Reach the Ends of Earth for Mission (C)

Read: Hebrews 11, 12: 1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses. (from Hebrews 11 the great men and women with their faith)

Hebrews 12: 1

       I hope that my car will be fixing and I can drive home today. I have many dishes which need to wash and the floor needs to be mopping. No one does it, I will do it. Even although I am not so good in house work, but I still do it!

      Today we will finish "Reach the Ends of Earth for Mission". I will give one point and one testimony of David Livingstone.

(7)  A great cloud of witnesses. (Hebrews 12: 1)

      When we read Hebrews 11 whole chapter spoke about "By faith" as Abel, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, Moab woman Ruth and the prostitute Rehab.... etc. Then next chapter 12 and verse 1 says, "Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses). We keep our faith for God, we are witnesses of God, we give our testimonies to other as our faith to act.

      I has been born again about 30 years, I have served God for 32 years and I have been a missionary for 29 years. Because God loves me first, then I serve him every day until last.

(8)  Missionaries' Testimonies.

       David Living stone, he had missioned to Africa. He was born in Scotland, and he came from the poor family in the childhood. He, his brothers and father worked in the same factory. Then he finished the night school until High School. All Livingstone family was devoted to God, his father was a holy man and taught David and his brothers and sisters in Godly living. It has affected David's missionary life deeply.

       One day, David preached that Jesus died on the cross for Africans. The Africans could not understand what does it mean? When David cam to this village, that village had attached by lions, each night, they heard people who cried, because they were eaten by the lions. One night, David and his fellows waited for the lions which were appeared. A lion cam to attack David Livingstone and bit his left shoulder, David was laying on the ground and fight with this lion with all his strength until his fellow man shot a bullet into the lion which lay beside David. And he was wound very badly, he lay down on bed for two months, his left hand never lift anything up. Later, his shoulder left the scars' of the lion teeth for rest of his life. The Africans understood that what is mean Jesus died on the cross for their sins. Because it was same as David protected the village people, even died for them as Jesus did.

       One day, David Livingstone preached that "our sins, Jesus cleanses as white as snow." The Africans did not understand, they had never seen the snow as white. One afternoon, David sat outside, He thought the cows that bathed on the river, when they stood up and sun has shun on the skins of the cows as very shinning as very clean. Later he told Africans, your sins were clean as skins of the cows which were shinning under the sun.

       David Livingstone is a white man, a doctor, a pioneer, a evangelist, a hunter and the one who is full of love for Africans. When he died with kneeling on bed with open Bible. One of fellow men Susi took his heart out and buried on the tree of the central African, his body was carried by Africans from one African land to others, they shipped him to England, the airport man organized the teeth of the lion, and approved he was David Livingstone.

      Because of David Livingstone death, England officers decided to free African slaves. The reason: David wrote many letters to England government's officers, he appealed for Africans and stopping all slaves' trade. Tanzania was one of African countries. No David Livingstone, there were no Tanzanian Christians. You have owned the debts of Gospel as Paul said.

        Who do you want to be black African as David Livingstone to go to the ends of earth to set the white men and women, yellow skin people, red skin people and brown skin people (Latins) free in the Name of Jesus? I challenge you today, Macedonia calling has called you as Paul's experience in night vision. (Acts 16: 6-10) Then the Lord saying, "whom shall I send? And who will go for us? (go to the ends of earth)" And you say, "Here I am. Send me!"

Conclusions

     Unknown white male and single missionary, he had never come to Tanzania, he died in outside of Indian Ocean. He had never achieved his mission's goal for Tanzanian people. But his bible in front of page, he wrote, "No turn back, no give up, no forsake." And a single white missionary lady died one the small African hut with her six adopted African children, she knel on the bed with open Bible in her age 58.

