Monday, December 9, 2013

Christmas Break Mission Update




Thank you for following the information update for this Christmas Break! Our mission team had their meeting last night and we would like to share some items with you!

Please pray for the upcoming team:

- For success in sharing the Gospel!
- For medical supplies for the medical clinic
- For financial support for a few members
- We need an additional team member (more below)

If you, or someone you know believe that The Lord would have you serve in an international mission opportunity this Christmas break. Please let us know right away! You will need a valid passport. This person would be a vital addition to our team! We are looking for at least one person to help share the load of responsibility that we have as we work with a congregation in the Northeastern region of Mexico. You can contact us at office@psalm67missions.net


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Friday, December 6, 2013

Upcoming Mission Board Meeting and 2014


Next week our Board of Directors will meet together for our final 2013 meeting. We look back over the past year and it is with great joy that we can see how The Lord has blessed us over the months. I would like to express thanks to our two board members, Kurt Boehm and John Weber. Their oversight, counsel, and work have helped guide Psalm 67 Missions Network through many challenges and have set a great course for 2014. I would like to also thank Savannah Weber for her help as "Missions Office Leader" helping us through the past year in giving direction to so many area and most specifically in the areas of helping organize two mission trips (Summer and Christmas Break 2013). Ellie Jackson has also been a great help in organize the blog, social media, and other areas of communication. Thank you to everyone who has taken part. There are so many others to thank for their years of service. Together we would also like to thank each and everyone one of you for your faithful support, prayers, and your encouragement! 

Please pray for us as we meet together next week and discuss the plans for 2014. You will find on the blog the dates for two planned mission trips (Summer and Christmas Break). Would you join us in praying over requests to requests that have been made in addition to this? We have been asked about conducting a Pastor/Leader training in Mexico and there are three small congregations that would like to partner. The need is always the same. We simply have more requests than we have resources (both laborers and financial support). We are not discouraged by this but we should be MOTIVATED to pray. The Lord who called us to this task owns everything and is The Lord of the Harvest. Would you pray for us that The Lord would raise up laborers to go and the funds for them to go? 

 Finally, speaking of this, we would like to call attention to the Pfleegor Family currently in their final preparations for the Lord's calling for them to go to South America to proclaim the gospel. Would you consider helping finish this up with making a contribution to this effort either a one-time gift or partnering with them? Their home congregation, Rockport Baptist Church in Arnold, Missouri is ramping up this effort by making their family the recipients of the Christmas offering. The Pfleegors would love to talk to you about this more. Please contact us today about how you can make a contribution toward this effort. You can contact Michael Pfleegor at mpfleegor@gmail.com. 

Aaron

Monday, December 2, 2013

Can you help hold the rope in December?




Over Christmas Break our mission team will work with a congregation along the border in sharing the Gospel in a Juvenile Correctional Facility, a soup kitchen for street children, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center as well as conducting daily Bible classes at the church facility. Our nurse will be conducting a medical clinic and there will be other community outreach plans. With all of this we would like to ask you if you are willing/able to "hold the rope" for those who are going.

Specifically we have a current need of:
- Additional 1-3 workers to go
- Financial help for those who would like to go
- Assistance for building materials - (approximately $300.00 USD)

If you are able to assist in any way would you please contact us at office@psalm67missions.net

Thank you for praying and for partnering with us!

Psalm 67 Missions Network

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Sunday, December 1, 2013

December Mission Team Update

Our mission team for "Christmas Break" will be making their final weeks of planning. Would you please remember to pray for this team made up of members of four different congregations? Please consider following us on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, or subscribing to this blog that we might keep you informed on information during the trip.

There are some ways that you can be of help during the last minute preparations. Pray that the last part of the financial support comes in. There are some needs for some medical supplies, Bibles, etc.

On ongoing need for the office and also for this trip would be the purchase of a tablet. We have a specific one in mind as we are looking for one that would be compatible in the contexts in which we work. This tablet would be very useful during this upcoming trip and future trips because it is used for many things including, tracking and inventory of resources, team updates, video-communication for team meetings and long-distance contacts, records that are kept on mission trips to report to the missions board, and a whole lot more.

If The Lord would have you help with any of these needs at the end of the year, would you please let us know right away by contacting us at office@psalm67missions.net

We hope that you and your family have enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!

Psalm 67 Missions Network


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Sunday, November 17, 2013

Erin Pfleegor, Long Term Missionary


This has been quite a challenging few years with preparation for going to a foreign mission field long term. I didn’t realize what God had in store for us during this time. I knew it would be “difficult” but it has been more so than I had imagined. It has been a time of definitely seeing & remembering God’s faithfulness. We’ve gone through circumstances and struggles that have made us wonder if we should stop pursuing missions. Is God trying to tell us to stop this journey of getting to the foreign mission field? Or are these struggles intended to strengthen us in the Lord? It has made me think of what it says in I Peter 1:6-9—
“In this [salvation] you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it be tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
I’ve struggled during this time with knowing and understanding where the line is between using godly wisdom in making decisions and just going ahead, trusting God even when we don’t “see” how it will work out! Even when it “seems” impossible! Is there a certain line between trusting God and using wisdom? This has been an amazing time to see God working! In so many ways, we have seen things that have happened that could ONLY be from the hand of God! And then we’ve had the blessed opportunity to share with others these amazing acts of our faithful, all-powerful, loving Heavenly Father! We see how God is providing in seemingly small ways that are only strengthening our faith and character for even more difficult times. It will be difficult leaving the U.S., where we are surrounded with friends and family members, to go to a new country, surrounded by many “strangers” who do not trust Jesus. We are going in order to bring the Fame of God’s Great Name to a people who do not know the One True God. Among the people we are reaching out to in Suriname, there is only 1/3 of 1% who are evangelical Christians! We are giving up many of our comforts, but that is nothing, for the sake of the lost and them hearing the Good News of Jesus Christ dying for sinners such as us!
Also, we know that God has a purpose for this support raising process taking so much longer than we had expected. God is good and his ways and timing is perfect! Should we doubt Him? Should we question what He is doing? Is He teaching us? Is He growing us during this time? He has proven Himself faithful in so many ways! Even when we don’t see how it’s going to work out, we are going to keep trusting Him and keep pressing on through this journey!
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5 & 6)


Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Can you pray for us? - December Mission Update

To our faithful partners we would like to ask you to pray for us. We apologize for not getting more information regarding the December Mission out to you. Here are some specific prayer requests that we will share with you and we will follow up with another post that will include detail of the work that will be completed in Mexico.

