Christian Encouragement

This morning just before leaving the house I got a text message on my cell phone that read, "Thinking about you and praying for you. May GOD give you his power and strength. Good word on Sunday."

Talk about an instant high! My spirit was immediately encouraged, and I walked across the street to the church with an extra skip in my step.

This text message was timely, because last night as I walked home after an evening meeting, I turned back and looked at the church building. (I know the church is not actually the building but the fellowship of believers who gather there to worship and serve the Lord. Nevertheless, the building represents the visible presence of our church in this community.) In looking back at the empty church building and parking lot, I was subdued by a melancholy spirit. I felt insufficient for the task of pastoring my congregation. I wondered what the future held for us. So many opportunities before us, yet so much sin that easily besets us.

The irony is that just a couple hours before this, I had received a very affirming message on facebook by a gentleman who is fairly new to our church. He told me how moved he has been by the preaching of God's Word, how he hangs on to every word (after so many years of non-attendance and disinterest), and how much he was looking forward already to this coming Lord's Day.

Two encouraging messages within a span of 13 hours, yet in between them my heart still sunk temporarily into discouragement (even if only for a moment). In fact, before turning out the light for the night as I lay in bed, I read the final chapter of Kent Hughes' book, Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome - a scripturally rich book that I had been reading for the last few weeks in my battle against despondency. This, coupled with the psalms, has buoyed my spirit and kept me focused on what success truly is in God's eyes: faithfulness.

This morning I had a sister in Christ weeping in my office over her wayward child. We prayed together, lifting him up - and the whole family - before the Lord. I encouraged her to be strong in faith, giving glory to God by clinging to His promises.

The bottom line in all of this (and I know I've been rambling somewhat) is that Christians need encouragement. And I can find nothing more encouraging than that personal touch of kindness and especially knowing that I am being prayed for.

The prophet Samuel, who was mightily used of the Lord in his generation, spoke these assuring words to the despairing people of Israel:

The Lord will not forsake His people, for His great name's sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you His people. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you in the good and the right way. Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth wih all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.

- 1 Samuel 12:22-24

Samuel saw not praying for God's people as a sin against the Lord. How many times do we think of it that way? Notice, too, that Samuel's commitment to pray for the people was accompanied by encouraging words to the people.

May we be typified by such love and grace in our relationships with one another. The Bible tells us to "comfort and encourage one another daily" (1 Thes. 5:11). The Lord knows we all need it. By His grace let's be sure to give it!

A Good Word for Would-Be World-Changers

Last evening I returned from the Spring Conference of the New England Center for Expository Preaching (NECEP). More than 120 ministry leaders (most of them pastors) participated in this conference. The theme had to do with the primacy and power of preaching in the local church. Our two keynotes were Drs. Derek Thomas and Mark Dever.

On Monday afternoon, Dr. Thomas preached a message on "Christ's Design for the Church" from Matthew 16. One of the outstanding features of the sermon was the tremendous price Jesus paid to purchase His church: His own blood. Those who would be true followers of Christ and be involved in the building of His church must also pay a price - what Paul referred to as "filling up in my flesh what is still lacking in regards to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the church" (Col. 1:24). Dr. Thomas, who serves as Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, pointed out that one of the prevailing challenges that seminary faculties face in regards to incoming students is that they stride in with an air of entitlement.

Today I read a one-paragraph article that captures the essence of the problem that Dr. Thomas was describing. Those pastors who were middle-aged and older knew exactly what he was talking about. It is amazing how many aspiring young pastors have a mouthful, when they have yet to be faithful! On the other hand, I had the privilege of interacting with many pastors attending the conference who have persevered in their place of ministry for many years. For the most part, they struck me as "faithful plodders" - and I thank God for them!

A Call for Faithful Plodders

POSTED BY JUSTIN TAYLOR

SHARETHIS

From Kevin DeYoung's Tabletalk article:

"My generation in particular is prone to radicalism without followthrough. We have dreams of changing the world, and the world should take notice accordingly. But we've not proved faithful in much of anything yet. We haven't held a steady job or raised godly kids or done our time in VBSor, in some cases, even moved off the parental dole. We want global change and expect a few more dollars to the ONE campaign or Habitat for Humanity chapter to just about wrap things up. What the church and the world needs, we imagine, is for us to be another Bono -- Christian, but more spiritual than religious and more into social justice than the church. As great as it is that Bono is using his fame for some noble purpose, I just don't believe that the happy future of the church, or the world for that matter, rests on our ability to raise up a million more Bonos (as at least one author suggests). With all due respect, what's harder: to be an idolized rock star who travels around the world touting good causes and chiding governments for their lack of foreign aid, or to be a line worker at GM with four kids and a mortgage, who tithes to his church, sings in the choir every week, serves on the school board, and supports a Christian relief agency and a few missionaries from his disposable income?"

Retreat Reflections

Last weekend approximately fifty of our ladies trekked down to the Cape for their annual retreat. The theme verse was, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matt. 6:21; Luke 12:34). The keynote speaker was Diane Schreiner, who serves with her husband Tom at Clifton Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, where Tom serves as Preaching Pastor. (He is also the Professor of New Testament at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.)

In the days following the retreat, I heard many positive comments from our ladies - through hallway conversations here at church, e-mail, facebook messages and the like. I was quite encouraged by hearing these, and I thought it would be good for the TruthWalk readership to be blessed as well (especially since so many of our readers are members here at First Baptist Church). So without further ado, here are some comments (with little to no editing) that were passed on to me by various retreat participants:

The Ladies' Retreat was such a blessing to all of the ladies that attended. It was a real ministry to my sister Joan, a new believer...she even shared her testimony with all of the ladies!

I loved Diane's simple style of getting out the fact that we are all at different stages in our lives.... I like how she taught us to use the verse "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14) as a stepping stone ... as we rise out of bed [and] begin the day before us. I also really loved the small gathering after each of the teachings where we shared our favorite Bible verses that helped us in our daily walk. And the bonus, which I really needed was the six hours of girlfriend time, just having some fun exploring on the Cape which was quite restful!! Although I came back tired, I was refreshed spiritually as well as mentally. I hope we continue to have retreats like this. Again, the simplicity of it made it possible for me to reflect on the teachings and put it into practical use.

