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Believe and you will see God`s glory! |
April 26, 2008
by Gary S. Smith
"Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" John 11:40 So many years ago when we set off on this journey and through the years, our biggest struggle has been to continue to believe that God would fulfill his promise that He would build His church. When tough times hit there was a choice to be made. Would we trust God to give us the strength to continue and be used by Him to build His church here in this corner of the world? Or would we give up? Each time we faced these challenges it was almost as if God was saying the above verse to us. Well, we are now seeing the glory of God as He moves amongst the people here. As the people had another week of the teachings and ministry of the Lord Jesus they too are faced with the same challenge. Will they hear God's message to them and believe or will they hold on to former beliefs. It is my estimation that the people are already believing, and they are so ready to hear what Jesus did to deliver them. They already clearly accept that He is the deliverer promised by God. They are just desperate to understand what He did to save them. One man gave clear testimony to this. We've mentioned him before. His name is Itiringke, and God is doing a work in his heart. He is one of the leaders in the village, so his words carry weight. On Friday the people held a graduation service for 30 graduates of the literacy class (Praise God!), and after the ceremony he got up and shared something with tears in his eyes. He told everyone that God has displayed His power in his life because now not only can he read but is a teacher in literacy as well. He said that he was not able to read before. He only went to first grade when he was a child, but now God has given him the strength and the ability to finish the course and to be a teacher. He kept saying that God is true. Then he encouraged people who are older not to give up. To know that they too can learn how to read. It reminded me of that old hymn, "You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart." Well, Itringke was telling everyone that he knows God is true because of what He's done in his own life. Itiringke is choosing to believe and as a result is seeing the glory of God in his life! And praise God so are we! What we are witnessing here and what you have been a part of is nothing short of witnessing the glory of God as He changes hearts and draws these men and women to Himself. God is bringing them from hopelessness to a place of hope, from confusion to certainty, and from a life of pain to a life of purpose. They are not there yet, they need to hear the gospel first, but they are well on the way. And because you too have chosen to believe God and support us may you too see the glory of God displayed in His work among these precious people. Next Week's Lessons: (last week before the gospel!) Monday - It is foolish to trust in riches. Tuesday - Jesus healed blind Bartimaeus and rode into Jerusalem. Wednesday - Jesus and His disciples celebrated the Passover. Thursday - Jesus was arrested by His enemies (part 1). Friday - Jesus was arrested by His enemies (part 2). Your Coworkers, GECCNZ Smith |
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