Encourage One Another

1Th 5:11 And so encourage one another and help one another, just as you are now doing.
1Th 5:12 We beg you, our friends, to pay proper respect to those who work among you, who guide and instruct you in the Christian life.
1Th 5:13 Treat them with the greatest respect and love because of the work they do. Be at peace among yourselves.
1Th 5:14 We urge you, our friends, to warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
1Th 5:15 See that no one pays back wrong for wrong, but at all times make it your aim to do good to one another and to all people.
1Th 5:16 Be joyful always,
1Th 5:17 pray at all times,
1Th 5:18 be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus.

Let me introduce the young men and women in the photo to you. Andrew, Kristy, and Costel on the front row. On the second row we have the beautiful young women, Anna, Louiza, Maria, Lili and Ligia. This is my Bible Study group from Biserica Crestina Baptista Emanuel in Bucuresti, Romania. It is very difficult for me to put into words how special this group of young adults have become to me during our study time together.
To say they are outstanding would be an understatement.

My intent of leading these students through a session of Bible studies was to 'enlighten, equip and encourage' them in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Early into our study, I realized the Lord was blessing me richly through my time spent with this special group of young adults who have chosen to put Christ first in their lives. The truth of the matter is, I believe I have been blessed as much if not more than my group. It has been my pleasure to hear them express their faith, hear their testimonies and share with me how the Lord is working in their lives. Living in Romania as a teenager or a young adult is very difficult. Jesus Christ is the only hope one has for a future of any kind. It is easy to pick out those on the street who have not made the choice to follow Christ. They are the ones with a paper bag up to their face sniffing glue or paint, or the ones on the street corner trying to sell them selves to exist. Praise God, the faces you see in this picture have hope, a hope that no one can take away from them.

I have been unable to continue our studies until I get a medical problem resolved. This is difficult for me as well as my group. Last evening they came to visit me and brought me beautiful flowers as well. I should say the came to ENCOURAGE and PRAY for me. Kristi brought his guitar and they all sang for me. What a wonderful time of fellowship together. They made it very clear how much they miss me and the studies. I was very touched, and blessed. What an example these young adults are setting, directly from God's word. Their actions are living proof they are children of the Most High God. I was greatly encouraged by their visit, and I am thankful to God for placing them in my life.

Customize your own photo slideshow

Substitutions

My Homemade Flour Tortillas

You don't have to be on the mission field very long until you figure out there are some things you just can't find where you are located. Items you used to keep stocked in your pantry and could pick up at any grocery store back home. I'll give you some examples: jello, french vanilla coffee creamer, non-stick pan spray, pancake syrup, pumpkin pie spice, canned pumpkin, PECANS, karo syrup, flour tortillas and cranberry sauce just to mention a few! Desperation causes a person to take serious action. I have learned to make a substitute pancake syrup that is very tasty. My husband continually looks for frozen burritos each time we go grocery shopping, he's always disappointed; they are never there! I decided to make my own flour tortillas and do my best to recreate the bean and cheese burrito in Romania to quench my husband's craving. Viewing his reactions as he consumed the made-from-scratch burritos, I'd say I scored high. By-the-way, there are no re-fried beans available..my substitution, I cooked a pot of lentils; they worked great!
I can't buy Crisco here either, but I have found a substitute called Lando, which appears to be lard and works very well in biscuits and pie crust. As a missionary you learn many lessons of survival on the field, one of them is the art of substitutions.

HOWEVER, there are somethings for which there is no substitution. Try as hard as you might, there just isn't any other way to make it work! Let me give you an example:
some people think you can get to heaven by being a "good person". I know some really good people, but they'll never be good enough to make it to heaven. Other folks think they can work their way to heaven. That's impossible, God's word tells us it won't happen. My advice to you is to open the Bible and read for yourself, the instructions are clear.

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

The Snow And The Rain

Ron and Charlotte Craig

Isa 55:10 "My word is like the snow and the rain that come down from the sky to water the earth. They make the crops grow and provide seed for planting and food to eat.
Isa 55:11 So also will be the word that I speak--- it will not fail to do what I plan for it; it will do everything I send it to do.

Ron and Charlotte Craig are fellow laborers in the field, who served 3 years in Medgidia, Romania and many of the surrounding villages. Medgidia is located in the Southeast corner of Romania (in the district of Constanta). The city has a significant Turkish influence. Thousands of Muslims live in the city. The city's name, Medgidia, is derived from the name of a Trukish Sultan - Al-Medgid. As in so many cities across Europe, the people find refuge in alcohol and other unmoral vices. Thus they have little or no hope and lack any motivation for a better life now or hereafter.

Three years ago when Ron and Charlotte arrived in Medgidia they had no idea the magnitude of "the plan" God had laid out for them. The first year was extremely difficult. Their home for the next thirty-six months would be an apartment on the top floor, without an elevator! Everyday they climbed five flights of stairs. They endured a severe leak in the roof of their apartment which caused a serious mold problem. The first winter they had no heat. By the grace of God, prayers from dear family and prayer partners back home, they persevered! Not only was their living arrangements difficult, adjusting to life in a foreign country stressful, their first year of ministry was a challenge also.