It was a long two weeks building up to what was supposed to be an exciting time away. The reality of going to a weekend event seemed like one more thing that was on a never ending list. The moment I walked into that room the worlds problems disappeared and women who I get a friendly "hi" in the hall from became eternal friends. The schedule was wonderfully balanced with worship, quiet time, free time and small group time. We watched as Moms and daughters, daughter-in-laws and sisterss, new believers and old all shared their heart and their laughter ... so much laughter! What an inspirational goal to strive for as I someday hope to share the time with my girls. God was ever present this weekend.. I am home very excited to apply the simple truths that were brought to the forefront and the ease in which we are to carry them out. To pass His love on to my family I feel equipped, refreshed and looking forward to next year.

I really loved the retreat. I thought the speaker was a wonderful Titus 2 role model. She had a meek and quiet spirit, she was warm, loving and approachable, and her teaching was very sound. She encouraged us in our devotion to Jesus. I also appreciated the quantity and quality time we all got to spend together. We got to share together in small groups after the talks, and we got to laugh a lot together during the game times. Also, I enjoyed getting to know my roommate and riding home with her, too. It was really nice to get to spend time with her. It is a blessing to see her willingness to deny herself and follow Christ. She acknowledges how the Lord is rewarding her lately. When she won the raffle we were all so happy for her. She said her 20th anniversary is coming up. The Lord is good!

As women, it is very easy to feel isolated and alone trying to juggle the demands of being a wife, and mother, of working outside the home, church ministry and many other responsibilities. Satan loves to discourage us through, guilt, lonliness and feeling that we are the only ones messing up or feeling overwhelmed. When you put all those women together who share similar stories and exeperiences you get 1) uncontrolable fits of laugher and 2) encouragement that we are facing the battle together as sisters in Christ. We have other women to offer advise, give encouragement, share scripture and hold us accountable. The fellowship was very sweet!

In reflecting on the Retreat this past week-end, the number one thing that jumps out at me is the sweet fellowship and unity that was so evident. I totally echo another sisters sentiment when she passed along how she could sit down at any of the 10 tables and enjoy just talking and being with them. If you have been here for any real length of time you are aware of the fact that it hasn't always been that way! God has done a work in our midst and words can't express how thankful I am!! May God continue to have his way in each of our hearts and lives so we will continue to grow even closer and more like Christlike in every way.

Praise God for His work among these women and numerous others who joined them for this retreat! May each of us be spurred on in our walk with Christ, having been encouraged and challenged by these testimonies!

God Will Never Send His Children Packing

By now you've probably heard about Torry Hansen, the woman from Tennessee who sent her adopted 7-year-old son back to Russia. AolNews reports,

Last week Hansen placed the child, unaccompanied, on a one-way flight from Washington, D.C., to Moscow, where she had hired a man to pick him up and take him to the Russian Science and Education Ministry Building.

"I adopted this child, Artem Saveliev, on September 29, 2009," Hansen wrote in a note stuffed into the boy's backpack. "This child is mentally unstable. He is violent and has severe psychopathic issues/behaviors. I was lied to and misled by the Russian orphanage workers and director regarding his mental stability and other issues."

An investigation is underway to determine if Hansen's actions violates any laws and thereby constitutes a crime. So far no charges have been filed. However, Russian officials are outraged and have threatened to suspend all adoptions of Russian children by U.S. parents. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has called Hansen's actions a "monstrous deed."

One of my friends, who provided a link to the above article on his facebook profile, passed on a remark made by another pastor who said, "This is a tragedy. But, it gives one new appreciation for our adoption into God's family, where we are NEVER 'sent back.'"

I remember thinking the very same thing as I watched the story unfold on the news the other night. The New Testament says that as a response to our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, God adopts us into His family.

Galatians 3:26: "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus."

John 1:12: "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God, to those who believe in His name."

A few contrasts can be made regarding Hansen's adoption of the Russian boy, and God's adoption of His children:

1. Based on her claims, Hansen didn't know what this boy was like before she adopted him. God, on the other hand, did not adopt any of His children in ignorance. He knew we were a bunch of dirty rotten sinners, yet in His mercy and grace He adopted us anyway. This leads to the second point:
2. Whereas Hanson's acceptance of her adopted son was conditioned on his behavior, God's love and acceptance of His adopted children is unconditional. "God demonstrates His love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8). "We love Him because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19).
3. Hanson's adoption of the Russian boy was temporary - she sent him packing. But God's adoption of His children is permanent. Jesus said, "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out" (John 6:37).
4. All the boy got out of the deal was two hundred bucks and a one-way ticket back to Russia. As God's beloved children, we get to share all the riches of Christ. "But you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs -- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together" (Rom. 8:15-17).

As I think on these blessed truths, a wonderful old hymn comes to mind. It's entitled I am His, and He Is Mine. If you'd like to sing it with a musical accompaniment, click here. Or you can simply read the lyrics below:

Loved with everlasting love, led by grace that love to know;

Gracious Spirit from above, Thou hast taught me it is so!

O this full and perfect peace! O this transport all divine!

In a love which cannot cease, I am His, and He is mine.

In a love which cannot cease, I am His, and He is mine.

Heav’n above is softer blue, Earth around is sweeter green!

Something lives in every hue Christless eyes have never seen;

Birds with gladder songs o’erflow, flowers with deeper beauties shine,

Since I know, as now I know, I am His, and He is mine.

Since I know, as now I know, I am His, and He is mine.

Things that once were wild alarms cannot now disturb my rest;

Closed in everlasting arms, pillowed on the loving breast.

O to lie forever here, doubt and care and self resign,

While He whispers in my ear, I am His, and He is mine.

While He whispers in my ear, I am His, and He is mine.

His forever, only His; Who the Lord and me shall part?

Ah, with what a rest of bliss Christ can fill the loving heart!

Heav’n and earth may fade and flee, firstborn light in gloom decline;

But while God and I shall be, I am His, and He is mine.

But while God and I shall be, I am His, and He is mine.

Timeless Truth from an Aged Saint

Earlier this week I paid a visit to an aged saint (he turns 93 next month). I hadn't seen him for quite some time, and there was a noticeable decline in his health. Though he lives in a rather large house, his living quarters have been reduced to one room on the first floor. He sleeps a lot and is nearly stone deaf. His mind is fading as well. He repeats things, often just a moment or two after he said them. Much of the time he doesn't talk at all - even when company is present - but simply dozes in his chair.

This man has been a Christian nearly all his life. He has a great heritage and has left behind a great legacy. I would tell you his name, but that's not important, for he represents a vast majority of men and women who have walked with the Lord for many, many years and have almost reached heaven's shore.

As I visited this dear friend the other day, I found it hard to get a conversation going. He seemed simply to want to sleep. The nurse came over and yelled (rather loudly) into his ear, "Mr. ______, Pastor Matt is here! What would you like to say to him?" He responded,

"I'm glad he's still in the faith."

