Be Ye Warmed and Filled

1 John 3:18 KJV
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

My wife and I were reading the Scriptures together yesterday evening, and came upon this verse. I could not help but immediately begin to apply it to my own life!

How many times, as Christians, do we hear of a Brother or Sister in Christ, or any other person for that matter, who has some need- be it great or small, and we simply pray for them. Please don't get me wrong! I am not saying we should not pray for these, but are we doing anything more?

I believe the Bible clearly teaches us that God would have us be His instruments of blessing- "vessels unto honour". I ask you, as I ask myself, what have you done this year, this month, this week, even today, to show the love of Christ in deed and in truth. The words "I love you" are so easily uttered, but to act upon them is so much more difficult! God told us He loved us, but then he demonstrated this by sending His only begotten Son to die for our sins.

A young shepherd boy named David loved his nation and his God, and he went to battle for them, when every one else- including the King- was too afraid. Nehemiah loved Jerusalem, and he rebuilt the city walls. The Apostle Peter loved God, and broke the tradition of men, thereby ensuring the Salvation of Cornelius and his household.


James 2:16 KJV
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

I wonder, what has each one of us done that is putting love into practice? Have we allowed God to use us to provide for a need? Is it enough that we simply pray for the needs we hear of, or is God waiting for us to act? How many times has a need gone seemingly unanswered, when God has had the answer there all along- in my power to fulfill? In your power to fulfill? Has my selfishness been to blame for someone loosing faith in God because their prayer went unanswered, just because I would not show love in deed and in truth?

We laugh about be ye warmed and filled, but how often is it really the case?

What a Shame

Proverbs 20:1 KJV
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Last night was youth-group night, and what a great time it was. Without a doubt, there is a very real need for clean, safe, wholesome entertainment for our young people. I like the fact that in our youth-group, the kids are given a time of Bible Study that is directed right at their level. So often churches take them for fun, but then totally neglect the spiritual needs they have!

Anyway. On the way home, I was driving along the main road past a bottle 'O, where there were a few cars parked. I thought it so sad that the cars occupants could not pause in their quest to obliterate themselves, that they could not pause long enough to close the car doors. Even though it was raining! Unless they were going to rob the store, I can't think how booze could be more important than protecting the interior of the car.

I guess the above is just another example of how wretched our world has become. The love of Christ has been rejected for the temporary pleasure the Devil has offered. All the glitter on offer is just fools gold- but people have had the wool pulled over their eyes. It is sad to think that, all because of the desire to have what is thought of as a "good time" thousands- no, millions- of people will eventually end up in Hell.


James 4:7 KJV
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Discouragement Looms Above

Matthew 16:24-27 KJV
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.


Something I have discovered is that, when you decide to go to the mission field, discouragement can bash you over the head like a two-inch steel pipe.

Sometimes things come up that make me ask, "Is this all worth it?" Not to say that I don't want to go, or that I don't believe God has placed a call on my life and that of my family, but simply that the pressures of this life are enough to make one question (in a heathen like manner) the value of surrendering the life God has permitted us to live, for a life that has a largely unknown direction!

I had a good job with a great future, I could have worked up to having all the money I ever really wanted. I had a nice house (read: warm), with nothing much to complain about. Now, the food in our refrigerator is warmer than the food on the bench top! I am working a job that I know I will not be doing for very long- and it certainly wont make me rich.

But in the midst of my discouragement, I started thinking about the above verses. Talk about conviction! I realised that the Devil is even now trying to dissuade me from following through with what God has required of me. How sad that one can be so easily trapped in this present world that to serve the Lord seems a great sacrifice. If we started out with little, it would not be so hard to go when He sends.

I am praying that in the future, I will not be so weak minded. Christ gave His all for me, why should I not give Him the little I have to offer. Dear Lord, help me be stronger!!!!

James 4:7 KJV
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Please pray for us as we prepare for the Mission Field. We are committed, however we need the Lords help. I will post a prayer letter of sorts later on, it is always good to be able to be specific in prayer. Thanks for stopping by.

So Little Time!

I was reminded today of how little time we actually have left here on this earth. It seems that every day something happens that heralds the Lords return as being just over the next rise.

