<< back to Newsletters
August 2004
Dear Friends,
As I approach our upcoming trip to Pakistan I am both excited and challenged. The Lord is continuing to enlarge the open door He has given us to reach the people of Islam with the love and power of God.
While preparing for this trip I have been contacted by church leaders in Dubai that have asked us to include 4 Middle Eastern countries in ministry on our way into and out of Pakistan.
God is enlarging an open door to minister to the church in this strategic part of the world.
Years ago the Lord showed me a picture of the globe. In this picture I was shown how the gospel first covered the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. After the dark ages the revival movement began in Europe. This movement launched modern missions.
I was made to note how the move of God covered Europe, then North America. In the next phase it moved to Africa, Central and South America.
In recent years the Lord has opened the communist bloc and sent a great move to the underground church of China.
Now we are seeing a huge harvest in India.
As I saw this picture the Lord spoke to me that the last shall be first and the first shall be last.
I noted that the Islamic bloc of people has been the first to receive the gospel, and realized they would be the last people group of emphasis before Jesus comes.
I am amazed now to see how Islam has become the center of world attention and doors of opportunity and harvest are opening to this people group.
This is a kairos moment and a sign of the times in which we live. Once again World Outreach is being given the opportunity to participate and contribute to the growth of the kingdom of God on the cutting edge.
Please join me in prayer as I make this journey. Some of the places I will go are not yet open for evangelism, yet God will work wonders among them.
Above is a picture of the first of four shipments of books that are needed in Africa for our growing enrollment of Bible College students. We are privileged to continue to teach a new generation of leaders for the work of God in Africa.
We have the largest enrollment of any Bible School in Kenya, Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As the reputation of our Bible Colleges and the impact of our graduates grows the interest in studying at our schools enlarges.
Thank you for your help in prayer and finance. Each student enrolled costs the ministry as the actual costs are underwritten. Because of the growing enrollment our costs are going up. This is a good problem. However, it means we need more support so that we do not have to limit enrollment. If you wish to provide a financial blessing for these students, please click here to make a donation.
Thank you for helping to meet this need.
All of our orphans at the Salem House 1 have successfully completed their school year.
Many from the churches have offered to serve in various ways. These include helping to bring the children up to grade level in their education, which in some cases has been neglected due to their orphan situation.
Each one has been brought up to grade level having received special help in the areas of educational deficiency. We are rejoicing in this as each one is continuing to grow in the Lord and being prepared to have a successful life.
This month we will begin another home in Ouenze, the central part of the city of Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo.
This is another step of faith as World Outreach continues to make a difference in this nation.
Because of our efforts many different churches have begun to pick up the burden of reaching the orphans in the city. This is great progress, but more needs to be done. Please believe God with us for the Body of Christ in Brazzaville to continue to grow in its vision and involvement in Raising a Generation for Christ.
If you wish to support World Outreach in making a difference for these orphans, please click here to make a donation. Your prayers and support are invaluable.
Since last month's newsletter I had the privilege of ministering in a Church in South Carolina that is pastored by Satish Raiborde, one of the brethren that was on our Crusade Committee in our meeting in Nagpur, India in 1986. Around 20 people in his church had been in one of our Crusades in India. It was great to renew fellowship with him and the wonderful church God has raised up under his ministry. From this local church he continues to travel to India and other nations in evangelism and missions. Janice and I rejoice to see this reproduction in ministry.
Satish shared with us how the city of Nagpur was divided in the dozen churches that were in the city when we came. He said the ministry had great impact on the city. No other major crusade ministry came to Nagpur as 2½ years later outdoor meetings were banned. Yet, due to the impact of our ministry breakthrough came to the city and 15 years later instead of 12 churches there are now over 400 revival churches in the city.
One man that was in the church attended the Crusade when he was just 18 years old. He told me about a neighbor that lived across the street from him who was born blind and was about 40 years of age that was completely healed. This had great impact upon his neighborhood for the Lord.
We are grateful for all that the Lord has done and to renew fellowship with this precious brother.
Exodus 15:22-18:27 speaks of Israel's education:
The purpose of Israel's crises was to:
-
Provide an environment designed to manifest their heart's condition.
-
Train them in the school of divine Providence that they might be fit for living in and retaining the Land of Promise.
-
Bring them into subjection to the Sovereignty of God.
