Devotional 020209

Dear brothers and sisters,
Good morning from Mexico City. It is my forth day in Mexico. I have a very busy and fruitful schedule in this short mission – attending many bible study groups, preaching, teaching, and visiting different Christians in their homes and restaurants. Praise God for seeing His wonderful work not only among the Chinese community and among the Christian community in general. Indeed, there is a great need for the gospel in Mexico. Many Catholics here only worship Mary but not Christ. They are warm and good people; but they missed the salvation of Christ.

"Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!" (1 Corinthians 9:16) Beware of stopping your ears to the call of God for full time gospel ministry. Everyone who is saved is called to testify to the fact of his or her salvation; but that is not the call to preach as an evangelist, personal testimony is merely an illustration in preaching. Paul is referring to the pains produced in him by the constraint to preach the Gospel. Never apply what Paul says in this connection to souls coming in contact with God for salvation. There is nothing easier than getting saved because it is God's sovereign work - Come unto Me and I will save you. Our Lord never lays down the conditions of discipleship as the conditions of salvation. We are destined to salvation through the Cross of Jesus Christ. Discipleship has an option with it - "IF any man. . . "

Paul's words have to do with being made a servant of Jesus Christ, and our permission is never asked as to what we will do or where we will go. God makes us broken bread and poured-out wine to please Himself. To be "separated unto the gospel" means to hear the call of God; and when a man begins to overhear that call, then begins agony that is worthy of the name. Every ambition is nipped in the bud, every desire of life quenched, every outlook completely extinguished and blotted out, saving one thing only - "separated unto the gospel." Woe is to the soul who tries to put his foot in any other direction when once that call has come to him. The church exists to equip you - to see whether God has a man or woman here who cares about proclaiming His Gospel; to see whether God grips you. And beware of competitors in your life and in this world when God does grip your heart to proclaim the gospel.

This is a joy to see the growth of this little Chinese church in Mexico City. God has done His marvellous work in saving these souls in the city, and bring them into this community of faith. These believers will never experience the salvation of God if none responded to the calling of God to bring the gospel to Mexico. As I heard testimony after testimony from the believers I interviewed, I praised God for His salvation work among our kinsmen. I also thanked God for the missionary who answered God’s call in Canada to start the first Chinese church in this city. ‘Jehovah witness’ has been active in the Chinese community long before Christian missionary came to town. Praise God for seeing the establishment of this little church in this big city. Pray that many will answer God’s call to full time ministry in this church, so that they will continue the work of our missionaries. Please pray for our missionaries and this church in Mexico.

Love you in Christ,
Lawrence