Well, the month here in Sweden has come to an end. I will be on my way back to the states on Wednesday to gear up for the next move to Finland in September. It's been amazing to see how God has really stretched my capacity here and has been so faithful to give Words in season, divine "rhemas" that have been right on time. It's always surprising and actually very humbling when you here that something you have said has moved someone spiritually. Knowing the depths and wonders of our own depravity, we always can be positive it's a complete work of Grace. Also, isn't it amazing to see also how the Word comes at different times in the anointing? Sometimes it hits us like a hammer, breaking into pieces the little shards of the flesh so that we can't find a piece to draw water with. Other times it comes like dew in the morning, we don't even realize what it's doing until we awake to find ourselves drenched with His Goodness. However it comes though, it's always doing a work thats way beyond human ability and human understanding. It births within us new lines of sight, new perpectives, and new visions to go forward in the Mission. There's just no way we could possibly do this kind of work if it wasn't for that Sword that cuts on it's way through us and heals on it's way back.
It's been a real blessing to get to know the people here in Stockholm. We've spent many times together at the church on Sunday morning, or at houses on weeknights just having simple fellowship and listening to God in His Word as it is preached. We are being built up in Him. Also, it's been a time of great challenges, of course. However, God has been, and always will be, faithful to enlarge us in our distress through advances of the Spirit within. That is what I've seen in people here. They are all going through it, just like any one of us. But we all are brought to a place where we have to make the decision: Am I going to fall on the Rock and be broken, or will it fall upon me and leave my capacity crushed? We can get through anything if we choose to fall upon Jesus Christ and His Word.
Sweden, the people here, the times together, the vision to go forward in Scandanavia and beyond, all of these things I'm sure will stick with me. They are of eternal substance and their value can only grow with time. During this time we've seen new people coming to church (great stories), young people from Stockholm going to our youth camp in Finland, souls won to Christ, people growing in their faith, and much more. I am so excited to see what God will do with this country, these people, and this ministry in the next 10 years. Yes our minstry has had some success in this part of the world, and yes we are so grateful for it, but I say, "Let's do it all over again!" In a new, fresh way we can see God pour out a blessing on our unity and bring thousands into His Kingdom here, in the States, and all over the world in these end times. ....Right?
2 comments:
Mat, right.
I am one of those blessed people happened to be in Stockholm. You were the first person to preach to me when I came to this congregation in the begining of july. All of those 3 times God spoke to me,amazingly continuation of my thoughts and prayers during the week. God has so much for you and for us in the future. May God prepare our hearts for what is to come! blessings. Maria
I want to hear missionary’s stories, those great stories that you just mentioned about. I just remembered a message of P. Jon Boyce where he said: "It is not our responsibility of how people respond to the Gospel. Our responsibility is to love the people." Thank you, for this is what you do in your life, you love the lost.
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