11. August 2008 by admin.

Last week, I had the chance to baptize four people into Christ.  Andre and Zhana are a brother and sister duo attending our church, and they were immersed on Monday.  Then, at 11 pm on Tuesday night, in the middle of a lightning storm, I baptized Lucy and her seventeen-year old son, Bogdon.  They both live in a village on the Black Sea, which is about a two-hour’s drive from Odessa.  Although they’ve been attending the Baptist church there for quite a while now, through personal study they’ve both come to a more accurate understanding of the meaning of baptism, which is probably why they wanted me to baptize them.

So what’s the “Exciting News”?  Well, not only did four people give their lives to Jesus last week, but two of them, Lucy and Bogdon, will probably join the Odessa Mission’s second Restoration church in the Odessa region.  Yep, you heard me right! 

A little over a year ago, Serge read my book: A Dumb American in a Strange Country.  Not only was Serge greatly encouraged by it, but he immediately sought out the opportunity to meet with me.  Our initial meeting was merely an icebreaker that led to subsequent email correspondence, gradually developing into more of a friendship/partnership.  In time, Serge also began to see the clear link between baptism and salvation in the New Testament.  And when I finally had the chance to visit with Serge’s family, at his home, we were able to brainstorm and map out a plan for the birth of a new Restoration church in Sergeyevka, which is where Lucy and Bogdon live.  

In summary, Serge has agreed to be the Odessa Mission’s second church planter and we are just ecstatic!  I just couldn’t, even in my wildest dreams, have imagined that God would provide a church planter for us through the use of my book.  I had originally written that book to reach unbelievers in Odessa.  But I eventually concluded that my book was actually more beneficial for believers, especially American ones.  Now, however, I see that God’s plans are truly beyond what any of us can begin to predict or comprehend. 

Please be praying for Serge and his family as they search for a suitable church facility and begin preparations for the launch.  Surely the Devil’s also getting his team together.  

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25. July 2008 by admin.

At KRCC, we recently began a morning prayer ministry from 7:30 am to whenever we conclude.  We usually read three or four Psalms and then discuss them.  We then go into specific prayer requests and answers before starting our prayer time.  Lots of praise.  Lots of intercession.  Lots of blessings.  Lots of burdens.  Lots of requests.  Lots of amens.  Lots of hallelujahs.  Lots of … etcetera.  And, needless to say, it’s all very good!

Lately, I’ve been doing a bit of thinking about the need for GREATER SIGNIFICANCE in God’s universal Church!  And I challenged our church memebers to begin thinking BIGGER than they’re used to thinking ministry-wise.  As you know, Oxonna and I have been working on a project that will hopefully affect hundreds (maybe more) of Russian-speaking people.  We’re translating/dubbing a powerfully evangelistic film into the Russian language and it’s called: To Hell And Back.  It’s certainly turned out to be A LOT more work than either of us could have anticipated, but we’re finally coming down the home stretch.  In fact, by the time many of you read this, we’ll probably be done. 

Last evening, though, at about 6 pm, after a long day’s work on the project, I noticed Oxonna getting weary.  Believe me, she was more than ready to call it a day.  So I quickly decided to toss out a bit of much-needed encouragement: “Oxonna, just imagine how many people will see this film all because of our efforts!  Just imagine how many people will finally decide to give their lives to Jesus Christ solely because we dug our heels in and kicked this thing out!  Neither of us have any idea as to the kind of impact this film will have and we probably never will.  But God knows.  He sees it all.  And I’m confident that He appreciates what we’re doing because it’s significant!  How significant?  Again, that’s something only God knows for sure.  And, just maybe, one day, He will sit down with you and tell you all about it.”  As you can imagine, that brought a real smile to her face.  In fact, it even helped us work for another whole hour.  

