Only 2 Months 'til Baby #5

"Baby Bean Due: August 9"

When I married Erin, at age 32, I thought I might be an old man before we had any children. But God had other plans! Our first son, Parker, was born only 10 months after we married. Then Jonah came less than 2 years later. Then Gwyneth & Lyla, each less than 2 years from the previous one. And now "Baby Bean," as we call her, again less than 2 years from Lyla. God has so richly blessed us, not because we are such righteous or excellent parents, but purely by his grace in Christ. We don't deserve to have these children, and are extremely privileged to raise them. And we are constantly in need of God's grace & love, otherwise we will do no good for the children, nor anyone else.

As most of you know, we want to serve Jesus Christ overseas. We have an opportunity to go to Suriname in South America. Again, we do not go because we are extraordinary believers, but because of God's redeeming love toward us. It doesn't take extraordinary people, but the extraordinary God, who uses ordinary people. We need other ordinary people to go with us.

Not everyone is able to go & serve overseas. But you can still serve by continually praying for God to work through this ministry, by supporting us financially, and by telling others about the ministry.

Here is one way you can help right now. In anticipation of our Baby "Bean's" upcoming birth, please go to World Team's Give Now page & give a generous gift to help us get to Suriname--just mention the Pfleegors. Then switch your Facebook (or other social media) profile picture to our family picture, and post a link on your page to this blog (www.GoodNewstoAllPeoples.blogspot.com), and World Team's Give Now page. Please help us reach 35% by August 9th, her due date. Thank you very much for your help!

We don't receive anything until we actually move to Suriname. Your gifts now go toward our outgoing expenses, and are held in an account for us by World Team. Our goal, with God's will & provision, is to leave in May of 2013. We would also be glad to visit your church, and tell them more about Suriname. And yes, we will travel a long distance to visit you. Thanks again.

Rockport to Ordain Michael

Lyla & Daddy

I am so blessed that our church, Rockport Baptist, is going to ordain me for the Gospel ministry. We are not attempting to take on this responsibility ourselves. It means a lot to me that our elders & church agree that they see the gifts, calling & qualifications in me, and will stand behind us, and send us out with their blessing & prayers.

The ordination will be one Sunday night in July; we haven't worked out which one, yet. Another brother will be ordained at the same time with me. All are welcome! If you are interested, email me, and I'll send you the date & time, once we have it nailed down.

Lots of Changes

We feasted on some crawfish & shimp, Cajun style,

at the FIRE national conference in Shreveport.

We are been richly blessed by God, though we’ve been through a very trying & discouraging time. This past month we were able to attend FIRE’s National Conference in Shreveport, LA. The theme of the conference was Revival, and though pretty discouraged going in to it, I left refreshed & encouraged; the Word was particularly sweet!

We experienced another kind providence of God there in Shreveport. The last night of the conference, after most everyone had left, and we finally had our van packed—c. 11:00 pm—one brother pointed out that our tire was almost flat. Someone had a pump, so I pumped it up a little. Then we drove back to our hotel, and I parked it at Wal-mart next door, hoping they could help me in the morning if it was completely flat. I was disappointed to find out, in the morning, that they couldn’t fix my tire. I asked for a referral, and they mentioned a tire place about a mile or so away. My tire wasn’t too low, so I drove to the tire store. They did a very thorough patch, and then wouldn’t let me pay for it. God is so good to answer our prayers & help us in our need. We’ve seen many such gracious provisions & special guidance from God in our travels. Praise God!

We were praying that we might move to Suriname this September, but the Lord has delayed us a little. God has graciously provided much through his people, but we still have a long way to go. Thank you very much, for praying for us, and generously giving. The brother we will be joining in Suriname is home on furlough this August through April of next year. We can go when he returns. This is actually good because our new baby is due in August, whom we weren’t expecting when we originally set the September goal, and this way she’ll be a little older when we leave.

Another blessing is that World Team has changed our pre-field training program. The new trainingwill take half the time, and is only a fraction of the cost. We don’t have exact figures yet, but I expect our outgoing expenses to drop at least $10,000 (down from $63,600).