-
Give them an opportunity to learn of the abundance of His resources.
THE SCHOOL OF DISAPPOINTMENT (Exodus 15:22-23)
Exodus 15:22-23
22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.
23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.
Opportunity for training in this school is provided by:
GOD'S DELAYS (John 11:6-32)
John 11:6, 21, 32
6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
Love permits pain. We need a trial to test faith. Until Lazarus was ill there was no message to bring the Savior.
The Holy Spirit wants you to know Mary laid a good foundation. She sows her works in the good times. PREPARE FOR WAR IN THE TIME OF PEACE. She was paying down on a miracle with her working in service, prayer etc. She would be ready in the time of trouble.
Mary was a praiser and laid the foundation to stand under pressure. In trouble GOD REMEMBERED WHAT SHE HAD DONE. GOD REMEMBERED.
Lazarus gets worse, and Mary is looking - I know He is coming, yet there is no Jesus. Lazarus died, and it looks like God is too late; He even missed the funeral. After 4 days, here comes Jesus.
Her praise is effected. One who normally praised Him now is saying - If you would have been here...
Jesus says the problem is not my ability, but are you willing to show me where you laid him down?
Get your coat and sandals, show me where you quit, where you gave up. Show me what happened to you that made you turn into somebody else.
You have to have enough faith to take God right to the spot where you gave up!
To dwell in God one must develop a walk of faith, adjust from walking by facts to walking by faith, from understanding to believing. Turn from the control of the trained senses to the control of His voice. He is calling for you!
GOD'S METHODS (2 Kings 5:11-12)
2 Kings 5:11-12
11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.
12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.
Naaman needed healing, but almost missed it, Why? BEHOLD, I THOUGHT.....
In everything God does He puts a stone of stumbling, a rock of offense so that you have an excuse not to receive His visitation unless you want it with all your heart.
Jesus was a sign spoken against - rejected because He didn't fit their preconceptions.
Speaking in tongues is often rejected as an offense.
If you are hungry you'll take the stones of stumbling, it's part of the package.
Elisha said go wash in Jordan 7 times. Naaman thought the Syrian Rivers Abana and Phapar were better. Their names mean highest human knowledge and skill. The River Jordan means the River of God.
He must learn that healing would come by the quickening of the Spirit of the Living God. There is no other way than that of God's provision, Jesus Christ.
GODS' CLAIMS (Mark 10:17-22)
Mark 10:17-22
17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
21 THEN JESUS beholding HIM LOVED HIM, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
Pharaoh knew that if the Israelites were to leave their cattle and herds behind, he would be able to use this attachment to make demands or to drag them back into bondage again.
Sheep and cattle refer to our possessions, and in modern-day terms means our money, business, properties, and all earthly possessions.
The correct positioning of a fully consecrated man of God is such that all that he has is ever ready, available for God's use when He calls for them.
When Jesus told the rich prince to sell all that he had and to follow Him, it is not that God is desperately in need of his earthly wealth. He is in need of nothing. But, where your treasure is, there your heart will be. If we never get to invest in heaven, our heart is never going to end up there. Invest in Jerusalem, not Babylon.
DEALING WITH DISSAPOINTMENT
1 Chronicles 28:2-3
2 Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:
3 But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name…
How did David respond to God's saying NO to his life ambition - he gave himself more completely to serving the Lord in His will.
-
David found the site for the Temple & purchased it - 1 Chron. 22:1,24
-
Temple was built on place of sacrifice & cleansing - 1 Chron. 22:14
IF YOU'RE LIVING WITH A FRUSTRATED DESIRE ARE YOU DOING YOUR PART TO BUILD THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST?
David accepted disappointment with full dedication - no complaining, no withdrawal, no souring disposition.
What was David's reward for his acceptance, denial - I Chron. 28:19
The temple was to be built in minute detail according to the pattern and will of God. David received the details from the Lord WRITTEN ON HIS HEART. Personal Revelation from Heaven received directly from the Lord Himself, the plan of God's Temple which He would fill with Glory.
David became a man who understood the mind of God, and it was accomplished in writing by THE HAND OF GOD UPON HIM.
Church you are to be a part of those who declare His righteousness, who are laying the foundation for the last feast. I pray that His present purposes are being built into you and your family so that you may arise, taking your place in this last day ministry.
|
