12292018 God Pays Attention

Dear Missionary Lady,

If you're anything like me, you probably have thoughts of discouragement from time to time. I don't mean just about life in general - casual things like meals that don't turn out well, friends that don't keep in contact, or a financial situation that just won't improve. I'm talking about the important things - spiritual matters.

You wouldn't be serving faithfully in the ministry where God has called you if you didn't have a heart and passion for God. Therefore, it means a lot to you that you do His work well, that you represent Him well to other people, that your relationship with Him is strong, and that He is pleased with your labors. You want to do a good job for Him.

Unfortunately, we can't always see what is really happening, and sometimes our efforts seem futile. We don't understand the big picture of God's work as it relates to our individual situation, and sometimes it seems that our part is having no impact. We don't even know if God is going to do an amazing work through us or whether He wants to give people an opportunity to hear the truth, even though He knows most will reject it.

Basically, it is easy for us to get discouraged when we don't see the visible results that we are hoping for. We might wonder if our efforts matter or whether God even sees what we are doing. Will there ever be lasting results? Is God paying attention to our hearts and to our labors?

I was recently encouraged along these lines by Psalm 52. David was fleeing for his life, and Doeg revealed his hiding place to King Saul. David was certainly a man who tried to do right, and he had served King Saul faithfully, from playing his harp to calm Saul, to serving as his armor bearer, to performing great military exploits on his behalf. David had done nothing to deserve Saul's wrath, but he faced it nonetheless.

In the opening verses of the psalm, David speaks about a wicked man. Whether he is speaking of Doeg or Saul specifically or about evil men in general, he describes the mischief, lies, and deceit (vs. 2-4). This man loves evil more than good (v. 3), and at the moment this man is mighty (v. 1). Such success, however, is temporary. God sees all. God sees that this man trusts in his riches and his own strength and his wicked power (v. 7), and God will respond accordingly. The day of reckoning will come (v. 5).

Just as God is paying attention to the wicked, He is also paying attention to the righteous. "The goodness of God endureth continually" (v. 1), and He will show that goodness to the righteous. The day is coming when they will see vindication (v. 6). David doesn't trust in himself like the wicked man does; David trusts in God and in His tender mercies (v. 8). David does see God's blessing to some extent. Even in the midst of his trials, he describes himself as "a green olive tree in the house of God" (v. 8). He has seen God act on his behalf (v. 9).

But David's answer hasn't fully come. He is, in fact, in the midst of one of the most trying times of his entire life. In that difficulty, his trust is in God. He determines to praise God and wait on Him. He knows that God's goodness will take care of him. "I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints" (v. 9).

Just as God sees the wicked and responds accordingly, God also sees the righteous and responds accordingly. The answers and the deliverance may not come immediately, but there is no doubt that God is paying attention. There is no doubt that God acts and will act in accordance with His good character. God always sees His children, and He always does what is right for them.

The power and prosperity of the wicked are temporary; the trials and difficulties of the righteous are also temporary. God will turn things around and will bring the right end result. We may not know exactly what that will look like or when it will happen, but we can confidently trust God that it will happen. What you do today matters for eternity. Your heart for God matters. Your labors for Him matter.

God sees, and He is pleased with every sincere effort and with every expression of your love for Him. So don't get discouraged over what doesn't seem to be going well or what doesn't seem to be yielding results. God is paying attention to what you are doing for Him in the little corner where He has placed you. He is even now responding to that, and in His time, He will give the full response of blessing. Trust and wait on the One who is always paying careful attention.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com

12212018 Merry Christmas

Dear Missionary Lady,

Warm greetings on this first day of winter - or summer, depending on where you live.

I work in a secular workplace. The company founder and president is a Christian, and many Christians work there. Recently we had our office Christmas party, and I was surprised by the words and attitude of one of my co-workers. He grew up as an MK in Brazil and has taken mission trips there as an adult; I believe he is a Christian. The others at the table know him better than I do, and when he came and sat down at the last minute, they started teasing him about not wanting to come to the party and not liking Christmas. His response confirmed their statements; he has little love for Christmas and views it negatively, as an annoying nuisance or unwelcome burden.

I commented something to this effect: "I can understand that there are aspects of Christmas that someone wouldn't like, but when you think about the real Christmas, you have to like that."

Sadly, there are too many negatives that have been introduced to Christmas, and there are some unwelcome aspects of Christmas for some people. I thought maybe you could relate to some of them.

First, commercialism. We are constantly bombarded with advertisements in every venue - television, radio, Internet, billboards, magazines, store signs, mailers, etc. Christmas has become about making money and about convincing people to spend money. People's yards are filled with hundreds of dollars worth of lights and decorations, as each person tries to outdo his neighbor.

