NTM - New Tribes Mission | Planting Tribal Churches

<img class=”alignleft size-medium wp-image-104″ style=”margin-right: 10px;margin-bottom: 5px” src=”http://blogs.ntm.org/adam-demark/files/2009/01/463_50847.jpg” alt=”Mike and Jenny Sullivan
NTBI Jackson” width=”90″ />

This has been a tumultuous year. Hatred, violence, and terrorism took its toll. Wikipedia lists 27 current world conflicts in which 1000+ lives were lost in each struggle during the past year.   The History Guy lists 40+ present conflicts. Other major news included the financial collapse of Wall Street, the housing crisis, and the economic bailouts of banks, mortgage, insurance, and auto companies. (At what total price and to what success is unknown.) We are a nation infatuated with the idea that big brother can bail us out of all our difficulties and that his resources are unlimited. The moral, political, and judicial arenas have an appearance of continual decline. A subtle philosophy promoted by Madison Avenue, which even Christians buy into, is that life revolves around us and should be stress, pain, and problem free. We believe the world and God owe us a comfortable existence. This warped view spills over into how we view and respond to trials. When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. A fallen world will never have solutions to the real needs of men, nor can it alter the consequences of being fallen. Life is beyond perfection until Christ returns. As we reflect on the problems of the world, we are often filled with pessimism and defeat rather than hope and joy. Though the New Testament never alludes to a rosy life on earth for the church, it never excuses a negative life. As long as our focus is on circumstances we will bounce up and down like a yoyo, manipulated by forces outside our control. The Bible commands us to give thanks in all things, to rejoice always, to be looking to the Author and perfecter of our faith (1 Thess. 5:18, Phil 4:4, Heb. 12:2).

As we begin another year that on the surface appears bleak, I thought I would share thoughts from the life of Enoch who lived at the time of Noah in a world filled with moral decay and darkness. There are three major passages on Enoch in addition to two genealogical listings in Chronicles and Luke (Genesis 5:18-24, Hebrews 11:5,6, Jude 1:14,15). Enoch is listed in the faith role call of Hebrews 11. Here are five thoughts gleaned from these passages.

1. He walked with God. (Genesis 5:22)
It is a simple statement of profound depth. It is the single most declarative statement of the riches of faith, the recognition that we can walk with God in the midst of this world. God does not exempt believers from the sorrows of the world but He promises to walk with us through them.

2. He looked for God. (Jude 1:14,15)
He looked for the Lord’s return and saw the rewards of eternity as sufficient motivation for the day. His focus was not on the circumstances that surrounded him but on the Lord with whom he fellowshipped. This is not to say we shouldn’t have earthly goals or to care about the physical needs of others. It does mean we find our sufficiency in Christ and not empty promises of men. He did not believe it was the world’s responsibility to solve his problems.

3. He believed God. (Hebrews 11:5,6)
He walked by faith in the midst of an ungodly world. His life is summarized in his relationship with God and his confidence in God’s word. The Lord and His promises
were the focus and purpose of his existence. By the definition of faith (Heb. 11:6), he called upon the one He believed in. How often do we call upon the Lord in faith,
believing that He is there and hears our petitions? How often do we make decisions based solely on the fact that God’s word says this is the right path to take?

4. He spoke for God. (Jude 1:14-15)
He is the first recorded prophet of God and spoke boldly. Because details are scant, it’s hard to be dogmatic, but he no doubt felt the pressures and isolationism of being shunned by the culture around him. He, by nature of being human, had fears, but his confidence in God and His word gave him courage to speak to the world before him.

5. He hoped in God. (Heb. 11:5, Jude 1:14-15)
He trusted that the future was in the hands of God and that he would receive all that God promised. Hope was a foundation upon which he could withstand the darkness of the present, and the trials of being rejected by the people around him. Hope separates Christianity from the world. We move through trials we face because of our hope in God. The promises of God encourage us that all things work together for good and the trials we face have meaning and purpose in fashioning us like His glorious Son (2 Cor. 4:14-16; 12:9, 10; Phil 2:13-16).

