The Urgency of Now: Life moves with relentless speed, like an arrow released from its bow. David understood this temporal nature when he prayed, "Show me, Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is." — Psalm 39:4. We often live as if we have an endless supply of tomorrows, but in the Word we are soberly reminded that our life is "a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." — James 4:14. This isn't meant to discourage us but to instill a holy urgency in our hearts. When Jesus said, "As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work." — John 9:4. This wisdom isn't just about acknowledging life's brevity—it's about making each moment count for eternity. The ancient Romans had a saying, "Carpe diem" (seize the day), but as believers, we're called to something greater: to redeem the time because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16). Don’t let days, months, or years slip by without acting on God’s call—use this brief life to make an eternal impact.
Throughout Scripture, we see God calling His chosen servants into periods of solitude. These aren't merely moments of rest, but crucibles of transformation where the unseen work of the Spirit takes place. Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness before leading the Israelites. David, though anointed as king, spent years in caves and wild places, penning psalms that would echo through eternity. Even Jesus, the Son of God, "often withdrew to lonely places and prayed" (Luke 5:16). Consider Elijah's experience on Mount Horeb. After his dramatic victory over the prophets of Baal, he fled in fear and discouragement. God didn't rebuke him but invited him to "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord" (1 Kings 19:11). In the silence that followed the wind, earthquake, and fire, Elijah heard the "gentle whisper" of God, restoring his soul and redirecting his mission. These moments of solitude aren't about escaping responsibility, but about encountering God in the depths of our being. It's in these unseen places that we're stripped of pretense, faced with our true selves, and molded by the Master's hands. As the Psalmist declares, “Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10. In our hyper-connected world, do we dare to disconnect, to seek the face of God in the quiet places? It's there, in the unseen, that our greatest victories are won.
In this fallen world, adversity is not just a possibility — it’s an inevitability. The rain falls on the just and the unjust alike, and trials come to all who draw breath. As we read in Ecclesiastes 9:2, “It is the same for all. There is one fate for the righteous and for the wicked; for the good, for the clean and for the unclean.” This truth may seem disheartening at first glance, but it carries within it a profound lesson.
How often do we find ourselves caught in the web of procrastination, pushing off tasks that weigh on our minds? This delay isn't just about missed deadlines or unfinished chores; it's a spiritual battle that robs us of our God-given purpose. The stress that gnaws at us isn't from the work itself, but from our inaction in the face of responsibility. Consider how swiftly our anxiety dissipates when we finally take that first step, make that call, or begin that project we've been avoiding. It's as if a burden lifts from our shoulders. This isn't coincidence; it's a reminder of our calling to be good stewards of our time and talents. The Bible speaks clearly about the dangers of procrastination. Proverbs 13:4 tells us, "The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied."
Spiritual Slumber: In our modern world, it’s easy to become entranced by daily routines and material pursuits. Many live in a state of spiritual slumber, unaware of the greater reality beyond our immediate perceptions. We rise, follow a routine, sleep, and repeat. In Ephesians we are told to wake from this spiritual sleep: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” — Ephesians 5:14. This call to awakening is not just for non-believers, but for Christians as well, who can easily become lulled into complacency by worldly cares. Jesus tells us, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” — John 3:3. This rebirth is a spiritual awakening and salvation, opening our eyes to the truth of God’s kingdom and eternal life in Him. 2 Corinthians elaborates on this transformation: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
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A missionary is someone in whom the Holy Spirit has brought about this realization: “You are not your own” ( 1 Corinthians 6:19 ). To say, “I am not my own,” is to have reached a high point in my spiritual stature. The true nature of that life in actual everyday confusion is evidenced by the deliberate giving up of myself to another Person through a sovereign decision, and that Person is Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit interprets and explains the nature of Jesus to me to make me one with my Lord, not that I might simply become a trophy for His showcase. Our Lord never sent any of His disciples out on the basis of what He had done for them. It was not until after the resurrection, when the disciples had perceived through the power of the Holy Spirit who Jesus really was, that He said, “Go” (Matthew 28:19; also see Luke 24:49 and Acts 1:8 ). “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple” ( Luke 14:26 ). He was not saying that this person cannot be good and upright, but that he cannot be someone over whom Jesus can write the word Mine. Any one of the relationships our Lord mentions in this verse can compete with our relationship with Him. I may prefer to belong to my mother, or to my wife, or to myself, but if that is the case, then, Jesus said, “[You] cannot be My disciple.” This does not mean that I will not be saved, but it does mean that I cannot be entirely His.
