I wanted to share some emails that our website has received. We have been getting regular requests for N.T., these are just some people who wanted to give us their opinions. This is my dynamic equivalent translation.
Hello. Do you believe in the last book? Do you believe in the last prophet? Do you know the contents of the Koran? We believe in Jesus and the last prophet (peace be upon him). We also believe that everyone will raise again. Why don't you talk about the Koran?
Why do you always talk about the N.T.? Aren't there more things to discuss than this?
Why are you doing this in this city?
Look brother, I don't know what you're advertising but the only valid religion is Islam. The other religions were annulled. Also Jesus (peace be upon him) will descend on the last day and be a Muslim. Know this! This is how it is. Salvation is in the Koran.
I'm glad that we are able to discuss things with people who have these types of opinions and questions. How shall they here without a preacher?
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Stages in Moses' Life
I was reading through the life of Moses and I saw some stages in Moses' life that unless I'm abnormal, (no comment please) I think most full-time Christian workers go through. Especially those overseas. First let's look at what happened in Moses' life.
1. Moses kills and Egyptian who is treating one of his fellow countrymen very wrongly. In Acts it tell us that Moses thought the Hebrews would understand that God wanted him to be their leader.
2. God calls him at the burning bush. He makes excuses why he can't be the one God wants.
3. Moses trusts God and follows His leadership. It is said in the Bible that there was not a meeker man on the earth than Moses.
Let me tell you how this applies to me. Maybe it applies this way to you also.
1. We come into a country naively believing that some people will appreciate what we're doing. After all we coming to rescue them from their false religion. We have done many types of ministry in the states. Many times we haven't been out of our comfort zone while serving God so we don't see our superficial ministering to the Lord. It transfers over to the new country your in and you realize what Moses did in stage 2. You become fearful that you're not cut-out for the job.
2. You know God called you, but now you feel ineffective. As Moses made excuses you do too. "I can't speak. Even if I learn this language I'll still have this foreign accent. So I know the language, but the people won't change. They won't listen to me. What's the use? I'm an ineffective servant." we say.
Now in the first stage there was pride and a lack of waiting for God's timing.(This means we need to trust God)
In stage 2, we have the right opinion of ourselves. We are unimportant and ineffective...If you take God out of the equation. In this stage we have forgotten who it is that made the tongue and the mighty works He's done in our lives. We have forgotten the power of the Gospel. We are questioning why God wants to use us?
3. In stage three, we are praising God for his mercy and we don't want to go anywhere without him. We want to get to know Him more and more. We are standing up for and begging God to save the very people that hate us. This is the work of God. This is where God brought Moses. These are some of the things that I've been through. Maybe they'll be a help to you. I'd love your comments.
1. Moses kills and Egyptian who is treating one of his fellow countrymen very wrongly. In Acts it tell us that Moses thought the Hebrews would understand that God wanted him to be their leader.
2. God calls him at the burning bush. He makes excuses why he can't be the one God wants.
3. Moses trusts God and follows His leadership. It is said in the Bible that there was not a meeker man on the earth than Moses.
Let me tell you how this applies to me. Maybe it applies this way to you also.
1. We come into a country naively believing that some people will appreciate what we're doing. After all we coming to rescue them from their false religion. We have done many types of ministry in the states. Many times we haven't been out of our comfort zone while serving God so we don't see our superficial ministering to the Lord. It transfers over to the new country your in and you realize what Moses did in stage 2. You become fearful that you're not cut-out for the job.
2. You know God called you, but now you feel ineffective. As Moses made excuses you do too. "I can't speak. Even if I learn this language I'll still have this foreign accent. So I know the language, but the people won't change. They won't listen to me. What's the use? I'm an ineffective servant." we say.
Now in the first stage there was pride and a lack of waiting for God's timing.(This means we need to trust God)
In stage 2, we have the right opinion of ourselves. We are unimportant and ineffective...If you take God out of the equation. In this stage we have forgotten who it is that made the tongue and the mighty works He's done in our lives. We have forgotten the power of the Gospel. We are questioning why God wants to use us?