This has also been a challenging & discouraging time. My job hasn’t given me enough hours during the week, and, of course, I need my weekends off to visit churches. As you know, we don’t get any support until we move to Suriname; everything goes into an account for us until we leave. All giving now is held for our outgoing expenses. Therefore, I’m looking for a new job, and it has been difficult finding one which will allow me weekends off.

Also, we have to move. We’ve been renting from family, and don’t want to overstay our welcome. We’ll be here about a year longer, and so are looking for a new place. Please pray for God’s direction & provision in these things.  We are pressing forward, believing that God will provide all that we need to go to Suriname & serve him there. Please labor along with us, pray, give & tell others about this ministry. Thank you!

Single Mom Gives $3,000 Gift

Erin & friends in Minnesota.
 

We are amazed & humbled by the gift of a dear sister, a single mom, who recently sent $3,000 to help us get to Suriname. It reminds me of the story of the widow's mite (Mark 12.41-44). Jesus watched as many rich people gave great sums at the temple. Then a widow gave two small copper coins, which was all she had to live on, and Jesus commended her, saying: "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing...For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty." What faith this widow demonstrated, freely giving all she had despite her own desperate needs, and trusting that God would provide for her, even if she gave all she had away. This kind of faith sees the unseen God, and rests in his love & care & promises. She knew that God would provide her needs, and gladly gave out of love for God & her neighbor. Jesus saw what she did, and God always sees what we do of faith-born love toward him. We can be sure that this widow did not lose her reward from the faithful God.

When we serve God out of a genuine faith in Christ & love toward God, God promises to reward us (Hebrews 11.6; Mark 9.41; Luke 6.35). God graciously will provide our needs in this life, though such blessings will be mingled with sorrow & suffering (Mark 10.29,30), but our real inheritance & reward comes when Christ returns (Matthew 25.31-40).

We praise God for this sister, and for all who are supporting us in prayer & financially. We share these things with you, so that you will know how God is using you in this ministry, and thus be able to rejoice & worship God together with us. We look forward to the day when we can report how God has opened hearts in Suriname, and when he has raised up elders to lead the new churches.

Taste & Send

We are so thankful for the support of our church, Rockport Baptist Church in Arnold, MO (www.RockportBaptist.org). One way in which they are helping, is that the young people are working hard to bake & sell cookies for an organization they formed themselves, called "Taste & Send" (look for them on Facebook). They bake some of the most delicious cookies we've ever tasted, like Oreo Cookie Balls & Gooey Butter Cookies. They volunteer their time, and the proceeds go to help send missionaries from our church. They have already raised $1,000 to help us. Wow! That's a lot of dough. (Pun intended. Sorry.)

If you would like to help us get to Suriname in September, this is one idea of how you can help. You don't have to be a preacher, linguist or doctor to serve in missions. You don't even have to be an adult. Just use the gifts God has given you to help make Him known among all nations. Whatever you do out of love for Christ, even as small as giving a cup of cold water (Matthew 10.40-42), is seen by the Lord, and will be rewarded when He returns!

Added Contacts

Gwynnie's first fish!



"Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up!" (Psalm 68.19) We have so much for which to thank the Lord. "[He] crowns [us] with steadfast love & mercy." (Psa 103.4)

1) The Lord has greatly increased our contacts, and we have planned several trips in the next month which will allow us to meet many more new people.
2) We've presented at some churches, and received some gifts from them.
3) Just yesterday, I met a pastor in Illinois. Now he wants us to come to his church. He also promised to arrange for us to meet half a dozen other pastors he knows. Praise the Lord!
4) I meet with another pastor close by on Friday.
5) At a local homeschool conference, we were purchasing curriculum for 4 years (the length of our first term in Suriname). The company from which we get math books gave us 50% off for being missionaries. That saved us substancially!
6) The homeschool conference was also a great encouragement to us. And we learned, in the seminars, some very practical helps for overcoming the particular reading difficulties we face with one of our kids.
7) We're learning some management skills to help us make better use of our time, arrange more of a routine for the kids, and get more accomplished. We need these skills both now, and when we are in Suriname.