Wow. So am I. That fact meant a lot to this man. He himself has been a dedicated servant of the Lord for many, many years - nearly all his life. Now he sat there dozing.

That was fine with me. I was content to sit there and thank God for this wonderful man and the godly influence he's had on my life over the last eleven years that I've known him. When my mom died back in 2000, this dear friend wrote to me one of the most meaningful handwritten letters I have ever received. I still have it. In it he spoke of the glory that awaits us in heaven, where we will dwell with our Savior and loved ones in Christ forever and ever. Now this dear brother is almost there himself. Soon he will be "absent from the body" and "at home with the Lord."

My friend has always loved the old hymns, so as he lay there dozing, I told him that we had concluded our Easter service by singing "Christ Arose." Though I don't have a great voice, I attempted for the sake of my friend to sing that first stanza nice and loud:

Low in the grave He lay - Jesus my Savior!

Waiting the coming day - Jesus my Lord!

I was just about to sing the chorus, when to my utter surprise, my dozing 93-year-old friend lifted his head, opened his eyes, and sang with more lung power than I could have imagined:

Up from the grave He arose,

With a mighty triumph o'er His foes;

He arose a Victor from the dark domain,

And He lives forever with His saints to reign.

He arose! He arose!

Hallelujah! Christ arose!

I am not kidding when I say that his booming voice resonated throughout the entire house. The nurses were peering in through the glass doors. (They later said that at first they thought he was yelling at me!) What a joy it was to hear my friend sing with such "gusto" unto the Lord! I grinned from ear to ear and almost laughed from sheer joy.

Not wanting this musical exchange to end, I informed my friend that earlier in the Easter service, the children had sung:

He lives! He lives!

Christ Jesus lives today! . . .

At this point my friend joined in and sang:

He walks with me and talks with me

Along life's narrow way. . . .

Of course I continued with the words,

He lives! He lives!

Salvation to impart . . .

But instead of continuing these lyrics with me, my friend went back to booming out:

He arose! He arose!

Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Talk about an impromptu hymn medley! Now I did laugh. This was great!

Yet my friend no sooner finished the chorus and he lowered his head and began to slumber once again.

I just sat there looking at him with great love and admiration in my heart. After a few moments I decided that I should quietly slip away and allow him to rest. I was just about to do that when he lifted his head and said out of the blue:

"God is faithful."

Then he dozed a bit more. After a minute or so, he said it again:

"God is faithful."

Another pause followed by a new phrase:

"The fellowship of the saints."

Amen. Precious.

I hated to leave but knew I must. He needed his rest, and I needed to get home. Before I left, I asked him in a loud voice, "Mr. ________, do you have a favorite Bible verse?"

"Yes," he replied.

"What is it?" I asked.

Without hesitation he said,

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever."

I sat there letting the words sink in. Clearly there was a connection in what my aged friend had said throughout this conversation. Stringing it all together, I thought:

I'm glad he's still in the faith. . . .

God is faithful. . . .

God is faithful. . . .

The fellowship of the saints. . . .

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever.

The lesson is clear: God is faithful; therefore let us be faithful. We are called to faithfulness. "Moreover, it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful" (1 Cor. 4:2).

This man before me had not only said it; he himself has lived it. As I parted with a prayer, I thought, "Imitate his faith."

By God's grace, I will.

Gym Hours versus Jesus Hours

This morning I went to my local gym to do some exercise. While going through my workout regimen, I listened to some great Gospel-centered songs and sermons on my iPod. Truly the spiritual workout met or exceeded my physical workout!

I left the gym physically exhausted yet spiritually enriched. But as I made my way through the main doors out into the parking lot, I saw a sign that said:

Easter Hours:

7:00 a.m. - Noon

Instantly I felt a deep agitation within my soul. The only hours they would be open on Easter Day would be the very hours that corporate worship would be taking place. To them this was not a "holy day" but a mere "holiday" in the secular sense. It was not a time to worship; it was a time to work out. Once noon rolled around, the staff and whoever got in their a.m. workout would be free the rest of the day to do their thing.

Yet in my anger I remembered that Jesus died to save sinners like these. Sinners like me. The Holy Spirit brought to mind the words of Titus 3, which instructs us as believers

"to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures.... But when the kindness of God our Savior toward man appeared not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace, we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

- Titus 3:2-7, italics mine

The Spirit that moves me to anger at man's disregard of the Savior and the greatest demonstration of sacrificial love which shaped the course of history and eternity, is the same Spirit who reminds me that my redemption is not owing to my own righteousness. It is a gift of God's grace. And the grace God extended to me He can and does extend to those who are still enemies of the cross of Christ.

God help me to hate the sin but to love the sinner, and walk in humility with my Savior before a watching world.

"With His stripes we are healed."

At home we have an updated revision of Spurgeon's most popular work, Morning and Evening. As indicated by the title, each day has two devotionals - one for the morning and one for (you guessed it!) the evening. This morning's devotional was especially moving in light of this being Holy Week, as our thoughts are centered on Jesus' death and resurrection.

In meditating on the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah 53:5, "With His stripes we are healed," Spurgeon writes,

Pilate delivered our Lord to the Roman officers to be scourged. The Roman scourge was a most dreadful instrument of torture. It was made of the sinews of oxen. Sharp bones were intertwined here and there among the sinews, so that every time the lash came down, pieces of bone inflicted fearful lacerations and tore the flesh from the bone. The Savior was, no doubt, bound to the column, and thus beaten. He had been beaten before, but this beating by the Roman soldiers was probably the severest of His flagellations. My soul, stand here and weep over His poor stricken body. Believer in Jesus, can you gaze on Him without tears, as He stands before you the image of agonizing love? He is at once fair as the lily for innocence and red as the rose with the crimson of His own blood. As we feel the sure and blessed healing that His stripes have worked in us, do not our hearts melt at once with love and grief? If ever we have loved our Lord Jesus, surely we must feel that affection glowing now within our hearts.

See how the patient Jesus stands,

Insulted in His lowest case!

Sinners have bound the Almighty's hands,

And spit in their Creator's face.

With thorns He temples gor'd and gash'd

Send streams of blood from every part;

His back's with knotted scourges lash'd.

But sharper scourges tear His heart.

We would gladly go to our rooms and weep; but since our business calls us away, we will first pray for our Beloved to print the image of His bleeding self on the tablets of our hearts throughout the day. At nightfall, we will return to commune with Him, and grieve that our sin should have cost Him so much.

"Just kill the bugs, Jerry."