In a nutshell, Enoch took God at His word, walking by faith in a right relationship with the Lord. He was not unaffected by the circumstances around him, but he was not moved by them. His focus was on the greatness of God. Faith is living in the light of the future, rather than the darkness of the present. Faith is resting on the promises of God rather than the vanity of the world. Solomon said it well, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” (Ecc. 1:2). When our attachments to people and things are greater than our attachment to God, life will become disappointing and lead to despair. God gives family, friends, careers, and things to enjoy, but not to become idols placed above our worship of Him. God must have preeminence as we live for the glory of God.
John Newton, author of the great hymn, Amazing Grace, lived to be eighty-two years old and continued to preach and have an active ministry until beset by fading health in the last two or three years of his life. Even then, Newton never ceased to be amazed by God’s grace and told his friends, "My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things: That I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior." Many of you faced difficult challenges this past year and continue to do so as you enter the New Year. My prayer for you and for me is that we will find as never before the sufficiency and joy of a Christ centered life despite whatever obstacles we face. Life can be overwhelming and fearful but 1 John 4:18 tells us that perfect love casts out all fear. Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians (3:16-19) is for us to be rooted and grounded in that love. As we enter 2009, let’s be looking up to the throne of grace, where Christ who is our life is seated at the right hand of the Father. (Heb. 4:14-16; Col. 3:1-4)

1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ongoing_conflicts
2 www.historyguy.com
3 http://www.reformedreader.org/rbb/newton/neindex.ht

I was reflecting on 2008 and was reading this morning some thoughts related to my devotion to Christ that were quite convicting.   My service for Christ is a huge part of God’s purpose for me; however, I’m learning that it is not the most important part of living for Christ. My devotion to Christ is the most important.   "While Christ desires and recognizes service, He far more desires and values love and devotion to Himself."   My devotion to Christ should be pre-eminent in my life as a  believer because devotion to Christ stems from my position in Christ, a position that is only possible because of the work of Jesus Christ.   I’ve discovered that any natural man can serve because I have done so in my own strength.   I’ve also discovered though, that only a spiritual man can be devoted to Christ.   The difference is my daily relationship with Jesus Christ.

This concept is enforced by these three scriptural examples:   Mary, Peter, and the church of Ephesus.   

Reading Luke 10:38-42, I am  reminded that Christ wants my devotion before my service.    Both sisters were very interested in Jesus, but these sisters had very different attitudes.   Martha was consumed with serving Jesus.   Mary was consumed with Jesus.  All that Martha did was for Jesus.   Nothing distracted her from serving Christ.   In fact Luke says that she "was cumbered about much serving…"    "Mary desired to receive spiritual things from Him.   Martha was so busy in her task of serving Him with temporal things that she had no time to receive the spiritual things He had come to offer her."    Jesus answered Martha’s impatience by reminding me that devotion to Christ is more important than service with temporal things.

Peter  probably had been living in regret and defeat ever since he denied the Lord.    Jesus Christ, in an example of ultimate grace, met Peter on the shores of the sea of Galilee and emphasized that devotion to Himself is supreme (John 21:15-17).  Peter  probably wondered if he could ever serve Him again.   Three times Christ asked Peter if he loved Him.   Three times Peter replied that he did.   Christ’s response of "feed my sheep" confirms that devotion to Himself is of prime importance.    Love Me first, then serve.

John, in his letters to the churches of Asia Minor, praised the church of Ephesus for its service, works, labor, patience, perserverance, and uncompromising stand for the truth (Rev. 2:1-7).   However, he rebuked them soundly because "you have left your first love."   In the midst of great commendation, they are reminded to turn their hearts back  to devotion to Christ.   This should be the priority – to love Christ and be devoted to Him.

As I reflect on these examples, what does this mean for me today?   With 2009 just around the corner, what are my goals for this coming year?   In a recent search, I found these top 10 New Year’s resolutions:   lose weight, manage debt, save money, get a better job, get fit, eat right, get a better education, drink less alcohol, quit smoking now, and reduce stress overall.  This Top 10 List, I’m afraid, is much like my life.    Consumed with good things, but missing the most important thing.  I have found myself serving Christ faithfully yet missing the vitality at times that comes only from a devoted relationship with Him.   What am I going to do with Jesus Christ in 2009?   Will I be like Martha?    Peter?   Ephesus?   Or will I resolve by God’s grace to make devotion to Christ my #1 goal this year?   It’s so easy to get caught up serving Christ that  I forget Christ!   This is my prayer this coming year:  "And this I pray that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God…that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death," (Phil. 1:9-11, 3:10).