First, please pray for Pastor Candido, his wife Sara, and children Ismael and Abdiel. Ismael will be serving as a translator for the first time. He is studying English as well as other subjects here in the United States. Abdiel is a student in what we would consider "middle school" in the United States. Pray for them that they might be encouraged because they have a desire to reach their community with the Gospel. The family is very gifted musically and they use this to reach out to others in their area. Please pray that they might be strong and fearless as they minister in an area that has been ravaged by war for many years.

Second, please pray for old friends who might join us. There are people from the village of Centenario and other areas that we would like to see come and stay with us that we might continue the task of making disciples. This will present some logistical challenges but we are excited about the opportunity.

Third, please pray for our team members. Pray for unity and vision. We will share about their tasks at another time. Pray that they might raise their funds for the trip. URGENT NEED - We really need a nurse to be able to attend with us to managed a medical clinic to be conducted at the church building. As soon as possible we need to raise $575.00 for this to happen. Would you pray that this might be raised, and as The Lord leads would you mind contributing to this effort?

Finally and most importantly, we pray that The Lord would be glorified in this time. Pray that we would be our vision and our very great reward.

Thank you friends. Thank you for your faithfulness over the years. Thank you for your partnership, your love for Jesus and His church.

Psalm 67 Missions Network


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Monday, September 16, 2013

Life and Death in the Tongue




Life & Death in the Tongue
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths,
but only such as is good for building up,
as fits the occasion,
that it may give grace to those who hear.”


So, is it ever right to correct or criticize others? Is our message only a positive one? No! There is a right time & manner to correct or criticize. However, I’m writing this as one who has all too quickly & readily been critical. Some of us exult in & love confrontation. We are excited by scenes like Elijah facing off against 450 false prophets, or Christ denouncing the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. We loudly proclaim every man a liar, and then judge them for not sticking around long enough to hear about the Savior for liars. We must beware, lest we be double-tongued, praising God while blaspheming our fellow man. (James 3.9)
The Scriptures give much instruction in the area of correction & admonition, but that is a topic for another occasion. As we study Christ & the Apostles, we see that they were gracious & respectful to all men, and reserved the strong denouncements for only those who were actively opposing the Gospel. Even in correction, our words & manner ought to be full of love, grace & compassion with the desire to win the person (2Timothy 2.24-26), and not to offend (1Corinthians 10.31-33), as ambassadors of peace (2Corinthians 5.17-21). When we fail, we should repent to God & apologize to men (e.g., Acts 23.1-5). May God make us more like Christ, who was full of truth AND grace.
God has been very gracious in teaching me how the Gospel effects what I say, and changes my orientation towards him (from enemy to loving Father) and towards other people (from enemies to beloved brothers or lost people in a pitiable condition). May God give us faith to see his good hand at work in others, and give us thankful hearts & tongues to proclaim it. And by God-centered affirmations of other sinful men, may he make us his instruments a) to encourage & bless them; b) to point them to the true source of blessing; c) to whet their appetites to hear God saying to their faces, “Well done, good & faithful servants”; and d) all of this in order that praise & thanks might redound to his glory from multiplied worshippers.
Let me encourage you to read the book Practicing Affirmation by Sam Crabtree. Most of what I’ve written here I learned from his book. I praise God for teaching these things to Mr. Crabtree & leading him to write them in a book. God has blessed me tremendously through Mr. Crabtree, and corrected me. The book goes into much more detail than I could in this short space. It is very biblical & practical, and I count it among the top few books which have been most impactful to me personally. After reading it, I wrote letters of apology & affirmation to two people of whom I’ve been hyper-critical, harsh & unthankful.

Michael Pfleegor
Long term Missionary to Suriname 
Psalm 67 Missions Network

Friday, September 6, 2013

Life and Death in the Tongue



Life & Death in the Tongue
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths,
but only such as is good for building up,
as fits the occasion,
that it may give grace to those who hear.”

What kind of things are praise-worthy, which we might look for & then point out? If we consider just [1Corinthians 1.4-9; 1Thessalonians 1.2-10; and 2.13-3.13], we see that Paul praised them for: their utterance; knowledge; giftedness; receiving the testimony of Christ; anticipation of Christ’s coming; good works springing from faith & love; patient hope in Christ; belief of the Gospel; assurance of faith; following Paul & company’s example; following Christ; enduring afflictions with joy; being examples to other believers; widespread evangelism; their renown as people who trust God; receiving the truth as from God, not men; suffering in a godly way; being like others saints; enduring the temptation of suffering while remaining steadfast in faith; their faith & love; good remembrance of Paul & company; and their desire to see Paul & company. Wow! All of that from just a handful of verses. I get the idea Paul was full of praise & encouragement.
Can we rightly & honestly give praise to deeply flawed, sinful men? First, that is the only kind of men there are. Second, is it not our hope, as believers in Christ, that we will one day receive the praise of Christ: “Well done, good & faithful servant!”? Yet, we know that our acceptance before God is not based on our obedience, but upon Christ alone; and any good we do has been worked in & through us by the Spirit of grace. Therefore, we have no ground for boasting. Nevertheless, we should serve the Lord with joy & vigor & anticipation of his praise. Third, God praises deeply flawed, sinful men. Of whom did God say that he’s “a man after his own heart” (1Samuel 13.14)? And yet, God knew full well what that man would do. And God praised Abraham (Genesis 18.19), who would go on to lie & dishonor God before Gentiles. And God praised Solomon to his face (2Chronicles 1.11,12). And Jesus praised Nathanael to others in his own hearing (John 1.45-49). Praising the good does not excuse sin; on the contrary, it affirms what is right & good & beautiful—what is God really like—it is to praise God. And to praise what is God-like is to do what is God-like, for God praises his own virtues & is worthy of it.
The Gospel changes us, reorients us, and empowers us to a new life. Instead of condemnation, God speaks peace to us in Christ.
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins.” (Isaiah 40.1,2) He doesn’t call us what we are naturally, but lovingly calls us what we are only by his grace—“Sons”! (1John 3.1) He says to each of our souls: “I am your salvation.” (Psalm 35.3) And he promises never to leave nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13.5) How encouraging God is to us, and how we need it. Moreover, God floods us with his grace, not merely that we might be filled, but that we might be his servants to carry his blessing to others, and thus increase his praise. (Genesis 12.1-3; Matthew 10.8; 2Corinthians 4.15; 9.10-12) One of the ways we bless others is by encouragement, particularly encouragement which points them to God. By giving God-centered & Christ-centered affirmations, we become God’s instruments to encourage others, his servants to build up & dispense his grace (see our text Ephesians 4.29). To do otherwise is to grieve the Holy Spirit (v. 30). So because God encourages us, and because he makes us his glad conduits of his blessing, let us encourage others. When our affirmations are God-centered, they point others to the real source of encouragement, joy & peace. And when, by God’s grace, they look to God in faith & receive his grace, then they return thanks & praise to him, which is the end of all things. Nevertheless, we have the opportunity—no, the privilege—to be God’s means of the glorification of himself & the encouragement of others.