As I walked home last night, I thought about the project and talked to God about it.  And then it hit me.  When I first got to Odessa in 2003, I couldn’t get a religious visa for an entire year.  So we couldn’t start our church.  And that was really annoying at the time.  In our minds, God had sent us to Odessa TO START A CHURCH.  After all, that’s what this mission was all about!  “What’s the deal?” I thought.  Well, apparently God had other ideas.  

Despite our frustrations, my wife and I decided to get involved with kids at a local leukemia hospital.  And it was then that I wound up writing A Dumb American in a Strange Country, which is now available in both English and Russian.  I had no plan to write a book.  But, since I had considerable time on my hands, God placed that on my heart one night.  And … it happened.  Well over a thousand copies have been sold here in the former USSR, which means that my influence/impact here has turned out to be much greater than it would have been had we just planted our small church right off the bat.  (Again, had that been the case, I seriously doubt that I would have ever written the book.)

And, last night, for the first time ever, I thought: “Interesting indeed!  Could this be one reason why our church continues to remain small?”  Although I’d never thought of this before, I began to realize that a small church can sometimes be a HUGE blessing because it often forces its members to dream bigger dreams and cast bigger visions for their ministries. 

Most Christian workers NEED/DESIRE to be SIGNIFICANT in God’s ultimate plan.  So when healthy Christian workers don’t see their ministries growing leaps and bounds, that frequently causes them to look beyond their church’s walls and cast bigger visions for their lives and ministries.  And this is one reason why Oxonna plans to enroll in a two-month educational program called ZOOM, which is designed for training people to produce professional video presentations, movies, and TV programs for Christian television and the internet.  And that’s also why I got this vision for taking this film and making it available to the 200 million Russian-speaking people around the world. 

Yes , indeed, three cheers for perspective! 

So I guess numbers really aren’t the key after all.  I guess it’s what each number is actually accomplishing in the grand plan.  What’s more important?  A large church that’s reaching its community or a small church that’s impacting the world?  Who is more important?  A church that’s growing in size or a church that growing in spirit.  A church that’s getting bigger or one that’s getting stronger?  A large church that’s growing rapidly or a small church made up of prayer warriors?  Who is more significant in the final scheme of things?  A church of 500 people or one Pioneer Bible translator?  A large church that’s watering or a small one that’s preparing the soil?  A church of 5,000 or 12 tattered disciples who witnessed the resurrection?  Twenty American churches or one converted Imam?  Yep, Only God knows.  And, just maybe, He will sit down with us one day and tell us all about it.                      

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14. July 2008 by admin.

I have a friend named Gregory.  I’ve mentioned him to you before so his name may be familiar.  But I rarely talk about him because he’s still an unbeliever, despite our three-year long friendship.  I’d probably label him a nominal Buddhist with an acute interest in astrology and New Age thinking. 

In the past, he’d often invite me over each Monday since it was my day off.  We’d basically just hang out together in his sauna and chat.  As you can imagine, the conversations were interesting.  There were many times when I felt the need to preach to him.  And, surprisingly enough, he’d usually take it pretty well. 

In 2006, during our last furlough, I really struggled with the urge of just breaking off the friendship because I began to feel that my efforts with him were in vain.  I had obviously befriended him for the purpose of converting him.  That’s it.  I don’t think he ever figured that one out.  But that’s the truth.

Regularly spending a good portion of my day off with Gregory was clearly taking valuable time away from Ira.  And, since we had a baby on the way, I also realized that it would be time away from our son too.  So, although I was leaning in the direction of using our furlough as a means of cutting off all contact with Gregory, I still chose to pray about the situation and ask God for guidance.

Well, I honestly don’t remember where I heard the following sermon at that point.  Perhaps it was on TV or on Christian radio.  I am positive, however, that it wasn’t in a church service somewhere.  Nevetheless, the sermon just focused on the Christian’s calling to LOVE PEOPLE in general.  It reminded me of our need to love EVERYONE without any strings attached, which was obviously something I had failed to do in Gregory’s case.  So I knew God was speaking to me.  I knew that this was God’s answer to my prayer.  It was basically time for me to grow up and start loving like a real Christian is supposed to love.  This wasn’t about Gregory at all.  It was about me.

It was then that I decided to continue on with the friendship regardless of the outcome.  Even if he became a stronger Buddhist through our friendship, I chose to love him anyway.  It was then that Gregory finally became a friend instead of my project.  And it was then that I was converted.  

Incredibly, during my first visit to Gregory’s place after our furlough, his daughter Natalie approached me and expressed a desire to give her life to Jesus.  Well, that was just a shock to me because I had no idea that she was thinking along those lines.  Shortly thereafter, she repented of her sins and was baptized at KRCC.  She now lives in another city in Ukraine and is growing in Christ.  I know this because we maintain contact with each other.  In fact, she’s even serving the Lord with her husband, who himself is also a recent convert.  And they also have a 7-year old son who is excited about their new life and purpose on this earth.

I clearly remember going to Gregory’s that day and telling myself for the first time: “Okay, John, just go and love this guy for who he is.  Don’t even try to preach to him or even mention spiritual stuff.  Just love him.  Just be his friend.”  And it just happened to have been on that particular day, when God stripped me of all my ulterior motives, that Natalie chose to repent.

Along these lines, last Sunday was Gregory’s wife’s (Svetlana’s) birthday.  So I called her and congratulated her.  But before we hung up, Svetlana also expressed a desire to attend KRCC regularly.  Although I know that she still has much New Age philosophy floating around in her head, she’s also apparently realizing that Jesus is Lord and that He deserves her attention.  Evidently, the change in Natalie’s life has greatly impacted her.  So please be praying for Svetlana. 

Who knows, maybe even Gregory will call me on the phone one of these days with some similar news?  Indeed, prayer, combined with faith, hope, and LOVE, really does make a difference!

Hallelujah, John    

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9. July 2008 by admin.

Today I had the chance to meet Nicolai Bolonenko.  Nicolai is a minister in Kherson, Ukraine.  Since Nicolai was meeting a new American missionary at the airport in Odessa, KRCC hosted a luncheon for him a few hours before the flight got in.  We just had a wonderful time of fellowship with him. 

We’re actually considering having him back to do some evangelistically inclined seminars on a variety of topics and making it either a two or three-day event some time in the near future.

Nicolai is very interested in outreach to Muslims and he even visits a Christian institute in Uzbekistan periodically to teach methods of evangelism, etc.  A few years back, after reading my title Answers in the Book, which is specifically designed for Muslims to read and see the real Jesus in the Qur’an itself, he invited me to teach that material in Uzbekistan.  While I declined his offer, due to rising tensions in the region, I encouraged him to use my book in any way he so desired.  (By the way, that book is available as a free dowload on our homepage just in case you’d like a copy.  Please feel free to use the book/material in any way you see fit.) 

Today, needless to say, I almost started doing the windmill (an old breakdance move that I never could get the hang of) when I heard of his potential plan to have my book translated into the Uzbek language for mass distribution purposes.  This is certainly something I’ve prayed about for a long time now!  I even mentioned that desire in a couple of old newsletters way back when.  Additionally, I completed the longest fast in my life just this past Sunday, where I asked God to translate that book into all of the major languages of today’s Muslim countries.  And I distinctly remember Uzbek being the first language I mentioned during one of my personal prayer sessions.  Anyway,  and I just rejoice because it’s clear that our Miracle Working God is still the One Who brings the increase, the One Who hears us when we call on Him, and the One Who makes dreams come true. 

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4. July 2008 by admin.

Dear Readers, 

The following comes from Rick Scarborough’s Fourth of July letter.  Rick is the founder of Vision America and he’s very active in encouraging Christians to get out and vote according to the Biblical values we all hold dearly.  His message is that if all evangelicals would do that then we’d easily win the 2008 election.  Regrettably, the definition of “evangelical” seems to be a bit watered down at this point.  In fact, even Billy Graham denied Christ as the ONLY WAY during his interview by Robert Schuller on “The Hour of Power” show.  Oh, and by the way, “schuller” is the Russian word for “deceiver,” so you might consider that one when listening to any of Robert’s old sermons. 

