"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Matthew 5:11-12A group of (meeting) workers from Myanmar before leaving for home. Please, continue to remember these brothers and sisters as the minister in very difficult situations and in the midst of great obstacles.
What a blessing it was for my family and I to be invited to attend a conference in Malaysia along side of believers from places in the world such as Myanmar, China, Nepal, Malaysia and even our own neck of the woods. It was an amazing privilege to represent the United States along with another American man at the conference.
Malaysia is a majority rule Mus--m country and is very adamant in controlling the thoughts of its people. Malaysia has some of the toughest censorship laws in the world. The authorities exert substantial control over the media and can impose restrictions in the name of national security. Just speaking of our faith to another is a crime there and even pastor Lee (name changed for protection) host to this conference has even been imprisoned himself for a year for his allegiance to our Father.
It was most interesting to learn how small congregations (from the reformed tradition/Doctrines of Grace) are being planted all around this part of the globe. It was also humbling to hear the stories and accounts of these men and women and the difficulties they face in bringing the gospel to their own countrymen. We in the west have little to no understanding of what so many in this part of the world endure on a daily basis in their pursuit to bring our Father glory.
I consider myself blessed to have met these believers and blessed that our Father would allow me the opportunity to find myself working alongside such men and women here. Will you continue to pray for these individuals and that our Father will continue to give them wisdom, courage and strength as they boldly take the message of salvation to the persecuted and unreached in their perspective locations.
A Lesson In Letting The Children Come
Within this trip I have come to understand only further something I have already grown more convicted and convinced of within my life and ministry. Namely, that parents should be the disciplers, trainers and teachers of their own children in the area of spiritual growth.
It was an absolute pleasure and one of the most rewarding memories that I will ever share with my son, having him along my side as we sat together in the conference during the teaching times and learning of the work and obstacles being experienced by many workers from around the globe. Even having him hold the hands of these dear brothers and sisters in difficult circumstances as we prayed with many of them.
In recent days following this trip I have begun to see a noticeable change in his very own prayers. He is more drawn to pray for the needs of others and has a sense of knowing that many of them face things that he and his family have not yet begun to understand. Having him travel with me into the village to pray and minister to persecuted brothers and sisters in surrounding areas and having him at my side as he hears daddy teaching others is something that is shaping him profoundly. One such question that stuck in my mind during the trip was during a visit to a Buddhist temple where many were praying and paying homage to several idols and false gods. Elijah seeing this all take place before him looked up at me tugging my shirt and said, "Daddy, don't them know there is only one God and he is powerful." Even now I am in tears over such thoughts from my son.
Our father has blessed me greatly and yet has given unto me and my wife a huge responsibility (Duet. 6:4-7, Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 6:1-4). That of training up and loving two (currently) boys unto the lord. We must not only teach them these things (as many today do not do) and merely take our children to church (as most drop them off or depend on church workers). However, we must model and live out the truths of the scripture before them and even invite them to be close and walk beside us as we too continue to grow more and more into the likeness of our father. Leaving my son at home and or giving off the responsibility, privilege and command to disciple my own children simply will not do for me. Please, continue to pray for my boys. Pray that they will continue to grow in their knowledge, fear and love of the Father and that God would use them mightily in future work. Also continue to remember both their mother and father as we invite them to walk with us in this life to glorify God.
"If you are ungodly and teach not your families the fear of God, nor contradict the sins of the company you are in, nor turn the stream of their vain talking, nor deal plainly about their salvation, they will take it as if you preached to them that such things are needless, and that they may boldly do so, as well as you." Richard Baxter
Listen To This Great Sermon On The Subject:
