Monday, April 4, 2016

He Paid My Sin Debt

On March 27th we celebrated our Lord’s resurrection from the dead. As think about the details leading up to the discovery of the empty tomb, I can’t help but think about those people groups around the world who are hearing the resurrection story for the first time.

Matt and Craig are former MTC students who are working with a people group in a remote location in the Asia-Pacific region. Recently they had the privilege to share the gospel in the heart language of the people they are working with. After hearing the message of the gospel, many of them placed their faith in the Savior who died, was buried, and rose from the dead. Here are a few of their testimonies.

Miena: “I wanted to tell you that I have received Yahweh’s talk! I am a sinner but God sent Jesus to save me. When he died on the cross he paid my sin debt.”

Kwereanus: “I love this talk! I get it! I understand. Jesus paid my sin price and now I am a child of God! He died in my place and now I will go be with him! I get it, I  understand!”

Mibit: “For the last 30 years I have thought that I could be good enough to be with God, but it was not true. I am a sinner and nothing I do on my own pleases God. I can never pay my own sin debt. But now I know that I don’t have to! Jesus already did! He died in my place and paid my sin debt! I am now connected with God!”

Yogona: “I believe that Jesus paid for my sins and died in my place. So now I can go be with him when I die. I am now connected with God!”

Watina: “I am a sinner so based on that I cannot be connected with God. But Jesus died in my place and paid my sin price. So based on that, I can be with him! I am now a child of God based on what Jesus did, not on me being a good person.”

In many parts of the world people are hearing the Easter story for the first time. What a privilege it is to have a part in the lives of those who are going overseas to share the good news of Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for all those who have a part in my life supporting me through their gifts and prayers.

Bob

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When Your Hut Is on Fire

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of drift wood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, 'God! How could you do this to me?' Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! 'How did you know I was here?' asked the weary man of his rescuers. 'We saw your smoke signal, ' they replied.

The Moral of This Story:

It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.