Lessons in the Trial, Part 2

This is the rest of my “lessons” list.

6. The Lord was preparing me. (2 Cor 1:4) I have blogged on this recently. I did not know it fully at the time, but being in a financial hardship and hearing of the ever-sinking economic situation, the Lord was teaching me how to relate and identify with those who are hurting in this way. Now that I am pastor during this global crisis, I thank God for the trial that prepared me. It was good.
7. Learn to speak the truth in love. (Eph 4:15) I needed to hear a lot of things from other people during this time. I needed to hear truth. However, I learned from being on the receiving end that we must be careful to speak the truth IN LOVE. If we are not careful, our very tone will destroy the good we mean to accomplish! Also, we must take into account the current context of a person’s situation before we “blast” them with good truth! For example, I have a friend (and he is still my friend! I love this guy) who told me one day, “Wil, you need to be a man and be the one that provides for your family.” Now that statement is ENTIRELY TRUE! But my context (and he knew my context) did not allow me to do so, so in effect, his words did not edify or exhort, they simply added an extra burden! I had sent dozens of resumes to churches and filled our numerous applications at secular jobs and had searched the internet for hours. I couldn’t find a job! His statement was true, but it hurt, it didn’t help. I learned right then and there to speak the truth in love, and it is an invaluable lesson for me! I never want to add to a brother’s burden. When he is under it, I want to share it with him. (Gal 6:2)
8. Rejoice in all things. (1 Thess 5:16) This was a tough one! Rejoicing always means rejoicing when there doesn’t seem to be anything to rejoice over! However, we ALWAYS have reason to rejoice! The Lord taught me to rejoice over salvation even if I could not rejoice over a job! Rejoice over a church family and friends even when you could not rejoice over food in the refrigerator. Rejoice over the trial because God is over it and is watching over you! Rejoice always! I learned that in those tough times is when you really learn how to rejoice over the best things! It was good for me.
9. In everything give thanks. (1 Thess 5:18) This one goes right along with the previous one. The Lord taught me to finally say, “Thank you Lord for this trial!” That was a good day for me!
10. Finding a church to pastor was far more difficult than I ever imagined! In fact, I learned you cannot find one! The Lord must do the match! I was shocked over and over again to hear what churches were looking for in a pastor. I blogged on this recently, “Preacher or Pastor: A False Dichotomy.” It was a sobering, heartbreaking reality to face so many churches that were so concerned about things other than the Word being preached with boldness (Col 4:3-4). We need a reformation! The insight was good for me.
11. “God will hurt a man before He will use him!” My great friend and mentor, Dr. Bill Bennet, told me this as I was entering this trial. It was a frightful reality, but it helped me get through! And it was so true. It was good for me to hear that. Before the trial was over, I heard it from two other friends. Timely wisdom. Good counsel.
12. God is working something good. (Rom 8:28) (I am going to share a verse with you in the next blog “Blessings in the Trial” that will knock your socks off! It is the Word that God gave to my wife during this trial, and it ties these last two lessons together so perfectly.) God kept reminding us through sermons, friends, and Scripture that what was hurting so bad was going to turn out for our good! And it did! And we rejoice and praise His name! (BTW-it doesn’t have to “feel” good to be good for you!) These 12 lessons and the 7 blessings I will post next are just a sample of the hundreds of ways this trial was good for us. If you will notice, I mentioned after every lesson that it was good! And I have to say, being placed at First Baptist, Paintsville, KY is far more abundantly beyond anything we could have asked for or imagined (Eph 3:20)! God is good—and so was this trial!

Stay tuned for “Blessings in the Trial.”