I encourage you to sign up for Vision America’s free newsletter, where you’re given many opportunities to easily send emails to your congressmen and senators on numerous relevant topics.  WE MUST GET INVOLVED! 

Okay, here’s Rick Scarborough:           

If America continues down the path it has chosen – porous borders, abortion-on-demand, homosexual marriage, out-of-control spending, a failure to provide for our energy security and a judicial autocracy that grows bolder every day – we may look back and remember this as our last Independence Day.  It will never happen, some will say. And I pray they are right.

But a nation pays the price for its actions. We are witnessing the ongoing destruction of the American family with skyrocketing divorce rates, sexually promiscuous middle-schoolers and parental rights decimated by judicial tyrants.

We see homosexuality increasingly normalized and dissent of the homosexual agenda ruthlessly suppressed. Illegal immigration which is bringing in crime and taking jobs and tax-funded abortion facilities responsible for ending the lives of  200,000 babies each and every year. 

God judges nations as he judges individuals. How can we expect God to bless America, when everything we do is a slap in the face to the Almighty?

Our Founding Fathers knew that America was built on the self-evident truth that all men are created equal and endowed by their CREATOR with certain inalienable rights. They knew that our nation would prosper only by obedience to the Word of God. They knew that civilizations had fallen throughout history when they adopted lifestyles and standards that violated God’s law.

But it is we the people who will decide which standard America will follow. Will we stand for life? Will we stand for law? Will we stand for decency and the family? Will we stand for those eternal truths embodied in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution?

The choice is ours. I strongly encourage you to contemplate our nation’s future as you celebrate this Independence Day.  Our action – or inaction – today, will chart the course for our future. Please stand with us, pray with us, and fight with us for a nation with a hope and a future.

 Our Responsibility When Voting for the Next President

The next president could appoint three Supreme Court justices – or one-third of the Court.  That’s one big reason why Values Voters have a moral responsibility to vote this year.

The Court is now evenly balanced. There are four judicial activists – Associate Justices David Souter, John Paul Stevens, Stephen Breyer and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. And there are four strict constructionists – who adhere to the intent of the Constitution’s drafters – Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas and Antonin Scalia.

Anthony Kennedy is the swing vote – though he swings with the left more often than not. Most of the Court’s decisions are 5-4 — including its masterful defense of the individual right to keep and bear arms and its horrendous ruling striking down laws that allow capital punishment for those who rape children.

Stevens is 88, while Bader-Ginsburg is 75 and in ill health. At 68, Souter is said to be eager to return to home to New Hampshire – which would suit me just fine.

If just one of these three was replaced by an advocate of judicial-restraint, that would give us a solid majority on the Court. Think of what that would mean for the unborn, parental rights, the war on terrorism and effective crime control.

Conservatives worked hard to have Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justice Samuel Alito confirmed. They replaced William Rehnquist (a conservative) and Sandra Day O’Connor, another swing vote – who increasingly swung in the wrong direction.

Since the 1950s, liberal Supreme Court justices have grown increasingly bold in their attacks on the Constitution, reasoned liberty and Judeo-Christian morality.

The next president could nominate judges who share the Founding Fathers belief in faith and freedom or he could choose leftists who will continue the ignoble tradition of legislating from the bench.

This is why I am traveling back and forth across this country holding One Day Crusades and Pastor Briefings. That’s why I’m calling on Christians to vote in this crucial election.

We cannot afford to sit back and wait for the perfect candidate. In every election, we must support the candidate whose principles most closely reflect our own. We must think of the unborn, of innocent children and of the morality on which America was founded and grew to greatness. And we must fulfill our civic duty and obligation to vote.

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4. July 2008 by admin.

