Cuba. Yuly says that her husband is trying to find a better paying job to be able to support his family. Their newborn is doing very well, which is a blessing and gift from the Lord. I would ask that you continue to pray for the people in Ukraine. Things have become much worse since I have left. One of the pastors I met is asking for our prayers that God will give them wisdom in these very difficult circumstances as more rocket attacks cause tensions to be really high. There are two very special people involved in some very dangerous work as they continue to deliver food and the Gospel to people who are very close to areas of the fighting. Pray for their families also because they are never sure whether they are going to return home. Plans are being made for a trip to Nepal and Sri Lanka in September. We are trying to decide if we are going to both places or just one now and the other later. Submitting to the Lord in all things is always needed along with the Spirit to actively make that happen in us." It is a joy for me to bring you a report from a country in Africa that we may know as Côte d'Ivoire on the Ivory Coast.
"We give glory to Almighty God for the training that we were able to do in Ivory Coast from April 17th to 19th. By God’s grace I reached there after two days of journey from Burkina Faso. After crossing Ghana and getting to the district of Agnibilekrou in Ivory Coast republic, God was in control through every checkpoint and every other need. We started the training on Wednesday, April 17th with God's Plan for His Disciples (GPHD) and finished with a graduation on 19th April 2024. Brother Jacob will continue by training them through God's Plan for His Church (GPHC) and travel to Korgho for GPHD’s graduation and introduce GPHC for them. The challenge is that printing is very costly. They will need maybe 50 GPHC books again. If we can print them in Burkina Faso, I will be able to send the books to brother Jacob." (From a brother in Burkina Faso). Remember the saying by Hudson Taylor? "God's work done God's way will not lack God's support." Let us give our all in His work and seek the Spirit's help do it His way! One of the most exciting aspects of our work is training the younger generation through God's Plan for Young Disciples (GPYD). God is using the study of His Word to prepare the next generation to be a tool in His hands to spread the gospel to unreached corners of the world and bring Him greater glory.
Tomorrow, May 8th to the 11th, two of our team will have one day training with our "Timothy" in S. E. Asia. They will proceed to a graduation with children who have completed God's Plan for Young Disciples(GPYD) at a Christian School. They are taking letters from a local church in the USA where children are also working through GPYD now. He will exchange their English letters with letters from the local Christian School in S. E. Asia and bring them back to the children here at home. What a blessing! Please pray for these children and young people. As you can imagine, the enemy of the gospel is bent on hindering and even stopping its spread if he could. For that reason, it is critical that we are persistent in prayer for these carriers of the Good News. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42). "Do this in remembrance of Me" 1 Corinthians 11:24-25).
If this request had come from one of the Apostles, it would carry some weight, and Paul did remind us of the request, but it came first from the Person who had paid the ultimate price for our deliverance from slavery (sin). How much more should be our respect and devotion without any degree of casual attitude! This is not to say that there is anything we could do to compensate Jesus for the price He paid, but we can examine ourselves and make sure our minds, hearts, and lives are reflecting a fellowship with the Lord that is continually sensitive to the Holy Spirit, His convicting power and teaching grace. In thinking about this aspect of our subject, we must never confuse salvation by grace through faith with the attitude of our hearts. The breaking of bread is the request of our glorious Savior. Will you honor Him in partaking of such a special event by letting the Spirit transform your heart with Christ's glory? |
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