Second, corruption. Christmas has been hijacked by good sentiments. Probably the most questionable and offensive one is Santa Claus, but the essence of Christmas has been changed in so many other ways. Some of them are good - being charitable, spending time with family and friends, thinking positive thoughts of love and kindness, but even those good things fall short of recognizing Christmas for what it is. Other changes are decidedly negative, with increased (and sanctioned) use of alcohol, accompanied by partying and even dancing to Christmas carols.

Third, gift-giving. When I was a child, we often got one gift, usually something we needed. Today's parents are pressured to give more and more, both in quantity and in extravagance. Even for those to whom we want to give, there can be the difficulty in knowing what to give, the inconvenience of shopping, and the added expense. Then the realm of recipients keeps growing, as we are asked for money on all sides. We are asked to give money to multiple people, organizations, and causes, some of which we love and support, but we don't have the resources to participate in every opportunity. Christmas could be dreaded simply from not having the money in the budget.

Fourth, busyness. December can become crazy, with parties, activities, and gatherings. There can be extra church activities, including special services, programs, and rehearsals. Personal life has to accommodate extra cooking, hostessing, cleaning, and shopping. We can simply be exhausted.

Fifth, loneliness. Christmas can be difficult for those who are separated from family. While this can be hard enough in a special one-time situation, the difficulty can grow when it is repeated year after year or when the faraway loved ones are having an especially meaningful gathering or a difficult challenge. Christmas can also be especially hard for those who are alone. At a time when it seems everyone around them is enjoying family activities and sharing special moments, they have no one to gather with or share traditions with. A time that is associated with the height of happiness for others becomes the opposite for the lonely.

Sixth, expectations. Christmas is a time of excitement and anticipation. If the expectations are not met, there can be great hurt and disappointment. If the expectations of a wonderful Christmas are met, there can be a huge letdown when life returns to boring normalcy.

All of these are reasons not to like Christmas, but none of them (other than the church services) are truly Christmas! So if anything about this season threatens to discourage or overwhelm you, I hope that you will remember and focus on real Christmas instead. When we remember that message, there is nothing negative or unwelcome. Jesus came to be our Savior. He came to redeem lost souls and to rescue lost sheep. He came to love the unlovable and to reconcile a sinful world to Himself. He came to give hope, peace, joy, love, and forgiveness.

That is what Christmas is all about, and it is what places you exactly where you are. It is what gives you your mission. It is your message to those around you, and it is only the impact of the gospel that can change all those negative aspects of Christmas. As you share the Christmas message, people can be enlightened to understand what really matters. They can be delivered from the sin and deception. They can receive hope to carry them through difficult seasons. Christmas isn't the problem; Christmas is the solution!

I wish you all the most joyful of Christmas seasons, with strength to do all you need to do in ministry and with blessed fellowship with your family and fellow believers. May you be encouraged and renewed with the wonder of the message you are taking to your place of service. I pray that in these days and weeks God will prosper His message as it goes forth from your lips and from your hands, and I pray that you will see discernible fruit in the harvest. Rejoice in the Savior!

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com

12142018 Which Needs?

Dear Missionary Lady,

God is good, and He does so much for us. Even though we know that is true, it is our human nature to focus not on the many things He has done, but on the few things He has not done. Each of us could easily compose a list of things we really want God to do right now, of prayers we especially long for Him to answer, of needs we are waiting for Him to meet.

Sometimes that list is comprised of major things. We recognize and appreciate the wealth of small blessings and daily provisions; we are aware that God is doing good things for us - all but the biggest need! There is one pressing need on which so much depends, and for some reason God is delaying that answer. Maybe you need more support or you will have to leave the field. You might face major issues with the rebellious choices of one of your children or obstinate, divisive conflict with a coworker. You could be dealing with a pressing need for a church building, a seemingly impossible search for a pastor to take over the work, or a threatening government regulation. There might be a serious health concern, or you might feel the imminent need for a vacation before you explode.

Your situation might be quite the opposite; the big picture is glowingly positive and the ministry is blessed and thriving, but it's the little things that are missing. The kids need shoes, you can't find a favorite food, or you're missing communication from loved ones. You don't have time to add desired ministries, and you need help with small tasks at church. Your prayer card picture is a photogenic disaster, or a website detail remains an issue.

Whatever the need, it is easy to cry out in frustration and discouragement, "God, You have done all these other things. Why can't You meet this need?" We know, of course, that God can meet every need. A wonderful place to be reminded of that truth is Psalm 23.

