Area Director's July Devotional

 

Nevertheless 

Stuck, bottled up on the inside, and paralyzed on the outside.   We have a city to take, a battle to win.    We have been called and anointed yet our enemy taunts us.   Like David of Old, our enemy doubts if we can take back territory that is rightfully ours.   He mocks, “You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off.”   One word changes everything: “Nevertheless!”   Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David.   (2 Samuel 5:6-7).   How does the trapped warrior break through to become a triumphant one?  In God’s timing, God orchestrated two powerful sermons during Missionary Renewal to address that need and to stir us on to victory.   Greg Mundis, World Mission's Director, called us to a godly brokenness.   “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart.” Psalm 34:18  (NKJV)   This is 'a heart that is broken because it in part knows itself and its shortcomings.’  It is also ‘a heart that is broken for lost mankind.’  Greg exhorted us to let God deal with our ‘unexposed, secret, and hidden parts of our lives which determine our behavior, relationship, and interaction with God and others.’     Next, Renay West urged us to hold on to God because our break-throughs were almost here.  The secret?  As David spent time with God, he became stronger ‘because the Lord God Almighty was with him.’  (2 Samuel 5:10 NIV)   God Himself was fighting his battles.  “I watched the Lord break through my enemies like a mighty flood.” 2 Samuel 5:20 NIV.    The enemy may sneer at us.   Conquest may seem impossible; nevertheless we serve a God who breaks through at strategic times if we stay broken before Him.  Let God cleanse your secret life and give you a brokenness for lost mankind.

 

Area Director's June Devotional

The Makings of a Triple Crown Winner 

The caption to the article intrigued me: “Triple Threat.”  The photo captured on American Airlines magazine (April 2013) was one of Miguel Cabrera’s intensity moments before he hit the ball.   In 2012 he was the first Detroit Tiger since Ty Cobb (1909) to hold the coveted “Triple Crown” at one time leading the American League in batting average, home runs and RBIs.   I had to know.   What makes Miguel so effective in baseball?   Here’s what I discovered.   1. He is totally focused on the game.  He played through a pressured season complaint-free despite the pain in his bum ankle.   2. He loves the game! He often laughs and interacts with the fans.  His enthusiasm spills over to his fans of all ages.  3. He knows the dynamics of the game, which keeps him flexible.   “Cabrera can remember without the benefit of the printed scouting report, how each opposing pitcher got him out in the past, then make the necessary adjustments.”   4. He has great instincts for the game, which come from his family.   His mother played for Venezuela’s national softball team.   His father was a baseball player.   Last, but certainly not least: 5. He is a team player.   “He may be a Triple Crown winner but the Detroit Tiger’s Miguel Cabrera isn’t all that interested in talking about himself.”   “We’re a team.   You win games with 25 guys.   You don’t win games by yourself.”  As missionaries, if we applied these principles to our ministry, we could be a Triple Threat to Satan’s Kingdom.  2 Timothy 1:7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Area Director's May Devotional

Dreams Planted in Eternity 

The news came as a shock.   Randy Johnston*, a man of God, a prayer warrior and a friend died unexpectedly at age 60.   Randy was the picture of vitality but now he was gone.  My connection with Randy came because Randy was a dreamer.  As a passionate layperson Randy envisioned how his skill as a businessman in the clothing industry could integrate with his love for the children in the (Latin American ChilcCare) LACC schools in the Dominican Republic where he visited often.   His passion inspired me to keep on dreaming.   As I sat quietly in his memorial service a few days ago, a question lingered in my mind: “Now that the dreamer is gone, what of the dream?”  

 

Perhaps it was too little sleep.   Perhaps it was an Immanuel Kant kind of contemplation, “Is the dream real without the dreamer?”  Maybe my recent trip to Branson to see Joseph (the dreamer) or our planning for the 2014 Caribbean Retreat at the Dreams Resort had me fixating on dreams.   What of the dream?   Before the inquiry disquieted my spirit, I knew the answer!   Pastor John Bates called for testimonies of people whose lives were impacted by Randy’s life.   After the sixth testimony, I knew.    Randy had planted his dreams in others and his dreams will outlive him!

 

If you are a dreamer, make sure your dreams will outlive you.   Entrust those dreams to others.   As Paul said to Timothy:   “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Timothy 2:2)   Randy’s dreams are alive and well.  God help us to be people who plant dreams for eternity. 

*Duane and Julia Martin are AGWM missionaries to Mexico currently at CINCEL.   Julia is Randy Johnston’s daughter.

Caribbean & U.S. Based Missionary Retreat

 

The Caribbean and U.S. Based Missionary Retreat Dates are Monday, September 1 - Friday, September 5, 2014.  The speaker will be Dr. James Bradford.  Travel days are Monday, September 1, 2014 for arrival, and Friday, September 5 for departure.  The retreat will held Tuesday - Thursday in the Dominican Republic, with more information to follow.  Please mark your calendars, thanks!