A true story of the Itchy ox and the Flying kiwi –

So we sat around the breakfast table the Senior Gomes Family in Bocaina: Papai, Mamãe, Davi, Debby and I.  Another 16 people, witnessed this event, and since I was the youngest, some details might be a little bit off.   Anyway, we were sitting at the table, ready to have breakfast, and the only food available was a banana cake mom baked with the last of the flour and eggs gathered that morning and a few bananas found in the yard; about a gallon of milk, and some coffee. Mom had told dad that we were out of food. Dad decided to wait upon the Lord. And he gave thanks for the breakfast, teaching us all a lesson in gratitude. Lunchtime came really quickly that day. I remember even joking with my sister about not having to wash the dishes, since we were all going to skip that meal anyway... (Oh Boy) Little did I know? 
As we sat down for the next meal, starring at an empty table, dad signaled our giving hands, and started to pray. What a fool, one might have thought (really), those days were terrible!). Giving thanks for what we couldn’t see, even worse, we couldn’t eat. But God stood my father in Faith, and we all learned how awesome God is. AS Dad said his “amen”, we could hear the neighbor’s boy, Xiquinho, running up the stairway and screaming: “Pastor Lau, Pastor Lau! – An ox scratched his neck and my father needs your help, and my uncle needs you to go get meat because the bull felt an itch in his neck...” His excitement was so great that he could barely get his message across. We couldn’t make any sense of what he was saying, so we just went over to lend a helping hand... Xiquinho led the way, running and skipping over the cow pies along the narrow path. Davi and Dad were still trying to understand, when we finally got too ne of the pasture pickets, right before a place which we called, “Inferninho” (which in Portuguese means little hell) and there it was: A fully grown 1300 pound ox, which felt a sudden itch to scratch his neck, and when doing so with a forking branch, slipped and fell, breaking his neck and needing to be put out of his pain. So drawing a sharp knife, someone cut across his throat. Seu Tim, the farm’s manager explained to my father in his Italian accent ”Seu Lau, we don’t have much use for the meat, so we’ll just keep a bit of the hardest parts so we can dry it up and make some jerky.” And the rest was given to us. Dad took half of the meat to town and traded it for some dried goods, such as rice and beans and corn, also some gasoline and even money for other expenses.

Dad taught us well… Early in my parents life as a couple, and in ministry, mom and dad decided that they would not go around asking for money to finance the counseling and worldview shaping ministry of Refúgio. Rather, they would work with their hands and silently pray to God to fulfill all of our needs. And the Gomeses at large all can count the blessings seen and unseen of how to say Jehovah Jireh, my provider!

Nearly all missionaries find asking for money a daunting task and a little overwhelming. This forms a two-sided debate on whether or not missionaries should ask for money.

“Should I ask for money, or live by faith and trust that God will provide for my financial needs?”

“How are you going to have enough money to travel and live in another country while doing ministry?”

“If God has called me to be a missionary, then isn’t He going to provide the funds for me?”

These are not uncommon questions for missionaries to ask. Fundraising takes a lot of time and effort, and no one wants to be rejected or refused when they put themselves out there. Others try to live by faith while trusting that God will provide for them in their times of need.

There are many people in the Bible and throughout missionary history who trusted in God to provide not only for their financial needs but their physical needs as well. Throughout this blog, we’ll take a look at some of their stories and discover which method is Biblical.

Testimonies of Living by Faith… “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Some missionaries base their financial foundations on living by faith only but do not spend time seeking after God in prayer and asking (James 4:2b-3).

These testimonies are not only of men living by faith but men who were both friends of God, standing before the throne room with confidence, knowing that He heard their prayers.

Abraham... Abraham was a man who lived by faith and it was counted to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4; Hebrews 11). When God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, Abraham was distraught, but nonetheless, he obeyed God.

God saw his obedience, just as Abraham was about to kill his son, and provided a ram to be the sacrifice because of Abraham’s faith (Genesis 22:8, 13-14).

