Recent Meetings
While in the states I spoke in two small churches in West Virginia. One is in Price Hill, a small village near Mt. Hope, WV. These dear friends had collected change [quarters, dimes, nickels, pennies] in a jar and donated it to our mission. $75 worth of love was in that large jar! Amazing! There is a potential missionary in that church who did a summer mission trip as a young teenagers last summer. She has a lot of potential. It was great to watch her as I spoke . . . she hung onto every word! She is the daughter of the pastor and his wife.
Then, I spoke in a church that is pastored by my father-in-law, Jim Stanley. He is only 84 years young . . . and still a pastor! His church is so receptive to our ministry and prays for us regularly. They are very excited about Camp Monty 2008 in Montenegro this summer!
The day after I returned to Hungary I spoke at the O Utca Brethren Church in Budapest. This was my second time speaking there this year. The topic of the message was on a difficult spiritual test, that is, it is a great temptation to respond in self defense when someone attacks you with false charges or undue criticism. This is very hard when it comes from a colleague, a friend, a fellow believer who is or has been very close to you. Jesus responded with silence with accused. How could He have such self control? Yes, He was God, but He was tempted just like you and me when He was here on this planet. So, it serves as a supreme example for me and for you. This kind of spiritual test is like graduate study . . . high level training.
The response was very good as several people told me that the message helped them and how they were were going through such difficulties. One person said he had never heard of such advice, but, that he now embraced it and would use it. Evidently, I have had to go through such attacks or I would not know what an extremely difficult spiritual test that this is.
One more meeting was with the young people and adults in Dunakeszi at the Brethren Assembly. That meeting was great! The meeting was last Friday night and they like to discuss the message after the speaker is finished because they have more time on a Friday night.
I spoke about Jepthah who had a rough start in life as the son of an adulterous relationship. He was rejected by his half-brothers who told him that he was not to have any inheritance. After he was kicked out he gathered together a gang that terrorized the countryside stealing and causing havoc. He was deeply hurt and he was taking his revenge out on everyone. Mr. Tough Guy with an attitude would have been an appropriate title for him.
Eventually, the nation of Israel has a difficult experience with a neighboring country threatening their extinction [sounds like today!]. They called upon Jepthah to be their leader in battle. After all, he had the skills for fighting! He came back and told them all what he thought about what had happened. "You rejected me and did not want me. So, now, you want me to come back and help you?" His bitterness and hurt was pouring out of him as he spoke.
Suddenly, he decided to pray to God to ask what he should do regarding this offer. He was a changed man after that prayer! It's a great story! He became the leader of the country and led them into battle with God giving them a rousing victory!
Jepthah serves a great example for troubled youth today. So many of them suffer rejection through divorce, death or abuse. They can be bitter and hurt others or turn their problems over to God. The difference between the two options is huge!
Two of the church leaders shared from their hearts about problems that they had experienced that were similar. People seemed to enjoy the openness. It was a special meeting!
Eric
Then, I spoke in a church that is pastored by my father-in-law, Jim Stanley. He is only 84 years young . . . and still a pastor! His church is so receptive to our ministry and prays for us regularly. They are very excited about Camp Monty 2008 in Montenegro this summer!
The day after I returned to Hungary I spoke at the O Utca Brethren Church in Budapest. This was my second time speaking there this year. The topic of the message was on a difficult spiritual test, that is, it is a great temptation to respond in self defense when someone attacks you with false charges or undue criticism. This is very hard when it comes from a colleague, a friend, a fellow believer who is or has been very close to you. Jesus responded with silence with accused. How could He have such self control? Yes, He was God, but He was tempted just like you and me when He was here on this planet. So, it serves as a supreme example for me and for you. This kind of spiritual test is like graduate study . . . high level training.
The response was very good as several people told me that the message helped them and how they were were going through such difficulties. One person said he had never heard of such advice, but, that he now embraced it and would use it. Evidently, I have had to go through such attacks or I would not know what an extremely difficult spiritual test that this is.
One more meeting was with the young people and adults in Dunakeszi at the Brethren Assembly. That meeting was great! The meeting was last Friday night and they like to discuss the message after the speaker is finished because they have more time on a Friday night.
I spoke about Jepthah who had a rough start in life as the son of an adulterous relationship. He was rejected by his half-brothers who told him that he was not to have any inheritance. After he was kicked out he gathered together a gang that terrorized the countryside stealing and causing havoc. He was deeply hurt and he was taking his revenge out on everyone. Mr. Tough Guy with an attitude would have been an appropriate title for him.
Eventually, the nation of Israel has a difficult experience with a neighboring country threatening their extinction [sounds like today!]. They called upon Jepthah to be their leader in battle. After all, he had the skills for fighting! He came back and told them all what he thought about what had happened. "You rejected me and did not want me. So, now, you want me to come back and help you?" His bitterness and hurt was pouring out of him as he spoke.
Suddenly, he decided to pray to God to ask what he should do regarding this offer. He was a changed man after that prayer! It's a great story! He became the leader of the country and led them into battle with God giving them a rousing victory!
Jepthah serves a great example for troubled youth today. So many of them suffer rejection through divorce, death or abuse. They can be bitter and hurt others or turn their problems over to God. The difference between the two options is huge!
Two of the church leaders shared from their hearts about problems that they had experienced that were similar. People seemed to enjoy the openness. It was a special meeting!
Eric
posted by Eric Murphy at 17.3.08
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home