Pioneering

Pioneering

The Apostle Paul writing to the saints in Rome joyously claimed his aim was to "announce the glad tidings, not where Christ has been named, that I might not build upon anothers' foundation;" Romans 15:20.

It is difficult for most of the Lords' people to engage in a "pioneering" service for the Lord Jesus, as we remain each in our native countries. only a relatively few venture to lands not their own, but not necessarily "going before to prepare or clear the way," the meaning of "pioneer."

Yesterday I realised that such an exercise is possible in this sin-benighted nation, and no doubt in every nation upon earth; for the gospel message has been "lost" in many, many areas here in the U.K. and I suspect everywhere else.

I was engaged in tract distribution in an area I had never visited before. It is characterised by obvious poverty, not an area where one feels at ease. But it came forcibly upon my heart that these dear people may never have heard the truth of the love of God in sending His only begotten Son as Saviour of the world. This is not intended to be melodramatic, one needs to be there to grasp what I am saying; and perhaps this is "mirrored" in a multitude of places up and down our favoured land.

That these folk may never have ventured into a "place of worship" gripped my soul as I recall my sweet fellowship with like-minded saints regularly, and in danger of taking for granted such privileges as are mine. It felt like a dark place, (I don't mean demonic,) but the absence of any spiritual light. Please pray that the contents of the magazine distributed there may be used of the Holy Spirit to enlightenment and should it please the Lord, salvation blessing to some, or restoration perhaps to some erring saints.

Finally, it was quite startling to walk up a longish pathway to the door of a large and contrasting residence; for screwed to the door was a narrow brass plate, on which were inscribed the "title," name, and academic qualifications of the occupant. He is a Romanist, I hesitate to use the term "catholic" as wrongly secured by them; Furthermore he blasphemously called himself "father," and is a Jesuit to make things even worse! Tragic to find such a deceiver amidst a place where there is so much spiritual and material need. Please pray for that area beloved brethren. 

A Simple Answer to Prayer

A Simple Answer to Prayer

We (believers) are blessed by a God who not only hears, but answers prayer. How infrequently we fail to realise blessings, or appreciating them, fail to give thanks to Him. He is interested in the, dare I say, things perhaps the world sees as "trivial," as well as those things we understand to be infinitely beyond the abilities of men to resolve.

Yesterday my wife and I took our disabled son Adam, and his youngest sister, with another friend to visit a centre for the preservation of birds of prey. It was a beautiful day and a lovely experience. Adam travelled with Esther, his sister, and their friend, in one car, my wife and me in our car. I felt the Lord had heard my supplication to Him for a day of safety and legitimate enjoyment, indeed He had.

But making our way home Bernice and I became increasingly aware that we were fast running out of petrol! There was no Service Station anywhere nearer that we could reach before we arrived home. The gauge dropped ever more quickly, and more than ten miles from the nearest services it read "0!"

Prayer had been made for some time before this eventuality and we "held on" in feeble faith. We travelled for those last ten miles or so with the gauge reading zero! A simple experience in the ways of Gods' faithfulness, perhaps. But significant to us; breaking down on the Motorway is very ill-advised!

"Having cast ALL your care upon Him, for He cares about you!" 1 Peter 5:7; Indeed, nothing is too trivial for Him, and certainly nothing is "too hard (wonderful) for the Lord!" The Law and the Prophets assert this is so, and the New Testament concurs: Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:17,27; Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27; Luke 18:27.