Lessons in the Trial, Part 1

I have been waiting for some time to post these blogs (the next blog will be “Blessings in the Trial”). I wanted to allow the dust to settle on my experience in order to ensure a more accurate reflection. The trial I refer to in these blogs is the past year my family and I have gone through without employment and the thousands of questions and struggles that came along with it. During the whole process, I kept a list of “lessons” and “blessings” in the cover of my Bible. As the days slowly grew into months, so my lists grew as well. Looking back today, I would not trade one single struggle in this trial for a shorter stent! It took the entire year for God to show these things to me, and they are precious to me now! (Notice, I said “Now.”) He was gracious to take a year with me; I could not have handled them all at once! My goal in sharing this with you is that it might encourage you in whatever trial you are facing or will face in the future. There are many, many believers suffering today from unexpected, unbelievable hardships. I pray the Lord will use these lessons that I learned in my hardship to help carry you through your own difficulty as they did for me.

(No particular order of importance, just listed as I realized them)

1. Do not rely on self! (2 Cor 1:8-9) One of the great things the Lord did for me during this time was to remove all things that could be attributed to “self.” In other words, He showed me areas of pride! I had to face huge mistakes I had made. I had to face the reality that my “talents” and/or my “experience” or “education” were not there for me to fall back on in times of difficulty. I was to fall on God for my strength and deliverance! Only He could open the next door for me. I joked with my pastor, but was saying this seriously as well, “Some trust in chariots, some trust in horses, some trust in Ph.D.s, but we will trust in the Lord our God!” It really was amazing to see unfold! I was the guy who “fit” the mold, so to speak. I was in my 30s, had a young family, had the highest degree possible, and some pastoral experience – and nothing was happening! It was soon clear that the Lord was up to something. He was teaching me to not rely on “self,” and it was a good lesson!
2. God will provide for his children. (Ps 37:25) The Lord provided for our needs in hundreds of unexpected, timely ways! Everything from unknown reimbursements to anonymous donations to friends sending gifts to family members standing by us financially—over and over again, God came through for us in big, surprising, sufficient ways! We never missed a meal. Not one single bill went unpaid. God is good, and He taught me to trust him and not worry (Mat 6:25-34).
3. How to be Content in whatever circumstance you are in. (Phil 4:10-13) The previous lesson does not mean that every day was easy for us—by no means! After spending 12 years in theological education and 3 years planting a church, we thought that we had already learned how to live simple! Well…God taught us more about living with less and being satisfied in him and not in things! We learned many ways to stretch the dollar and pinch the penny, and it was good for us!
4. Be patient and wait on the Lord. (Ps 27:13-14) I finally learned after months of struggling that I need to wait on the Lord. There’s nothing wrong with being responsible and looking for employment, but in the end, I realized I could not open a single door. And if the Lord did allow ME to open a door, it would prove to be a miserable one! It takes faith to wait! God was teaching me to trust and be content and wait on the Lord to do us good, and He did!
5. Keep your priorities in place. (Mat 6:33) God is first. Along with that are the beauty of Christ and the wonder of the Gospel! Family is second. Relationships in the body of Christ and with those who you are trying to win to Christ are third. Everything else is either a far fourth or meaningless in terms of eternity!!!!!!!

To be continued.

News from Myanmar

The following are 2 updates I received from Pastor J.

"Miss. Ngun Hlei Sung was bound by evil spirit during her study at Bible school since the beginning of 2008. But we fasted and prayed for her and immediately evil spirit left her out and it was known by many peoples.

Unfortunately Miss. Biak Tin Sung was bound by evil spirit for one Month. She often fell down unexpectedly and shake vehemently and suffered severely. Her parents were full of frustration and they did not know how to cure their daughter. Some body told them about a lady who was healed from bounding evil spirit and her father called four of my students boys. After that Bible students fasted and went to their home to prayer for her who was still suffered severely. When they prayed for her and cast out evil spirit in the name of Jesus and immediately evil spirit left out from her and now she is completely healed and she gave thanks to the Lord. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and for ever in His healing power also."

This is the testimony of Mr. Van Lian Chawn who is the leader of Gospel team.

“God’s plan is very wonderful. When I asked His riches, the trouble are more increased, when I asked the Lord good health, sickness is more increased in my life. Nevertheless His wonderful LOVE is sufficient for me. Praise the Lord. Lord you are exceedingly good. You bless me what I did not ask you that blessings is trouble which I face daily that trouble cause and express the glory of the Lord in my body. I rejoiced greatly in the Lord for He is good all the times. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for YOU ARE WITH ME.”