"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters." God meets our immediate material needs each day. He provides food and water, rest and safety.

"He restoreth my soul." God meets our deepest internal needs when we are fragile and overwhelmed.

"He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." God gives guidance and direction, showing us just what steps to take.

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me." God meets our needs in the very darkest hours and in the most ominous situations. He does not leave us then.

"Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." God ministers to our heart when we are hurting.

"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies." God provides even in the face of danger, when all around threatens our existence.

"Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." Far beyond the barest necessities, God gives blessing and abundance and shows His bountiful care.

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." God gives spiritual blessings, which are what we really need, and He gives them every day - right here in the present - for as long as we live. These spiritual blessings will never run out.

"And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever." Just when we thought everything was covered, the best is yet to come.

Truly "The LORD is my shepherd." He is the kind and solicitous one who devotes Himself wholly to us, His needy sheep. "I shall not want." We will not lack or be in need. He meets all our needs in every aspect and time of life.

"Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore; ye are of more value than many sparrows" (Luke 12:5-6). There is nothing too small for God to care about, no need so insignificant that He does not notice.

"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32). God has already met the greatest possible need. There is nothing so big that He cannot meet it; if He paid such a price for our salvation, He can easily attend to the other matters of life.

God is able, and He is committed to meeting our needs. He knows them all, and His love compels Him to provide for us. What needs remain unmet? "Ask, and ye shall receive." Yes, we know there are other verses and conditions that apply to prayer, but this is God's basic instruction.

When the answer doesn't come in our timing or according to our preference, what then? This is where it is hard - when there is something that in our minds just has to happen, and we wait and pray, but don't see results. In these times, we must talk to God about how that affects us. We can tell Him, "Father, I'm hurting, I'm disappointed, I'm confused, and I'm discouraged at not seeing this answer." We must accompany those heart cries with words of trust and submission: "But I choose to trust You to do what You know is best, to meet what You know are my actual needs, and to do so in the manner and timing You choose, even if I never see the answers I want." Such a humble response to God prompts grace from God - grace to submit, grace to trust, grace to wait, grace to endure.

It isn't always easy, but God is always good, and He will always act in accordance with His character. May God show Himself special to you this week by providing something you really need and by giving you the grace to wait on Him for what He hasn't yet provided.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com

12072018 A Soldier's Sacrifice

Dear Missionary Lady,

Happy December 7th! You probably didn't know it was a holiday, but today marks at least two important events. The first is my spiritual birthday. I now have 35 years of walking with God. Over the years of time, I'm sure there are thousands and thousands of others who share my special day, maybe even some from your ministry. Maybe someone today. If you haven't had the joy of seeing someone saved recently, I pray it will happen for you very soon.

Today's second event is better known: the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. As devastating as that attack was for the U.S. Navy, the Japanese did not realize they had awakened a sleeping giant. The move the Japanese thought would guarantee the strength of their position ended up being the start of their demise.

For many years I have been interested in World War II, and I have read many books on the subject. One of the most powerful was about the D-Day invasion in Normandy. I was sobered and overwhelmed by the sacrifice of those soldiers. Those men marched off the landing craft, knowing that many of them would die. On that day alone, approximately 5,500 American, British, and Canadian soldiers lost their lives.

Risk of death is not the only difficulty a soldier faces. He might be wounded and face a long, painful recovery. He might lose a part of his body, like a leg or an eye, limiting his capacity. He might live with mental and emotional scars because of the trauma of battle. He is separated from family for long periods of time, not knowing if or when he will see them again. He leaves behind pleasures and comforts. He lives simply and sometimes under deprivation. He obeys orders that are uncomfortable, not following his own plan but that of his superior officer. He stays up at night when that is his duty. He learns new jobs. He never completely relaxes. He travels from place to place, not having a permanent home. He makes do with what he has. He is one of many, filling the role he is given as one cog in a giant machine. He is often underappreciated. He is definitely underpaid. He gives years of his life that he can never get back. When he comes back home, he finds things and people changed, and he may not fit in.

I could probably go on, but I share that list as a poignant picture of what it is like to be a Christian soldier. If you read the list again, I'm sure you will find many, many parallels to your own life. It is not an accident that God refers to Christians who serve Him as soldiers. It is an apt picture.

"No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier" (II Timothy 2:4).

As you serve God, you have made the decisions revealed in this verse. In a world (particularly the American culture) that constantly strives toward pleasure, entertainment, and relaxation, you have distanced yourself from those pursuits. In order to effectively serve God, you have laid some things aside. You have done this so that you can please the One who has chosen you. Everything you do is for Him and to accomplish His plans and objectives. Such service will be worth the effort. What you do today matters for eternity, and God is not a "general" who overlooks the labors of his soldiers. He knows what you are doing, and your obedience meets with His pleasure. Some day He will speak words of approval and reward.