      I got save by belief in Jesus, because this white missionary lady Carol Wilson who talked me that Jesus loves me with unconditional love. I have been the missionary for 19 years. Carol and her husband Haydn pry for me every day. I am their spiritual daughter. I am the missionary seed which grew up, and heed after David Livingstone and many white missionaries men and women who poured our their lives for Africans. When is it the right time for you? And are you  willing go to the ends of earth? I hope that you will surely say, "I am here and Send me!" and returning Jesus love to others. As God is calling now, do you listen? Then Go!

Good testimony is your one!

Author: Rev. Rebecca Sun

Reach the Ends of Earth for Mission (B)

Read:  Isaiah 45: 3b; Isaiah 6: 8; Acts 1: 8; Ezekiel 3: 5-6

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1: 8

       I hear news from dear friend, she told me that her husband who got two kinds of Cancers. I knew them, and I lived with them in Rio Hondo in Guatemala. We joined the same mission organization. And we also stayed the same home stay with our Spanish language study. And I will be grateful for your prayer for Curtis. Thank you very much for your prayer.

       Today, we will continue in the topic: Reach the Ends of Earth for Mission. Then we will understand what's mission and calling. I personally believe that everyone has a call for mission.

(4)  We may know god who calls us by names.

        (Isaiah 45:3b)

       "... so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name."  God has showed us that He is the Lord who has in control for every situation. We need to trust him ONLY.

      It is good to know God who summons you and me by name, we have the intimate relationship with our Savior, trinity of Jesus, Heavenly Father and Holy Spirit who works as ONE.

(5)  Today, you still hear God's calling voice.

        (Isaiah 6: 8)

        "Then I (Isaiah or you) heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"" God has called the Christians to serve Him in the time. We need to be ready for equipping, so that we can go in His time. I love to ask God, "Please you choose me, I am here and ready, choose me to serve you, here I am, Send me as David Livingstone to Africa."

(6)  God to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1: 8)

       

        We read a key verse today, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

       20 years ago, our church missionary lady Carol Wilson and New Zealand Pastor couple John Booth came to speak in the Taiwanese Churches. One night, we went to outside crusade meeting. I was full of Holy Spirit and I told my Spiritual mom Carol that God has called me to be a overseas missionary and I will reach the end of earth. Then I head the speaker called out in the loud voice. Who do you want to be a missionary? I came down with Carol. This speaker prayed for us. From that day; I knew that I was called to the foreign lands where were full of God mercy, grace and love.

       God has promised me, I would learn languages well and the ends of earth  people will listen to me as Ezekiel 3: 5-6 say, "You are not being sent to a people of obscure speech and difficult language, but to the house of Israel - not to many peoples of obscure speech and difficult language whose words you cannot understand. Surely if I had sent you to them, they, would have listened to you."

       See you tomorrow, I am here to talk more.

Choose you, and send you to serve you everywhere as I pray!

Author: Rev. Rebecca Sun

Reach the Ends of Earth for Mission (A)

 

Read: Isaiah 45: 1-3; Psalm 146: 16, 146: 7; Matthew 5: 6, 6:11; 1 Kings 8: 56, 59; Isaiah 55: 11

So is my word that goes out from my mouth; it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for what I sent it. Isaiah 55: 11

       In 1998, on African man who came to our Missionary Training College. And he was a speaker for the college gathering. Then he used the Scripture verses in John 11: 1-44 about Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, then he has challenged my heart so much. I've made my covenant between God and I that service.

       This African speaker said, "Jesus wept for African land. Who do you want to set Lazarus free from raising him from the death?" (V 43) and Jesus said to you (me) today. and say, "Take off the grave clothes and let Africans go."  (V 44) I said to God that night: "God, I am here and send me!"

Isaiah 45: 1-3

(1)  God has made a way for you. (V 1)

       "This is what the Lord says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him and to strip kings of their armor to open door before him so that gate will not be shut."

         The Lord to anoint one who has the position as a king. God's right hand holds of him (you), and nation subdue before him. Then God has promises to open doors before him, so that that gates will not be shut it.