Michael Pfleegor
Long term Missionary to Suriname 
Psalm 67 Missions Network

Friday, August 30, 2013

Life and Death in the Tongue


Life & Death in the Tongue
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths,
but only such as is good for building up,
as fits the occasion,
that it may give grace to those who hear.”
How blind we are to our own sins. We justify ourselves without thought, without even realizing that we’re doing it, being so sure that we are right. And how gracious God is that he doesn’t cast us off, though we’ve given him more than ample reason to do so. Indeed, if someone were to sin against me as much as I have sinned against God, I’m sure I would have written that person off long ago. But God is faithful & will NEVER cast off his people! How patient he is with us his children, so much more patient than I am with my children.
The Lord has revealed one such blindness in my life, so I flee to the cross for cleansing, and praise him for his grace. I have been hyper-critical & judgmental, seeing only the faults rather than the good, and using my tongue to discourage rather than encourage. This sin is more insidious than mere offense against our fellow man, for by failing to see the good in others & failing to point it out, we are failing to see the work of God (unbelief) & failing to praise him for it (ingratitude). For God is the One who works good in each man (James 1.17), and works all for our good (Romans 8.28); therefore, we should always be filled with thanks (Ephesians 5.20; Colossians 3.15-17). [Note: When unbelievers do what is right & good & praiseworthy, we call it “common grace” because ultimately God caused them to do it.] So that brother we write off as useless is not without the Spirit’s grace & power, but appointed by God to be our brother, and a sure manifestation of the glory of his grace in some way. God help us to see his glory! God’s glory is manifested even in the unbeliever, otherwise he could never be “the servant of God to us for good” (Romans 13.4). Therefore, our mouths should be filled with praise & thanksgiving to God, and praise & thanksgiving to our fellow man, whether believer or unbeliever.
But what does that look like? How can we praise a man for some good quality in him or something good he’s done without feeding his ego or flattering him? God’s Word gives us some examples to help us: 1Corinthians 1.4-9; 1Thessalonians 1.2-10; and 2.13-3.13. In 1Corinthians, Paul tells the church that he thanks God for them & the grace be poured out upon them & the gifts he gave them, and then he lists some of those good things in them. In other words, his praise does not end on the people, but, while affirming them, proceeds beyond them to praise God ultimately. So I can say to someone, “God has made you very generous; thank you for your kindness to me.” Or, “I thank God for you & for the faith he’s given you; I’m encouraged to trust God more by the faith I see in you.” Or, “You are like Christ in your compassion for people.” Even to be likened to an Apostle would be a great honor, but I can think of no higher honor than for someone to say I am like God or like Christ in some respect.

Michael Pfleegor
Long term Missionary to Suriname 
Psalm 67 Missions Network

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Are Ps67 Mission Trips Different from others?


This is a very good question, one that has often been asked. Many times mission teams return (or prepare to go) and they are asked the question "so what did you do?" or "what are you going to do?" You may, or may not be surprised by the answer. The mentality of "mission trips" varies from person to person, congregation to congregation. There are those that condemn such activities, there are those that view these activities as essential. Rather than getting in to this debate, we hope to educate you some on what we mean by "Mission Trip" with Psalm 67. From the beginning we want to be clear that this is not an exhaustive description. A more detailed description is in the works.

First, though there may be, at times, opportunities for us to "complete projects" as part of a mission team, this is not the focus. PS67 desires to mobilize believers in a "working-learning" environment in a different context (oftentimes cross cultural). The way we do this is accomplished through:
  • Training - Sharing information and providing training opportunities before, during, and after a trip. Much of this is offered online so that there is access to people in different regions. While you are serving on a mission team, each day will include training, discussion, and prayer as a team. For instance, this December, team members will be reading through Dietrich Bonheoffer's "Life Together" and discussing elements of Christian community, prayer, worship, and witness. Members from the US will read this in English while those in Mexico will be provided a copy in Spanish. Training will be conducted in bi-lingual group meetings.
  • Fellowship of Believers - Much emphasis is placed on living and working within the global Christian community. Our team members are challenged and encouraged to connect with our brothers and sisters that live in another culture. We share the work and we work with them, not instead of them. They lead, we walk along side of them.
In a real sense, one who partners with us for a mission trip, like the one in December, enters in to a "learning while serving" covenant with others. Yes, we go to serve, but your participation in one of these opportunities would look more like a "living cross-cultural discipleship classroom." We desire to be more specific in the future. For now, please pray for us. We have a big task set before us this December. We need others to join with us. We have some openings for those who would like to work with us in going. We need others to "hold the rope" by contributing to this effort.

May Jesus be glorified in Northern Mexico, and around the world,

Psalm 67 Missions Networ

Friday, August 9, 2013

Danielle Manaois, The Love of the Saints

" By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard, coming down upon the edge of his robes." Psalm 133:1-2

     It's a beautiful thing when you see these verses fulfilled through the people of God!  The third Sunday of July, the Lord sent me to Grace Truth Church to present the ministry in Papua, Indonesia.  Although I was nervous speaking to the church, it was a blessing to share this ministry and see people get excited about it!  After the presentation, I had a small table set up with a slideshow of Papua displayed on my laptop, some letters, and memorabilia from Papua.  People chatted with me while they looked at the table.  It was a blessing to talk with the saints about Papua!

     One of my first emotions I had when I thought about partnership development was fear.  I was afraid to speak in front of numerous amounts of people.  However, as the Lord sends me to various churches, I have been greatly encouraged!  It's very cool to meet other believers who love the Lord and are zealous for His kingdom work in the the world!  Although I meet strangers on these trips, due to Christ, I am able to have sweet fellowship with these "strangers," who are actually my brothers and sisters in Christ.  We are unified in Christ and, thus, are able to dwell in unity.  Praise God for this precious gift!