Actually, my friend's name is spelled Gerry, but I thought the two J's in the title looked better. Gerry is a member of our church who came to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ a number of years ago.

On the spur of the moment, Gerry joined me and a couple of other men in our church for lunch. The other two guys work about an hour away, so on our way out to see them, Gerry and I enjoyed a good conversation. He shared with me how he came to know Christ, and how his life was forever changed. So much so that Gerry switched jobs. Previously he was in a managerial position that pretty much required him to work every Sunday morning. Corporate worship became such a priority to Gerry, that he switched jobs, taking a cut in pay. At least in this new job, Gerry didn't have to work Sundays, for the parent company was founded by Christians who did not conduct business on the Lord's Day.

Gerry is an exterminator. He kills bugs for a living. And he loves it. Not because he has anything against bugs, but because Gerry loves people. He enjoys getting to know his customers and taking care of their "pesty" problems. Most of all, Gerry looks for opportunities to share the gospel with them. Some folks are interested in what Gerry has to say; others aren't.

One time, Gerry attempted to share the gospel with a woman who was dying of cancer. Apparently she wasn't interested in listening, nor was her husband. After a moment or so he said, "Just kill the bugs, Gerry." So Gerry courteously continued his work.

Gerry could have given up, figuring few if any of his customers would be interested in hearing the gospel. They would probably just get offended or think he was weird. But Gerry knew better than that. Gerry is fully persuaded that the gospel "is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes" (Rom. 1:16). So as Gerry goes about his business killing bugs, he continues to share the gospel wherever the opportunity presents itself.

On another occasion Gerry got to talking about spiritual matter with another customer. As he opened his Bible, the client said, "Man, I wish I had one of those!" Gerry said, "Here, take this one! I've got three more at home!" Maybe we'll see that man in heaven someday.

The more I listened to Gerry, the more I perceived and appreciated his love for God and for people. It was so encouraging to know that this brother was being so faithful in sharing his faith with others. I was challenged and motivated to be more consistent in my own gospel witness.

Gerry just doesn't kill bugs. He tells people about Jesus. I love that. Don't you?

A Peek at Saint Patrick

A few days ago I received via e-mail this wonderful article on Saint Patrick posted by Jim Elliff, founder and president of Christian Com-municators Worldwide (CCW). How much do you know about this missionary to Ireland named Patrick? Read on!

As Attila the Hun prepared his first attack on Roman provinces and Augustine secluded himself in his study writing The City of God, Patrick's parents worried about their son. At almost 16 years old, he hadn't professed faith in Christ, even though his father Calpornius was a deacon and his grandfather Potitus was a pastor in the church. Something of a rebel, Patrick had already committed a serious sin that would haunt him for the rest of his life.

One night shortly before his 16th birthday, Patrick stayed at his father's country estate in Britain with the household servants while his parents traveled to a nearby town on business. While everyone slept, a party of Irish slave traders surrounded the estate. All the able-bodied members of the household were kidnapped, bound with chains and loaded into boats to be transported to Ireland. Those who resisted were killed outright.

After a two-day journey in an open boat, chained to the other captives, Patrick was sold to a farmer and given the menial task of watching the sheep. Three days before he had been a nobleman's son commanding slaves, now he was a slave. Patrick wrote about this time in hisConfession:

But it was here in Ireland that God first opened my heart, so that—even though it was a late start—I became aware of my failings and began to turn with my whole heart to the Lord my God. For He looked down on my miserable condition and had compassion for me, young and foolish as I was. He cared for me even before I knew who He was, before I could tell the difference between right and wrong. He protected me and loved me even as a father does his own child.¹

Patrick prayed constantly during these years, alone with the sheep, and remembered the Godly teaching of his parents and his pastor. Patrick also learned to speak the language of the Irish people, gradually learning their customs and about the gods they worshipped. In learning to protect and care for the sheep, Patrick was for the first time forced to think of something other than his own selfish desires. Patrick said:

God used the time to shape and mold me into something better. He made me into what I am now—someone very different from what I once was, someone who can care about others and work to help them.

After serving as a slave for six years, Patrick twice had a dream in which he heard a voice say, "Your ship is ready." Taking this as a sign from God, Patrick ran away from his owner and traveled "maybe 200 miles" on foot as a fugitive. Patrick was utterly alone for weeks and yet said he was never afraid until he came to the port city. There, he summoned up his courage and asked a ship's captain if he might sail with them to Britain as a member of the crew. The Captain initially refused his request, but as Patrick breathed a prayer for guidance, the officer changed his mind. Patrick was going home.

Can you imagine the celebration as Patrick walked into the courtyard of his home in Britain? The son they had thought twice lost, both to this world and the next, was twice found. Patrick said, "They took me in—their long-lost son—and begged me earnestly that after all I had been through I would never leave them again."

We know little about the next few years of Patrick's life—how long he stayed at home or what plans his parents had for his future. We do know that as a result of a series of dreams, Patrick was convinced that God wanted him to return to Ireland as a missionary. Patrick's parents would lose him yet again.

After receiving the proper training and the blessing of the church, Patrick obeyed God and returned to the land of his captivity, preaching among the people there for the next 40 years. Thousands of people came to know Christ and the church in Ireland was established. InConfession, a letter Patrick wrote late in his life, he said:

My final prayer is that all of you who believe in God and respect Him—whoever you may be who read this letter that Patrick the unlearned sinner wrote from Ireland—that none of you will ever say that I in my ignorance did anything for God. You must understand—because it is the truth—that it was all the gift of God.

____________

¹ Quotes from Patrick's Confession were taken from the translation of Philip Freeman, St. Patrick of Ireland (Simon and Schuster, 2004), pages 176-193.______________________________

Copyright © 2006 Susan Verstraete
Permission granted for not-for-sale reproduction in exact form including copyright. Other uses require written permission.

Kirk Cameron's Testimony

Here's a great presentation of the Gospel through the personal testimony of Kirk Cameron (of "Growing Pains" fame) with comments by John MacArthur. It's a great clip to pass on to your unsaved family members and friends.

"The Humble Will Rejoice in the Lord"

In The Spirit of Revival, pastor-theologian R. C. Sproul wrote, "A study of both Scripture and history shows that God usually brings revival through 'nobodies from nowhere,' humble people who lived in little-known places who in their own time were not considered celebrities."