(2)  God gos before you and take all barriers away.

        (V 2)  

       "I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of  bronze and cut through bars of iron."  

        God will level the mountains (difficulties) and He will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. Nothing is difficult or impossible for God who goes before you and take all barriers away for his name sake.

(3)  God gives the treasure of darkness. (V 3a)

       "I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places." The treasure of darkness and riches stoned in secret places are means that all missionaries or full time church workers or Christians  that God has promised us to be our everlasting provider. The Lord has said, he will act as He has said. If God has spoken as Scripture verse Isaiah 55: 11 says, "So is my (God's) word that goes out from my mouth; it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

        There are many promises as below, please you take and proclaim they are yours:

Psalm 146: 16  You open your hand and satisfy the

                              desires of every living thing.

Psalm 146: 7   Give food to the hungry.

1 Kings 8: 59  ...the cause of his people Israel

                            according to each day's need.

                            (Daily provision)

Matthew 5: 6  Blessed are those who hunger and

                             thirst for righteousness, for they will

                             be filled. (Spiritual feed)

Matthew 6: 11  Give us today or daily bread.

1 Kings 58: 56  Not one word (God's words) has

                                failed of the good promises.

       Do you take back the good promises? Do you proclaim they are yours? If you do it, you will receive the good promises which God has given you now or later. Receive them!

Receive the treasure of darkness, you can find all in the Bible!

Author: Rev. Rebecca Sun

Spiritual Wisdom and Understanding - Wise Women (C)

Read: Proverbs 31: 10-31

She speaks with wisdom and faithful instrction is on her tongue.

Proverbs 31: 26



         Yesterday, I visited a sister who gave me two buckets of water, and I returned her with Kanga (a pieces of African material) and she would deliver one basket ball to one African boy. Then I taught English class at my home. And I discovered that my student is called Salon who is Muslim and also orphan. He live with his grandmother who is a policewoman. Then I gave him some sweeping leaves job, he can get some money to return his younger brother cell phone.

        Today, we will talk about wise women, so men still need to understand it. I think that the wise women are for everybody, not only for women. Whoever you choose a wife who has noble character which is good. Not only outside, but inside out. I have thought many men who choose for their wives for beauty. But the good and noble character, they pass them who are not attractive from outside. So that it will cause the problem later. Everyone will be different for later, some of them grow fat and ugly; some of them grow thin and beautiful. If God looks for our hearts, how about you as the men?

       I also believe that these verses are not for only married women, but single ones too. Scripture verse 1 said, "A wife (woman) of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Then verses 11-12 said, "her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life." Her husband trust her doing, she will bring good, not harm and lacks nothing of value. Verses 13-19 talk about her management for her house, she is working day and night for her family. And verse 20 said, "She open her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy."  It stands for her who has helped the poor and needy people, not only she takes her family, but others too.

        Verses 21-22 talked about she made all winter clothes to her family, when it snows, she has no fear for household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. And she makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple (a expensive material). Then verse 23 said, "Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land." Her husband is respected at the city gate with the elders of the land, because of his wife of noble character.

       Verses 24-25 talk about her who has a good business, so "she is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come." She has future and hope with joy. I love verse 26 said, "She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue." She got wisdom to do things or speak, and faithful instruction is one her wise tongue.  Then verse 27 said, "She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." She watches over everything, she does work without idleness.

        Verses 28-29 said, "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Her children and her husband who praise her, according what she has done!  And she surpass the many women who do noble things for all.

        And verse 30 said, "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." The reason for all, this woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. As Proverbs 9: 10 said, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understand."

       Verse 31 said, "Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." Her praise is for all people who praise her too. When they gather together at the city gate, they praise her who has the woman of noble character and what she has done all which are good to be praised. Amen!

