This week we had a chance to go to Keystone, South Dakota to visit our friend from India, Pastor Thimothi Roe, who was attending a month long class on church planting. What a joy it was! Thimothi was thrilled that we would come so far to visit. (I explained to him that it was closer than traveling to India!) Just seeing Thimothi was only part of our motive in going. The other part was being able to pass along DVD’s and CD’s of our teachings that Thimothi has found beneficial in instructing pastors in his native India. There were about 35 ministers in attendance from around the world. India, Great Britain, Uganda, Togo, Ivory Coast, Cyprus, Egypt, Costa Rica, Spain, Bulgaria, Israel and others. What a joy to meet and spend time with these Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

I was a bit overwhelmed as I milled about with such great leaders. I questioned the value of the teaching I came to pass along to such a distinguished group. As we visited together Thimothi shared some thoughts on these teachings. He commented on the value of doing evangelistic work in India and how encouraged he was with the crusades. He went on to say, “Pastor Ted, if we don’t instruct the pastors with these teachings you have on “Helps” we will not be able to keep the newly converted AND we will loose the Pastors as well.” We were awed and humbled by his remarks.

The blessing of the time spent goes even farther. We came with what we had, our loaves and fishes. God blessed our efforts and multiplied them further. Thimothi has graciously offered to duplicate and mail these teaching in India. He will handle getting these teachings to those pastors who will benefit the most. He knows the needs, has the contacts, and can duplicate and mail the material much cheaper than we can. God is good. Thanks for your part!

Pastor TED

Imagine being the guy that had to lead the children of Israel after Moses died!  As they say, “That would be a tough act to follow”.  Yet, this was the plan of God for Joshua.  I imagine Joshua was thinking that those shoes of Moses’ would not be easy shoes to fill.  His mind must have raced to the great feats of his deliverer and mentor.  Joshua had to wonder if he would have had the courage to boldly stand before Pharaoh, the most powerful ruler on earth and declare, “Let my people go!”  Could he have had the confidence to stand and raise his staff on the edge of the Red Sea, patiently waiting in the dark all night while the wind blew and the army of Pharaoh stood ready to pounce?  Would he have been bold enough to deal with those who wanted to elect another leader and go back to Egypt?  Would he have trusted God and struck that rock to provide water for an angry crowd?  Did he have what it took to be considered a friend of God like Moses was?  Did he posses the humility to receive counsel from a subordinate as Moses did from Jethro?  On and on his mind must have raced.  (I suspect his mind raced much like ours does when faced with the challenges of life and Godliness when compared to our own inabilities!)

God in His Wisdom helps Joshua by putting the past deeds and ministry of Moses, and Joshua’s coming deeds and ministry in perspective.   Josh 1:5 As I WAS WITH Moses, so I will be with you.  I will not leave you nor forsake you.  As I WAS WITH Moses, what liberating words!  God was saying to Joshua that the victories of Moses weren’t because of Moses, but because He, (God) was WITH him. The Lord assures Joshua then with the promise of His presence. With that presence comes the promise of success. As He was Moses’ God, now He wanted to be Joshua’s God.

God then gave Joshua a key to victory that would see him through the toughest of times and the greatest of challenges.  That key belongs to us as well.  Josh 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your MOUTH, but you shall MEDITATE in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.  That instruction comes with a great promise: For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  There is great power in God’s Word.  In studying this verse you’ll find that God’s instruction to Joshua was to speak God’s Word and promises from his mouth and mutter them in his heart.  (Even I can do that!)

How does this apply to us? You may not be Billy Graham, but you serve Billy’s God!  As God was with Billy, God is with you!  Success in Christ isn’t based on status, education, or finances.  It is based on Christ alone and His gift of Grace.  Our part is to walk with this Great and Sovereign God, and as He speaks, say what He says and keep those Words in our hearts!