Good News from Afar!

    "As cold waters to a thirsty soul,

so is good news from a far country."

--Proverbs 25:25

     When's the last you turned on the news and heard something that was encouraging?  Or went online and were overwhelmed by all the uplifting events on your news pages?  Something that refreshed your heart like a big glass of ice-cold water on a sweltering hot day.  Can you remember?  Me neither😞.

    In fact, most people I talk to mention all the discouraging, gloomy things that are going on around world.  But I wanted to cheer you today with some good news from around the world.  

    In II Peter, Peter encourages the Christians to remember that in the last days, people are going to scoff at the idea that the Lord will come again.  They will say that the fact that He hasn't come in all this time is proof that He isn't coming at all.  And then Peter reminds us that those who think that way are wrong.  

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, 

as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, 

not willing that any should perish,

 but that all should come to repentance. 

 --II Peter 3:9

       He explains that God is not tardy.  He is not "behind schedule" or worse, failing to keep His promise.  Instead, He is longsuffering.  That word has the idea of patiently enduring, and He is patiently enduring all that we see going on in this world for the very fact that He loves man and does not desire for anyone to die in their sin and perish in Hell.  Instead, He is patiently enduring so that others have the opportunity to come to Him.  So that others can hear the truth of His Word for the first time, or perhaps the hundredth time, and realize their need to trust Him as their Saviour before it's too late.  Because the truth is that He is going to keep His promise.  He is going to come again.  Peter assures us of that later in the same chapter.  And then it will be too late for man to make that choice.

     So, here's the good news from a far country: that's exactly what is happening.  I'd like to tell you about two people who are seeing God's longsuffering bring results in amazing ways.

     Recently, a long-time friend of ours, Sharon Manning, who had served as a missionary in Romania over twenty years ago, returned there as a single lady to minister to the children in one of the gypsy communities.  To understand her ministry, you must understand that the gypsy people in Romania are looked down on and shunned by most of the Romanian population.  Sadly, even many Christians there would rather not get involved with them.  

     It's not an easy work or even, in some people's opinion, a safe place for anyone to be let alone a single woman by herself, but Sharon has carried the love of God right into those streets and homes, and "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined." (Is. 9:2).

       God used Daniel 11:32b (...but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits) and II Chronicles 16:9a (For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.) to direct her back to Romania, and she has seen God work in amazing ways.  You can read about her story on her blog: sharon-k-manning.epistle.org/ 

       In fact, God knew exactly the right person to bring the light to that area of darkness.  It needed the light of His love, and Sharon is perfect for her ministry there.  She loves those young people with the love of God, and they are drawn to her in such an amazing way.  Many of these kids have never experienced true love from anyone, and now this American woman shows up in their village, and God's love pours out of her whether it's bandaging injuries, helping haul drinking water, helping butcher chickens, playing soccer with them in the street, helping them with their school work since most of their parents can't read, teaching them to read using the Bible, teaching them how to make s'mores in an old wood stove, teaching them to pray, and just spending time with them.

       And the great thing about her is that she is a no no-nonsense kind of person which is also just what they need.  She loves them to death but doesn't put up with any misbehavior.  And when they express a desire to be saved, she makes sure they understand exactly what that means and what it involves.  She disciples them and takes them to a nearby church that has been welcoming to them as gypsies which is a huge blessing for her.  Through her work there, just in the last month, seven young people in their teens have come to Christ and are growing in Him.  And now the parents are starting to see the changes and are opening up to the Gospel as well.

      Why am I sharing this?  Because this is exactly why God tarries despite the sin and hardships we see and experience and that seems to be growing rampant in the world.  Because He patiently endures: Cipri, Nicoleta, Livia, Armando, George, Reuben, Laurentiu and many others have been "...called out of darkness into his marvelous light." (I Peter 2:9)

    Praise the Lord!!!  Yes, things may seem bleak, but the light is still shining.  People are still coming to the Lord.

