Dear Partners and Friends,
In this month’s newsletter we share some of the statistics of what God did through our ministry in 2017. But behind the statistics are the stories of every person, every family, and every community touched by the love of God. Thousands of people came into the Kingdom, received eternal life, physical healing, and provision for their material needs. The Gospel ministers to the whole person. The Greek word for salvation, “sozo” is more than just the promise of Heaven. It includes “to save, to keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction, to save from suffering, to heal, to make well from disease, to deliver from spiritual oppression, to provide financial prosperity.”
As you begin the New Year, are you concerned in any area of your life? Are there health concerns, family relationships that are struggling, financial pressures? God sent His Son Jesus to save us, to “sozo” us. He died on the cross to pay for our sins, and He rose from the grave to bring complete salvation into our lives. He has the answer to every problem. No, He IS the answer to every problem. Are you sick? He is the Answer. Are you prone to argue with your spouse or children? He is the Answer. Are you facing financial burdens? He is the Answer. For every concern that faces us, He is the Answer. These things might look like mountains in front of us, making the way impassable, but what does He say?
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is encouraging His disciples to have faith. Many English translations quote Him as saying “Have faith IN God” but the Koine Greek literally reads “Have God’s faith.” Now I want to ask you, does God believe that He will do what He says He will do? Yes! If we allow Him to impart His faith to us, then the rest of the passage becomes easy. Mark 11:22-24 can now be read like this:
And Jesus answered saying to them, “Have God’s faith. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. (Mark 11:22-24 NASB)
Speak to the mountain of sickness, the mountain of discord, the mountain of financial burdens, and, with God’s faith, cast them into the sea. Now thank Him for answering your prayer and wait expectantly for whatever it is that you need.
Thank you for continuing to pray for all of us here, and thank you for your sacrificial support every month.
Blessings in the Wonderful Name of Jesus
Thomas