     I look forward to visiting more churches and fellowshipping with God's people!

Friday, August 2, 2013

John and Joyce, Summer Mission Trip


John and Joyce Parker

We are husband and wife, parents to 4 children, the older of which, Abigail, we brought with us. We wanted to come to assist in spreading the gospel to the Hispanic culture and to serve our Lord and His people in a different setting. We brought our oldest daughter so she could experience what it looks like to devote a whole week to serving others in the name of Christ and set ourselves aside and put others first.

We were called to serve in the Rio Grande Valley area in Texas

Some personal goals we met were: teaching our daughter about service in Christ, selflessness, and how blessed we are; working for the good of the team and for God’s kingdom; Abby said she wanted to learn that God was the most important person.

Some result that we saw were: a successful and smoothly run VBS at Iglesia Bautista Cristo el Rey, where about 80 children came to hear the gospel and many of them learned all 5 memory verses; relationships built between our team and the congregations we visited at Cristo el Rey and Iglesia Espiritu Santo (in Matamoros, Mexico); discipleship and evangelism relationships strengthened with the youth and with one of the families in the community; relationships grown and strengthened among member of our team, invitations for Psalm 67 to return and work with more congregations in Mexico.

Pray that the youth and the Solis family we visited from the community will be saved and that the church there will really reach out to them and they will get plugged in at the church.

Pray that God show His plan for our family; what He would have us do and where He would have us to go. We were so blessed by the fellowship this week, something we don’t really have where we are, so we ask that God would grant us deep relationships with other believers


In His Name,
Psalm 67 Missions Network

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Christmas Break Missions Opportunity

We would like to thank everyone for their support of our team as they just returned from the US/Mexico Border. There will be more reports shared here very soon, but we would like to now ask you to begin praying for those that are already planning on working in Mexico this coming Christmas Break. Though we do not have the official details available, some information we can share with you:

Dates: December 27, 2013 - January 5, 2014
Location - Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico
Objectives - Partnering with a small, struggling congregation to encourage them and work in community outreach, youth discipleship campout, and medical clinic.

In the next couple of weeks we hope to have registration information available online.



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Friday, July 19, 2013

Summer Missions US/Mexico Border Update

Our team leaves for the border tomorrow and we want to fill you in on a few items. First we would like to thank everyone who has participated in sending the team. Thank you for the family that donated the van, for the congregations that invited team members to speak, to individuals and churches that provided financial support and especially to those have committed to praying for the team. We ask that you would continue to pray for us pray that we might have success in sharing the Gospel with those along the border.

In the next few weeks we hope to announce information on the team that will be working together with another congregation in Mexico over Christmas break this December. We already have people asking for the dates and details. Please check back with us real soon for further information! Thank you for being patient with us!

Psalm 67 Missions Network


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Danielle Manaois Long term Missionary

 My name is Danielle Manaois and I am a member of Rockport Baptist Church in Arnold, MO.  God has richly blessed me through the preaching, teaching, and sweet fellowship while at this church.  In Acts 13, the Holy Spirit sends out Barnabas and Saul for missionary work.  Likewise, God is calling me out from Rockport Baptist Church to serve as a missionary in Papua, Indonesia.  Although I leave my wonderful church family, I look forward to serving the Lord in Papua.
     Currently, I am presenting the Lord's ministry in Papua to various churches.  I presented for the first time to a church in Georgia this past May.   God graciously blessed that trip and gave me such joy to speak about the work and need in Papua.  I saw God abundantly answer many prayers during that trip!  Glory to God!

     God has opened up another opportunity to share the ministry this coming Sunday, July 21st to another church in Georgia!  I just found out today and am so grateful to the Lord for this opportunity!  Praise the Lord!

     A few prayer needs:
  1. Please ask the Lord to help me present clearly and confidently in Him.
  2. Please pray that I will be a blessing to the local body.
I also have a blog with many pictures of my time spent in Indonesia: http://daniellemanaois.blogspot.com/

For His glory,

Danielle Manaois

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Thank you

We at Psalm 67 Missions Network would like to thank everyone for the great outpouring of support for this summer mission to the US/Mexico border. We continue to see The Lord provide though his people.

Please follow our team here at the website or on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ as we bring you updates.

Please also continue to pray for those who will be hearing the Gospel and especially for our friend Juana and her family in Mexico. Pray that we might humbly and yet with great boldness proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the glory of God and the joy of all who believe!

Psalm 67 Missions Team


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Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Financial Update for Psalm 67

Greetings Mission Partners,
 
Finances continue to be a struggle, but God has continued to bless and provide for Psalm67 Missions. Even with a debt from previous shortfalls on trips, we will continue to pay down the debt and keep mission trip costs low without sacrificing the quality of the mission. Much of this is attributed to Rockport Baptist Church giving a percentage of their monthly offerings to Ps67. This can be done by any church or person desiring to support the Ps67 mission effort.
 
We are still seeing a slow build-up of individual funds for our fast approaching mission trip. Please help us prepare for the trips by getting funding in on time or early so we know how to plan for the trip. We would hate to leave someone behind, it would impact the entire team. There are responsibilities planned for each member of the team, so rearranging workloads would overload the other members of the mission team. Thanks for everyone’s cooperation in getting those funds in using checks or PayPal. Savanah will be updating the new online ManagedMissions website so you can see your progress. We do not encourage cash gifts due to lack of traceability.
 
May God Bless this mission trip to Mission, TX granting travel mercies to Aaron and Rick as they fly and the rest of the team traveling on the road. Prepare yourselves as God uses you to reach the lost and encourage the believers in Mission, TX.
 
Kurt Boehm
Director of Finance

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Summer Missions Team, Aaron Sutton

In the absence of a short-term missions coordinator and director, my role will be to serve our team in this capacity for this trip by preparing them, and giving guidance to them as they share their gifts and talents for the good of those along the border. One of the tasks of the team will be to assist a congregation (US side) with a community outreach through a Vacation Bible School every evening (Monday through Friday). 

The theme of the lessons is "Things Hidden" which is an evangelistic study of Kingdom Parables. A central verse in this study is “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. (Matthew 13:44 ESV) The material is produced by "Niños Deseando a Dios" or "Children Desiring God." One of the reasons that it is such a great idea to use material like this is the fact that it is completely and totally centered on Christ because it is focused on His Gospel. 