Thank you for choosing to follow God. Thank you for remaining faithful in spite of the challenges. While you may feel like you are part of a small, select group, the truth is that the church needs examples like you. The church needs to see people who will sacrifice everything to serve God. Not every Christian will follow your example or share your passion, but many, many Christians will be challenged and encouraged by your labors.

Keep moving forward this week in whatever mission God places before you. Trust Him for the orders that don't seem to make sense. Trust that your role will intersect with that of many others, so that together God's work will be done.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com

12012018 Faith in the Storm

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings once again, my sisters! I trust that God is giving you grace and strength for each day and each responsibility.

You realize, don't you, that life isn't always easy? Life is comprised of storms. Even in that truth, there is a recognition that not all storms are created equal. There are soft showers, there are dousing downpours, there are tumultuous thunderstorms, and there are even horrific hurricanes.

God doesn't deny that storms come. Quite the opposite. He freely reveals that difficult storms come, and He calls them trials of our faith. "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience" (James 1:3). "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (I Peter 1:7).

In the storms, it is our faith that is tested. It isn't too hard to keep faith in the showers and downpours. We might even do okay in the thunderstorms. The hurricanes become the most challenging of all. In such storms, life seems impossible. There is no way out. Destruction seems imminent. We are battered and bruised. We can barely catch our breath.

We wish that we had some encouragement or hope of seeing an answer. If we just knew when the storm would be over, it might enable us to endure. If we were assured that we would survive the storm unscathed, maybe we could wait it out. But in these storms there seem to be no answers, no assurances, no guarantees. The uncertainty and hopelessness add to the intensity of the storm itself, and we may feel like we are alone on a tiny rubber raft in the middle of a hurricane, lost in the middle of a great ocean, with no one knowing where we are and with rescue attempts impossible.

Reality check: life for a Christian is never as bad as just described. Yes, it might feel that way, but it isn't that way. Why? Because we have a God who is watching over us. Because we have a God who has all power and wisdom. Because we have a God who loves us beyond measure. Because we have a God who gives us precious promises and assurances.

When I consider life as a stormy assault on faith, I love this verse. "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil" (Hebrews 6:19). There is an anchor that is so secure that it can hold us through every storm. Every storm. Not even the harshest hurricane is a match for our anchor. We have a hope that serves as an absolutely reliable anchor.

What is that hope based on this passage? I find it a little difficult to be dogmatic about the answer, but let me tell you some of the truths found in the preceding verses. First, Abraham received a promise from God; he patiently endured and then obtained the promise. Second, it is impossible for God to lie, so every promise He makes will be fulfilled. Third, we have a hope set before us, which I believe refers to heaven. My personal opinion is that the primary interpretation of "hope" in this passage is the promise of heaven. In truth, all three truths work together. God can't lie, so He kept the promise He made to Abraham, and He will also keep the promise He has made to us. Like Abraham, we may have to go through an extended time of not seeing answers, but the answers God has promised will most assuredly come.

In the meantime, our faith must endure, just as Abraham's did. Abraham was known for his faith, but he was not perfect in his faith. In fact, if you study his life, some of his greatest failures resulted precisely because of a lack of faith. But Abraham grew in his faith. As he went through each storm, he became more mature in his faith, until he faced the most difficult storm (being asked to sacrifice Isaac) with unshakeable faith and with tremendous victory.

So if you are battered and tossed, if the storm seems insurmountable, and if no rescue seems imminent, cling to that anchor. It won't move. You might be flung around. Your feet might find no solid footing. You might not see anything but darkness. But you can know that at the very core, you will not move. If you cling to the anchor, you will survive. When the storm has ended, you will look around and find that you are just where you need to be and that you were not nearly as lost as you had imagined.

I close with one verse and one passage from Psalms. "By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea" (Psalm 65:5).

"They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; these see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them into their desired haven. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" (Psalm 107:23-31).

Endure. Wait. Hope. Trust. As long as it takes. His promise is true.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com

11252018 Eternal Rest

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings. I hope you and your families are well. I've had a crazy few days and am still recovering, but I wanted to send at least a brief note to let you know I am thinking of you and praying for you.

I live a little more than two hours away from my parents and just traveled there  and back to spend a few days with them. Four of the five siblings were there, along with five grandchildren (my nieces and nephews). We had a house full most of the time I was there, which led to much more chaos and considerably more activity than I am used to. It was nice to have the visit, though somewhat hard on me physically. I returned yesterday to try to recuperate before the work week. I thought I would share a few spiritual thoughts that parallel my trip.