George Müller… I remember the story of George Müller, who was also a man who lived by faith, and God’s faithfulness, was shown clearly throughout his life. He built an orphanage for over two thousand orphans in Bristol, UK. When they had no money or food for the orphanages, he prayed, and God provided. George Müller said:

“There never was a time when we had no wholesome meal. During all these years I have been enabled to trust in the living God alone…No man can ever say I asked him for a penny. We have no committees, no collectors, no voting, and no endowment. All has come in answer to believing prayer. God has many ways of moving the hearts of men to help us, all over the world. While I am praying, He speaks to one and another on this continent and on that to send us help.”  

Asking in Faith… Whereas some people believe that you’re not relying on God if you ask others for money, Muller gladly accepted people’s help, though he never told anyone that he was in need. You can trust in the Lord to provide for you when you ask in faith, because if the Lord has called you into ministry, then He will give you resources and a way for you to go overseas. When you get to the mission field, you’ll be able to look back and say, “Wow, look at what God has done.”

“You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” Deuteronomy 8:18

By trusting in God, you could have amazing testimonies of faith and be able to share the gospel with people in a much more effective way. Living by faith will not only stretch you in ways you can’t imagine but asking in faith will produce even greater testimonies of God’s faithfulness in answering prayer.

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Matthew 21:22

Isn’t Asking for Money a Little Blunt? Many missionaries dread fundraising because they think that they are becoming a hindrance to people and that their friends will think that they’ll always be asking for money. But you actually need support. Without people backing you up in prayer and finances, you will come off the field burnt out and ready to give up on your ministry. You’re not only trusting God to provide through these people, but you are inviting people to enter into God’s heart for missions.

Asking for money is a great step of faith. The friends you have, the family that surrounds you, the neighbors on your street, are all resources that God has provided and put in your path so that you can go and fulfill His calling that He’s placed over your life.

Many missionaries in the 1800s believed that they had to work and earn their living by a trade and then took that with them into the country they were going to be missionaries in. Others, such as Paul in the Bible, and John Williams, used their skills in a trade to provide an income and also partnered with believers to continue their ministry.

Paul-“For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher threshes in hope of sharing in the crop. If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?” 1 Corinthians 9:9-11

In the context of these verses, Paul is asking the believers in Corinth if it’s wrong to reap what he sowed among them. Paul is also challenging them in their thinking about material things and finances. He reminds them that God does care for all people and that He provides for their needs through the resources He’s already given them.

Paul had invested into many of the believers of the early church and was one of God’s first missionaries full of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. He always wrote back to the believers, telling them stories of God’s faithfulness through their giving of prayers and support.

While still walking in faith for God to continue his ministry, he worked with his skills as a tentmaker or leatherworker (Acts 18:1-3), so that he could continue traveling and visiting the churches. He was also being supported by the churches; especially the Philippians (Philippians 1:3–5; 4:15-18).  

Paul did everything he could to not become a burden to others (2 Corinthians 11:8–9) so that he was able to continue freely in his preaching of the gospel. He always thanked his fellow brothers for the blessings they sent, and for walking alongside him in the work God was doing (1 Corinthians 1:4-9; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15; Colossians 1:3-14; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4), encouraging them to continue trusting in the Lord.

John Williams…John Williams was a missionary in the South Pacific Islands who saw the need for having partners and support from people back home. He was anxious to continue his work in other people groups in neighboring islands, but the mission agency that sent him did not agree.

After combatting back and forth, the missionary agency finally agreed, and John William’s ministry became much more fruitful as he was able to go to surrounding islands and preach the gospel to even more people.

John Williams was skilled as an ironworker and a mechanic, and he built his own boat with the help of local natives and the finances sent from London. He also learned how to grow crops and live off the lands to help provide for his family. While he worked with the natives and shared the gospel with them, he translated the New Testament into Rarotongan and then taught the native believers how to disciple others in their community. The people became his partners in ministry.

God Provides Through Partners… Having partners are a blessing from the Lord. The people who support you will become partners of something much bigger than your own ministry. Not only are they becoming part of God’s plan to reach the nations, but also they will enable you to bring the gospel to people groups who can become partners of the gospel in the future. How amazing is that?

You are not failing God when you ask someone to help you. God may have put that person to help you, and you can trust that He is always providing ways for you to go on the mission field when He’s called you there. You can step out in faith through prayer (James 1:22-2:14-26), and rely on God by using the resources He’s given you to be a good steward of (Matthew 25:14-30).