In addition to the VBS I will be preaching a couple of different times and our team will be delivering medical supplies to Mexico. The team will also be sharing the Gospel with families in the northeastern state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. 

Here are some ways that you can pray for our team. 
First, I would ask that you pray for those that will be speaking the Gospel (for faithfulness, boldness, and humility) and for those who will receive it (may God open their hearts and grant them repentance and faith). 
Second, we are praying for additional financial partners that can help send them. Many of the team are still raising their funds and could use support. 

In Christ,

Aaron

Friday, June 21, 2013

Summer Missions - Can you partner with us?

In just a few weeks our teams will be leaving for the US/Mexico border to work with congregations in summer missions projects. Collectively our teams hope to:
  • Assist a congregation in teaching 10 different Christ-Centered lessons to over a hundred individuals in two different locations
  • Preach five sermons
  • Assist in other outreach opportunities through a "Vacation Bible School" model
  • Provide support to the congregation as the make visits and outreach in their communities
  • Deliver medical supplies to a community in great need (Northern Mexico)
  • Deliver Christ-Centered resources to Pastors in Northern Mexico and the US side of the border.
  • And More
Psalm 67 Missions Network short-term mission teams raise their own support by asking others to pray and give. Some of our team members have already raised all of their support. We have tried to put together a few statements about those who are still working on raising their support. Please pray for them!
  • Savannah  - Savannah serves as the "Ministry Office Leader" for Psalm 67. She will be leading in the community outreach through VBS and providing administrative assistance to the entire team of 10.
  • Rick - Rick has served over the years in the areas of teaching, leading music, and other forms of support in mission work in Northern Mexico and the US side of the border.
  • John  - John has served on Psalm 67 teams in the past in Northern Mexico. He is gifted in teaching and preaching as well as leading music.
  • Kristin - Kristin has served with a Psalm 67 Mission Team in the past to an area along the border. She is gifted in teaching and leading children.
  • Vern - Vern has served multiple times in various capacities on Psalm 67 teams in Northern Mexico.
Would you be willing to contribute to their effort? If so, you may give by clicking on "donate now" tab on the side of the screen. A donation of any amount will assist in this effort. You may designate in the memo which team member you would like to contribute. We thank you for partnering with us in sending the Gospel out through these individuals!

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Four Facets of Christ's Grace

The book, Speaking the Truth in Love, by David Powlison, is a good resource. The author is a Biblical Counselor and a faithful teacher of the Scriptures. On pages 42 and 43 he mentions "Four Facets of Christ's Grace." These are wonderful truths and will hopefully be an encouragement and blessing to you today! These quotes have been taken from the book and for the sake of length, there is much helpful information that has been omitted. I recommended checking the book out for all of the information!

Powlison mentions:

The Bible is about Jesus Christ, Savior and Lord. Therefore counseling must be about Jesus Christ if it is to be true, biblical, and helpful. The grace you offer people has many facets, Let me mention four.

First, God's past grace to sinners demonstrates that he is for us. How do you know God is for you? He did not spare his own Son (Romans 8:31-34a). This good news is not simply for giving birth to Christian life and experience. What Jesus once did continues to reshape what we do.

Second, God's present grace to sinners demonstrates that he is with us and in us. How do you know he is with you? The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us, by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father" (Romans 5:5, 8:15).

Third, God's future grace to sinners demonstrates that he will come to us. How do you know that he will come for you that he will make right all the wrongs that rise up within you? "We know that when he appears, we will be like him, because we will see him just as he is (1 John 3:2). The good news is not simply past and present. What Jesus will do reshapes what we do.

Fourth, God's past, present, and future grace to sufferers demonstrates that he hears the cry of the afflicted. Grace is not only mercy to sinners, but a mercy to sufferers. Jesus dies for the wicked, he also defends the innocent, feeds the hungry, gives refuge to the broken, and heals the sick.


Praying this morning that Christ might have in all things the first place in my life as well as yours!

Aaron


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Saturday is for Suriname!




Somesh's Story...

Somesh (not his real name) was the youngest, born & raised in a religious family. It was his parents' dream that he would retain all of their religion. As he grew up, he was very active in his religion, participating in puja (various religious rituals of worship, cleansing, etc.) daily. He even went to Hindi school to learn Hindi & more of tradition. He was very devoted, and enjoyed it.

When Somesh was 16, one day he ate corned beef at school, not knowing it was forbidden in his religion. Later he found out it was wrong, but did not think much on it. About a year later, he mentioned that he had eaten corned beef once. His father became very upset; he said, “What have you done in your life? This is a sin that you have done, that will never be forgiven!” He didn't speak to Somesh for 2 weeks.

From then on, Somesh felt as if he had a curse on his life. He wondered what he would do with his life, since he had been so devoted to his religion. His father told him, “You'd better stop doing everything in Hinduism. You'd better become Christian or Muslim, but never call yourself a Hindu.”

His father's sister was a Christian. She never spoke about Jesus to Somesh, but was a good example to him. She noticed that he was greatly troubled, and prayed for him. He wanted to go with his aunt to church, but was very afraid to ask her. He went to her house one Sunday morning, while she was getting ready, and invited him to go with her.

In this first meeting, he felt as if a great burden was lifted off of him, so he returned the next Sunday. He started attending regularly; he was struggling & searching for answers. Christ was exactly who he needed, so he accepted Christ when he was 17.

Somesh hid his conversion from his family for about 3 years. When his father found out, he said he would not hold him back, but that he should do what he had to do, as long as he didn't tear down anyone's religion.

He wanted to serve the Lord in missions, so he prayed & fasted, and decided to go through the Bible school run by his home church.  Still he feared how his father might react. But he came to Somesh's first day of school & to his graduation. It was at this school, also, that Somesh met his wife.

Later, his father became very sick, and because of diabetes, had his leg amputated twice. He was in the hospital for 3 months. Then he came home, but had a stroke from the high blood pressure. He was very weak, and had fallen. Somesh helped him into bed. Then his father asked him to pray for him, and tell him about his God. His did, and his father believed!

His father lived 2 months longer, and told others about Jesus during that time. His family gave him a Hindu funeral, but Somesh knew that he had become a Christian.

Praise God for his grace, his love for his enemies, and his power to draw to himself those who don't know him!

Now, Somesh serves as an evangelist.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Summer Missions Week 1 Team is Forming!



