G-d is good and works in mysterious ways. Whenever there is a need in the "Church" (I say this meaning the broader body of believers = church), G-d always hears the prayers of His people and finds ways and means to fill that need. Like the Macedonian Call the Apostle Paul received through a night-vision.
Paul had been travelling through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, where they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the Word, the Gospel in Asia and again they had come into Mysia and tried to go into Bithynia, "...but the Spirit did not permit them.". The Spirit of G-d knew of someone in Macedonia who needed Paul's message of salvation through Jesus the Christ. So during the night, G-d spoke to the Apostle Paul through this vision of the night. Paul saw a man of Macedonia. "A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying: "Come over to Macedonia and help us." " (Acts 16:6 - 10)
Paul immediate concluded that the Lord had called them to preach the Gospel in Macedonia and sought to go there quickly. They sailed to Troas immediately.concluding that the Lord wanted them to preach in Macedonia. they then went to Phillipi and on their first Sabbath, Paul and his group met at the river where a group of people had gathered together for prayer. Paul spoke to the women and a seller of purple goods named Lydia, accepted the Word of G-d and she and her house were baptized.
There going to Macedonia bore fruit. A work was started and G-d was moving in power. The rest of the chapter is wonderful reading and lends itself to many different thoughts and sermons. I however, would like to focus our attention to the things that led the Apostle Paul and his entourage to Phillipi. The way that that the Holy Spirit leads and guides His servants in the will of G-d. Having an open ear is what counts. Being in tune with G-d to discern his voice and leading is what walking in a close relationship with G-d, brings forth. Spending much time in prayer and fasting, learning to discern G-d's voice and understanding His leading.
During the past few weeks, I have had a certain uncertainty about the direction that G-d was leading us into. I had pastored a church in Louis Trichardt (now called Makhado), in the Limpopo Province some years ago. This was a mainly Black congregation with only a few White families as members. It was a very spirited congregation. The congregants united in the projects I proposed, raising funds for a Building Fund, for the purchase of land and to build our own Church building. These people worked together at all our street sales and what touched my heart more than once was their willingness to partake in the church program. During the year of 1993, we united with other congregations in our town in an effort to reach our city with Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke's plan of "Every Home For Christ". "The Jonah Project" was initiated and we as Fraternity in Louis Trichardt's churches, decided to implement the program to win "EVERY HOME FOR CHRIST".
The congregants of the church I pastored were so enthusiastic, that at every meeting and every door-to-door outreach, our people filled almost one half of the pews while the rest of the churches in Louis Trichardt would hardly fill two rows. This spoke of dedication and commitment. Commitment not to me as their pastor, but to the call of the Gospel - "Go ye..."
After moving on to plant other churches, operating in the office of an Evangelist for most of my ministry, I never thought that I would travel through Africa, preaching the gospel. I always had this dream of preaching in the Southern States of the USA. I must admit that every time I saw photo's of the masses, responding to the Gospel invitation, I would be moved by my emotions of the plight of the lost. The look of hopelessness in their eyes before they find the peace that Jesus gives.
I started receiving requests from pastor who wanted to join me on Facebook. It was there that a certain pastor asked me to come to Kenya and hold seminars for 200 pastors and open air meetings thereafter. I "cut and paste" a portion of the e-mail I received in my inbox today, February 5, 2012:
I have also since we first started discussing this event, been approached to visit Nigeria. Then came an invitation to Ghana and even to visit Pakistan. I need you to pray with me for the leading of the Holy Spirit for the dates, the things that G-d wants to achieve and for the finances for these outreaches. The church in Pakistan will support only 20% of the total costs of the outreach. The African churches are able to pay for taxi fares and accommodation but not the other costs These I will have to bear for my account.
I know that G-d will make a way. I also know that He works according to our faith and that all the cattle on a thousand hills belong to Him. Also All the silver and all the Gold belong to G-d. He is able to meet the need (not our greed). I can honestly say that I am not in the Gospel for the money. This is my love-offering but the word has very clear teachings about stewardship and finances in the Gospel for those who work in the Gospel are to live from the Gospel. My prayers are that G-d will open the floodgates of heaven, pouring out His favour upon the nations who are willing to accept His Son, Jesus the Christ as their Saviour and to see the Gospel message confirmed with miracles, signs and portents. May G-d usher in a new move, a fresh revival before the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Your prayers and mine, mingled with faith and tears, can assist the churches in every region, to reach out to the masses so that we can "Plunder Hell And Populate Heaven" (Quote - Pastor and Evangelist Reinhardt Bonnke).
How can you help?
a) By telling as many intercessors and prayer warriors about this proposed visit to Kenya, then to Nigeria, Ghana and Pakistan;
b) Praying together with and for me that the Lord provide leading and wisdom through His Blessed Holy Spirit;
c) For Donors, Sponsors and Partners who will support this ministry financially to enable us to fulfill the Macedonian call and the Will of G-d.
