A Fire in the Mission Field

A Fire throughout the Bible

Today is Pentecost Sunday; when we remember the day many years ago when the Spirit and Fire of God came down upon the church, empowering them to then go out across the globe in proclamation of the living God! All over Scripture, we see God manifesting Himself through fire: A burning torch to Abraham (Gen 15), a burning bush to Moses (Exo 3), a pillar of fire to govern the Israelites; and on Mount Carmel, after the Baal worshippers had cried out to their gods in vain, and God then sent fire upon Elijah’s sacrifice, they saw and cried out that “the god who answers by fire, He is God" (1 Kings 18:39). The description of God as a fire is shared among most of the Minor Prophets in their human attempt to describe our great God.

Seeking God’s Heart

            This Holy God, Almighty Lord, and Loving Shepherd of ours has called us to “be Holy, for I am Holy” (1 Pet 1:16). In fact just a few days ago in my reading, I came across Samuel’s description to Saul of David: “The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command” (1 Sam 13:14), which is reiterated again in Acts, where “[God] also testified and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will.’ ”

            What an absolutely astounding thing! To be a man who will carry out the greatest of God’s commands to the full; who will love Him with ALL his heart, soul and strength; “who will do ALL [His] will.”

Upcoming Ministry

            And now we depart very shortly for another mission, on which we will again be tackling core principles of the Gospel, looking in depth at some of the pivotal teachings of the Christian faith. This will be my last cross-country mission this year. Concerning the ministry, God has laid two specific prayer requests upon my heart:

1) That in going out, God would continue His shaping and molding our hearts through a mighty bending and drilling of our lives, to perfect us into men after His own heart.

2) That the people we minister to would be filled with God’s holy fire, unable to stand in His presence and in a total recognition of their sin against a righteous King; of which major shift in their life will bring about saved men and women, who cannot stop from praising His Name!

And thank you ever so much for all your support! I really do appreciate it. It’s such a blessing to have so many faithful warriors backing me in the field! God is at work indeed.

Radio Tonight

This evening (12:00 Pacific Time), Mike and I will be discussing the significance of Ascension Day (coming up this Thursday), when the Lord, after giving His last commission to the disciples, ascended into heaven. We'll be looking at the greatness of the Great Commission, the last words of Christ, and the vast impact it has on our lives.

You can join us on Radio Tygerberg online through either of the following links:
http://infant.antfarm.co.za/tygerberg/flashplayer/player.asp?id=20
or http://tunein.com/radio/Radio-Tygerberg-FM-1040-s10838/

Nobody's Perfect

I read recently in rabbi Duncan, I often hear people say—and this is why it struck me so—“Well, you know, pastor, nobody is perfect.”

Do you know what rabbi Duncan did with that little statement, nobody is perfect? This is what he said about it.  “Nobody is perfect. This is the hypocrites couch. This is the believer’s bed of thorns.”

Nobody’s perfect! That’s the hypocrite’s couch. He lies back, no serious determination to

do the will of God.  He says, “Nobody is perfect.”

The true child of God, “No one is perfect; it’s my bed of thorns.  Wretched man that I am!

I find that when I would do good evil is present with me.  To will is present but to perform I know not! That bed of thorns.

Is the imperfection of your obedience your couch or your bed of thorns?

~Albert Martin

Prayer and Praise Updates

I apologize that I haven't posted a prayer/praise update sooner, and I realize there is much to pray for; but these are some of the key areas which prayer can be directed:

1) Please keep upcoming ministry in prayer, both the remaining upcoming mission, and the outreaches and ministry here in Cape Town. I've recently gotten involved with Straatwerk (Afrikaans for "street work"), which meets in down-town Cape Town on Friday nights, where participants are sent out in groups of 4 or so, to do night-time street ministry from 21:00 until 2:00 (Sat morning). Last weekend went very well, and I had the opportunity to talk to 3 people for about 30-45 min each! I'll be able to join them a few more times while here in SA.

2) I have so much at the moment to give God praise in, primary regarding His transforming and challenging of my thoughts. It seems as though I have had a resonating and multiple-fold (for an immediate lack of a better term) "God-high," and am daily overwhelmed at just who He is! But please pray that this will continue, and I will continue to grow in love for, fascination of, and obedience toward our Father.

3) Praise God for what He is doing in Africa, for the purpose He has had through this last year, and for how He will continue to work moving forward; and in humility, while seeking the Face of God Almighty, pray fervently for Africa! pray that God would move in such a way as so sinners from the remotest tribes and regions to the very hustle and chaos of an urban society would cry our to our Maker in repentance! and that His Name will be echoed amoung the nations!

Praise God!!!