We are pleased to announce Vern and Kristin Coleman will be serving with Team 1 along the US/Mexico border this summer. The Colemans have served previously with Psalm 67 in a mission to the same area and they have the desire to return for future service. Vern previously has served numerous times in the Psalm 67 work in rural Mexico as well as with another organization in the city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Their gifts and experience will be an asset to the host congregation as well as the rest of the team. We would like to ask you to please consider the following:

Please pray for the Week 1 Team. We have approximately six other openings for the team and the deadline for us is coming soon (June 3, 2013). Please pray for unity of the team members and for the leaders. Please pray for the receiving congregation and the plans that they are making to be a blessing to those coming to serve with them. Our team will be sharing the Gospel with others in the street, through summer Bible classes, sports, participating in congregational prayer meetings and other outreach to the community. We desire to keep you updated here on our blog.

Would you be willing to make a contribution to the Colemans or a general donation to the team as a whole? You can do so electronically at the tab on the side of this page. Please indicate during the "one time donation" that you would like to contribute to the Colemans or a "general donation" toward the trip. Each participant will be raising a minimum of $475.00 toward the collective effort. We are praying that the Lord would provide a great response for this family and for others through the blessing of his people. All contributions are tax-deductible.

Thank you again for partnering with us in prayer and sending the Gospel out through others! Let the Nations be Glad!

Psalm 67 Missions Network

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Summer Short-Term Missions Opportunities

Psalm 67 Missions Network would like to invite you to be a part of two Summer Missions Opportunities this July!

Dates:
  • July 13-21, 2013 (Corpus Christi, Texas)
  • July 20-28, 2013 (Near McAllen, Texas)
Both trips will have similar assignments. You will be working with a small, Hispanic congregation to serve in their community by:
  • Assisting in leading Summer Bible School (VBS) for all ages including adults.
  • Leadership Training (praying with, encouraging, and providing materials to church leaders)
  • Street Evangelism (working with church members to take the Gospel to others in their communities.
  • Sports Outreach - Individuals athletically gifted may have the opportunity to play in public parks and present the Gospel to those who gather.
  • Light construction work (painting, cleaning, moving, etc)
A few things other items of note:
  • Psalm 67 Missions Trips are "Discipleship Orientated" which means participants should view themselves as one who is going to "benefit and grow" and not just one who will "go and serve others." We specifically design times of prayer, teaching, and discussion to engage participants and to challenge them.
  • Speaking Spanish is NOT a requirement. Translators will be available.
  • There will be an opportunity to enter Mexico for those who desire. Likewise, there will be a day of rest and a time to learn the culture.
If you or your group is interested, please contact us right away at office@psalm67missions.net

Concordance & Missionaries - "Saturday is for Suriname"

  Many of us take our concordance for granted. Our English concordance has become a search engine on a computer, which makes Bible study so much quicker & easier. Perhaps some of you remember the days of the book concordance, and flipping back & forth, searching many Scriptures to find the one you’re looking for. And to search for all verses with the same two words was extremely difficult & time consuming. Now we do it all with a few clicks of the mouse. Yet what an amazing tool is a book concordance if you have no computers, and there’s never been one in your language. Imagine the joy!
That’s the joy of the Wayana tribe in the jungles of Suriname. World Team missionaries Margaret & Jan have just completed a concordance in the Wayana language, and are now distributing them in the tribal villages. The tribe, who meet daily for worship, are excited about this new tool for knowing God’s Word. Praise God for his provision!
Another exciting development is that one of the tribes is sending out their own missionaries. They recently sent out a team to find a mysterious tribe in the jungles, who shy away from others, and are unknown to the other tribes. No one knows what they are like or what language they speak. The believers are very courageous & self-sacrificing for the spread of the Good News of Jesus.
Roy & Margaret (pictured with the Pfleegors) have served the tribes in Suriname for over 40 years, and will soon retire. Marco & Marjolean from Holland are replacing them, and there’s a need for another missionary to help. Roy was a soda truck driver before becoming a missionary.
Michael & Erin Pfleegor will help out some with the ministry to these tribes, but their focus will be more on unreached people in the capitol city of Suriname, Paramaribo. Psalm 67 Missions Network is partnering with the Pfleegors in this ministry. Please, prayerfully consider what part you too might have in this ministry for the glory of Christ. Thank you.

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Saturday is for Suriname!

Suriname is a small country on the Northern coast of South America. It was a Dutch colony until 1975, so some still know it as Dutch Guiana. Suriname is very ethnically diverse with peoples originally from Africa, India, Indonesia, China, Brazil & Europe, as well as, Amerindians. Dutch is the official language, though each ethnic group has its own language. The people from India, for example, still speak an Indian language, though they have dropped the Indian script and now use Latin letters like Dutch or English.

There is much need for the Gospel in Suriname. Many of the ethnic groups there are unreached, though some are already working to bring the Gospel to them. World Team has been working for over 40 years in the jungle with the Amerindian tribes, some of which are now sending out their own missionaries. One couple, originally from neighboring Guyana, the Shiwdats have been serving in Suriname's capitol city Paramaribo for over 20 years.

Psalm 67 Mission Network is partnering with Michael & Erin Pfleegor, sent by Rockport Baptist Church, to labor with the Shiwdats & World Team in Suriname. Once there, the Pfleegors will learn Dutch, and then begin spreading the Gospel in Dutch. They will also help train interns from Psalm 67, and work with small groups who come for short trips.

We are excited about this open door from the Lord of the Harvest to reach unreached peoples with the Good News of Jesus. We would like to send the Pfleegors by January of 2014. God has already graciously provided; the Pfleegors already have 50% of what they will need to move to Suriname, get settled & learn Dutch. We also need families & churches to commit to regularly supporting them when they are there. Please consider partnering with us in service to Christ & the peoples of Suriname by prayer & financial help. Pray with us that God will continue preparing the Pfleegors for this great undertaking, and that he will provide all that we need to send & support them. And send your contributions to Psalm 67 Missions Network. We will keep you updated on their progress.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Monday, February 25, 2013

Psalm 67 Missions Network - "Partnering"

In a previous post we mentioned that we are going to cover the three major objectives of Psalm 67 Missions Network as we seek to carry out our mission. If you do not recall this information, we seek to fulfill our mission through three major areas:

  • Training - Pre-field assignment, during, and after
  • Sending - Short and long term missions
  • Partnering - Working with established missionaries, congregations, and other
By "partnering" we are opening up a broad level of cooperation. This may look like sending teams for construction projects that help missionaries and congregations with whom we are already involved. It may look like emergency disaster relief. "Partnering" might also look like sharing resources with other partners to assist them in their ministry.