Immediate Prayer Needs: Please thank the Lord with us for his manifold blessings upon us. Pray for our upcoming trips, that the Lord would provide all we need to go to Suriname, and that He would lead us to meet many more believers & tell them about the ministry.

The Lord's Kindness

Jon, Lisa & Rachel with us in Alabama.

God has so richly blessed us in our travels. I was given the opportunity, in Alabama, to preach & present the work in Suriname. The people there are old friends, but Bro. Jon & his family are new friends. They were very gracious, and received us warmly. They have been praying for us for some time, and were very excited after hearing the specifics of the work ahead of us. Jon & his family served for several years in Alaska, and encouraged us. When I preached on Titus 3, he was greatly affirmed in the work he has done.

We also met with the elders of another church there. They were very encouraging to us, and very interested in the ministry. They will be considering how they might help.

Hanna & Parker.

Gwynnie had a hard time at first, but quickly got the hang of the trampoline.

Look out, Bad Guys!

The kids had a wonderful time playing with our friends, and their children, Hanna & Jonathan. Chad & Jyoti have greatly helped us in many ways, including watching our kids for a whole week last September--no easy task. God is so good to give us such loving friends!

Then we traveled to Mississippi, and were warmly received at the prayer meeting for revival. Afterward, we traveled home, washed clothes, repacked them, and left for Kirksville, MO.

On long trips like these, Erin works hard to teach our kids in the car. This is a challenge, but we're able to get our school hours in for the week. Sometimes we even get to stop for something special. For example, on our way home from Mississippi, we stopped at an archaeological museum in Arkansas, where a local doctor/amateur archaeologist discovered an old Native American settlement right there on his farm.

We were greatly blessed by the conference in Kirksville. Bro. Ryan Fullerton of Immanuel Baptist Church in Louisville, KY spoke on Biblical Manhood & Womanhood, including teaching on singleness, marriage & parenting. It was very helpful; I highly recommend the messages. You can hear them at www.lakeroadchapel.org. It was also our privilege to make some new friends, and tell people about the ministry in Suriname.

Finally, we came home for the Midwest Founders' Conference in St. Peters. Sis. Nancy was kind enough to watch our children for two days. Words cannot express how warmly they received us! They graciously gave us some time to address the whole group, and tell them about the ministry in Suriname. There was much interest, and we made many new contacts. Praise the Lord!

Now, we get a little breather before hitting the road again.

Immediate Prayer Needs: Pray that God would grant us more opportunities to speak to pastors & churches, so that we could fill our schedules for March, April & May.

Pray that God would lay it on the hearts of his people to partner with us, and support this ministry. And pray that he would provide so that we can move this September.

Pray that God would use us to be a blessing & encouragement to his people as we travel around. And for safe travel & his upholding our vehicle.

Pray for God's continued guidance, grace & spiritual growth as we prepare to go.

Pray for the people in Suriname, and for those already serving there.

Thank you so much! Joy to you from Christ, as you joyfully serve Christ.

6-Year Old Gives $3 Gift

The kids bury Elaina in corn at a local corn maze.

We are rejoicing in God’s goodness in how he moved our friend Elaina to freely give $3 of her own money to help us get to Suriname. It may seem like a small gift, but it is very large considering who gave it, and that she freely chose to give it.

This reminds me of the simple gift of a child many years ago. Jesus used the five barley loaves & two little fish of a boy (John 6) to do the impossible. He multiplied the modest meal so that it fed 5,000 men & their families--perhaps a total of 20,000 or more people--and still, they gathered up 12 baskets full of bread fragments. We see a small measure of God’s abundant grace in how everyone had his fill, and still there was so much left over. Likewise, God is able to multiply small gifts, such as Elaina’s, to accomplish his purposes. Our hope is in the all-gracious, all-rich God! And we are delighted to receive such small gifts.