Our Lord makes His disciple His very own possession, becoming responsible for him. “. . . you shall be witnesses to Me . . .” ( Acts 1:8 ). The desire that comes into a disciple is not one of doinganything for Jesus, but of being a perfect delight to Him. The missionary’s secret is truly being able to say, “I am His, and He is accomplishing His work and His purposes through me.”
Be entirely His!
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Had a great church service. About 15 saved and a warm welcoming from everyone. What a blessing the body of Christ is!
Dear Friends, Greetings in the Lord! Over the past months we have been very busy, working in Colombia and Ecuador, and our journeys are full of many testimonies. We are so grateful to each of you for your prayers, as it has kept us going and protected us in every way.
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Most recently, in Colombia, we have once again entered the front lines of the drug war and been witnesses of this evil industry. Some might ask, "How does the drug trade and those areas relate to the work of the gospel?" The answer for us is much like the statement the Apostle Paul said in Romans 15:20-21, "And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, so that I would not build on another man's foundation; but as it is written, "THEY WHO HAD NO NEWS OF HIM SHALL SEE, AND THEY WHO HAVE NOT HEARD SHALL UNDERSTAND." You see, our mission is to preach Christ where He has not been named and to areas deemed to difficult to reach. The jungles and valleys where coca farmers and narcotics traffickers live and conduct their trade are just such places. We look at those areas and imagine what would happen if a revival broke out! But how can they hear without a preacher? This is why we go. We want to tread where no one has gone before and deliver the message of the Gospel to those who have not heard.
So with that, for the past weeks we have been actively traveling with the Colombian anti-narcotics police to some of the most dangerous states across the country. FARC rebel activity has been high in every area we have set foot, but praise God we have been protected and suffered no injury or kidnapping. This is due to your prayers, and as you pray doors have been opened for so much more. We have been on medical missions and urban outreaches and we know that the drug war can be overcome. Your support in this is vital as it allows us to reach people in need and make a lasting impact.
Now, as we continue the same theme of Romans 15:20-21, we are preparing an expedition to traverse the entire continent of South America via the Amazon to its mouth on the Atlantic coast of Brazil. We are calling this expedition, "Out of the Belly." For we believe, like John 7:38 says, "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." This mission is metaphorically the same. We believe that from the belly of the Amazon, as Christ is preached, it shall flow rivers of living water and souls that praise the name of Jesus. Praise God we believe it!
This expedition will include many river journeys and unreached work. Our goal will be to effectively reach remote people groups, coca farmers, and loggers along the mighty river. We will be joined by a full time interpreter and we will need to hire guides, boats, gear, and assist local ministers to help us in this effort. We will float, trek the jungles, and take any means of transport to reach those who haven't been reached before. It will be a daunting journey, but a necessary one, as it might be the only opportunity some will have to hear the gospel.
Our estimated time of this journey will total more than two months and cost roughly $8300. We sincerely and prayerfully ask you to join with us in this journey. No matter large or small, whatever you can do to support this expedition will be treasured. Your monthly and one-time gifts are needed above and beyond, but we know together we can achieve great things for the Kingdom of Heaven. Let us attempt to complete the great commission and say to the Lord we have given our best effort. Thank you and you are with us always! May the Peace of the Lord be with you!
In Him,
Tim and Will
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