First, I must begin by telling you how much I love missionary services! It's so cool to see what God is up to all over the world! I get to see pictures of my brothers and sisters in the Lord whom I will eventually meet in heaven. I like that! And it always manages to put my life back in perspective when I hear what the missionaries are up against. No joke. My attitude always needs a huge adjustment after I hear them preach.
Anyway, this evening, we had Bro. and Sis. Corbin and son from Bangladesh. They are the ONLY resident missionaries in a nation of 14 1/2 million people. Yeah... that is totally overwhelming. And Bangladesh is one of the three poorest nations in the world, with an average wage of about $1 per day. How would you like to end your labor intensive work week with a paycheck of about $6 or $7?
The nation is 83% muslim, 16% buddhist, and 1% hindu/other religions. Bro. Corbin wrote a VERY GOOD bible study that compares and contrasts the religions of Islam and Apostolic Christianity, and how to reach the muslim people with the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. It is a very thorough study... I'm already 10 pages into it.
In his message tonight, Bro. Corbin used hurricane Katrina as a mental picture of the lost in Bangladesh and all over the world. He talked about people smashing through the attic roof and climbing up onto the roof in hopes of being rescued by the many helicopters flying overhead. But 1, 836 people who cried SURELY someone is coming to save me were in fact never saved. He compared them to the lost souls in our dark world. People are desperate to be saved from the hopelessness of life. We are the ones with the lifeline! But will we be willing to reach out to them? Will we get there in time, before they slip away from us?
Bro. Corbin and his wife and son began their work in 1993, learning the language and praying for God to open doors for ministry. They moved to the largest city, Dhaka, in 1997, with just 7 people in their church. Today in 2009, they have 107 churches/preaching points, and over 13,000 souls in the church! It brought such conviction to me! I haven't personally won anyone to the Lord in years! I've taught lots of Bible studies...but no one is in church because I told them about Jesus and they responded. He is facing all kinds of opposition from the enemy, and I am here in my comfy little life, complaining about things that don't even matter! Yeah, I was at the altar tonight, repenting about just about everything in my poor excuse for a Christian life. I intend to change that. God sees my heart and its sincerity and desire to do right in God's eyes. He sees my desire to be an effective and powerful soul winner in the kingdom of God. And so the bunny will remain..........
The flesh must be crucified and submitted to the will of God. Prayer is the vital link to my Savior. His Word must be read every day (NOT as part of the BREAD program, but just to be read) to remake my mind... refocus it daily on the will of God in my life. Fasting is one thing I've NEVER been successful with, because my flesh is in total control of my life. James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another and pray for one another that you may be healed. Yes, I'm confessing my faults here so you will PRAY FOR ME!! I really need and covet your prayers. My mind is focused on God daily, but time spent in intimate fellowship daily is lacking. I love the Lord! I love to worship and praise Him! I love to be in His presence at church and at home. I love His Word. It is the flesh I fight. And so I will fight! And I will be victorious! The enemy shall not prevail against me. In Jesus' name. Good night.