Mucho Traveling...

We were blessed this past week to be with Erin's brother & his wife. Their adoption of baby Sammy was finalized, "and there was much rejoicing"! Sammy is our kids' first cousin. We prayed for a long time that God would provide a child for them, and he graciously gave them Sammy. ("Samuel" means "asked of God"; see the story of Samuel the prophet in the Bible: 1Samuel 1.) They signed up to adopt, and before they had everything ready, they found out that Sammy would be born in a few weeks, and his mother wanted them to have him. God is so kind to grant this little boy. I really appreciated the adoption hearing. It was not conducted as a cold, formal legal matter, but in a very warm & joyful manner, fitting the occasion.

This past weekend, we also had the privilege to meet with pastors from two different churches. They were very interested in the ministry, and promised to bring it before their respective churches. So there may be the opportunity to present the ministry in Suriname to the churches in the future. Please pray that the Lord would grant this.

This is a very busy month for traveling, and we are trying to fill our schedule for the upcoming months, so we can stay busy, and get to Suriname by September. Please pray that the Lord would provide more opportunities for us to present & tell people about Suriname. Watch this blog for immediate prayer needs.

Immediate Prayer Needs: This weekend we are traveling to Alabama, presenting at one church, and meeting the pastors of another church. I will be preaching part of the time, also. Please pray that God would make us a blessing to the people, and encouragement in missions. Pray that God would lay it on the hearts of his people to partner with us for the glory of God, and the good of the people of Suriname. Coming back from Alabama, we will stop in the Memphis area for a special gathering to pray for revival. Please pray for our safe travel, also.

More to come...

Vision Trip Day 6

These believers were very friendly & hospitable.

This morning we talked with G.S. about our experiences during the week, and whether we want to come to Suriname. We were happy to say that we loved our time there, and felt that we didn't want to leave.

We had some time to go on a date. Our friends watched baby Lyla, while we went out to eat, and explored a little. We had been so busy getting the word out, and preparing for this trip, that we didn't get to celebrate Erin's birthday. We even had to drive about 11 hours on her birthday. So we celebrated her birthday in Suriname.

While we were out, a stranger asked us to get him something to drink. I gave him a bottled water, and asked him if he knew about Jesus--he spoke very good English. I told him a little, and directed him to our friends who could tell him more. He spoke about having some knowledge & experience in the truth but had gone astray. We pray that God will lead him to himself, and establish him in the truth, and make him a light to others.

We had some time to do a little last minute shopping downtown to get some things to show as we tell others about the ministry here.

A beautiful old building downtown.

An old church building downtown.

 We got to visit for a short time with these believers. They just came out from ministering in the bush. They've been serving in Suriname for many years, the couple in the middle for 40 years.

We visited Sister C. in her humble home. I visited her last year, and she really wanted Erin to come, too. Her whole house is about the size of one small bedroom in the U.S. It floods whenever there is a heavy rain, so she has to keep her fridge up on stilts, and everything off the floor. She is not merely content with her home, but loves it, and doesn't want to leave, though her children want her to come & live with them.

Yet, her humble abode could not contain the enormity of her hospitality. She did not let her poverty stand in the way of loving & serving strangers. She insisted on feeding us, and she had a wonderful meal prepared, including the most delicious eggplant curry.

We finished the day having dinner with the S's, the family with whom we'll be working most closely. We said our goodbyes, since we'd be leaving very early in the morning.

A pastor & his family.

Vision Trip Day 5

Our multicultural team visiting homes in the village.

This morning, I preached to a church of English speakers, the same church which I mentioned yesterday who are building a meeting place. The church has clearly grown since I was there last year. I preached from Luke 10, about the teacher of the Law who comes to test Jesus with a question, and tries to justify himself by his keeping of the Law, but Jesus responds with the story of the "Good Samaritan." The message was well received; pray that the Holy Spirit will bless it with fruit after I'm gone.