One way that we see this in scripture is taken from the book of Acts:

    And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
    Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
   
(Acts 11:21-30 ESV)

At the very basic level we have several things going on here (not exhaustive)
  • Oversight given by and through the congregation and it's leaders
  • The sending of trained and qualified individuals to work with other believers
  • The work was diverse
    • Teaching
    • Exhortation
    • Relief sent THROUGH the hands of two men who were sent by the Elders

This is a glimpse of what we at Psalm 67 Missions Network desire in our partnership ministries.

Thank you for partnering with us for the glory of God that the Nations would be glad!


Psalm 67 Missions Network

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Christ's Church on Christ's Mission (Part 3)

(Continued from previous post)

 Why do we try to serve Christ on our own? There are, no doubt, more reasons, but let me suggest a few (which I've found in myself). 
  1. Perhaps I am seeking some personal recognition, whether from God or man, rather than the profit of the body; I want to be the hero others look up to, rather than the unseen servant of others.
  2. Perhaps the Lord has given me a burden to do some good work which I see being neglected by others; and rather than doing the slower & harder task of getting others to serve with me, I take the quicker & easier road of serving alone. 
  3. Perhaps I don't think others could or would do as good a job as myself, so I fail to trust God to teach, grow, fill with the Spirit, empower & use them, and I neglect to pray for, encourage, train & make use of them.
  4. Perhaps I find it hard working with others because I think I have all the best ideas, and am unwilling to listen to others or submit to their ideas & aid in their work. The end result is a whole lot of different body parts running around separately, trying to be whole bodies individually. There goes an eye. Here comes a nose.
 This is not limited to preachers, teachers & missionaries. Rather, we are all slaves of Christ, freed from our old bondage, so that we might serve him (2Co 5.14,15). Each child of God is necessary & each gift of the Spirit useful for Christ's mission. Men & women (Rom 16.1,2). Business- & tradesmen & women able to travel & ply their trade (16.3; cf. Acts 18.2,3). Laborers (Eph 4.28). Wealthy landowners (Acts 4.34-37). Seamstresses (9.36-42). Slaves (Col 4.9; cf. Phm). Masters (Phm 1.1,2). Servants of governments (Php 4.22). Homeowners (Acts 18.7-11). The list could go on. In short, ordinary people empowered by the Spirit, any--no, every--one of us. All who do so are "co-laborers in the truth" (3Jn 8).

Thus, there is the need for every effort on the measure of every part of the body of Christ toward the fulfillment of the Great Commission, bringing God's salvation to every people group. And in that work, there is the need of every believer lending every gift of the Spirit, who was given to empower us to this same end (Acts 1.8), in order that God may be glorified. Not ME doing what God has called ME personally to do, and maybe convince some others to help ME do it. Rather, US working TOGETHER to accomplish what God has called US to do. That is Christ's community on Christ's mission. Let's go!

Michael and Erin Pfleegor are members of Rockport Baptist Church in Arnold, Missouri and are preparing their family to serve in Suriname, South America. We invite you to pray for them, and consider perhaps contacting us at office@psalm67missions.net if you would like to invite The Pfleegor Family to your congregation, Sunday School class, small group, or other setting to present their ministry.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Christ's Church on Christ's Mission (Part 2)

(continued from previous post)

Nevertheless, my tendency is still to try to serve alone (i.e., without other people, though I wouldn't think of trying to without the Spirit). This is where a couple of dear brothers have been very helpful in showing me. It is easy for some of us to run ahead alone, rather than slowing down to make sure others are coming with us & laboring with us. I'm sure there's sin in it for me sometimes, romanticizing my situation as if I'm standing alone like a prophet of old with no support, not even from God's people. However, we are not called to labor as individuals, but as a body.

This truth should be so clear to us, which shows how insidious a blindness it is. Here are a few examples which make it so plain.

  1. The Great Commission was not given to individual disciples, but to them all as a group: "When you [plural, i.e., together] go, you [pl. again] make disciples..., you [pl.] baptizing them..., you [yep, pl. again] teaching them." (Mt 28.18-20) Nor did Christ intend this merely for those Apostles, but that believers thenceforth would labor together with them to accomplish this great end.
  2. Jesus taught us to pray together for his kingdom to come (Mt 6.9-13). "Our Father..., your kingdom come..." In the Lord's Prayer, all of the pronouns regarding the petitioners are "our" & "us".
  3. "WE" are made ambassadors on behalf of Christ (2Co 5.18-21). Again, notice all the we's & us's.
  4. When Jesus sent out his disciples to broadcast the Gospel throughout the villages in the region, he sent them in pairs (Mk 6.7).
  5. On the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was abundantly given, all who were gathered began proclaiming together the Gospel in languages they hadn't previously known (Acts 2.4).
  6. Peter didn't go alone to Cornelius' home, but with 6 others, though apparently only Peter preached (Acts 11.12).
  7. When the Spirit calls missionaries from the Church in (Syrian) Antioch, he calls two, Barnabas & Paul. And then it is not they who go by themselves, but the church (or at least all of the elders) together sent them. "The Holy Spirit said, 'You [pl.] set apart for me Barn. & Saul for the work to which I have called them.' Then after fasting & praying THEY [i.e., together] laid their hands on them and sent THEM [together]." (13.1-3) Both they who sent & those who were sent did so as a team.
  8. Paul was rarely alone, preferring companions & co-laborers for mutual encouragement and that he might train them to advance the mission beyond his own capacity. (Acts 11.25-30; 16.16-34; 19.29; 20.33-35; Rom 16.1-9, 21-23; Php 2.25-30; 4.3; Col 4.7-14; 1Th 2.1-13; Phm 1,24) It is clear that the Apostle Paul was not a lone worker simply led by the Spirit, but part of a team together led by the Spirit, working together, praying together, and making decisions together (1Th 3.1-11), both as a group (Acts 16.9,10) & with others (15.2,3,22; 21.18-26). Sometimes they even disagreed (15.32-41); and, though splitting with Barnabas, still Paul did not go alone.
  9. We enter the labors of those who precede us, and join with them in the work (Jn 4.34-38). God works through many to accomplish his work: sometimes working together (1Co 16.15-18), and sometimes consecutively (1Co 3.3-11).
Michael and Erin Pfleegor are members of Rockport Baptist Church in Arnold, Missouri and are preparing their family to serve in Suriname, South America. We invite you to pray for them, and consider perhaps contacting us at office@psalm67missions.net if you would like to invite The Pfleegor Family to your congregation, Sunday School class, small group, or other setting to present their ministry. 