Dear Friends, 

The following video shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone.  Nevertheless, it’s still worth a look because all of us usually need reminders periodically.  And there are certainly similar videos all over the web.  But do check it out.  Perhaps it’s high time to call another Oprah boycott, especially in light of what’s happening all around us.  (We might also consider boycotting McDonald’s because of its support of gay marriages, etc.) 

To be honest, I’m earnestly praying for a Republican president because America just seems to be falling apart before our very eyes.  Maybe you also noticed the latest statistics claiming that 57% of “evangelicals” buy into Oprah’s philosophy, which is just frightening if that’s remotely accurate.  Of course, in the mid-nineties Charles Colson claimed that 40% of “evangelicals” had abandoned their belief in absolutes.  So this is nothing new.  PRAY!  PRAY!  FAST AND PRAY!  And vote for the man who will do a better job of keeping America from destroying itself. 

Of course, there is a flip side to all of this.  I guess I’ll share this little tidbit for the sake of equal time since I’m getting political here.  If Barack Obama does become America’s next president, that might just speed up the time of the Second Coming.  And, while that may sound rather humorous or even absurd to some, I’m not entirely convinced that it’s far-fetched either.  

Anyway, here’s the video link:     

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW4LLwkgmqA&feature=related

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2. July 2008 by admin.

Hey Everyone,

We recently sent four kids from KRCC to a Christian camp for two weeks.  The two boys could only handle a week, while the girls lasted the entire time.  Yep, the girls win again.  Nevertheless, one of our 12-year old boys (Andre) has recently begun talking about going into the ministry when he grows up.  I guess we’ll need to baptize him first though.  Please do keep him in prayer because we obvioulsy need all the preachers we can get. 

On a completely different note, I thought this short video with Newt Gingrich was worth a look.  So here’s the link:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=UOpcPfAarjY

 Enjoy, John

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24. June 2008 by admin.

Me Again! 

A few days back I mentioned the Odessa Mission’s desire to translate and dub Dr. Maurice Rawling’s video “To Hell and Back” into the Russian language and I just wanted to update you on the latest progress.  I’m using Windows Movie Maker for the project, which seems to be just my speed since this is my first project ever.  I’ve successfully put the video on the timeline and created English subtitles that perfectly match each individual segment of the video.  In other words, everything matches up on the timeline, etc.  Now, Oxonna and I are collaborating on the translation and conversion from the English subtitles into the Russian.  We only want to use the subtitles temporarily, to easily facilitate the process of adding our audio (i.e. Russian voices) to the video.  It’s quite a lengthy and arduous process but we’re moving forward little by little.  The video is 89 minutes long and we’re only done with about ten minutes of translation so far.  Furthermore, we’re still not quite sure whose voices we’ll be using for the video, etc.  I guess we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it though. 

Do keep us in prayer as we carry/tarry on!  Although it’s tedious, I’m excited because I really believe in this project.  We plan to do all that we can to show this video to as many believers and unbelievers as possible.  We also hope to have it aired on CNL periodically.  CNL is the first Russian speaking Christian broadcast network in history and it’s growing pretty fast.  (Another station that’s gaining some ground online is Impact TV, which is only broadcasting over the internet at the moment.  I could be wrong about that one but I think that’s the case so far.  Perhaps in time it will join CNL on the tube.  Either way, we also want this video in their hands too.  In fact, I sent them an email today to inform them of this particular project.) 

I’m even thinking about what our next project might be.  Please also pray that God will work something out that will help us with the audio.  I actually plan to ask the Christian TV stations if they’d be interested in filling that particular role, which obviously would both expedite the process and ensure professionalism.  We’ll pray and see!

Blessings, John        

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24. June 2008 by admin.

Hey Friends,

I recently set up a meeting with someone who was “interested” in buying my old digital camera.  We agreed on the place to meet, which was a neutral location somewhere in the middle for both of us.  Sadly, he didn’t buy my camera because he didn’t bother showing up.  I waited for about half an hour in the hot sun before calling it quits. 

