Something Strange is Going On

Sometimes you just need to step back and be thankful.

David teaching from the Gospel of Mark 23 January 2011

Well, of course, we’ve been thankful for the number of people we’ve been seeing worship with us, people at the Bible studies, and our prayer times.  Sure, sometimes we wonder where we’re going to put everyone.  But still, we’re excited.

We’re excited to see many new people, many coming to community centre classes and events.  And we’re so thankful to see people making confessions of faith in the Lord Jesus (Rom 10:8-9).

Of course we know that people come with mixed motives – we all do, truth be told.  And sometimes we wonder what those motives are, and we wonder who will still be here when times are hard.

We think about strategies and events and programs.  But all these things sometimes obscure one simple fact.

People are coming to hear God’s Word.

And they’re not just coming and sitting.  They’re struggling to find things in their Bibles.  They’re asking questions.  They’re trying to understand God’s will for their lives.

Frankly, this is extremely unnatural.  We don’t want to hear God’s Word.  We prefer darkness to light (John 3:19-20).  Our hearts are naturally bent against the Lord.

So when we see, like this morning, people crowding in a tiny room to find a seat.  People sitting outside and straining to hear.  Children crammed in a tiny room with few resources.  We know that this is God’s doing.

It really is amazing to see.  Frankly, in some places here in Mexico, people risk their lives to come to a worship service.  They are threatened, and their families are threatened.  We can be thankful that, for the time being, we have peace here.

Some people are abandoned by their families for their faith, or they are emotionally abused because of their decision to follow the Lord.

It’s not easy to be a disciple.  It’s not easy to really hear the Word of the Lord.

So thank God with us that He is working here!  That His Word is spreading!  Pray that the seed of God’s Word would land in good soil, and that roots would be deep.

While you’re here, I would appreciate it if you could continue to pray for Shari.  She’s been sick for over a month.  We’ve been to the doctor three times, and for a time she’s felt a little better, then worse again.

For the past few days she’s been in bed.  She’s resting now, which I’m thankful for.  But if there’s not improvement soon, we’ll have to decide what to do next.

Thanks so much for your prayers – and thanksgiving!  Have a great day!