     Another single missionary lady, Cindy Hershey, ministers to children in Mexico.  One of the many things she does with them is visit them each Saturday and give them a Bible study project to work on throughout the week.  When she comes again the following weekend, she goes over the lesson and Bible verses with them, and they learn about God and His love for them.  

    She calls her ministry Lamb International and posts on Facebook about a new "lamb in the fold" as these children come to Christ.

    While many of us felt negative impacts from the shutdowns during Covid, Cindy saw the number of children wanting to be involved in her Bible studies double.  She went from thirty plus to over seventy, along with about twenty moms doing them as well.  Even in the difficulties of the pandemic, God's lovingkindness, His patient endurance, allowed many children and a couple mothers to be redeemed from the power of sin. 

     Each twelve weeks Cindy has a "graduation" for everyone who completes all the lessons and asks people to partner with her in praying for specific children as they go through the lessons.  I have the opportunity, this time, to pray for three young children who she recently met and who have started the lessons for the first time.  They know nothing of God or His love and need to hear the truth of the Gospel.  Each day that God tarries is another day for Sergio, Mateo, and Fatima to learn more of Him and have the opportunity to accept salvation.

    I know life is hard.  I know things may look bleak.  I know it's easy to just wish Christ would come back now.  And believe me, I have days when I think, How much longer, Lord?  But I hope that these two ladies' testimonies will encourage you to keep on keeping on.  It's easy to only see the negative around us, but God is doing amazing things.  There are people coming to Christ all around the world.

     When I think of it from that perspective, it becomes exciting to see what God will do in the time that remains.  If I were Cipri, or Nicoleta, or Livia, or Armando, or George, or Reuben, or Laurentiu I would be so thankful God tarried His return so that I could also be a part of His family.  If I were Sergio, or Mateo, or Fatima I would beg Him to tarry just a little longer until I could fully understand all He has done for me.

     This last Sunday in church we sang "Hold the Fort."  It has always been one of my favorite hymns for as long as I can remember.   It was written by Philip Bliss after hearing a story of an attack on a fort during the Civil War.  But this morning, I could hardly sing as I fought back tears.  God asks us to "Hold the Fort," to be faithful until He comes no matter how difficult it seems.  I want to faithfully stand for Him as the battle wages, knowing that as we stand and face whatever adversity we face, whether persecution, health, finances, discouragement, or whatever would cause us to lose hope, we know that our Great Commander is coming, and He will make all things right.  

     And as He tarries His return and asks us to "Hold the Fort" we can do so with the joy that He tarries so that others can receive Him as well.  For me anyway, it makes the wait worth it. 

Hold the Fort

1 Ho, my comrades, see the signal waving in the sky!

Reinforcements now appearing, victory is nigh.

Refrain:

"Hold the fort for I am coming," Jesus signals still.

Wave the answer back to heaven, "By Thy grace, we will."

2 See the mighty host advancing, Satan leading on,

Mighty men around us falling, courage almost gone.

3 See the glorious banner waving, hear the trumpet blow!

In our Leader's Name we triumph over every foe.

4 Fierce and long the battle rages, but our help is near,

Onward comes our great Commander, cheer, my comrades, cheer!

-P. P, Bliss

         Jesus asks us to be faithful just a little while longer.  We don't know how long He will tarry, but we do know for certain that every day that passes brings us closer to God's set time for His return.  And while He tarries, Praise His Name, others are hearing the message of salvation and coming to Him! And that is good news that should refresh us and put a smile on our face.

 

      Finally, if you have never received God's gift of salvation, if you have never admitted that you are a sinner and accepted Christ's payment for your sin by His death and resurrection on the cross, then the good news for you is that by His mercy, He has tarried His return this long so that you might make the choice whether you will accept or reject Him.  Your choice will determine where you spend eternity, so I urge you to accept His free gift of forgiveness while there is still time.