A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Author: Rev. Rebecca Sun

Spiritual Wisdom and Understanding (B)

Read: Colossians 1: 9-14; Proverbs 9: 12, 31: 26;

Romans 8: 13-17; John 8: 12; James 1: 5

If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

Proverbs 9: 12

       Yesterday, I had five children in Forest children Sunday service at my home where is named Disciple Gospel Center. My yard is clean now, yesterday one father and his son cut my grasses, and the call was from my fixing car boss Karim who told me that he found my engine, today, this afternoon will arrive at Morogoro. Praise the Lord! May God bless his people in the world!

       A famous American preacher Joyce Meyer said, "You read the word of God, you need to have spiritual Wisdom and Understanding." The 700 club Pad said, his New Year hope, number one is wisdom. We must need spiritual wisdom and we can see insight of Scripture Verses.

       We will continue Colossians 1: 11-14, in verses 11-12 said, "being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience and joyfully, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light." Yesterday we talked about spiritual wisdom and understand as Paul and Timothy prayer. They lead to bear fruit in good work, you have to act out and show your testimony, and bearing fruit is your deed, attitude and characters, in order that you can grow in the knowledge of God, you truly understand the Word of God well. God gives us insight of his words.

       Verses 11-12, we just read as above, God will strengthen us with all power according to his glorious might, the reason for it, we may have great endurance and patience and joyfully, the words say, "we need to endure and patience so big by God's mighty power, we endure suffering with joy. Not our strength, but His. After we conquer all, we give thank to God. No, we still endure and patience greatly, but we give thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. I love inheritance of God, how about you? In Romans 8: 13-17 said, "for it you live according to sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God (daughters of God). For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of Sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."

       We are Children of God, so that we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. So that Jesus got inheritance, we are co-heirs with Christ, we get same inheritance with Christ. And Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of light." (John 8: 12) Jesus is the light of the world. As Colossians 1: 13-14 said, "For he (God) has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."God will rescue you from the dominion  of darkness and brought you into the Kingdom of the Son he loves. God has forgiven our sings by his redemption. I always download The 700 club, I watch on my laptop, I have heard many testimonies, they talked that they lived in the darkness, when they called on God who will rescue them and deliver them from the darkness situation to light and being new life again by his redemption and forgiveness. Praise the Lord for all!

            In James 1: 5 said, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." We don't have earth and spiritual wisdom, we can ask God to give us as king Solomon asked. God gives generously to all without finding fault. Not because of your deeds, acccording to your prayer. We thank God for wisdom.

        I think that spiritual wisdom and understanding can bring out too many things. I like to talk same topic with different thoughts. I also think that you seek the spiritual wisdom and understanding, you will get it as Matthew 7: 7-8 said, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." May God bless your day with light of Jesus!

Spiritual wisdom and understanding will bring our effective and abundant life which are full of Christ.



Author: Rev. Rebecca Sun

Spiritual Wisdom and Understanding (A)

Read: Colossians 1: 9-14; Proverbs 8: 11-12, 9: 10

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs 9: 10

.... we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

Colossians 1: 9

         When I graduated from my college, I got the best honor. I wrote down "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" in the College book.  And I knew that God had given me wisdom and understanding. Because I wanted to get up one hour early to the other students, then I did my devotion - read Bible and pray every morning at 6am, and God really honored me later. I would sit outside with a lot of mosquitoes, but I prayed that no mosquitoes could bite me during one hour. God listened to my prayer, no mosquitoes bit me. I memorized many Scripture Verses in my Chinese Bible, because I gave myself task to memorize one verse per a day. Then I would record during the day and night until I remembered it. God have been faithful to me until today. I thank Jesus who has given me Spiritual wisdom and understanding the words, spiritual dreams and vision when I was young until I am 49 years old.

        Please you continue to pray for my car, and I bought the engine which will work in my car. Today is Sunday. I will lead the Forest Hill children service at my home where is named Disciple Gospel Center. May God bless my work in his hands!