Does this thought encourage you? It does me! It coincided perfectly with what Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers:

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world's eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who thing they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

- 1 Cor. 1:26-29, NLT

Sunday after the morning worship service, I was talking with a Christian brother who was sporting a T-shirt that communicated a biblical truth (offhand I can't recall exactly what it was). I mentioned a few ties that my wife had gotten me for Christmas in years past. One had the Lord's Prayer written on it; another had a beautiful script of John 3:16 (I wore that tie just yesterday, in fact); another shows the books of the Bible. My friend mentioned another T-shirt he owns that says,

I'm just a nobody trying to tell everybody

about a Somebody who can save anybody.

Such a perspective quells pride, promotes holiness, exalts Christ, and enhances our Gospel witness.

We are in the midst of a Week of Prayer at my church. Our theme for this week is repentance. One verse we've considered is Isaiah 57:15:

For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."

C. J. Mahaney got it right when he wrote, "God is decisively drawn to humility.... This is the promise of humility. God is personally and providentially supportive of the humble." I close with the following prayer taken from the Puritan devotional classic, The Valley of Vision:

Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly,

Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,

where I live in the depths but see Thee in the heights;

hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold Thy glory.

Let me learn by paradox

that the way down is the way up,

that to be low is to be high,

that the broken heart is the healed heart,

that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,

that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,

that to have nothing is to possess all,

that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,

that to give is to receive,

that the valley is the place of vision.

Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells,

and the deeper the wells the brighter Thy stars shine;

Let me find Thy light in my darkness,

Thy life in my death,

Thy joy in my sorrow,

Thy grace in my sin,

Thy riches in my poverty,

Thy glory in my valley.

Self-Denial, Prayer, and Fasting

The following article was written by Pastor Paul Tessari, in preparation for our upcoming Week of Prayer (March 7-13):

There are several things which might facilitate prayer and fasting in God’s people. Most notable in Scripture are those exhibiting repentance for sin[1] and those who are seeking God’s help, guidance and protection in a given situation.[2] No matter the cause, the believer seeks to move the heart and hand of God to action on their behalf. We are, as Isaiah 58:4 states, trying to “make [our] voice heard on high.” These petitions are to be done in humility knowing that God only looks to the one who is humble and contrite of spirit.[3] God, Scripture attests, does not hear the prayers of a sinful man.[4]

So what is the posture of fervent prayer? How do we make known to Him the importance of our prayer? Surely, as Scripture teaches we should “pray without ceasing.” We should be active in our daily lives communing in prayer to the Almighty King. But what of those special circumstances, when we run to Him in emergency, when our need is dire, our hearts heavy, and our hope slim? Times like that of Esther the queen who discovered a plot by Haman to murder her people and wipe them off the face of the earth. Or times like that of Jonah when he preached to the wicked people of Ninevah and proclaimed the impending judgment of God upon them. How did they pray then? In what way did they emphasize the degree of their prayer? They did it with fasting! The people willingly denied themselves life sustaining nourishment in an appeal to make known to the Lord the serious nature of their petition. “We shall deny ourselves and seek the Lord,” they said.

The concept of self denial is not new to Scripture. Indeed, Scripture is filled with its references. As a Christian it is foundational to our faith, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matt. 16:24).

The apostle Paul, ever the impassioned writer, compares the Christian to a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer. Each of these vocations conjure images of self abstention. Can you imagine a soldier who fights only when he wants to? Or breaks for lunch whenever he’s hungry? What sort of athlete stops when he’s tired or quits when he’s behind? What befalls the farmer who wakes up at mid day when the notion suits him?

Be assured that this soldier will never win the battle, this athlete will not see victory, this farmer will never enjoy the fruit of his labor nor eat of its bounty. Winning the battle, seeing the victory, enjoying the fruit of your labor never comes without first laying aside self. And neither does the Christian walk.

Paul makes this clear in 1 Corinthians 9 when he says, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”

When we fast we are denying our body the very thing it needs to survive. In so doing, we are subjecting the desires of the flesh to the will of the spirit. In earnest humility we are appealing to our heavenly Father and making known to Him the importance of our petition.

Such commitment in prayer is rare today. In an age where we are encouraged to yield ourselves to our flesh, Scripture exhorts us to deny ourselves and pray to a holy God. This goes contrary to everything our culture embraces. At every turn, our society incites us to submit to the appetites of our flesh and “just do it.” Satisfy your every impulse and “Go for it.” Yell from the rooftops, “It’s my money and I want it now!”

Yet, this is not the way of Christ.

Self denial should be a distinguishing mark of all those who name the name of Christ. We are bought with a price. We are not our own. As bondservant of our Lord Jesus Christ we do not do our own will, but the will of Him who has saved us.

In a little over a week, First Baptist Church in Weymouth will be having our week of prayer. O, how beautiful and encouraging it will be to see brothers and sisters in Christ united in prayer. How “counter culture” it will be to band together and deny our earthly impulses and present ourselves before the throne of grace in humility. I, for one, am looking forward to it.

---

[1] Jud. 20:26; 1 Sam. 7:6; Neh. 1:4, 9:1; Dan 9.

[2] 2 Chr. 20:1-4; Ez. 8:21; Est. 4:3; Ps. 109:19; Dan. 6:18; Acts 13:2, 14:23

[3] Ps. 35:13; Is. 66:2

[4] Jer. 14:12

How Hungry Are You for God?

On March 7, our church will launch its annual Week of Prayer. The Elders and Deacons are encouraging the congregation to fast the final three days of this week-long prayer watch.

Why? Because fasting is a biblical way of reminding ourselves that God is the center of the universe, not man. If God is truly our number-one love, then we will exalt and desire the Giver above His gifts. Consider the following Scriptures:

• Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You. - Psalm 73:25
• As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. - Psalm 42:1
• I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. - Job 23:12
• Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. - Matthew 4:4; cf. Luke 4:4; Deut. 8:3

That final statement was made by Jesus at the end of a forty-day fast in the wilderness. Jesus did not command His followers to fast; He simply assumed they would. (In giving them instructions He said, "When you fast..." not "If you fast...." - see Matthew 6:16-18).

There is a danger in fasting. The Word of God warns us about people who "require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth" (1 Tim. 4:3). The fact is, "food will not commend us to God' we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat" (1 Cor. 8:8). God accepts us on account of His own mercy and grace, on the merits of His Son Jesus Christ. Whatever we do in relation to food or drink is done to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). It is an act of worship, God accepts us solely on the merits of His Son, Jesus Christ. In his outstanding book, A Hunger for God, John Piper points out,

In the heart of the saint, both eating and fasting are worship. Both magnify Christ. Both send the heart - grateful and yearning - to the Giver. Each has its appointed place, and each has its danger. The danger of eating is that we fall in love with the gift; the danger of fasting is that we belittle the gift and glory in our willpower.