When my Bible students listened his testimony, nine peoples cried and gave thanks to the Lord one by one. I too rejoiced with them greatly in the Lord for they totally commitment unto the Lord.

Now they are going for Gospel outreach without bringing any things.
But Today some of students went up to the Mountain top for fasting prayer for seven days and nights specially for Myanmar' shine and for revival. When they come down, they would begin their Gospel trip.

(Praise the Lord! The students will return to class on June 10 and as of today still do not have a place of study or the needed food for their meals. If you would like to support Pastor J and his students, you may do so by clicking here and then clicking the “donation” button at the top of that page.)

Answered Prayer for Hopegivers International!

Two of my living heroes are Drs. MA and Samuel Thomas of Hopegivers International (father and son respectively). The ministry of Hopegivers began in India and now conducts ministry throughout the 10/40 Window, South Africa, and Haiti. Their method is to take in orphans and along with meeting their needs, share the Gospel with them. The orphans who come to Christ then enter their Bible College program and graduate to go out and plant churches. To date, they have literally rescued 1000s of orphans and, as a result, planted 1000s of churches around the world! It is truly one of the most dynamic ministries on the planet, and one of the most persecuted as well. From its inception the ministry has undergone both political and hostile, anti-Christian persecution.

Just a couple of months ago, the founder, Dr. MA, was visiting the US when he suffered a major stroke. He is still recovering and has yet to regain his speech and control of his right side. He is presently staying at a rehabilitation center. His son, Samuel, was in India at the time and has not been allowed to come see his father. As you can imagine, this was just an extra burden upon Samuel as he led the ministry alone, under persecution, and was restrained from seeing his father.

Many people have been praying over this situation, and this past weekend God answered in a BIG way! Samuel was allowed to come see his father, and it was a blessed reunion!

Please go visit www.hopegivers.org and see the pics! Pray for this ministry and get involved in whatever ways the Lord may lead! Hopegivers in truly making a global impact for the Kingdom of God!

A Global Ark Christmas!

The following is an update I received from our friends in South India. How wonderful to hear the many ways in which the Gospel is progressins around the world! When I read the testimony below, I thought "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus. No Turning Back. No Turning Back."

(The photos are recents baptisms, converts, and some orphans)

"Greetings and best wishes to you in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have wonderful news from our ministry field in this month. God is expanding His kingdom in all the darkest corners of India.

In the month of last December at one village we went for Carrols. Before we go to the houses we will give the handbills about our visiting that night. One day we went to a house and gave the handbill and said that we are coming to night for Carrols. We even would go to the non Christian houses and idol worshippers to sing carrols and let them to know that Saviour born for them. As the same way we gave the handbill to a non christian lady in a house. The lady who took the handbill by reading the paper and told us that she is not a Christian and she never allows Christian people to her house. And also she abused us and Jesus. But we just told her that we love her and Jesus still loves her and we stepped out. It happened in the month of December. But last week when her father in law went to the field to work and he suddenly fell over on the ground and started to shake his head by releasing the white stuff from his mouth. The people who were working at the next field found him and took him to the hospital. At the hospital the doctor tested him and didn't find anything in his health and send him back. But still this man cannot walk and cannot sleep at the nighs. Neither doctors nor he doesn't know the reason of his sickness. All his relatives came and visited him to suggest him about the good doctors in the town for better treatment but still there is no reason for his sickness. Finally last Sunday we went to the village and me and my team gathered at a house for a prayer meeting, the lady (who mocked us) came to the house and requested me to come and pray for her father in law and it seems all the household were worried about his physical condition. When we went and prayed for his healing the very next day that lady came to my house and told me that his father in law was healed and slept well after we prayed!!! Praise God. Because " I am not ashamed of the Gospel of christ" Romans 1v16 And that man took the decision to follow Jesus and he banished his idols from his house and telling the people that Jesus is the Living God!! Praise"

Global Ark has requested $1,000 to purchase 500 Bibles. If you would like to give toward this goal, please click here and then click the "donation" button at the top of the page.