Later, we had sweet fellowship with the other believers, and split up into groups to visit homes in the village. We met some very poor families, such that it makes poor Americans look like kings. I've seen this kind of poverty before, but it is still shocking. We met some new English-speakers, who'd come here for work. We also had the opportunity to encourage a believer, whose husband has quit seeking, and whose sons have no interest. We had prayed a couple days earlier for a brother who is suffering from the shingles, and had only aspirin to help with the pain; today, by God's grace, he is feeling much better.

The ladies worked hard, cooking & serving food for c. 115 people.

In the evening, we had a gathering in connection with a birthday. (Not like in America, where the birthday boy or girl gets a bunch of presents, but where the family gives to the community through hospitality, and the community celebrates with the family.) The believers organized this as a ministry to get the Gospel out to their neighbors. The people would not come to a church building, but they will come to a home, to birthday parties, weddings, fellowships, etc. Such fellowships are common in their communities.

It is common at such gatherings to have music & stories & food. So the believers sang the Gospel, and proclaimed the Gospel, and welcomed the neighbors, and fed them. One of the ladires from the Missouri group gave her "testimony," and one of the men gave a message about Christ as the only Savior for all men. These were translated so that the people could understand.

One of the most encouraging things I noticed was that many believers from other churches came to support this outreach. There is a real love & fellowship here between believers of different ethnic groups & churches.

Pray that God will bless the labor of these dear brothers & sisters with the fruit of new worshipers of Jesus.

Vision Trip Day 4

A group from Missouri visiting on a short-term trip.

Late last night a group flew in from Missouri. The organization sends people annually. We got to meet them this morning at their orientation meeting. We were surprised to find that we have mutual friends with a few of them. We may see some of them in the future when we are living in Suriname.

One of the churches that our missionary friend G.S. helped plant is working on a building for their meeting place. Currently they meet in the garage of the pastor, which they open & expand each week for their Sunday gatherings; otherwise they meet in their homes.

They purchased this property themselves. Last year, when I was here, it had been mess from the previous owners. They've cleaned it all up, and built a fence. Now they're buying sand as they're able to raise level--to prevent flooding. They are working hard with shovel & wheelbarrow to move the sand. As they are able, they will build a foundation & the building.

In the afternoon, we went to a village to visit people in their homes, and talk with them about Jesus. The people were very friendly, and many open to talk with us.

We split into groups to visit people. Several believers from other ethnic groups helped.

This is where many of the local people worship.

That night, the group from Missouri led a Bible study on men's & women's roles in marriage. Through this, we were enabled to see the difference in culture because arranged marriages are typical here. We have to be careful how we interpret the Bible, so we do not see it through the lens of our modern American culture, and read into it things which are not really there. Nevertheless, we had a good discussion of the Word, and good fellowship before & after.

So many have not heard the Good News about Jesus Christ. Will you come with us to proclaim Jesus?

Vision Trip Day 3

Our humble upstairs apartment.

This morning we went to the supermarket, grocery store, department store, and downtown. There are no Wal-mart's! We got to see the miriad of fruits & vegetables, many of which we have no idea what their English names are.

They also love smoked fish.

We also went to an appliance store to see what the prices are like. In general, we can get what we need. Prices are higher than in the U.S. because they do have to import so much. Gasoline is about $5.55/gallon. Food is more expensive also. We will eat mostly local food because it is cheaper than trying to eat an American diet of imported foods.

Later, we went to a small village to visit our friends, and get to know them better. Lyla did so well; she loved being passed from person to person, and then wouldn't let go of R.M., when it was time to leave.

Vision Trip Day 2

Happy Birthday, Lyla!

 

After getting some extra rest, G.S., the World Team missionary with whom we'll be working most closely, came and told us more about the field of Suriname, and the particular needs here.