"It is clear that the Lord Jesus Christ desires and values the love of those who are His far more than any service they can possibly render Him. His love craves a response of love and adoration. ‘We love Him, because He first loved us.’ (1 John 4:19)."

All quotes taken from Disciplined by Grace by J.F. Strombeck. 

Monday, September 1st was sunny, warm and a perfect day for our family to drive down to the Milwaukee lakefront and enjoy the day. Adam, Braden and Carter rollerbladed and McKenna and I decided to ride our bikes.
After about ½ hour of rolling and riding we were hot and ready for the lake. It was a bit windy that day which kicked up some big waves for the kids to jump and dive into! McKenna and I found a big rock about 10 feet off shore to sit on and watch the jet skis, people swimming, etc.
A little girl, Shonda, around 4 years old, wandered out to where we were sitting in waste deep water and started chatting and wanted to play with McKenna and her sand toys. As we talked a wave had come in and as it was going back out, unfortunately had some undertow with it. As it started to pull Shonda under and away from us, I called out to her mom standing on shore. When I turned back Shonda was about 5 feet farther away and I could only see the top of her head. I yelled at McKenna to stay put and not move off the rock and jumped in. Her mom had jumped in and got there seconds later to her crying child. I was shaking so bad I had to wait awhile before McKenna and I could climb down off the rocks.

I would like to share another story.

Asaya was a 9 year old boy that lived in Papua New Guinea. The same tribe we had the privilege to visit this past November. He was very sick and died. “While it was a very emotional time, it was also an amazing thing to witness the hope that these people now have of eternal life after death. This little boy was a believer in Jesus. His mother, Justina, was one of the women that clearly understood the Gospel the very day that we finished the Bible teaching back in April. She sat with tears running down her face and talked with Andrea afterwards about her understanding and belief in her Getting-Back-Man, the Redeemer Jesus. She was a faithful mother to tell her youngest son, Asaya, about God and His ways every chance she got. “
“Death is so real, so tangible here. Everything is out in the open. Nothing is covered up or made to look pretty. As we sat crying over him, some young boys came in with a vine rope to measure him for a coffin. Pretty soon afterwards we could hear the cutting and pounding of an axe, right outside the door of the house, as they cut a canoe down to size to make a coffin. Soon afterwards, they carried the canoe-coffin in the house and laid it beside Asaya so it was ready for him.”
“When the family put him in the ground the next day, they said they were not going to put the kns into the coffin this time. The kns is a long, hollow, bamboo pipe that is normally put down into the coffin and left to stick out the top of the grave site of the dead. Its purpose is to allow the dead person’s spirit to go and come at will as it hovers around the village. Their belief, previously, was that if they did not put this pole in the ground, the dead person’s spirit would not be happy and will make someone else in the village sick.”
“This was a huge break through for a previously animistic people group. It is the first time in Bagwido history that we know of, where a person has been buried without the kns. His family told us, “Why would we need to put the kns there? His spirit is not in his body anymore; He is with his Great Creator.”

Serving together in the Sepik of Papua New Guinea
Mark, Holly, Allie, Brandt, Bryce, and Brock Woodard
Brian, Andrea, Trenton, Sophia, Cade, and Carson Holmquist

These are two different children and worlds apart. Did they have their pick of where they were born? Is one more unfortunate than the other? Why do I sometimes hesitate to speak out when it comes to salvation? What will it take for me to realize the importance of evangelism?
I have been thinking a lot about my perspective on different things that happen in my life, people around me and circumstances that happen on a daily basis. I continue to learn valuable lessons and am reminded to keep Eternity in view. We don’t know why we have been given the years we have already lived or know how many more He will give. I have to remind myself the important thing in life is to know Him, first and foremost, and to make Him known.
That means to me, meeting Him on a daily basis, not in my time but His. Staying tuned into His frequency. And feeding the yearning I have to be more like Christ.
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23 This is a favorite verse of mine and one that a very dear friend, and mentor continually reminds me of, which I am grateful!
Where is my priority for His glory? There’s never a better time than now. “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift, that’s why they call it the present.” KFP