Martha's Update

The rainy season is in full force here in the Philippines. I’ve given up trying to keep my car washed.

Earlier this month, we were blessed by 11 folks from Ohio (led by one of my former company colleagues) who ministered here in Iloilo as well as in Negros, the next island to the south. They walked house to house, sharing Christ, helped conduct a training seminar, and renovated an old church building.

Last week, I said goodbye to my faithful ministry partners, the Lockharts, who had served as volunteers here for the past 5 years. The number of Ilonggo people in God’s kingdom has increased because of their fruitful labor. They are returning to their home in Texas for a new phase of ministry there.

Then Martha left, leaving my nest empty once again. It was great having her here. She was going to write this blog, but she stayed very busy visiting with people. Then she ate some food at a youth fellowship that left her sick for a couple of days. So I’ll post part of the ministry update she sent out to those who helped support her...

(From Martha) "I am thankful for every relationship God allowed me to make for the six weeks that I was able to spend there. I hope that the Lord uses the conversations that were had and that He is glorified in that place. I am thankful for those of you who have been praying for me and who have supported me financially to be able to go. I am thankful for my sister Sara for sending out updates and all of her help. :)

The Kingdom work there is hard, as it is in many places. There is a lot of sowing and little reaping. But the Lord is the Lord of the harvest. I’ve heard from people all over the globe that it seems harder and harder to see “results” from ministry, as we measure them. In the book of Ezekiel, God commanded the prophet to go and proclaim the words of God to the “sons of Israel”, even though as God said, they are a “stubborn and obstinate house” who will not listen. God didn’t promise Ezekiel that if he spoke the words of God, the people would receive his words.

Chapter 33 of Ezekiel tells the story of the watchman who upon looking out and seeing the destruction to come upon the city goes and warns the people of the city. If the people do not ready themselves against the danger, is not their blood on their own hands? But if the watchman sees the danger approaching and does not warn the people, is not their blood on the watchman’s hands? God called Ezekiel to be a prophet, a watchmen for the people to hear from God, but does not Jesus call each of us to a similar role?

“As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world” (John 17: 18)

God has not commanded each of us to live exactly like Ezekiel, but He has commanded obedience and to love those around us. He has given us the example of His Son, Christ Jesus, who “did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:6-7) “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:9)

Jesus warns us that in the last days, “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold”. (Matthews 24:12). Does that mean we stop sharing or serving in whatever field the Lord places each of us? We have the confidence that our work is not in vain; even Ezekiel was demonstrating God’s love and faithfulness by giving warnings to the people of Israel.

Pray that each of us would be sensitive to the Lord’s leading and that we would not be hardened by the changes in the world. “Encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:13) Pray that each of us would surrender completely to the Lord and that He would fill us with His Spirit and use us for His glory. Pray that we would be aware of the schemes of Satan to draw us away from God.

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:11-16)