Here are some of the specific needs here:
1. One or two families to work in the same ministry with us.
2. One family to train church leaders in another people group who are sending out their own missionaries.
3. People who will come short-term to help train & develop the church leaders.
4. We need a photographer/videographer to come & make a DVD for making the needs of Suriname known.
5. One or two people to do some accounting work, transferring data from paper to computer.
6. Two or three families to work among a people who have no churches, no Bible studies, and no evangelists among them.
7. One or two families to work among a people group who are responding well to the Gospel, but the need for evangelists is still great.
There is more, but this gives you an idea of the need for laborers. Pray that God will send them. Then come yourself.

Later we went to the missionary's home to have lunch with his family. His wife had made a wonderful meal of curry chicken, "dal roti," an Indian-origin favorite of people here, and pumpkin, which is also very common.

Erin enjoying some cake with the ladies.

Later, that night we had dinner with the same family, and the leaders of the two churches they helped plant. They also had a surprise birthday party, complete with hats, cake & a candle, for Lyla who turns 1 tomorrow. Birthdays are very special to the people here. They make an excellent means of evangelism, too. Many people will not come to a church building, but they will gladly come to a birthday party, and invite us to theirs.

Since English is their native tongue, I was able to encourage them in the Word. We read together the book of Titus, and I spoke about the importance of focusing on the Gospel (3.3-8). The Good News of God love & grace to us, especially through Christ, motivates us to every good, i.e., "beautiful work," not just doing the right thing, but doing what is good, loving, & attractive. Then, by the Good News we speak, and the "beautiful works" we do, we will glorify God, and draw men to Christ.

It is such a privilege to be here, and be able to serve God's people. But we could do this without the prayers & support of you at home who are helping us. Please continue praying. Thank you!

Vision Trip Day 1

Michael & Erin in Trinidad

Day 1
It was a long day. We got up at 3:30 AM, after getting to bed around 10:00 the night before, got to the airport, and flew to Miami at 7:00. After a short layover, we flew to Trinidad, a small island off Venezuela. They made everyone go through imigration & customs, even if, like us, they were getting a connecting flight. So we decided to go outside the airport, and enjoy the day, while we waited.

Lyla, world traveler by age 1

Lyla guarded our bags while we walked around. No, just kidding! It was a beautiful day in Trinidad: sunny, low to mid 80's, a nice breeze, and surrounded by beautiful flowers & palm trees.

We were hungry from only snacking all day, so we went to the local food court, and had "doubles," a Trinidadian favorite originating from the Indian immigrants. They were quite delicious. To wash it down, we had a pear-flavored soda pop. After a nice evening together we took our final flight to Suriname.

God helped us out tremendously with the baby. She didn't sleep much during the whole 20 hours of traveling, but she hardly fussed at all the whole trip. She didn't seem to mind the take-offs and landings. She was happy & playful. That made the trip so much easier. Also, we had very few difficulties with immigration & customs & finding our way from place to place.

Bro. Peter picked us up at the airport, and after a 45 min. drive we finally got to our apartment & to bed about 1:30 AM.

Thank you so much for your prayers.

Vision Trip

We are so excited to go on our "vision trip." We will be in South America for 7 days. This trip is an opportunity to see the country & people, get a feel for what it would be like to live there, meet the ministry leaders there, and confirm God's call for us to serve there.

This is my wife's first trip outside of the U.S. So she is both excited & a little nervous. We are leaving our 3 older children with some close friends for the week. They will have a great time playing with the other children. We are taking our youngest, turning one-year during our trip, with us. We would love to take all of the children, so they could see what it is like; however, the cost is prohibitive, and having them along  they would make it difficult to get a good look at the place & people. Nevertheless, it will be difficult leaving them for such a long time.

Please pray for us that God will lead us, confirm this ministry as the right one for us, and use us as a blessing to the people there. Pray also for G.S. & his family, the ones with whom we will be working most closely, that we could develop a strong relationship, and that God would bless their ministry--they've been there many years already.

Our Journey in Preparing for Missions

In 2001, I went to Asia with a friend. There I witnessed personally to people of various religions through a translator. I saw & felt, first-hand, the desperate need for Christ in the world!

I was changed forever by that trip. I asked Erin to marry me with the understanding that we might end up anywhere in the world. She was willing both to marry me, and to go.