I happened to see the mid-day news on television (the lunch room at work has t.v. going 24/7), and saw the segment of the Israeli Prime Minister giving his address concerning the peace negotiations with the Palestinians. While the world is excited about steps toward peace in the Middle East, it had dawned on me that, the closer we come to seeing peace for Israel, the fewer people we are going to have the opportunity to share the Gospel with!

As each day passes, you can almost feel the change in the world. I wonder how much more wicked God can stand to allow His creation to become before He must, for His righteousness sake, bring upon it the Great Tribulation He has expounded in His Word.

I do not fear the coming of the Lord. I'm a apprehensive, wondering if what I have done is enough to hear that one phrase we all seek to hear: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." Maybe all I will hear is the rebuke of the Lord, asking where all my work for Him has been manifest- wood, hay, stubble- all burned in the trial by fire.

The coming of the Lord is now so near, I wonder if my family will even make it to Romania. I ask myself, why did it take so long to decide to go? What am I doing in the mean time that will count for eternity. I don't have to wait until I reach the foreign mission field to be busy for the Lord, I have a ready made mission field right outside my front door!


Matthew 25:14-30 KJV
14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Tragedy, why?!

It is always a joy and a privilege to be able to attend a church where the Word of God is preached unashamedly, and powerfully. This evening was no different. Our message was brought to us by Bro. Jason of Rotorua, and it felt as though the sermon was crafted just for me.

Yesterday, while at work, I overheard a conversation between two of my colleagues concerning a very difficult and tragic period in the life of one of them. The mans daughter (only about 5 or 6 years old at the time) developed a type of cancer. Not only that, but the particular version of the disease is one that doctors have never seen in a girl that age. In fact, it is so rare, that it is only expected to ever develop in men above the age of 40!

This little girl required surgery to attempt to save her life, and as she was wheeled to the operating theater, her father had no idea if he would ever see his little girl alive again. This heart-broken father kissed his child for what he thought was quite possibly the last time.

Despite the seeming hopelessness, his daughter survived and is now a healthy and very much alive 10 year old. This man has been blessed of God- he was permitted to keep the child he loves so dearly. This, you may say, is all the reason in the world to drop to your knees in thanksgiving to Almighty God! However, this man has chosen to deny the existence of the Living God on the grounds that, if He did indeed exist, He would not allow such a devastating and tragic thing to happen- especially to one so young.

I did not become involved in the conversation, I didn't really know what to say. It was a question I had never really considered before- why does God allow such things? But tonight's sermon has helped me to look at this from a new (Biblical) perspective.

Generally, God does not cause these things to happen (He may, on occasion use something like this to test one of His children), rather, it is due to the sin of man that these things come about. Before the fall of man, there was no sickness, nor pain, or even death. To blame God is a fallacy- it is mans own doing. He has brought it upon himself.

While I may take this evenings message and expand on the study for myself, at least now I have an answer to the one who may deny the existence of my Saviour, because of an issue or experience in their life.

Romans 5:12 KJV
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Oh! to serve the LORD

The call of the Lord is unmistakable. When it comes, it may not be like a slap in the face. On the contrary, God may quietly, but persistently impress on your mind the things he wants you to do. It has been my experience that He will not usually impose His will on you without your being willing, however, He will keep knocking on the door of your heart for a long time before giving up.

Revelation 3:20 KJV
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

In the last two months, I have allowed my own will to be put aside, and for the Will of God to take the prominent place in my life, and that of my family. For many years now, I have known the Lord has wanted me in full-time (relative) service for Him. For a large portion of those years I have kicked against that knowledge, and followed a course of life that has been (in many ways) contrary to Gods will.

I believe my Saviour and Lord would have my family move, as missionaries, to the country of Romania. Initially we will work with another missionary family, within the ministry they have already begun establishing, however, further into the future, we believe the Lord would have us expand our own ministry in a different area.

Please pray for us as we begin the journey of preparing for the work the Lord has for us to complete. The Lords work will never be finished while the Devil is still free to roam, so as the Lord prepares to come again, help us to gather as many unto Him as possible.

John 6:27-29 KJV
27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.