Earlier in this same book (on the very first page, actually) Piper notes, "The discipline of self-denial is fraught with dangers - perhaps only surpassed by the dangers of indulgence."

Frankly, I believe that's the extremity toward which most of us gravitate ... by far. We are slaves to our appetites. Paul warns us about those "whose god is their belly" (Phil. 3:19). As Piper quips, "The stomach is sovereign."

I understand that the point of fasting is not to diet; it's to die - to self! Food itself is not the issue per se; it's our fleshly appetite. An idol is anything that becomes a substitute for God. An idol can range anywhere from sexual pleasure to a T.V. show to a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship to making money to seeking the praise and approval of others.

There is such a thing as true and false fasting. Read Isaiah 58. If you abstain from food while clinging to the other idols of your heart, then forget it. You might as well go ahead and gorge yourself; your fasting isn't acceptable to God anyway. But if you abstain from food as an expression of your hunger for God, desiring His righteousness, His presence, His power in your life - if you "take delight in the Lord," He will "make you ride on the heights of the earth" (Isa. 58:14). He will prove Himself to be the greatest pleasure that you can possibly experience.

So while it may be appropriate to abstain from sex, or a certain T.V. show, or your favorite hobby for the sake of seeking the Lord, there's nothing like abstaining from food that brings our fleshly cravings to the surface. This is a point that Arthur Wallis stresses strongly in his classic book, God's Chosen Fast. Without mincing words, Wallis writes:

When people do not like the plain, literal meaning of something in the Bible they are tempted to spiritualize it and so rob it of its potency. Once the truth becomes nebulous it ceases to have any practical implication. They have blunted its edge; it can no longer cut. In the main this is what the professing Church, and evangelicals in particular, have tended to do with the biblical teaching on fasting.

"To fast," we are told, "is not simply nor necessarily to abstain from food, but from anything that hinders our communion with God." Or they say, "Fasting means to do without, to practice self-denial." We have only to widen the meaning enough and the cutting edge has gone.

It is true that there are many things besides food that may hinder our communion with God. It is also true that we need to practice self-denial in general. The fact still remains that "to fast" means primarily "not to eat."

John Wesley declared, "Some have exalted religious fasting beyond all Scripture and reason; and others have disregarded it." As was stated earlier, the prevalent error of our day is not self-denial but self-indulgence. We tend to feast and play rather than to fast and pray.

But I also believe that God in His grace brings us to the place where we get "fed up" (pun intended) with the junk food of this world and long to feast in fellowship with Him. As Wallis states so eloquently,

... God be praised, a new day is dawning, and a new thirst for the Spirit is beginning to awake the slumbering Church. It is a day of spiritual renewal. There are searchings and inquirings, burdens and longings on every hand. The heart-cry of the Church is ascending to heaven. The Spirit of God is stirring.

Is He stirring in your heart? I hope so. I pray that you will be so hungry for God that you will say to Him, through fasting, "God, this is how badly I want You; this is how badly I need You! I do desire You more than my necessary food! Come to me, Lord, and fill Me with the fullness of Yourself!"

"Big P, little p" (by Pastor Nick Jones)

Big P, little p - what begins with P?

Parents Patiently Practice Persistent Pedagogical Prayer

Parents, the greatest influence in your child's life right now is: you. It may not feel this way, your kids may argue differently, but the fact remains that you do the primary molding in your child’s life.

The reason for this is simple: no other influence in their life is like the parent-child relationship, which is an educational relationship in which everything you do teaches your kids something. You may not sit down for a formal “lecture” time, there may be no “family meetings” to discuss important matters, but this does not mean your kids are not learning from you. Your words, actions, interactions, attitudes, presuppositions, and thought processes all shape your child’s view of the world around them and teach them how they are to live in it. God designed it this way.

Next month here at First Baptist Church, we’ll be having our annual Prayer Week, and as preparation for that I’d like each family to take a close look at how you are teaching your children about prayer.

You teach your children about prayer when you react to life’s situations.

In many bad situations we teach our kids that prayer comes only after we’re done grumbling, complaining, or gossiping (if at all). Likewise, when good things happen, prayer is relegated to a quick “praise God!” and nothing more is said. When these occasions come, we teach that prayer is secondary to our emotions and situations. Instead our actions and reactions should teach that prayer is a necessary part of our emotions and situations.

You teach your children about prayer in your attitude toward prayer.

Your kids also learn about prayer when it is regularly absent, forgotten, or approached out of a sense of “ought.” If your attitude is: “let’s get this done with so we get to the stuff we really want to do,” then you are setting your kids up to see prayer as something to check off of a list, but not really necessary for daily life. Conversely, if you love to pray your kids will see, remember, and learn (even if they don’t like it or agree!).

You teach your children about prayer when you pray without them.

Do your kids see you pray by yourself? Do they see that you have a personal relationship with God that is worth your time and energy? Many kids only see their parents praying in public times (meals, church services, etc.), which is the quickest way to enroll them in the Pharisees School of Prayer and teaches them that prayer is merely a way to make people look good and holy, regardless of what their life really looks like.

You teach your children about prayer when you pray with them.

The simple act of praying regularly with your kids teaches them several, massively important lessons. You teach them that your family submits itself to a higher authority and that you are under his banner, you teach that you recognize God as the giver of every good and perfect gift, you show that fellowship with God is sweeter than the gifts he gives, and it shows that God himself is the binding force for your family – the source and glue of all that you are.

You teach your children about prayer in what you pray.

There are two issues at hand here. First, do your prayers teach your kids that prayer is just a tool to get what you want? Are they filled with phrases such as, “help me, give me, help me, give me, help me give me”? There, of course, is nothing wrong with praying, “help me” or “give me,” but are you the center of your prayers? We must be careful not to be selfish in our prayers.

A second caution would be against having dishonest prayers. If you humbly approach God in prayer, acknowledging out loud that you’re a dirty, rotten sinner who can only come to the Father through the blood of Jesus, then you teach your kids that prayer isn’t a performance. Pray what you mean; mean what you pray. Don’t pray, “God, we’re happy and thankful” in a boring tone. Do your words match your attitude? If you’ve royally messed things up, don’t pray a generic, “blah” prayer – be honest with God. This is especially important when your kids see you sin. It shows that you don’t have a casual disregard for your failures, instead it teaches them to go to the only One who has dealt with your sins through the work of his Son.

Prayer is a wonderful gift from God – we can talk to him! Love God and love to pray, and in doing so you teach your kids how, when, why, and what to pray. Remember, they will learn about prayer from you. The question is: what will they learn?