3. In stage three, we are praising God for his mercy and we don't want to go anywhere without him. We want to get to know Him more and more. We are standing up for and begging God to save the very people that hate us. This is the work of God. This is where God brought Moses. These are some of the things that I've been through. Maybe they'll be a help to you. I'd love your comments.
Monday, October 18, 2010
More laborers!
This is an article worth your reading and a topic worth praying about it. I can't speak for the rest of Europe but I try to follow Germany closely because of the abundance of Turks. This is really a big problem. What Merkel is talking about is really a dream, but it could be a dream being worked towards if all the supposed Christians in her country were actually doing their job. The laborers are few!
Read this article
Read this article
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Change in Turkey
I don't know whether it is because I live here or not, but since we've been in Turkey it seems that they have been in the news more often than not. Today there was a vote on a referendum to amend the Constitution. There were 26 amendments that they want to add. To me it seems that 22 of the 26 most people would say yes to. The others put some questions in some people's minds. Today it past. We're not so concerned with the results. We know that God will use it to bring glory to His name. Rather, with all the attention Turkey is getting, I'm hoping that God is bringing it to your mind to pray for us and the nation of Turkey. By the way, the U.S.A. and Turkey play tonight at 9:30 p.m. (2:30p.m. eastern) for the Basketball World Championship.
Monday, September 6, 2010
A good welcome home!
We are back in Turkey! On our third day back I was sending out some N.T.s that people had requested from the website. So it was a large number of books. One guy who didn't even work there said, "I think you're a missionary." I said, "Oh you do?" I told him that those were religious books that I was sending but if he meant that I was an agent or I was trying to divide the country then he was wrong. He said he thought that using religion for political purposes was wrong. I agreed to that, and explained that I don't like religion either. I told him that a relationship with Jesus is different than religion. He said some stuff about different wars and then he said that the American government supports you because they give money to the churches (this is what the majority of people in this part of the world think). So I told him that our government is not like the Turkish government. They don't send people to Germany or other countries to make sure their people are taught their religion. I explained that we are sent by churches and are supported by them and by friends and family. This was a shock to him. The conversation went on nicely. I hope he was actually listening because then maybe he'll understand a little better then he did before. The great thing was that everyone else in the cargo company heard the same thing. I'm grateful for the opportunity.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Reluctant about going into missions
This is an article that I read from John Piper. Maybe it will help you with some questions or doubts that you've had.
Why Are People Reluctant to Go into Missions?
John Piper
When I spoke at Missions in the Main Hall Sunday night, I tried to give a biblical response to possible obstacles that are in the way for some people that may keep them from moving forward toward missions. My prayer is that God would use these responses to call more of you to go. Here are eight objections and a biblical response.
1. "I am not smart enough."
"Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe." (1 Corinthians 1:20-21)
"Consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise." (1 Corinthians 1:26-27)
2. "My body and my personality are not strong enough."
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." (2 Corinthians 4:7)
"[Christ] said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
3. "I am not a good speaker."
"Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power." (1 Corinthians 1:17)
"Moses said to the Lord, 'Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.' Then the Lord said to him, 'Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak." (Exodus 4:10-12)
4. "I am afraid of the horrors I read about in the newspapers."
"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore (katartisei—"mend" or "repair" your horribly disfigured body when the lions in the coliseum are through with you), confirm, strengthen, and establish you." (1 Peter 5:8-10)
5. "I am afraid I won't be fruitful"
Your responsibility is not to be fruitful but to be faithful. "And said, 'The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come." (Mark 4:26-29)
"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." (1 Corinthians 3:6-7)
6. "There is plenty to do here."
True, but there is a division of labor and God calls some to MISSIONS, not just evangelism. The difference is seen in Romans 15:19-24: "So that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I [Christ] have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named. . . Now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions . . . I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain."
How could Paul say there was no room for work when there were millions in that region to be evangelized? Because evangelism is not missions.
7. "I am not married."