In fact, you are called to live by faith and ask for money. It’s really your heart motive that God cares about. God wants you to trust Him.

Where we are… “No! This is not a request for money!” When Marcia and I got married, our income wasn’t enough for us to even begin supporting ourselves. We had help and generous gifts form my family and friends (who are family in Christ), some of them, are involved in our work even to this minute. Over twenty years, some families participate in our budget generously.  Believing that our work is in the Lord, rather than charity, we have partners in life who are real supporters of our ministry, in Brazil and here in Japan. We are so very thankful to God and to you.

Me being boyish… I woke up this morning, as I usually do at 4.30, and began my chores: the first order of the day, I outline a chapter of scripture. Have it sent to over 350 people worldwide. Today’s Scripture was Philippians 4. I must admit that I was a bit irritated, for when I was studying my Bible about joy and gratitude, I thought to myself, why doesn’t God do to me like he did to the apostle Paul? (Oh Boy!) How can I be joyful in the midst of so much turbulence? 

We were supposed to go renew our passports today. But we didn’t have enough money for them. I thought: ”well, the Lord will provide…” But instead, Marcia couldn’t get the day off from work, so we had to postpone our trip to the Brazilian consulate. I was upset, I do everything like clockwork, and foolishly, I thought that God was standing me up. Why? Why? 

The Holy Spirit then, slowly and methodically began to work his written Word in my heart. I remembered the story of the Watchmaker, and that sometimes the watchmaker intervenes so bluntly in our way, that we cannot, and will not negate his praises and glory. I remembered the story of the itchy ox. I remembered about Debby’s bicycle in a can (I may tell this story some other day). I remembered of the time in Wyncote, I had given up babysitting, and every week I would find an envelope by my rabbit cage, with a 10-dollar allowance and the humble signature “From a friend in Jesus” (Today I know who that Godly person was). I began to thank the Lord for being my provider. A gift offering that came last week from a dear friend in Boston, with a note saying the she loves us and prays for us. A lifeline from my father, to lighten our burden, which is, no burden at all, for it is done for the Lord. I remembered the Marks and the Crosses that have been the most substantial part of our up keep. I prayed to God in gratitude of them. I wrote a little Facebook post, greeted all the birthdays on my friends’ list, read and wrote on my doctoral thesis and by one o’clock had finished all my daily chores. I needed to get some shut-eye, because when night falls, I begin my English teaching role. I had to catch some “z’s”!

When I woke up, I asked Ruth to go t the mailbox and see if there was any correspondence there (It's a missionary thing). She brought me back this envelope, and said, this one doesn’t say who it is from, instead a sticker saying it came by air mail, and in French: Par avion air International. I even joked about it, since there was a kiwi bird on the postal stamp. I said to Ruth: Kiwis don't fly, unless God tells them to… Inside, there were no words, just two neatly cut pieces of paper sandwiching the exact amount of the fees to renew our passport in Yen cash. We hadn’t told anyone about it; we didn’t ask anyone, except in our family prayer. And in that same silent prayer, we thank you, we God for you, the “person with the Kiwi bird stamp” on the envelope. You are our silent partner. I can only praise the Lord and say Jehovah Jireh, my provider, the Lord has provided for us.

In Joyful tears, 
Pr. Daniel

HOW TO WIN ARGUMENTS AND FIND MARKS OF CHRISTIAN MATURITY

Some boys of different ages played in the playground of one of the super blocks on the southern wing of Brasilia and began to disagree about something. I was not there, so the details may be out by one word or another. Anyway, the disagreement quickly turned into a discussion, and then into a mouthy cussing worthy of 7 to 10 years old boys. One of the boys, (now one of the most mature men I know), still under five, shouted a final argument that would (in his line of thought) put an end to all that mess. His bravado would surely give his group the laurels of victory: "I dare you to say Gertrude!" He said with great difficulty in uttering such a curse.

His line of thought - There was a TV ad for a furniture store at the time, when a crazy eddy type salesman advertised prices and the savings and discounts, in the end, he would say, "I dare you to say Gertrude!" which was the name of the store. It didn’t make the slightest sense, but it was funny. At my cousin's house, while Téquinho was not yet Tecone and was still learning to say big words, "Gertrude" was especially difficult for him, and the challenge he overcame by being able to pronounce correctly fit as well as any insult. Then he went on and challenged his enemies with a harsh sentence.