Jesus: Our Superior, All-Sufficient Savior

Last Sunday I preached on Matthew 5:4, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." I mentioned that mourning is not a dead-end street, it's the road of redemption that leads us straight to Jesus Christ. He is the One who has come "to heal the brokenhearted" and "to comfort all who mourn" (Isa. 61:1-2). In Christ we have all the comfort - and everything else - we need. Jesus is the all-sufficient Savior who meets the deepest needs and longings of the human soul.

Several days ago we received a mailing from our former church in Richmond, Virginia, that included the pastor's summary of a recent article by Revive magazine (Winter 2010, Volume 40, Issue 4), which offered a significant look at the superiority and sufficiency of Christ:

• Jesus is the true and better Adam who passed the test in the garden and whose obedience is imputed to us.
• Jesus is the true and better Abel who, though innocently slain, has blood that cries out, not for our condemnation, but for acquittal.
• Jesus is the true and better Abraham who answered the call of God to leave all the comfortable and familiar and go out into the void to create a new people of God.
• Jesus is the true and better Isaac who was not just offered up by His Father on the mount, but was truly sacrificed for us.
• Jesus is the true and better Joseph who, at the right hand of the King, forgives those who betrayed and sold Him, and uses His new power to save them.
• Jesus is the true and better Moses who stands in the gap between the people and God, and who mediates a new covenant.
• Jesus is the true and better Rock of Moses who, struck with the rod of God's justice, now gives us water in the desert.
• Jesus is the true and better Job, the truly innocent sufferer, who then intercedes for and saves His foolish friends.
• Jesus is the true and better David whose victory becomes His people's victory, though they never lifted a stone to accomplish it themselves.
• Jesus is the true and better Esther who left His ultimate and heavenly palace, and who didn't just risk His life but gave it to save His people.
• Jesus is the true and better Jonah who was cast out into the storm so that we could be brought in.
• Jesus is the real Passover Lamb, innocent, perfect, helpless, slain so the angel of death will pass over us.
• Jesus is the true temple, the true prophet, the true priest, the true king, the true sacrifice, the true lamb, the true light, the true bread.

All these marvelous identities and realities we find in our Lord. Can you think of some others? Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Strengthening Relationships

What's the most important commandment? We don't have to guess, because Jesus already answered that question when it was put to Him.

Jesus replied, "the most important commandment is this: 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.' The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these."

- Mark 12:29-31

A lot could be said about these two commandments; indeed, a lot has been said about them! So much so that perhaps you didn't read the above text carefully. Maybe you just glanced over it or skipped it altogether because it is so familiar to you.

But despite our familiarity with this text, we still don't "get" it. Marriages are still in turmoil; teens are alienating their parents; siblings continue to quarrel; congregations are rife with contention. - And all this among professing Christians!

What's the problem? One well-known pastor put the answer in a nutshell when he was asked "What's the number one need of the evangelical church today?" His response: "Spiritual growth."

Sounds simple, but that really is the truth. Grow in your relationship with God, and you will most certainly improve your relationships with others.

One way that you can do this as a Christian is to be committed to corporate worship. In his helpful book, Basics for Believers, William Thrasher writes:

Each Sunday brings with it the wonderful opportunity for ever believer to celebrate and deepen his relationship with God and other believers through the act of worship in a corporate setting. It is in participating in this important act that we learn to fulfill the two greatest commandments as spoken by our Lord....

Proper worship should usher the believer into a special time in the presence of God and guide him in direction of thanksgiving, repentance, and holy living. It is a time to listen to God and what He has said to us through His Word. It is a time to look at ourselves in light of that Word and to confront and confess our sins. This is a time when we can sing praises to Him and thank Him for what He has done for us. And it is this vital time that marks just how we will live and conduct ourselves in the coming week.

Another blessing of strengthening our intimacy with God is the effect it has on the entire family. As husband and wife become closer to the Lord, they become closer to each other. as families worship together, they are nourished by the experience and their foundation as a unit is made firm. Their relationship to each other is fortified and they learn how to live godly lives together in acceptance and love. They hear God's commandments and seek to apply these truths with one another.

As we grow in the Lord and mature in our understanding of his Word, we become better neighbors to those around us. And as we become better neighbors, people God has placed in our lives are drawn to Christ. This is one of the main channels God has been pleased to use to expand His kingdom.

... It's one's proper relationship with God that has the greatest impact on all other relationships in life. Failure at this juncture is where many believers begin the gradual decline that affects every other area of their lives. This is why many Christian marriages end in divorce and why their families sometimes mirror the troubled and unsaved families around them. The Bible makes it clear: Apart from Christ, we can do nothing positive for the kingdom. But through Christ, we can have relationships with our mates that glorify and bring pleasure to God. We can have solid relationships with our children, and we can effectively reach out to our neighbors and serve those around us.

Don't underestimate the importance of corporate worship and your involvement in the life of the local church. It is a lifeline to your relationship with God and others.

The 9/11 Terror Trials

It appears the 9/11 terror trials won't be held in NYC after all. Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he would be "very happy" if the White House held conducted them at another location. Rep. Peter King of New York, ranking Republican on the Homeland Security Committee, has introduced legislation to block funds for a 9/11 trial in NYC. The fact is, a large number of both Democrats and Republicans believe strongly that the 9/11 hijackers should be tried, not in a civilian court, but a military tribunal. Not in NYC, but in Guantamano Bay or some other military base.

As I thought of all this debate and opinions regarding what is sure to be "the trial of the century" - how it's going to be conducted, where it's going to take place, who's going to prosecute, what's going to be the outcome, etc. - I couldn't help but think of the Great White Throne Judgment described by the apostle John in sobering detail in Revelation 20:11-15:

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

The Judge: God Almighty

The Prosecutor: Jesus Christ

The Accused: Unrepentant Man

The Verdict: Guilty

The Sentence: The Lake of Fire

There will be no debate, no change of plans, no lapse in the prosecution, no negotiation, no leniency, no possibility of parole. "For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising Him from the dead" (Acts 17:31).

Are you prepared to meet your God? Have you made peace with Him through faith in Jesus Christ? He bore God's wrath on the cross so that you wouldn't have to bear it for all eternity in the lake of fire. Having been raised from the dead, Jesus now sits enthroned at God's right hand. He is the righteous Advocate of all who turn from their sin and trust Him to save them. He will be the righteous Judge of those who don't.

"Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him" (Psalm 2:12).

