Brethren, as we look at the world around us, it is really easy to get discouraged concerning the church and our Christianity. We see our society turning totally against God. We see Christians and, sometimes, whole congregations turning away from God. Seeing all of this, we tend to feel there is no hope, no future, no need to even try because it isn’t working anyway.
Well, I want to share some good news with you all! We received a report last Tuesday concerning the mission work taking place in the deep south of India. There was a dedicated mission effort made there that began on December 26 and concluded January 4 of this year. They had 1,027 trained evangelists in South India who worked this ten day campaign for Christ. Brethren, in those ten days there were 748 souls baptized into Christ and 65 new congregations of the Lord’s church established in South India. How easily was this done? Not easy at all! The vast majority of these brethren doing the teaching rode either bicycles or motorbikes in extreme heat to make it to the villages to teach these people about Christ. There were many times they went without eating for hours because of the people asking them into their homes to hear the gospel. In addition to this, these men also had to take off from their regular jobs which, for them over there, meant no pay at all during that time they were off. But, many congregations over here in the U.S. helped out and offered those men some help with their expenses. They offered those men 2,500 rupees for seven days of work. Now, in American dollars that comes to $37.60 each. All of those men said no, for that amount we will not work seven days, we will work ten days, and they did.
Brethren, look at all of this added together. Where was the REAL focus of those 1,027 trained evangelists? What was their real goal in life? Obviously, to save souls for heaven. It was not about their jobs, not about money. It was about people and souls. What about the people they were reaching out to? Not all showed interest but, many did and these men sacrificed time, effort and personal comfort to share the gospel with those who wanted so desperately to hear it.
Now, even just a little more good news. They also reported that for the year of 2016 they averaged 102 baptisms each month for a total of 1,224 for the year.
Yes, brethren, we are struggling here, things are hard here but, there is hope. We can see it taking place in India and brethren, there is hope for us here as well. If we will follow the example of these brethren in India and be as willing to sacrifice all of our time, effort and devotion to the Lord as they do, we will also see some good results. Brethren, let us all determine to serve the Lord to the best of our ability, to share the good news of the gospel in every way possible and trust the Lord to be there with us and for us.
Until next week, I love you all,
Dan
Well, I want to share some good news with you all! We received a report last Tuesday concerning the mission work taking place in the deep south of India. There was a dedicated mission effort made there that began on December 26 and concluded January 4 of this year. They had 1,027 trained evangelists in South India who worked this ten day campaign for Christ. Brethren, in those ten days there were 748 souls baptized into Christ and 65 new congregations of the Lord’s church established in South India. How easily was this done? Not easy at all! The vast majority of these brethren doing the teaching rode either bicycles or motorbikes in extreme heat to make it to the villages to teach these people about Christ. There were many times they went without eating for hours because of the people asking them into their homes to hear the gospel. In addition to this, these men also had to take off from their regular jobs which, for them over there, meant no pay at all during that time they were off. But, many congregations over here in the U.S. helped out and offered those men some help with their expenses. They offered those men 2,500 rupees for seven days of work. Now, in American dollars that comes to $37.60 each. All of those men said no, for that amount we will not work seven days, we will work ten days, and they did.
Brethren, look at all of this added together. Where was the REAL focus of those 1,027 trained evangelists? What was their real goal in life? Obviously, to save souls for heaven. It was not about their jobs, not about money. It was about people and souls. What about the people they were reaching out to? Not all showed interest but, many did and these men sacrificed time, effort and personal comfort to share the gospel with those who wanted so desperately to hear it.
Now, even just a little more good news. They also reported that for the year of 2016 they averaged 102 baptisms each month for a total of 1,224 for the year.
Yes, brethren, we are struggling here, things are hard here but, there is hope. We can see it taking place in India and brethren, there is hope for us here as well. If we will follow the example of these brethren in India and be as willing to sacrifice all of our time, effort and devotion to the Lord as they do, we will also see some good results. Brethren, let us all determine to serve the Lord to the best of our ability, to share the good news of the gospel in every way possible and trust the Lord to be there with us and for us.
Until next week, I love you all,
Dan
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