One thing that really bugs me about Odessites is their total irresponsibility.  In other Ukrainian cities, if you invite someone to church they’ll usually either say “Thanks, but no thanks!” or “Thanks, I may consider it.” or “Get lost you weirdo!”  At least you basically know where they stand and they usually give you a fairly straightforward response.  By contrast, in Odessa I’d have to say that one of the most popular answers goes something like this: “Church?  Wow, that’s just what I need!  You know, I was just thinking about that the other day; that is so weird.  Sure, I’ll come.  Oh, and can I get a few more invitations for my friends also?  I’m not sure if they’ll be able to make it or not because I’m not at liberty to speak for them.  BUT I WILL DEFINITELY BE THERE!”  And, of course, 99.9% of them never show up. 

Just about every time we talk on the phone, my father-in-law, who grew up in the USSR, always warns me about the people of Odessa.  He says: “Don’t forget that you’re living in the Ukrainian version of Chicago during its Capone days!”  And he’s right to a certain extent.  Although Odessa was once renowned for its organized crime families, etc, much of that has changed over the past few years.  Organized crime here is surely not the serious problem it once was, though it certainly does exist.  However, Odessa’s overall mindset hasn’t changed a bit.  In other words, although you don’t really have to worry much about someone trying to whack you in a back alley somewhere, it’s still pretty hard to find a straight answer in this town.  As Billy Joel would surely say if he lived here: “Honesty is such a lonely word.”

Unfortunatley, the implications are far-reaching in this respect.  If honesty isn’t the policy then neither are a lot of other good qualities, which are the natural result of such.  I may be totally off on this one but it just seems to me that honesty gives birth to integrity, which gives birth to trustworthiness, which gives birth to reliability, which gives birth to the need for real/pure/genuine relationships.  Sadly, Odessa, as a whole, seems to be sorely lacking in most of these key areas, which surely helps to explain its overall indifference to Jesus Christ and the friendship He’s offering, as well as the pure life He’s calling them to.  

And I think this also helps to shed light on part of the reason why Odessa leads the nation in a number of the societal-ills categories like AIDS / STD cases, the incredibly high percentage of abortions, etc.  AIDS/STD’s are clear indicators of infidelity, broken relationships, irresponsibility, a lack of integrity, and unreliability, etc.

So, is it any shock that the guy didn’t show up today?  Nope.  Not in the least.  Oh well, I guess we’d better start getting used to it :)  No.  On the other hand, I take that back.  I guess we’ll keep praying and hoping and living and sharing the gospel of Christ until this city begins to change for the good.  Yeah.  I like plan “B” a lot better.

Can I get an AMEN, John 

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14. June 2008 by admin.

Hey Friends, 

If you ever spend any time listening to Presbyterian preachers then you’ll certainly hear a great deal about God’s sovereignty.  One website with a ton of them would be: www.sermonaudio.com.  While I usually disagree with the extent to which they go in this particular area, I also feel as though we sometimes fail to go far enough.  The Bible is replete with verses that express God’s sovereignty over all things from natural disasters to falling sparrows.  And while it’s true that we all have free-will, it’s also true that God is in complete control.  Now, does that sound like a contradiction?  Perhaps.  However, in light of Scripture, I think it would be better to see it as a mystery rather than a contradiction. 

God Himself is a mystery.  Have you ever tried to wrap your mind around GOD?  Hendrikus Berkhoff wrote: “The more I get to know Him the less I understand Him.”  See, even our relationship with Him is a mystery.  Although we can’t even begin to grasp His true nature and essence, we still know and love Him.  That’s perhaps the greatest mystery in the universe, aside from Him loving us i.e.  Someone aptly put it this way: “The greatest miracle in history isn’t the creation, nor is it the resurrection.  It’s the fact that He washed my sins away.”  In other words, the greatest miracle of all is that He loves me. 