Rock-Solid Faith Beneath the Rubble

Late Sunday night, a friend shared a link to CNN, which featured a video of a woman being interviewed in a hospital after she had spent five days in the rubble of a crumbled building in Haiti on her knees! Watch and be blessed by her testimony.

Because of His sanctifying love, often times our Lord will bring about various crises, the purpose of which is to drive us to our knees - maybe not literally as was the case with this precious believer, but nevertheless just as important. May our own faith in the Lord be strengthened as we continue to hear testimonies of our brothers and sisters in Christ looking to the Lord in the aftermath of the quake.

On a side note, I praise God for the prayers and financial contributions offered by our congregation this past Sunday for evangelical churches in Haiti. The initial offering was quite generous, and more is sure to come in. Some in our fellowship may even go on site to help. However and wherever our Lord may lead us to help, let us do so with all our hearts. For Jesus Himself said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35).

10 Ways to Encourage a Missionary

Last week a colleague sent me some helpful suggestions on how to encourage missionaries, written by Mark Rogers, a Ph.D. student in historical theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. I thought they were worth passing on.

In an effort to learn how we can best encourage missionaries, I emailed some and asked how they would most like to be served and encouraged. This list is drawn from their responses, including many direct quotes.

1. Pray for them and let them know that you are doing so frequently.

“One of the most encouraging/inspiring things we receive from people is a quick note via email to say that they are ‘thinking’ of us.”

2. Send “real mail.”

“Send a small care package. Some little fun food items that we can’t get where we serve is a good idea.”

“One idea is to send a special package before an American holiday (like Thanksgiving) filled with things that we can use to decorate for that holiday.”

“Send us a birthday card. This doesn’t have to be some long handwritten note, just a little card – maybe even printed at home.”

“Real mail is always special. Really, the thing with real mail is more than just getting some nice stuff from home (which is nice), but it seems a more tangible reminder that the people I love and miss love and miss me too and are thinking of me.”

3. Pray for the people the missionaries serve and not only for the missionaries and their families.

4. Recruit others to pray for the missionary’s area of service (city, people group, etc.) or for the missionaries themselves.

“This can be an amazing thing to have a person or group of people actively supporting the work that we are doing overseas – becoming an advocate for our city/work. It really encourages us to know that there are people going to bat for us and raising more prayer support for the work.”

“Become an arm of our work in the United States. Some ideas include handling our newsletter distribution, website hosting (i.e., hosting a virtual website for the city), logistical arrangements, or short term team orientation.”

5. Go visit them with the purpose of serving and encouraging them in their work.

“Have a group of your people come to minister to us as we are seeking to pour out our lives to others. This could be hosting a small retreat in country for our team or something similar, or coming to prayer walk the city we live in.”

6. Send them updates and pictures of you and your family (by mail or email).

“It would especially be nice to receive end of the year updates or Christmas card pics. We want to stay connected to you! We love hearing from friends and family and enjoy keeping up to date on what’s happening in your life!”

“If you have a friend overseas, stay in touch with them. Don’t let cautions about being careful with spiritual language keep you from talking about the day to day “un-spiritual” things you would talk about if you met up for lunch one day. Sometimes the least spiritual emails are the most helpful, because somehow I feel less distant when friends talk to me like they always did before I left. Share updates on family, school, work, life, sports—whatever it is that you used to talk about with them.”

7. Ask questions about their work.

“Ask not only how we are doing, but ask about our work and try to learn all you can about the people or city where we are serving.”

“I know that this has been said, but truly CARING about the work is the best way to encourage us.”

8. Continue to be a Christian friend and continue to minister to them.

“Don’t stop being the church to us when we leave. Whenever security allows, spiritual conversations are good for our hearts. Missionaries struggle with the same sinful attitudes that plague Christians everywhere. Leaving home to live among unreached peoples, may be a step of faith in the process of sanctification, but it is not a step that roots out all sin. It is likely to lead to and expose all kinds of previously unnoticed and unexpected sin. Having friends that know me, are patient with me, and expect me to be the same struggling sinner I was when I left helps me stay humble when tempted toward arrogance, and hopeful when tempted toward despair.”

“Even for us with strong member care, it is helpful to receive pastoral care from the stateside church’s pastor who many times will know the missionary personally and have the history with them to be able to invest and mentor them and their family and marriage.”

“Ask us those hard questions. Do a little pastoral counseling with us.”

“Please don’t elevate us onto some false pedestal. We are normal people too who have been forgiven much and for some reason God called to live and minister overseas.”

9. Support them financially.

“Finding out if we have any specific needs and meeting those needs is great.”

10. Seek to encourage them when they are on stateside assignment.

“Let us talk to you and your congregations, and small groups. We want to share what God has been doing and would love the opportunity to talk about it, raise awareness and hopefully gain more prayer support.”

“Invite us out to lunch or dinner. Nothing fancy is needed. Remember we’ve just been in places where we may not have been able to even enjoy a little Mexican food.”

No missionary mentioned this to me in emails, but I know it is a blessing when someone shares their summer home or cabin for a missionary family to get away and relax for a few days.

“Let us know about any good books that are must reads. Tell us about any good resources that may benefit our personal growth or ministry work: things like conferences, training for ministry/leadership, and so forth.”

10 Tips for Intimacy with Jesus

In our bedroom the other day, I saw on my wife's dresser a little clipping she had taken from Revive magazine, a publication by Life Action Revival Ministries. I thought it conveyed ten simple, yet very helpful suggestions in strengthening one's relationship with the Lord. Some of these you may have already incorporated into your devotional life, and there might be others that you have not considered that may enrich your walk with God.

1. Value relationship. Recognize the importance of intimacy with Jesus every moment of the day.
2. Practice continuous communion. See the entire day as a running conversation with Jesus.
3. Invite His presence. Enter every conversation and meeting with a silent (or spoken) prayer.
4. Clear your conscience. Quickly deal with everything that is quenching or grieving the Holy Spirit.
5. Set daily appointments. Set a specific time for concentrated reading of the Word and prayer.
6. Embrace spontaneous conversations. If you wake up at an odd hour, or a thought or person comes to your mind, view it as Jesus' invitation for fellowship.
7. Cultivate true devotion. Approach devotional times as a conversation with Jesus, not a duty.
8. Journal. Record your thoughts during times of prayer, meditation, or Bible reading.
9. Exercise your soul. Take one day a month away with God. Get into nature with your Bible, and read whole books of the Bible in one sitting.
10. Focus through fasting. Practice regular fasting for the sole purpose of giving focused attention to Jesus.

Which of these do you already practice? What others could be of help to you?