Mike's Blog

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 4)

John, like any other aging minister, found his greatest joy in seeing that those whom he had led to Christ, taught and who became disciples (i.e., his children in the faith) were still following the Lord Jesus Christ years later. Succinctly stated, John said, “I have no greater joy . . .” What could be more exciting than leading someone to saving faith in Christ and then seeing that person grow in faith and continue walking in the truth. This is nothing short of the amazing grace of God exhibited in the power of a changed life.

Imagine the Christian parent. If a simple preacher has no greater joy than to find, years later, converts still following faithfully then how much more a parent who teaches their children to follow Christ. From the perspective of a Christian parent and a minister I can tell you that I too can think of nothing more fulfilling or that gives greater joy than to see my children walking in the truth. It in an inexpressible joy to know that my children are following Christ, who gave His life on the cross for our sins, was buried and rose again. We can only know how to love Him (and incidentally, our children too) because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).

Imagine God who gave His son for us. You and I may not think in terms of what might or might not give God joy or what might please Him. Perhaps we are too busy asking for things that we fail to realize there is something we can actually offer to God that will please Him very much. If a simple preacher and a loving parent can have no greater joy than to find their children are walking in the truth — then I would imagine God would have the greatest joy of all to find you and I are also walking in the truth. The Scripture informs us that God is indeed pleased when we continue to walk in faith and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Heb 11:6).

Today, as we ask for God’s indispensible and much needed help let’s also give Him some joy! Continue to walk in truth—follow Christ and share this truth! If you or I gave our Son for a lost world wouldn’t it please us for someone to share this good-news with others?

A Priceless Heritage

The story goes that a man owned a vineyard and the sons believed the father to be very wealthy. Since he was secretive about it they could not be really sure but they hoped to receive a fortune when he died. On his deathbed he told the sons that the secret of his wealth was to be found in the vineyard. The boys immediately begin to dig hoping to find the treasure they believed to be hidden under the vines. They toiled for months being careful not to damage the vines. In the course of time they dug over every inch of the vineyard and found nothing. But in the fall their vineyard produce the finest crop of grapes on record. They realized what their wise old father had done. He had forced them to stop loafing around and instead to cultivate the vineyard. The secret of his wealth was the vines, which properly cared for would keep them rich.
Our heritage too is priceless but it will not yield its wealth to us without work. The Bible never fails to yield its riches to the believer who cultivates voraciously deep within its pages. In addition, steady work in the pages of God’s Word will invariably yield a gladdened heart!

“Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, For they are the rejoicing of my heart.”
(Ps 119:111).

“Spots of Light”

Andy and Carol were the most unlikely couple to interact with. Nothing prepared me for the accent in which they spoke or why the two of them came from England to Haiti. Come to think of it, why was I there? Walls Guest house is not the Ritz Carlton. Really, who stays at a Hotel (Guest House) without hot water? At least we were serving Jesus! That seemed logical to me. We had a reason, if you will, from the highest authority —“Go and make disciples of all nations.” Sacrifice seems very rational when it is Christ who says “Go.” I was deeply curious and I must say I liked talking to this couple with their unique accent from England.
In this conversation God reminded me why I was in Haiti sharing Christ. Keep in mind, Andy and Carol were not there form a church, nor were they sent by a Christian organization. They had no religious epiphany or calling. They were admittedly two people who simply wanted to help other people who were less fortunate. Hearing of the cholera outbreak in Haiti they decided to bring in medical supplies to the villages affected by the disease along with sizable donations from constituents in order to help bring healing. That’s it! No agenda other than a humanitarian work to help fellow man. Not even a call from Jesus.
As they sipped their drink it occurred to me that we obviously had two separate motives however, similar the outcome — to help others. Then the question came I thought they might ask, “What brings you to Haiti?” Understand, we did not bring in tons of medicine nor did we bring in tens of thousands of dollars as they did. I was already mulling over what I might say so that my cause would sound just as important and impressive as theirs. I decided however, just to throw it out there and see what happened. “We are here because Christ has command us to go into all the world and share the good news of the gospel. We are working in two orphanages this week bringing only a small amount of money a lot of love and we are conducting evangelistic services each night to share the love of Christ. In addition, we are going house to house to pray and share the love of Christ with whom we can.” Not even an awkward pause followed. Before I could finish both of them were pressed to the edge of their seat almost impatient to speak. Carol began, “Thank God for what you are doing. Everywhere we go in Haiti we see a marked difference any where you and other Christians have been. This is a dark place and everywhere we go we can tell if you have been through a place because there is a ‘Spot of Light’ there. We find ‘Spots of Light’ everywhere we go. Thank you for what you do — you indeed are making a difference in a dark place.” Andy agreed and thanked us for our efforts. I felt as if I had received an accommodation by the Queen of England herself by the time we were through.
Wow! I was taken back a bit by two people from England who had noticed something that I had missed. Indeed, we were making a difference. I know this but it sometimes just takes someone saying it so I can get it! Sometimes while working with the details I fail to see the larger picture. The work God is doing is so much greater than the level we live on individually.
I walked away thrilled having talked to Andy and Carol. Their observation was priceless to me. Not from a missionary, preacher, or churchy perspective but from two people I had not met before whom I did not know who may have or may not have shared the same convictions or faith. However form their perspective they shared a heart of gratitude for what a team of missionaries from South Carolina were doing in Haiti. Being, “Spots of Light!”
Even when stumbled onto accidentally it is rewarding to discover that in some ways you and I are being what Christ said we are in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world . . . let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” May God indeed be glorified!
Thanks you Bill Howard for your vision and obedience to God. You are in every way being a “spot of light” in a spiritually darkened place. In addition, our lives have been made much brighter because of your friendship and fellowship in the kingdom work. Know that God is glorified mightily through your life.

Be blessed,
Mike

It’s Not About Me 

    “Do I have to paint? Who likes painting?” “I really do not like building things!” “Crawling under a spider, rat and snake infested house to hook up pluming and install a hot water heater, really?” Or, “why travel twelve hours and do mission’s—is there not plenty to do around here?” These are just a few of the questions that sometimes abscond with our senses and make off with good judgment. Truthfully, if you and I use our good judgment, reason and sensibility we would never do missions at all because we could never weigh the reasons to go to one place and not another. We might never reach an inner peace about leaving one land for another land or serving one people group instead of another. Perhaps it really does not add up in human logic at all. If logic is our basis and reason for mission’s we would figure ourselves the biggest fools in the world.

    Consequently, when on mission, painting is no longer the thing we hate. We are not just building scaffolds and painting boards we are in a real way serving Christ. We are not just building fire escapes and steps but tangibly serving Christ. We are not just plumbing houses and putting in hot water heaters we are witnesses to the life changing power of Christ and we are serving in obedience to His will.

    Here’s the point, “Whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward” (Matt 10:42).

Again, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Our reason for going and placing our hands to the work and our back up under the load of mission’s is not at all about places to go or tasks to do. It has everything to do with walking daily in relationship with Christ.  

    Last, Jesus will one day say to those who have indeed walked with Him. “for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me’” (Matt 25:35-40).

     Remember, it is never about us, what we like or dislike. It is about a living viable relationship with Jesus Christ our King!

City View First Baptist Church mission team to Wellsburg West Virginia