By Faith

(This is what I wrote in our prayer letter this month. So, this month, I also wanted to share this with you. It is something that is close to my heart.) Doubt is human; faith is not. I have been pondering this statement for weeks now. Faith, it is “the substance of things hoped for” and the “evidence of things not seen.” Most know that a missionary must live by faith or live by worry. Faith is generally the option taken (and most successful). Though it is obvious that a missionary must make that choice it is somehow less obvious to the layman that he too makes that choice. All Christians must choose faith or self, faith or worry. How? With the strength of the Lord an indwelling Holy Spirit of the saved. Faith in God does not come naturally. These past weeks we have seen an outpouring of love and generosity that can only come from a heart of faith. We have been guests at four mission conferences with the opportunity to encourage faith in giving, faith in living, and faith in telling others. What a blessing it is to see God use us to work in the hearts and lives of others. We have gone from a church of twenty to a church of hundreds, but the heart is the same. “Lead me Lord,” can be seen in the eyes of those who attend the conferences. How rewarding and humbling it is to be used in this way. May our lives bear witness of his sufficient grace to those who are looking. To be a missionary is simply to follow God. Just as every Christian is striving to do. We are no different from the layman in faith. God is simply taking us to serve in a foreign field rather than home. God uses us along the way to grow the faith of others while, in turn, growing ours. So indeed, to be a missionary is a two-fold blessing. At each conference we attended we were able to see people of God committing themselves to give for the next year. No doubt that some have committed beyond their budget by faith to give. We pray and have confidence that the Lord will bless those who do. Because they will see that God can provide “according to His riches” that are limitless. The blessing is not the provision, but the growing of the faith that comes with it. They will see God work in ways that otherwise would have been missed if human doubt had overcome a choice of faith. Provision is a bonus to God’s amazing power. So church members, I want you to know that you are special. Your faith supports your church, your faith supports your missionaries, your faith wins others to Christ where you are and abroad, and your faith encourages us. Thank you so much for your choice of faith.

The Joy of Discipline.

"Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yeildeth the peacable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." Hebrews 12:11 That is one of my favorite verses. I have told my family that I would like to hang that verse on my wall with the words, "Discipline is hard; but it brings peace and joy." I know that it seems like an odd verse to have among those most precious, but I have good reason. Any parent can tell you, unless they are lying, that discipline is hard not only for the child but also for the parent. A great pastor M. W Lawrenz said that "a child is born without the desire to be a peacemaker; but rather for war."In other words, We are all born with a desire to get, to have our way, selfish. As a child grows he is either taught peace and giving or is allowed to feed his selfishness sin nature. Not being able to simply give my daughter whatever she wants is hard. When I have to discipline her it is hard to see her tears. But I bite my lip and tell her in love why I must do this. It is for her good. So it is with our Father. He must discipline His children to build them into righteous people. If we always got what we want, did what we want, and got away with it we would be a terrible people indeed. Just look at the state of our country. Americans are a culture of get what I want and if I don't I will lie and/or steal to get it. We do what we want. Now our country is suffering the consequences. Disease is rampant and our leaders are turning their back on the God who made us who we were. But that is a post for another day. Our elders, our parents, and grandparents knew the value of discipline. Not just with children. It takes personal discipline to discipline children well because it takes dedication. Discipline in anger will only breed bitterness and anger. A disciplined person can do it with forethought, love, and wisdom. Discipline is here for our good, to make us better than we are. The verse says, "nevertheless afterward it yeildeth the peacable fruit of righteousness unto them which are excercised thereby." I love those words, "the peaceable fruit of righteousness." So true. Righteousness has never been anything but peaceful. A righteous man has peace in his ways; and peace yeilds joy. Righteousness is the joy that comes from discipline. With our children, all we can do is pray for wisdom and discipline the best you know how. Afterwards, just pray that they will grow into righteous men and women. You have done your part so the rest is up to them. So it is with us. God will chasten; but will we choose righteousness or rebellion.