Greetings to all our brothers and sisters who are serving our Lord through Back to Jerusalem! We are rejoicingover your faithful service, support and prayer in obedience to the Great Commission.
Our objectives in this newsletter may be summed up in three words: Inform. Inspire. Involve.
We always desire to inform you as to what Father is doing through the BTJ family on the mission field. Wehope to inspire you in such a way that you will joyfully continue to be involved as we pray for Holy Spirit’sanointing on the articles contained in this issue.
For the remainder of this letter may we think about what inspires us to action. Since the “joy of the Lord is ourstrength” let us consider David’s words in Psalm 16:11, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore..” (ESV)
We are living in some very challenging times, as sometimes it seems as if the world is going crazy and the works of darkness has captured the minds of so many. In many parts of the world there is increased persecution of believers, but we are to live in such a way as to bring glory to our Lord. The Apostle Peter reflects this in 1 Peter 1:8, “Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that isinexpressible and filled with glory.”
Joy is to be the demonstration of all who are experiencing “fullness of joy from His presence”. The authorof Heb. 12:2 shows this characteristic was demonstrated by Christ, “…looking to Jesus, the founder andperfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.”
There is an American minister, Dr. John Piper, who has a quote I am still processing: “God is mostglorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”
Thus, to process the implications of this statement we will discover that JOY is a primary demonstration of this reality. So we live the Christian experience, not out of duty (which is impossible to do!), but out of love as Paul expressed in 2 Cor: 5:14, “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all…”Saints, be encouraged, Father is on the move! Shalom!
Excellent author Will! I 100% agree with you that it is His joy that is so remarkable and undeniable and awe inspiring. I’ve been meditating on these verses and was surprised to read your words as if you read my mind ! ( I know it’s the mind of Christ and our Teacher teaching!)Thank you for expressing it so well.
The article was actually written by Pastor Al, I just posted it online!