If you are willing to partner with us, won't you join the following, subscribe for our newsletter in the Subscription box on the top left and also donate through the PayPal button or E-Mail me forMy Bank Details Here
Paul had been travelling through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, where they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the Word, the Gospel in Asia and again they had come into Mysia and tried to go into Bithynia, "...but the Spirit did not permit them.". The Spirit of G-d knew of someone in Macedonia who needed Paul's message of salvation through Jesus the Christ. So during the night, G-d spoke to the Apostle Paul through this vision of the night. Paul saw a man of Macedonia. "A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying: "Come over to Macedonia and help us." " (Acts 16:6 - 10)
Paul immediate concluded that the Lord had called them to preach the Gospel in Macedonia and sought to go there quickly. They sailed to Troas immediately.concluding that the Lord wanted them to preach in Macedonia. they then went to Phillipi and on their first Sabbath, Paul and his group met at the river where a group of people had gathered together for prayer. Paul spoke to the women and a seller of purple goods named Lydia, accepted the Word of G-d and she and her house were baptized.
There going to Macedonia bore fruit. A work was started and G-d was moving in power. The rest of the chapter is wonderful reading and lends itself to many different thoughts and sermons. I however, would like to focus our attention to the things that led the Apostle Paul and his entourage to Phillipi. The way that that the Holy Spirit leads and guides His servants in the will of G-d. Having an open ear is what counts. Being in tune with G-d to discern his voice and leading is what walking in a close relationship with G-d, brings forth. Spending much time in prayer and fasting, learning to discern G-d's voice and understanding His leading.
During the past few weeks, I have had a certain uncertainty about the direction that G-d was leading us into. I had pastored a church in Louis Trichardt (now called Makhado), in the Limpopo Province some years ago. This was a mainly Black congregation with only a few White families as members. It was a very spirited congregation. The congregants united in the projects I proposed, raising funds for a Building Fund, for the purchase of land and to build our own Church building. These people worked together at all our street sales and what touched my heart more than once was their willingness to partake in the church program. During the year of 1993, we united with other congregations in our town in an effort to reach our city with Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke's plan of "Every Home For Christ". "The Jonah Project" was initiated and we as Fraternity in Louis Trichardt's churches, decided to implement the program to win "EVERY HOME FOR CHRIST".
The congregants of the church I pastored were so enthusiastic, that at every meeting and every door-to-door outreach, our people filled almost one half of the pews while the rest of the churches in Louis Trichardt would hardly fill two rows. This spoke of dedication and commitment. Commitment not to me as their pastor, but to the call of the Gospel - "Go ye..."
After moving on to plant other churches, operating in the office of an Evangelist for most of my ministry, I never thought that I would travel through Africa, preaching the gospel. I always had this dream of preaching in the Southern States of the USA. I must admit that every time I saw photo's of the masses, responding to the Gospel invitation, I would be moved by my emotions of the plight of the lost. The look of hopelessness in their eyes before they find the peace that Jesus gives.
I started receiving requests from pastor who wanted to join me on Facebook. It was there that a certain pastor asked me to come to Kenya and hold seminars for 200 pastors and open air meetings thereafter. I "cut and paste" a portion of the e-mail I received in my inbox today, February 5, 2012:
The dates of the meetings are 19th to 22nd,April 2012.
The seminars will be from 9am to 1pm then open air meetings will be as from 3pm onwards, this will be for 4 days.
Our churches have got intercessors that will be able to pray for the meetings.Do you want to send some before the meetings? You can give us advice in any area you feel that needs changes,please you are allowed.
The cost of this meetings is 4000 USD, this is an everage meeting, but if we want to have a big meeting that we can advivertise on the radio and on the Television can cost 20000 USD.(Twenty thousand dollars)
The Hotel for your accomodation, there are some which are too cheap that costs 2000 kenya shillings per day, and at the Beach hotels it costs 9000 per day.
I have also since we first started discussing this event, been approached to visit Nigeria. Then came an invitation to Ghana and even to visit Pakistan. I need you to pray with me for the leading of the Holy Spirit for the dates, the things that G-d wants to achieve and for the finances for these outreaches. The church in Pakistan will support only 20% of the total costs of the outreach. The African churches are able to pay for taxi fares and accommodation but not the other costs These I will have to bear for my account.
I know that G-d will make a way. I also know that He works according to our faith and that all the cattle on a thousand hills belong to Him. Also All the silver and all the Gold belong to G-d. He is able to meet the need (not our greed). I can honestly say that I am not in the Gospel for the money. This is my love-offering but the word has very clear teachings about stewardship and finances in the Gospel for those who work in the Gospel are to live from the Gospel. My prayers are that G-d will open the floodgates of heaven, pouring out His favour upon the nations who are willing to accept His Son, Jesus the Christ as their Saviour and to see the Gospel message confirmed with miracles, signs and portents. May G-d usher in a new move, a fresh revival before the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Your prayers and mine, mingled with faith and tears, can assist the churches in every region, to reach out to the masses so that we can "Plunder Hell And Populate Heaven" (Quote - Pastor and Evangelist Reinhardt Bonnke).
How can you help?
a) By telling as many intercessors and prayer warriors about this proposed visit to Kenya, then to Nigeria, Ghana and Pakistan;
b) Praying together with and for me that the Lord provide leading and wisdom through His Blessed Holy Spirit;
c) For Donors, Sponsors and Partners who will support this ministry financially to enable us to fulfill the Macedonian call and the Will of G-d.
If you are willing to partner with us, won't you join the following, subscribe for our newsletter in the Subscription box on the top left and also donate through the PayPal button or E-Mail me for
Thanks
Rodney
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