As I write this, I am returning from a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland. My ministry team was joined by my friend, David Hogan’s team, to help the church of Pastor Eder Goncalves (which was the first church to work with Confirming The Word). We evangelized and held meetings to encourage this dear church in Scotland’s capital.

I had not seen David in a year, and he shared this recent story. David has been a missionary to the tribal people of Mexico for forty years. Where he ministers is a very dangerous area. It’s not uncommon for him to come on scenes where people have been beheaded by drug cartel gangs. He has persevered through severe persecution and now has 1,200 churches there.

Recently, David got a call from one of his native leaders who asked him to please come; half of the congregation had been shot and killed in a drug war crossfire during a worship service. “David, you brought us the Gospel; you are our spiritual father. Would you come to restore and help rebuild us?”David told us that since he is a white man and drives a 4-wheel drive truck, he would stand out and be a target. But, he knew in his heart that he must go. His son was not available, so he asked his son if he would release his 20 year old son (who was a newlywed) and allow him to accompany David?

His son replied, “If I lose my father and my son, so be it; I’ll know it’s for the Gospel’s sake.”

Now, look who made the commitment for David and his grandson–they all did–David’s wife, his grandson’s father and mother, and his grandson’s new wife. They all had to release them for the Gospel’s sake, and the two went right into the jaws of the situation, trembling, but trusting God!

The cartel saw them, and were so impacted that six gang members gave their lives to Jesus and became members of a Church where they had killed half of its members! Amazing Grace! Incredible Love and Forgiveness! Ultimate Reconciliation!

Lord, help us remember this testimony the next time we are faced with a difficult situation and want to chicken out or excuse ourselves. Help us to remain true to You, true to Your cause, and true to Your Church.

“For they loved not their lives even unto death.” Revelation 12:11

You are receiving articles like this to encourage and challenge you…feel free to use them in your own ministry and walk with the Lord. I often read something from someone else that springboards me into a series of teachings! If you ever need someone to advise or bounce something off of, don’t hesitate to contact me. I am free to come to your church or ministry to guest speak, train leaders, or help launch a Confirming The Word (CTW) Church-Based Bible School.

Remember, there’s nothing more important than what we are doing…Expanding The Kingdom of God on the Earth!

Our Gracious Father God is Perfectly Good. Everything about His will for each one of us is “good, acceptable, and perfect,” Romans 12:2. So, instead of having a hesitating fear of going all out for God and His will, I want to urge that we should all fear and reject our own will. We have the Perfect Guide who has pledged and promised to be our instructor, teacher and counselor concerning His ways—the way we should always go!

“I the Lord will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you,” Psalm 32:8, Amplified.

When my way doesn’t line up with His way, it’s time for my way to hit the highway and get out of the way! One of my old mentors said quite often, “No greater punishment can any man have than to be left to have his own way.” If you resist God’s way and insist/persist in your own way, God will let you have it.

“If you fail to consult God, you insult God.”

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding,” Proverbs 3:5.

If you lean to your own understanding, you will always go your way—in other words, the wrong way. “In all your ways acknowledge Him (recognize Him and observe with care) and He shall direct your paths,” Proverbs 3:6.

“In all your ways” means your lifestyle. It means every decision, large and small, that you make every day.

Do you think you’ll trust God with all your heart when you spend eternity with Him? Of course! Well then, let’s trust Him now on earth to be our Perfect and Absolutely Good Guide while we’re here! Your way or His way? That should be an easy choice!

You are receiving articles like this to encourage and challenge you…feel free to use them in your own ministry and walk with the Lord. I often read something from someone else that springboards me into a series of teachings! If you ever need someone to advise or bounce something off of, don’t hesitate to contact me. I am free to come to your church or ministry to guest speak, train leaders, or help launch a Confirming The Word (CTW) Church-Based Bible School.

Remember, there’s nothing more important than what we are doing…Expanding The Kingdom of God on the Earth!