The famous neo-orthodox theologian Karl Barth was asked towards the end of his life what theological lesson impacted him more than any other.  And, as the people awaited his normally erudite and scholarly reply, they were surprised to hear something they learned way back in Sunday school: “Jesus loves me.  This I know.  For the Bible tells me so.” 

Truly everything about God is a mystery.  No beginning or end.  No limits.  A God of love and grace, yet “a consuming fire” (Heb.12:29).  Three, and yet One.    

So it shouldn’t be a surprise that His sovereignty is also a mystery.  In 2 Peter 3 we see that God loves all and wants “everyone to come to repentance” (2 Pet.3:9).  On the other hand, we also see Jesus’ promise in Mt.16:18 - “I will build My Church.”  In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul writes about those who plant the seed and then about others who come later to water it.  And, while Paul clearly explains that everybody will give an account for the way they served, he also writes: “Neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” 

 What’s Paul’s point here?  Well, in context, what he’s saying to the Corinthians is this: “Hey guys, don’t focus on me or Peter or Apollos!  We’re really not that important in the grand scheme of things.  God should be your focus because He’s the One Who really produces the actual results in ministry.” 

Paul seems to reiterate this thought in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6.  In verse four, Paul says that God gives different “gifts” for ministry.  Then, in verse five, he says that God gives us different kinds of “service,” or ways to use those talents.  And finally, in verse six, we see that God gives “different kinds of working” (NIV).  The NASB, which is probably closer to the original most of the time, puts it this way: ”There are varieties of effects, but the same God Who works all things in all persons.”  The actual Greek word is energema (#1755) and the first definition offered is: ”things wrought.” 

Thus, Paul might very well be saying that God gives different gifts (v.4) for ministry, offers different ways to use them (v.5) in ministry, and produces different results (v.6) within ministry, which seems to fit well with the idea of God building His Church. 

Put simply, none of us need to worry about the results of our ministries.  That’s God’s job.  All we need to do is stay faithful to whatever He’s called us to do.  And if you’re called to plant seed in a barren field where the soil is not fertile at all, then just lean on God and stick with it.  Persevere.  Why?  Because that’s your calling. 

Could it be worse?  Sure.  Some, though not most, are even called to be martyrs.  Many, however, are called to a life of service without the thrill of ever really seeing the true fruit of their labor.  Like the faithful, in Hebrews 11, they may only see it from a distance.  Some may not even be that lucky.  And, if that’s you, then just remember that there will surely come a day when God will send someone else whose job is watering the soil you’ve faithfully prepared.

Never give up.  Dr. V. Raymond Edman said: “It is always too soon to quit!”  As Mother Teresa taught: “God doesn’t call us to be successful.  He calls us to be faithful.” 

Finally, one last verse that encourages me in this area is: “But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first” (Mt.19:30).  Throughout Jesus’ teachings we see hints of the fact that the less fortunate will be greatly rewarded in Heaven.  In fact, sometimes Jesus almost seems to show extra love and compassion to the poor and homeless, etc.  In Luke 16, we see that Lazarus is comforted in paradise while the rich man is tormented.  One reason given there is because the rich man had received good things on earth while Lazarus had not.  As Jesus taught, in the Sermon on the Mount, when someone receives his earthly rewards in full, there’s just nothing left for him.  And oftentimes this reward on earth is linked to riches.  Sometimes, as in Matthew 6, the reward is the praise of men.

So when Jesus says that “the last shall be first,” it seems rather plausible that some who get praised because of their bestsellers or their high-profile ministries will actually receive less in Heaven than others who were faithfully serving behind the scenes. 

Granted, the one who was faithful with ten talents did receive more than the others.  But the key point here is faithfulness.  See, praise from men, like a big sack of cash, tends to be a real snare for many.  So, if we can’t handle that kind of temptation, then perhaps it’s best not to have to deal with it in the first place.  In other words, if you’re in a low-profile ministry then you might want to consider thanking God daily that you don’t have to deal with such temptations.  And, maybe, just maybe, your reward on high will be much greater as a result.  

Stay Grateful, John

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