        King Solomon asked for Wisdom in 1 Kings 3: 9 said, "So give your servant (Solomon) a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?" Then God answered him and he said in verses 10-13 said, "The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth  for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that here will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for both riches and honor - so that in your life time you will have no equal among kings."

        Then Solomon wrote Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. In Proverbs 8: 11-12 said, "For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion." So wisdom is more than all treasures in this world. Wisdom and prudence dwell together, it process knowledge and discretion.

        Paul and Timothy heard Colossians and they asked God to fill then with knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. (Colossians 1: 9) Then they prayed this in order that Colossians may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him (G0d) in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. (V 10-11). All spiritual wisdom and understanding, there may please God in every way and reason is for bearing fruit in every good work, bearing fruit is our attitude, characters (fruit of Spirit in Galatians 5: 22-23) and deed. Then we are growing to know God well. Knowing God is hard, but we need to have a intimate relationship with God.

        Tomorrow we continue to study Colossians 1: 9-13 for Spiritual Wisdom and Understand. See you and welcome again!

Ask God to give you spiritual eyes to get spiritual insight, spiritual wisdom and understanding.



Author: Rev. Rebecca Sun

David in his Psalms - Psalm 30 (B)

Read: Psalm 30: 6-12; Matthew 1: 23; Zechariah 9: 9; Luke 19: 28-39

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.

Psalm 30:11

        Last night, I paid half money for my car engine. The mechanic boss Karim will buy it and if he can find the truck today, it will be Morogoro at noon. This engine will try into my car, it is working, I will pay another half. Thank you to Jesus who opens a way for me, where does it seem no way.

       Today, we will look into Psalm 30: 6-12 principles as below:

(5)  God favored David. (V 6-7)

        "When I felt secure, I said, "I will never be shaken." O Lord, when you favored me, you made my mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed." David put his trust on God who has favored David with secure, no be shaken, standing firm. Otherwise he was dismayed when God hide his face. It stands for less trusting on his God. We learn that we need to trust God who gives us his favor and we will not be shaken and fear not. Because our Lord, Jesus is with us as his name - Immanuel. (Matthew 1: 23) We praise Him all in all!

(6)  David cried for God's mercy. (V 8-10)

       "To you, O Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy; What gain is there in my destruction, in my going down into the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness? Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me; O Lord, be my help." David cried for mercy, he asked God that will the dust praise Him? Will it proclaim his faithfulness? God please gave mercifully to David and be his help. David knew that his help is from God alone, and he had kept his trust on God.

        We want to get the help from God, we have to put our trust and hope on God who will rescue us in his time. We may not like to wait for God's answer for 'No, and wait', we like God to say only 'Yes!' In fact, we need to wait his help as our prayer, he will help in time. When we are waiting for our answer or a help, we need to praise him for who he is worthy and deserve our praise. Amen!

(7) Turned gloomy to rejoice. (V 11)

     "You turned my wailing in to dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy." The joy of the Lord is our strength. We need to change our attitude to a new powerful thought. It changes from negative to positive. So that we can dance with joy, God has removed our sack clothes as sorrows and bad situation. Then we cannot change our situation, we can change our attitude and thoughts. Praise the Lord!

(8)  Praise and thanks to God. (V 12)

       "that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. o Lord my God I will give you thanks forever." We cannot silent for Jesus who has done the great things for us. When Jesus rode a donkey and a colt, and triumphal entry Jerusalem: Zechariah 9: 9  said, "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king (Jesus) comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. As Luke 19: 37-38 said, "When he came near the place where the road goes down the mount of Olives, the whole road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" Then verses 39-40 said, Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" I (Jesus) "tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

        Thank you for your reading all historical Psalms of David. There were 14 of them. We have finished all today. Praise the Lord! Tomorrow, we will see here.

Trust God who hears your cry,

He will answer you in time.

Author: Rev. Rebecca Sun