We married in 2004; our first son was born (2005); I graduated from seminary; and I began to serve as a pastor in Minnesota--all within about a year. There God richly blessed us with children: our two “souvenirs” a boy (2006) & a girl (2008). However, the whole time we could not get away from the desire to serve where Christ is not known. We even ministered cross-culturally to Native Americans on the nearby reservation, which only deepened that desire.

In 2007, we applied to serve with World Team, and went through a rigorous evaluation. These brothers & sisters gave us practical feedback about our Christian walk. They gave us some areas to grow in, and invited us back after a couple of years. This was hard news, but we took it as from God, and returned in 2010. This time, they accepted us--we were elated!

Since then, we have been serving in our church. And we have been discipled by the leaders of two churches, Bible Baptist Church in St. Louis, MO, and now Rockport Baptist Church in Arnold, MO. I visited South America in 2010, and shortly thereafter our younger daughter was born.

This whole journey to a foreign field has been a blessing from God. A blessing to our marriage; to our spiritual growth; and to our family. Praise him!

Thank you for praying for us. Please continue, as we gather partners to work with us & help us, and make our final preparations to go in September of 2012.

Another False Prophet

May 21st, 2011 has come & gone; but the Judgment didn't come!

Jesus warned: “Many false prophets will arise and lead many astray....False christs & false prophets will arise and perform great signs & wonders.” (Matthew 24.11,24) Those who followed Him warned of the same thing (2Peter 2.1; 1John 4.1). We should not be surprised that there are so many who claim to speak for God, or know the future.

Notice, Jesus said that these false prophets will “lead many astray.” So we should also not be surprised that many people follow the false prophets. And it is not that those who are led astray are ignorant or foolish people. Sometimes the most brilliant & learned are deceived with the rest.

There have been false prophets from the beginning. The first false prophet was Satan, who deceived Eve, and led our first parents in rebellion against God. Since then, the world has been full of false prophets. Because of their abundance, some cynically proclaim that there are no genuine prophets of God, no one to speak the truth from God, or tell us about God, or how we can know this God who made us & all things.

This is perhaps the greatest tragedy of the whole matter, that, because of being burned by the false prophets, men do not listen to the genuine prophets sent by God, and therefore miss God. Though there be so much counterfeit money, this doesn’t diminish the reality or buying power of genuine currency. Likewise, though there be so many false prophets, yet God has truly spoken & given us the Bible.

Our ever-present need is for discernment, so that we can avoid the deceit of the false prophets, and heed the voice of the genuine prophets. The prevalence of counterfeit bills increases the need for careful examination to discern the genuine; it doesn't mean we should throw away all our cash.

For example, the false prophet pictured above, Harold Camping, predicted that on May 21st, 2011 at 6:00 P.M. God’s people would be taken out of this world to heaven, and the rest of humanity would be left under the judgment of God with earthquakes & mass destruction until October 21st, when the earth would finally be destroyed. Mr. Camping claimed to get his teaching from the Bible. He claimed to speak the truth of God, and launched a worldwide campaign to warn people of God’s Judgment Day. He was obviously wrong!

Does that mean, therefore, that God does not exist or that He won’t judge us? Absolutely not. Yes, the God who made us all is holy & hates evil; sin is a personal affront to Him. God will judge our every thought, word & deed. Mr. Camping’s false prophecies do not diminish the fact that God will hold us accountable for how we live this life (2Corinthians 5.10).

Don’t be deceived, “God has fixed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed...” (Acts 17.30,31) That Man that God appointed to judge us all is Jesus. Jesus alone is worthy to judge us; he alone is perfectly just to judge us justly; he alone has been appointed by His Father to judge us all. And the Father would confirm & assure us of Jesus’ authority to judge us, so He raised Jesus from the dead: “...of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” (v. 31) There is now a resurrected Man, Jesus, who rules from heaven, and will at God’s appointed time return & judge all men. Not only will he judge all who are alive when he returns, but also he will raise all who have died from their graves, and then judge them in their resurrected bodies (John 5.26-29). Death is no escape from God's justice. Don’t ignore the genuine truth of God because of a counterfeit.