Friday, February 22, 2013

Christ's Church on Christ's Mission - Part 1

A friend once remarked to me, when visiting after completing boot camp in the military, that the hardest lesson he had to learn was that he was no longer responsible merely for himself to make sure he had completed the tasks personally assigned to him. Now he was responsible for his whole company to make sure that they all had completed the tasks assigned to the company. He was no longer a lone man, but part of a body, working together for a common goal.

I had similar epiphanies when the Lord showed me that salvation is not all about me. Yes, I knew (in theory, at least) that our salvation is "soli Del gloria," for God's glory alone. However, I was blind to some important truths.

  1. I'm not alone, but God has saved others, too; and he didn't save me merely for my own good, but that I might serve his body. Our physical hand does not serve itself alone, but feeds, protects, washes, nurses, and scratches the whole body. (In fact, it's very hard for one hand to do anything for itself; and of course it can do nothing if separated from the body.) This is Christ's community. 
  2. I'm not alone, but there is a world full of my brothers & sisters (by nature) who are still under the curse; and God did not inundate me with his grace in Christ for merely my own personal blessing, but that the super-abundance of his blessing might overflow me to reach "all families of the earth" (Genesis 12.1-3). And all of this is to the end that God in Christ is known, loved & worshiped. This is Christ's mission.
  3. Salvation is not Jesus-and-ME-together-forever, but Jesus-took-US-to-be-his-bride.Nevertheless, my tendency is still to try to serve alone (i.e., without other people, though I wouldn't think of trying to without the Spirit). This is where a couple of dear brothers have been very helpful in showing me. It is easy for some of us to run ahead alone, rather than slowing down to make sure others are coming with us & laboring with us. I'm sure there's sin in it for me sometimes, romanticizing my situation as if I'm standing alone like a prophet of old with no support, not even from God's people. However, we are not called to labor as individuals, but as a body.
More will be posted in Part 2 of "Christ's Church on Christ's Mission."

Michael and Erin Pfleegor are members of Rockport Baptist Church in Arnold, Missouri and are preparing their family to serve in Suriname, South America. We invite you to pray for them, and consider perhaps contacting us at office@psalm67missions.net if you would like to invite The Pfleegor Family to your congregation, Sunday School class, small group, or other setting to present their ministry.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

“Who am I?”

“Who am I?”

1 Chronicles 29

English Standard Version (ESV)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Chronicles+29&version=ESV

King David has just made his contributions to the building of the temple. He is getting ready to hand over the kingdom to his son Solomon, and also to entrust to him the building of the temple of the LORD. Then the people of Israel gave to the building of the temple. The people alone gave over 375,000 lbs of gold, 750,00 lbs of silver, 1,350,000 lbs of bronze, and 7,500,000 lbs of iron... (I did the conversion calculations) and then...

“...the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the LORD. David the king also rejoice greatly.”

And then David prays what seems to me to be one of the most awesome and blessed prayers...

'Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is years. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own. I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you. O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you. Grant to Solomon my son a whole heart that he may keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, performing all, and that he may build the palace for which I have made provision.”

Then David said to all the assembly, “Bless the LORD your God.” And all the assembly blessed the LORD, the God of their fathers, and bowed their heads and paid homage to the LORD and to the king. And they offered sacrifices to the LORD, and on the next day offered burnt offerings to the LORD, 1,000 bulls, 1,000 rams, and 1,000 lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel. And they ate and drank before the LORD on that day with great gladness. ' (Underlining added)

When I read through this, (and I would encourage you to go back and read the whole chapter of 1 Chronicles chapter 29), I was struck with the blessedness of the prayer. David is praising and worshiping and giving thanks to God. And the people of Israel or praising God and rejoicing, GREATLY!
What struck me I think was the conditions for this state of awesome prayer, rejoicing, and gladness (it seems that there are few times in the old testament where the whole of the nation of Israel is rejoicing in God this way). They were rejoicing... because they had GIVEN, to God, freely and with a WHOLE heart! And as they were rejoicing King David leads them in prayer. He leads them in a prayer of THANKSGIVING and praise because God has allowed them to give back to him what is already HIS! “But who am I? And who is my people? That we should be able thus to offer willingly?...”

I think that some of our truest communication in prayer with God come when we catch a glimpse of the truth of life. Some of my most earnest requests in prayer have come when I caught a glimpse of how truly helpless without God I am, and how truly I need him in all things. Likewise I think that some of our most genuine praise of God and thanksgiving for his care come when we recognize AND RESPOND to the fact that GOD is the OWNER of everything! AND YET he allows us to give to him. It is called worship! When we see a glimpse of who God really is we respond in worship, and it is awesome! Prayer is a part of us worshiping our great God. Even though he is the rightful owner and master of the universe he gives us a part to play in the building up of his kingdom.

I think that the times when we are most freely able to give praise and glory to God in prayer are the times when he has moved us to give what we have (what he has given to us) willingly and freely. This means the giving of our time (the Lord has given us our lives!) to our families, to proclaiming the good news to our neighbors, the giving of support to our brothers and sisters in Christ through physical help (the Lord has given us our body!) and through finances and supplies (the Lord has given us work!). This is how we give to Christ! “...as you have done unto the least of these my brothers so you have done unto me.”

I know this has been a rambling of thoughts. I am sorry. But I encourage you to go back and read chapter 29 of 1 Chronicles again. See for yourself the joy of the people and of King David. Read for yourself the prayer and thanks of King David, and his request for the Lord's care. Spend some time in prayer thanking God for what he has allowed you to give back to him, and ask him to teach you how to give with a whole heart, willingly, that you may be able to rejoice greatly in the King of kings and Lord of Lords.

The above article was submitted by Billy Jackson (billy.jackson@psalm67missions.net). Billy has served as Missions Intern for Psalm 67 Missions Network providing leadership and oversight to short-term missions and assisting with the overall direction of PS67MN. Billy is currently preparing to serve at Rio Grande Bible Institute to learn the Spanish Language and to serve as a member of thier staff.