The best spouse is found on the path of obedience. "An excellent wife [or husband!] who can find? She [and he!] is far more precious than jewels" (Proverbs 31:10). The finding is exceedingly hard. It will happen on the road of obedience.
8. "I fear that when I get there it might turn out I made a mistake and will come home with shame."
Which is worse, shame for having endeavored to follow Christ in missions, or fear to venture? Shame before others for making a mistake will not hurt you; it will humble you and can make you more useful in a new situation. But fear will make you useless everywhere.
Consider Ecclesiastes 11:4 and what it says about risk: "He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap." Meaning: without taking the risk of sowing when the seed might be blown away and reaping when the rain might ruin the harvest, you will starve.
Oh, how precious is the freeing word of God,
Pastor John
Why Are People Reluctant to Go into Missions?
John Piper
When I spoke at Missions in the Main Hall Sunday night, I tried to give a biblical response to possible obstacles that are in the way for some people that may keep them from moving forward toward missions. My prayer is that God would use these responses to call more of you to go. Here are eight objections and a biblical response.
1. "I am not smart enough."
"Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe." (1 Corinthians 1:20-21)
"Consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise." (1 Corinthians 1:26-27)
2. "My body and my personality are not strong enough."
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." (2 Corinthians 4:7)
"[Christ] said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
3. "I am not a good speaker."
"Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power." (1 Corinthians 1:17)
"Moses said to the Lord, 'Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.' Then the Lord said to him, 'Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak." (Exodus 4:10-12)
4. "I am afraid of the horrors I read about in the newspapers."
"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore (katartisei—"mend" or "repair" your horribly disfigured body when the lions in the coliseum are through with you), confirm, strengthen, and establish you." (1 Peter 5:8-10)
5. "I am afraid I won't be fruitful"
Your responsibility is not to be fruitful but to be faithful. "And said, 'The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come." (Mark 4:26-29)
"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." (1 Corinthians 3:6-7)
6. "There is plenty to do here."
True, but there is a division of labor and God calls some to MISSIONS, not just evangelism. The difference is seen in Romans 15:19-24: "So that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I [Christ] have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named. . . Now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions . . . I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain."
How could Paul say there was no room for work when there were millions in that region to be evangelized? Because evangelism is not missions.
7. "I am not married."
The best spouse is found on the path of obedience. "An excellent wife [or husband!] who can find? She [and he!] is far more precious than jewels" (Proverbs 31:10). The finding is exceedingly hard. It will happen on the road of obedience.
8. "I fear that when I get there it might turn out I made a mistake and will come home with shame."
Which is worse, shame for having endeavored to follow Christ in missions, or fear to venture? Shame before others for making a mistake will not hurt you; it will humble you and can make you more useful in a new situation. But fear will make you useless everywhere.
Consider Ecclesiastes 11:4 and what it says about risk: "He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap." Meaning: without taking the risk of sowing when the seed might be blown away and reaping when the rain might ruin the harvest, you will starve.
Oh, how precious is the freeing word of God,
Pastor John
Sunday, April 4, 2010
He is Risen!
Happy Easter to all of you! This morning I was excited because we were celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. At the same time, when I left my house, I felt a bit of sadness. Sadness because everyone around me knows nothing of what we celebrate today.
God blessed in the services at the church where we are training. There were eight visitors all of which were not believers. I had a chance to talk with two young men who came. They had questions about the forgiveness of sin. It was a great opportunity to explain Jesus' death on the cross and then of course his resurrection. I'm always so amazed to see sincere seeker's reaction when we explain the Scriptures to them. The great thing is the day is not over. We will get together tonight and have a big dinner. There will be visitors there also. May God bless our conversations!
God blessed in the services at the church where we are training. There were eight visitors all of which were not believers. I had a chance to talk with two young men who came. They had questions about the forgiveness of sin. It was a great opportunity to explain Jesus' death on the cross and then of course his resurrection. I'm always so amazed to see sincere seeker's reaction when we explain the Scriptures to them. The great thing is the day is not over. We will get together tonight and have a big dinner. There will be visitors there also. May God bless our conversations!
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