Ron and Charlotte continued to trust in the Lord and take all matters to their Father in prayer. They kept on keeping on! God blessed them for their obedience and faithfulness. Amazing things were accomplished through Ron and Charlotte. Many lives were changed for eternity, many people received hope for the first time. Why, because a husband and wife answered the call to "go", endured the difficult times, and sowed the seeds. As I write this blog, it has been snowing about fourteen hours. I can't help but think, as the snow melts into the ground and spring arrives, the seeds that Ron and Charlotte have sown will be blessed by God and according to His time, there will be a great harvest in Medigida and the surrounding villages.

Thank you Ron and Charlotte for being such an inspiration for your colleagues here in Romania. We love you and appreciate your hard work, faithfulness and dedication to your call.

2 Years

This picture was taken almost two years ago. We blogged about how beautiful are the feet of those who spread the Good News. And as of this week, two years later only two units, Teresa & me and Mark, are still in the foreign mission field. Most of this group signed up for two years with the possibility of extending at the end of that time. But because of lack of money those opportunities no longer exist, so most of our group is back in the states starting life over again. Some will go to college to continue their education, others will pastor churches and some have no idea what they will do now. The next 18 months will see many more people leave the mission field than will be coming to it. This is a sad state of affairs, unlike the states where most people have hear the Good News but have decided to live their life their our way rather than follow Christ, in this part of the world most have not heard that you are saved by grace through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Eph 2:8-9
In recent years the SBC churches have been giving more money than they have had people to go on missions. But the last two years this has changed and the measurement will be in lost souls. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Rom10:14-15
That brings us back to those beautiful feet, their lives have been changed forever in these past two years, and so have the eternal destiny of many of those who met them. God bless them for going and you for supporting them with your prayers!

Reflecting on the Past

God says, "At the right time I heard you. On the day of salvation I helped you." Listen, now is God's acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation! 2Co 6:2
This week I learned that one of the girls our daughter Peggy grew up with was killed in a car wreck. This event has set me to reflect on those wonderful years as these girls were growing up. Sadly I cannot remember even one time ever sharing the Good News with the young mother who died in this week’s wreck. So why didn’t I? I do not have any excuse, I failed to do what God told us as Christians to do; Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence. God has done all this. He has restored our relationship with him through Christ, and has given us this ministry of restoring relationships.
In other words, God was using Christ to restore his relationship with humanity. He didn't hold people's faults against them, and he has given us this message of restored relationships to tell others.
Therefore, we are Christ's representatives, and through us God is calling you. We beg you on behalf of Christ to become reunited with God. 2Co 5:17-20 So, here I am with time passing by me, and no second chance for me to do the most important thing I needed to do. I trust that some did tell her, but I do not know. That is why I am writing this blog, so not to miss another chance. If anyone reading this thinks they are going to heaven because ___________ (you fill in the blank) and that answer is not Biblical pay attention!
Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love the world, you show that you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions. These are not from the Father. They are from this evil world. And this world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever. 1 John 2:15-17
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Gal 5:19-21
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Rom 10:9-10
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3
He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live to please themselves. Instead, they will live to please Christ, who died and was raised for them. 2 Co 5:15

Are you going to Heaven? Find more answers at:

http://www.crossway.org/assets/tracts/heaven/

Praying Effectively For The Lost

Biserica Crestina Baptista Emanuel Women's Thursday Bible Study Group

Each Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. this group meets for a time of singing, prayer and Bible study. I just happen to be the blessed one who gets to lead the Bible Study. This group of women operate much like the mailman, no matter the weather (not even 12 inches of snow), they are going to make it to Bible Study. Our car was buried in snow, the alternative mode of transportation was autobuz (bus). We left our apartment at 5:00 p.m. certain we had allowed plenty of travel time. We arrived at the church at 6:45 p.m., we spent 1 hour and 45 minutes on the autobuz (normally we can drive in 15 minutes)! Our attendance was down somewhat due to the fact most of the women walk from their apartments to the church. The sidewalks are covered with packed snow and ice, making them very treacherous.

These women are mighty prayer warriors! They remind me of some very dear ladies back in my home church whom I depend on for prayer cover. This is our second week into the study "Praying Effectively For The Lost", the group is already very encouraged and excited. I have been blessed as their leader to see their enthusiasm and their hunger to learn more.

Thus far we have read and discussed why we pray for the lost: 1. Their souls are valuable to Jesus Christ. 2. Jesus did only what He saw the Father do, likewise we should do what we see our Lord doing, making intercession for the lost. 3. It is our responsibility to pray for the lost.

Just last night we learned we must have a love for the lost, Jesus loves them. We discussed the power of a Mother or Grandmother's prayer. One of the ladies in the group shared with us how her Grandmother had prayed for her many years to be saved.
It is absolutely necessary that we pray in Faith, believing. As members of the royal priesthood, a peculiar people....it is our God given responsibility to pray for the lost. I know someone prayed for me, I'm sure someone prayed or is praying for you.
Don't underestimate the power of prayer.

Our group prayer this week will be praying for one another to become more faithful in praying for the lost. We will be praying for God's love to overflow in each others heart in order that we can love the lost as we should, that we would always pray in faith believing and that the power of Jesus Christ would strengthen us as we intentionally try to win souls for the Kingdom.