Filed under: Jesus Christ, Our Shepherd | 3 Comments »
"The main line"
Posted on March 24, 2020 by wtdavid
Filed under: Community, Prayer | Leave a comment »
Resources Refresh
Posted on March 12, 2020 by wtdavid
Sitting in discussions with our Asia leaders last week, I learned of the obstacles and challenges they each face in ministry to the unreached in that part of the world. I was also amazed by the number of opportunities they have in front of them to launch new works to new unreached people groups.
Yet, there is a consistent problem these leaders run up against – the lack of resources, primarily people resources.
If they just had the people, they could extend the reach of their team to a new people group, but they just can’t seem to find or mobilise the people that they need.
Sometimes, in discouragement, we might say that our lack of resources simply indicates that it is not God’s will for us to enter this new people group. And that could be true. Sometimes, we might say that the people resources we currently have are all the resources God has given us for the moment and we just have to work with what we have. And that could be true.
Sometimes though we might just need to look at the situation with ‘new eyes’.
For one, we might look at our prayer life with ‘new eyes’ and determine that it may need a “refresh”. Jesus said in an oft quoted text: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:3). Two things catch our attention in this passage: that we are called to ‘earnest prayer’; and that the ministry we are seeking to resource is His ministry. Rather than focusing on what we do not have (workers), we should put our focus back on the God of the harvest whose resources are unlimited.
For another, we might look at our ‘resource poor’ situation with ‘new eyes’ and recognize that we are not alone; we are part of a larger community. Rather than feeling that we need to find these resources all on our own, we might begin to network with other like-minded WT workers who could come alongside of us in seeking the resources we need to minister to new unreached people groups that God lays on our hearts.
Finally, we might look at our current team situation with ‘new eyes’ and realize that we are actually ‘resource rich’ with current workers and colleagues within WT. A survey done several years ago demonstrated that the average number of years of ministry on field among all our workers was: 18 years. That’s a wealth of experience! And maybe, we might begin to pray and challenge some of our colleagues to consider serving on other teams that are just starting, and bring that experience to this new team
May we earnestly pray the God of the harvest to supply the resources that we need!
Filed under: Collaboration, Community, Mobilization | 4 Comments »
Why I get excited
Posted on January 28, 2020 by wtdavid
I met Jordan & Scarlett for the first time this past Sunday. Or maybe I should say that I met them for the first time “in person” as we probably met when I spoke to their group at an Assessment Centre via Zoom presentation.
They are seeking to join one of our new church planting ministry teams.
Their enthusiasm is contagious. They are excited about what God has been teaching them over the past year [even though difficult at times]; they are excited about the training they are receiving by serving in their local church, and they are excited about the work to which they feel called.
Three questions came to mind as we talked. The first was: what has been the biggest blessing this past month? The second: what obstacle(s) do you see in front of you? And finally: if you were the focus of a WT Global prayer thrust, what would you ask for?
It was their answer to the last question that moved me to talk about them here. They said, without hesitation: solidify their relational and family networks, and be at 75% of our support by April 2020 so that they could begin to plan for attending pre-field training!
The excitement of ‘going’ and yet at the same time the desire to ‘leave well’ and address relational networks and struggles that may exist. I was challenged and blessed by their honesty.
You’ve probably guessed by now, one of the obstacles they shared that they are facing: the difficulty of partnership development and finding the needed support. It hasn’t been an easy journey, but they have learned much through the process of how God is at work to provide for their needs.
They also know that they are part of a much larger World TEAM. So what can you and I do? Three (3) possible ways: PRAY that God would bring in their remaining support and ‘thrust’ them out. DROP them a line to let them know you are praying for them [send me a note and I’ll let you know how to write to them]. CONNECT them to networks you know who might be open to joining their partnership team.
There are many other Jordans and Scarletts out there. Will we stand with them, pray with them, and see them sent out?
Filed under: Partnership development, Prayer, Teams | 4 Comments »
Worth the read (again)
Posted on November 15, 2019 by wtdavid
I have been working my way through the three volume work of William Gurnall, The Christian in Complete Armour. It’s Gurnall’s meditation on Ephesians 6 and the armour of God. A modern version of this work has been published.
As promised, over the next few weeks, from time to time, I will share quotes from Gurnall’s work. I hope these quotes might be of encouragement and challenge to each of us. As well as to convince some of the benefit of ploughing through the 900 pages! Here’s a quote that should give us food for reflection:
“Of the two strains of pride, I think spiritual pride must be far more odious to the nostrils of God, for it is on a higher plain than carnal pride. The life of a Christian, as a Christian, is superior to the life of a man as a man. And as the natural man is proud of those things which make him seem superior in the natural state (i.e., wealth, honor, beauty), so the Christian is prone to puff himself up when he perceives that he has superior spiritual attributes.
Pride always destroys love and separates saints. Without love for all the brethren, we are bound to lose much that God wants to give. The Bible says that every saint has been given gifts to benefit the body of Christ.
So beware of pride! The only thing that will keep you from it is humility. Remember whom you wrestle with – spiritual wickedness. Their ploy is to lift you up high in order to give you a harder fall. They will try to convince you that your spiritual accomplishments are a result of your own efforts and that you deserve the credit for them. Surely you know this is not true! In case you have forgotten, think back to what you were like before the Holy Spirit came to you with gifts from God’s storehouse. How can you be proud of another’s bounty? You may be able to impress other men with your gifts, but you will not impress God. He knows where they all came from.
How can the Christian escape those persistent self-promoting thoughts? Run from them as you would from an enraged bear. Do not stand still to listen to these lies, or soon the devil will have you erecting a monument to yourself with the glory of your God-given gifts. Remind yourself daily how weak you are and how utterly dependent on God for every good and perfect gift.”
Filed under: Humility, Prayer | 6 Comments »
Faithful is He who called you
Posted on October 29, 2019 by wtdavid
Filed under: Gospel, Thankfulness | 3 Comments »
