Dear Partner,
Here in America, we sometimes have an unbiblical view of life. Even as Christians, we often allow our thinking to be influenced by the thinking of the culture we are surrounded by. We think of church as a building we gather in a few times a week (or watch online). We think of our pastor as the primary person responsible for communicating the Gospel message to the world. To carry that idea further, we see our role as that of simply encouraging the pastor in his work and inviting others to come and hear his wonderful sermons.
This is a common view of the Christian life in America, but it’s an upside-down view. Jesus said the role of the pastors was to prepare the “ordinary” believers for the work of the ministry. Communicating the Gospel is the role of every true believer in Christ. And the church is not a building, it is a group of “called out ones” whose mission is to collectively declare and enforce the government of the kingdom of God on the earth. Jesus told us to pray “on earth as it is in heaven.”
I pray that every one of you, as you read this month’s testimonies, gets a vision of your role in God’s kingdom. I pray that you can picture yourself reaching those around you with the glorious message of the Gospel. And I’m asking God to give you a boldness, along with His love and compassion, to step out and let Him use you as an instrument of His love. I’m asking that the mind of Christ be revealed to you, bringing direction and strategies to accomplish His mission through you.
Like the ordinary believers in India, reach out to those around you. Don’t limit God, and you just might be amazed at what He does. “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13, NASB)
As always, if you feel the leading of the Holy Spirit, please give financially to support the work, and please pray that God would provide the answers that India needs to survive. We could not do any of this without the generous financial support of you, our partners! We also rely on and ask for your continued prayer support.
Blessings in the Wonderful Name of Jesus,
Thomas
Amen and amen. I need to make changes. I have been praying this way for months! I greatly appreciate your prayers for me. I am praying for you folks and Exciting Word as well. There is so much work to be done and it up to us to do it, by the Holy Spirit. Lord, give us a love for Your Name and a burden for the lost that will propel us out of our comfortable places, with the gospel on our lips and holy living. Receive the Glory You are due from the Church, O Lord. You are worthy!