However, God does not delight in judgement; he delights in mercy (Ezekiel 33.10,11; Psalm 103.8-13; Malachi 7.18-20). That is why He sent His Son to become the Man Jesus to reconcile us to Himself. It is amazing but true, that the Creator, who cannot stand the sight of evil, desires to be reconciled to us his rebellious children. “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5.8) “In Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their sins against them.” (2Corinthians 5.19)

And the Son of God willingly became a man in order to take our guilt & reproach & punishment upon Himself. “[Christ] has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Hebrews 9.26) He put away our sins which stood between us & God. In love, Jesus, who sinned not once, became the sinner before God, so that we the wicked might be made the righteous ones in Him (2Corinthians 5.21).

What grace! God does not leave us to go our own way unto destruction, but rescues us from what we deserve. God, the offended party, does not wait for us, the offenders, to come to Him; rather, He comes down to us in our pollution, and cleanses us, adopts us, and brings us home to Himself. This is the Creator, and we may freely be His adopted sons, but only through the one Mediator He has appointed--Jesus Christ (John 14.6; 1Timothy 2.5).

Don’t fear the changing predictions of false prophets like Harold Camping. Rather, fear the Holy God who will hold us all accountable, even after death. And fear this resurrected Jesus, who may return at any time; then He will judge each of us. But now there is a door of mercy opened through this same Jesus; trust in Him & He will bring you safely to God!

Bates Creek Postponed

In the providence of God, the youth retreat has been postponed until the Fall or Winter. Last year, the weekend of Easter worked well, but this year the churches involved are overextended. Nevertheless, they still want me to speak when they have it later in the year. To God be the glory!

Youth Retreat at Bates Creek

The Lord has provided a tremendous opportunity for me to preach to young people at a weekend retreat this month (April 21-23). They are expecting 40-80 young people between the ages of 12 & 18, plus counselors & adults.

The theme of the retreat is the persecuted church throughout the world. They will be looking at some materials from Voice of the Martyrs, having Bible studies, as well as, some recreational activities.

I will be preaching 5 times on the following subjects, focusing on the importance of the Gospel & missions:

1. How Good Is the "Good News"? (Romans 5.20)

Reaffirming the greatness of God's grace with its freedom & joy, which contrasts the bondage & sorrow in the world--truly a message worth proclaiming, that answers the longings of human hearts everywhere, and that will win the hearts of men from every culture.

2. The Big Picture: What on Earth Is God Doing? (1John 3.8 & others)

The work of God thru the ages, beginning with creation, and culminating in eternity, focused on Christ, and blessing every people, gives us vision & purpose for our lives, and affirms the importance of here & now in God's grand scheme.

3. The Seduction of Our Culture & the Power of Love (Matthew 13.22 & 2Corinthians 5.14,15)

Beware the deceit & power of our culture to draw our hearts away from our "reason for being" as believers, but the expulsive power of Christ's love for us casts out our love for lesser things, and focuses us on God's mission.

4. What Good Is This Body? (Philippians 1.20-26)

The great joy & purpose of our life now is to serve Christ & magnify him in our bodies, which we may do either by using our bodies for him, or by laying aside our bodies for him, both of which uses make known his surpassing worth.

5. What Does a Missionary Really Look Like? (Acts 11.19-22)

We are all called to play a part in God's mission, using whatever skills, knowledge, abilities & gifts God has given us to make him known among all peoples; the question is not whether God is involved in our lives & plans, but whether we are involved in God's life & plan, in his grand drama of the ages.

Please pray for this endeavor, that God would work in the lives of these young people for his glory, raising them up to be bright lights in their generation, not living for the "American dream," but to show forth the wonder & greatness of God's character & works--and doing so regardless of the consequences.

"Remember the prisoners as if chained with them--those who are mistreated--since you yourselves are in the body also."--Hebrews 13.3