Now...I Know!

This past Sunday ended a year long season in my life in which I was jobless! Two days ago I began duties as pastor of First Baptist Church, Paintsville, KY. I still have not taken it all in. What an awesome privilege and fearful task to oversee the spiritual care of God’s people! Before I preached Sunday, I was more nervous than I have been about preaching in a long time. It is all a bit overwhelming, and I am humbled and thankful for such a wonderful calling and place to serve.

The past year of being without a job played a major role into where I am today and where God is leading our church. In February of last year when I found myself without a job, I thought it couldn’t be too difficult to find another place of employment. Boy! Was that ever a false assumption!! After being turned down by numerous churches, several colleges, and not even given a second glance at several secular vocations, it became increasingly clear (and frustrating and discouraging) that I was going to be jobless for some time. It was also very clear that ONLY the Lord would open the door to my next place of employment. (My Ph.D. did not swing wide the doors as I had been accustomed to think!)

Well praise the Lord—He did open the door, and like always when He moves, He opened the perfect, best door for us! A long year of waiting for us! A great year of being taught by God, and unknown to me at the time, prepared by God for what is to be my first duty as pastor of First Baptist, Paintsville, KY!

Let me explain.

I now know what it means to be without a job, not able to find employment, and entirely trusting in the Lord to provide for me and my family! And He did numerous times THROUGH HIS PEOPLE!

The Lord led me to preach through the book of Philippians to begin my ministry at First Baptist. It was not until I was preparing my first sermon of the book that the Lord cleared away the clouds and revealed to me why He led me to Philippians and why He had allowed me to live 12 months without a job.

Remember the famous (or infamous depending on your perspective) line of President Clinton’s first campaign: It’s the economy ______! The economic recession is THE issue of our day. 1000s have lost their jobs, lost their homes, and are losing and/or have lost their retirement funds. Many, many more will find themselves among these before this is over! People are hurting, and everyone will feel this somehow before the end.

Here is where Philippians is a tremendous asset for the Church today! I preached an overview of Philippians in which I made 2 points in light of the recession. (1) The most visible theme in the letter is that believers can have a sure, unshakable joy that transcends ALL circumstances! (2) Difficult, trying circumstances are the most opportune times for the Church to step up and live out the Gospel in big, sacrificial ways for the glory of God!

Do you see what I see? WOW! Philippians is exactly what we need to hear today!

Back to God’s preparation for me to pastor. Now I am ready to pastor people who have lost their job and are not having much success in finding other employment. Now I can lead the Church to care for brothers and sisters in Christ who need our help. I am ready now because I have been without a job, and I have been cared for by the Church during that time.

NOW I KNOW! And I praise Him!

Praise Report and 2008 Giving Report

Dear Friends:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! As many of you know, we have been in prayer for God to open a door for His Word. On Sunday, Feb 1, after 12 months of prayer and waiting and learning, God answered that prayer! The kind and gracious believers of First Baptist Church, Paintsville, KY issued a call for me to become their pastor! I will begin duties on Feb 15.

After so much anticipation and anxious waiting, I have to admit I am somewhat fearful of what lies before me. It is a fearful thing to oversee and care for the souls of others! As you stood with me in praying for an opportunity, I humbly ask that you would stand with me in prayer through this opportunity! I am praying for wisdom, boldness, discernment, and to daily exemplify the fruit of the Spirit.

I would also like to share with our readers the giving report of Search And See Ministries for 2008. The Lord has been so good to allow us the privilege of sharing in the Gospel around the world! The following details how the donations from our supporters were used to proclaim the Gospel and encourage the saints!

Mission Projects Total: 17,605.50 (10-1-07 to 9-30-08)
Hopegivers: 5,505.00, Global Ark: 145.00, Grace Covenant: 175.00, Kenya Church and Pastor: 10,400.00, Myanmar Relief: 1,200.00, and mission trip: 180.00

Praying for and anticipating a great year of ministry in 2009!