Lately, I've been writing a lot about spiritual growth and maturity. As we grow, we must biblically learn how to mature in our faith and holiness. However, as we learn from sources other than Scriptures, we end up learning whatever and from whoever it is, like the little boy who learned and formulated his insults and arguments from a TV commercial.

Our path to maturity is not a linear or chronological path. Often we are just adults who have forgotten to grow up. Often we are powerless and cannot find a role to play in the kingdom of God. Our missile-like insults and dares become as ineffective as the little boy on the playground. God tells us that we can take steps forward to become more mature and ready in His ways to experience the greatness of His power.

The Bible clearly distinguishes between those who are spiritually mature and immature. The Bible is full of examples of the immaturity of believers who have come to Christ. Paul and the other Apostles wrote letters that together with the Old Testament and the Gospels make up the whole of our doctrine and addressed some great failures, difficulties, and struggles. Their examples will guide true believers in growth. Starting from being little boys who fight their battles in the playground to make men and women who fight in spirit and truth.

1. OBEDIENCE - The only way we can win arguments and find the marks of Christian maturity and also become examples to be followed begins with obedience to the word of God.

As when Paul wrote to the Corinthians saying, "Do we begin again to praise ourselves? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation for you, or of recommendation from you? You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men. For it is already manifest that you are the letter of Christ, ministered by us, and written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tables of stone, but on the tables of the flesh of the heart. (2 Corinthians 3: 1-3)

Paul goes so far as to say, "But if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel besides the one we preach to you, be under the curse of God!" (Galatians 1: 8)

Paul is literally saying that even if he strays from the pure message about Christ and His teaching, stop listening to Him! Clearly, he wanted to convey the Message of Christ in all its purity, because that is where the power is.

We see this with denominations that are moving away from the central aspects of the gospel - for example, those who say that it is okay to live in sin and not repent. Your followers implode within just a few years, because when you take the core of the message away, you take away the power of the Holy Spirit to change hearts and lives, and there's nothing left to stay around.

Paul tells us to establish those fundamental teachings about Christ, and to continue there to grow to maturity and the author of Hebrews, the author says: "Therefore, let us move beyond the elemental teachings about Christ and be brought to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance of acts that lead to death and faith in God, instruction in rites of purification, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. "(Hebrews 6: 3)

2. SELFCRITICISM - Stop pointing at other people and take a look at yourself! Little boys will always point to the failures of all others, and they will never see their own mistakes. Sometimes we blame others for our lack of arguments. "I bet you can not do this or that!" Or "I did it because you (or he/she, or they) acted like that!" The path to maturity begins when you realize your own shortcomings compared to the perfection of Jesus.

Do not judge so you are to not be judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged, and with what measure you measure you will be measured to you. And why sees thou the mote that is in your brother's eye, and sees not the beam that is in your eye? Or as you shalt say unto your brother, let me take the mote out of your eye, when there is a beam in your own? You hypocrite, first take the beam out of your eye, and then take care to take the mote out of thy brother's eye. (Matthew 7: 1-5)

A mature Christian comes to a point where he finally sees his own sins and continually focuses on repenting in his own life, and stops trying to be the watchdogs of the world. They understand the weakness of their own flesh.

There are times to challenge others, to speak truth to others and to the world, but those moments must be much fewer and more distant from each other as we focus on our own hearts above all else.

Mature Christians are much more gracious judges of others because these words of Jesus have reached their hearts and will never be the same.

3. SELFCONTROL - You are not the watchdog of the world! Immature Christians cannot fail to speak their opinions on everything and everyone around them that follows the wrong paths. They think they are the spiritual police of the world.

James, teaching the church how to be mature, said, "For we all stumble in many things: if any man stumble in word, he is perfect, and mighty also to restrain the whole body" (James 3: 2)

This verse is so refreshing - first, because James calls it as it is - we all make more mistakes than we want to admit. Second, spiritual maturity comes from being more careful with the words we say.

