August 6, 2014

Photos this week are of one of the things that
keeps me (Bert) going when the news I share
is discouraging - the kids of Africa!

This was another day when I was unsure what to share in the week’s update.  But as the morning progressed, God made His plans very clear through two groups of verses found in His Word and through words/ phrases (which some might think came directly from God’s Word) appearing in two stories shared in the last few days by Commission Stories/ Africa Stories.

TWO verses:

Ø  Read during my morning devotions:  “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.  Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 82:3, 4 NIV)

Ø  Scriptures ‘researched’ while preparing today’s Nudge to Action for Sub-Saharan African: “‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you… sick… and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:37-40 NIV)

Comments spotted in TWO recent Commission Stories/ Africa Stories with words which reminded me of God’s Word:.

Ø  Reminder of Colossians 4:3:  “Pray for doors to open in good time.” (Baptist entities race to meet critical needs of those affected by famine in South Sudan)

Ø  Reminder of Matthew 5:16: “This invisible enemy must be stopped and there is only One who is able to stop it – the Prince of Peace, Jehovah Rapha. Please speak to Him… on behalf of all of us who are wondering what to do, how to help and how best to be His light in this dark world.” (IMB personnel are safe in Ebola-stricken West Africa; one Christian worker there tells her story)

Thus, today’s update is a plea for prayer for the two urgent needs shared in the above articles which in all honesty, you might prefer skipping as both share current stories of people who are weak, poor, oppressed and needy, as well as people who are hungry, thirsty and sick.  Yet the people affected by these situations are in desperate need of “Believers with compassionate hearts committed to touching the lives of others as Christ’s ambassadors.”  (Italicized bit used in today’s Nudge to Action for SSAPeoples to nudge supporters to read the story from South Sudan; the story from West Africa, the full story shared last week as a Nudge to Action, will be shared tomorrow.)

I ask that you also pray specifically for your missionaries as they strive find the balance between sharing the Gospel and our Father’s Good News with meeting the needs of the hurting people they encounter and making certain that those hurting not be dependent on man, but on God.  Claim Psalm 86 (more of God’s Word read this morning during my devotions) for these workers. 

Ø  Pray that God will guard their lives and have mercy on them. 

Ø  Pray also that they will be very aware of God’s abounding love, mercy and faithfulness as they extend His love, mercy and faithfulness to those who are hurting.

Ø  Pray that they will not be overwhelmed by all the needs they encounter, but find joy as they serve as Christ’s ambassadors.  

Ø  Pray that they will remember that even in these difficult times their actions are leading to the day when “all the nations… will come and worship” before Him.  Pray also that they will be very aware that God is granting His strength as they serve among the peoples of South Sudan, West Africa and other places in Africa and in our world . 

I cannot close without thanking you for the strengthening and encouragement provided to us and our coworkers (international missionaries and local Believers) as we know that you are praying and seeking God’s guidance for joining in His work in our part of the world.  BERT

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Baptist entities race to meet critical needs of those affected by famine in South Sudan –  http://www.commissionstories.com/africa/stories/view/baptist-entities-race-to-meet-critical-needs-of-those-affected-by-famine-in

IMB personnel are safe in Ebola-stricken West Africa; one Christian worker there tells her story – http://www.commissionstories.com/africa/stories/view/imb-personnel-are-safe-in-ebola-stricken-west-africa-one-christian-worker-t

To view daily Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples, visit   https://www.facebook.com/SubSaharanAfricanPeoples.