Ephesians 4:29 4: 2-3 takes us a step further: "Let not a word of stubbornness come out of your mouth, but only that which is good for building up, that it may give grace to them that hear it." humility and meekness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, seeking to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. "

Stubbornness means dishonest, shameful. It is related as motive for various things, like crimes, homicides, suicides, and so on. Awkward is something disgusting, indecent, infamous and impudent. A stubborn crime is one that contains cruelty, usually very violent homicides and / or aggression. There are also crimes for futile reasons, which is that motivated by nonsense and vain motives. Awkward is also related to the speech of some people, with the words one uses. Awkward words are those whose meaning is dirty, obscene, and not used by people of the educated, decent, or moral character.

If you want to mature in your faith in Christ, dwell in these verses. Run everything else you do in your Christian life through them. Walking with humility, kindness and patience for others. Keep careful guard over your mouth and your sayings.

4. DEPENDENCE - One of the most important steps of the Christian walk is the total dependence of Christ. Dependence on Christ not only acknowledge that he has paid the price of his salvation but understand the reason why he chose you, which is for the fellowship in the communion of believers. There is no way to say that you love the Lord if you cannot love his bride, the church.

Mature Christians do not do much of themselves and their good works and progress. They make a lot out of being like Jesus. They believe in Jesus when he says:

1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. (John 15: 1-15)

Even as mature Christians are growing in faith and holiness, they do not become more independent of Christ or of their brethren in Christ, nor of themselves, because they know that their growth comes through standing in Christ - depending in Christ alone - and obedience to His command to love God and love others. Mature Christians do not take credit for themselves; they humbly follow Jesus into the fellowship of Christ's flock.

5. FAITHFULNESS - As I said at the beginning of this article, I wasn’t there on the playground. I don’t know if my cousin's playmates laughed at him or not. But if they laughed, they were reprehensible in my notebook. One of the marks of maturity, and one of the steps to achieving this maturity is the faithfulness that we demonstrate to God and our neighbors. The “gospel kids” like to expose their brothers, and point out the mistakes of whom we should show even more love. Faithfulness to Christ will automatically produce fidelity to one's neighbor, which is called long-suffering. (See also Genesis 9.18-10.32)

The good news is, "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Put away your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts with double mind. "The next step to God is what James says:" I have felt your miseries, and I mourn and weep; let your laughter be converted into mourning, and your joy into sorrow. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. "And the secret of success is," Brethren, speak ye not one of the brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother, and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law, and judges the law; and if you judge the law, you are no longer an observer of the law but a judge. (James 4: 8-11)
As we approach God, we experience His goodness, grace, and glory in our lives in new ways.

The apostle Peter tells us:

5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1: 5-11

The marks of a mature believer, is not the challenge of who is greater, if one can say "Gertrude", or "Hypostatic Union", or "Predestination", or "sola this and sola that" - The study of theology is very important and vital for knowledge. They are terms and definitions that must be known, but they do not define us if we do not generate the marks of Christ in our hearts. I’m SOLA SORRY - Such things that are common in the "kinder gardens of life" or in the playgrounds of big boys who never grew up. They are just marks imprinted by Satan in our midst to confuse us and impede our growth.

The real marks of a mature Christian are: faith, goodness, God's knowledge of His Word, self-control, perseverance through difficulties, piety (imitation of Christ), mutual affection for other believers and for the Church (mature or immature Christians and non-Christians also). Doing our best to love people according to 1 Corinthians 13.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God, to destroy strongholds. "(2 Corinthians 10: 3-4) The mature believer does not aim to detonate people, it is not a street fight; planned according to the way the world fights, earthly strategies are not our concern, our weapons are not physical, because our war is spiritual in nature, instead of weapons and tanks, our weapons are those of "armor of God, "which consist of" the truth and clothed you with the breastplate of righteousness. Shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; always embracing the shield of faith, with which you can erase all the fiery darts of the Evil One. Take also the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God "(Ephesians 6: 14-17).

Mature Christians do not remain idle in their faith, pointing out the shortcomings of others. Mature Christians will trust and obey the Lord, making every effort to enjoy the fellowship of believers, knowing that there are Christian babies and Christian boys, and we all seek the maturity of our Lord as we walk in him. And to finish: I dare you to say GERTRUDE!