First, the joy that we share with earthly family is just a small taste of what heaven will be like. What joy it will be to gather with our Savior and our brothers and sisters in Christ in perfect, eternal fellowship! As good as family sharing is, that will be far better.

Second, my earthly body is weak, but in that heavenly gathering I will never have to be careful or concerned about wearing myself out. Life on this broken earth will come to an end, and heaven will be uninterrupted joy and bliss. We can deal with this life's troubles when we remember what awaits.

Third, sometimes temporary pain and discomfort is an acceptable trade for some kind of pleasure. I wouldn't have sacrificed the family time in order to avoid the physical challenge Likewise, this earth does present its pains and challenges as we serve God, but when we consider the conclusion, we would not avoid the earthly burdens at the cost of losing the eternal significance.

Fourth, as I take some time to rest, I know that my rest is short-lived. I will have to go back to work and will get tired again. But the day of eternal rest is coming. In heaven the rest will not be temporary, fleeting, or insufficient. Earthly frailty and imperfection will be abolished permanently.

Whether thinking of physical discomfort, the challenges of ministry, or any other struggle, the hymn is wonderfully true, as it states,

"It will be worth it all when we see Jesus!

Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ.
One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase.
So, bravely run the race till we see Christ." (Esther Rusthoi)

Keep on this week. Try to look past the temporary trials to see the eternal rest. What you do today matters for eternity. "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18).

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com

11162018 Thanksgiving Protection

Dear Missionary Lady,

Happy Thanksgiving! Holidays on the mission field are interesting. Depending on the holiday (like Thanksgiving), it may be a holiday that is not even celebrated in that culture. It can be hard, if not impossible, to find items you are used to having - like turkey or Christmas trees. And on the upside-down part of the world or in tropical climates, the seasons don't match up with what you are used to!

Because so many holidays are celebrated somewhat uniquely in the U.S., it is common for missionaries in a given area to gather together at these times. The fellowship can be special, as the co-workers take on the role of family while providing a venue for celebrating together in familiar ways. I pray that God will give you something special this week and that you will be able to truly rejoice in God's goodness to you.

I remember one Thanksgiving in Mexico. One of the missionary families was hosting several other families, and I was invited. Each family or individual was contributing something to the meal. Since I didn't have a reputation for cooking much, I was asked to bring the rolls. The missionary wife specifically asked for a particular style of roll that I planned to purchase the day before.

Wednesday was a day for running errands after school ended. I picked up a bookcase I had ordered and a pair of glasses. Additionally, I probably stopped at the post office and got some groceries for myself, as well as looking for the rolls for the next day. I went to three different stores, trying to find the requested style of roll, but without success.

As I left the third store, I pulled into a center turn lane where I waited for the traffic to clear. Suddenly, a car struck my driver's side door. I was able to move across the lanes of traffic to the side of the road, and the offending driver made the turn also before speeding away. I couldn't open my door, and the window was shattered, with bits of glass all through the car. I was uninjured except for a small cut on my leg and some whiplash. A couple bystanders came over, and one of them stole a pair of sunglasses from my car while "helping" me.

Needless to say, I gave up on my quest for rolls and made my way home. At the Thanksgiving gathering the next day, I had an unexpected item for which to give thanks - God's protection. Driving in many countries is an adventure, and Mexico is no exception. With all the miles traveled and the risks inherent to that country, I had just one other incident, which caused even less damage than the Thanksgiving accident. There certainly were opportunities for more serious incidents, but God protected me.

There is a commonly-given statement, with perhaps some variations, but the basic idea is this: You are safer on the mission field in the will of God than you are at home out of the will of God. While I appreciate what that teaching wants to emphasize (that being in the will of God is most important and that God can protect under any circumstances), the statement is not entirely accurate. Some mission fields are quite dangerous. God certainly can protect and often does, but sometimes mission fields are dangerous even to the point of death.

This was recently true in the life of Charles Wesco. I assume most if not all of you have heard his story. After less than two weeks in the war-torn country of Cameroon, he was shot and killed, leaving behind a widow and eight children. My heart was so burdened for that family and overwhelmed with the enormity of what had happened. It was too much to try to comprehend. I was sensitive also to those of you serving on foreign fields. If I briefly entertained the thought that it could have happened to me while I was abroad, I'm sure some of you also considered the potential danger for your family.

Wow, I didn't intend to make this letter so somber! My intent is not to overwhelm you with negative feelings or fears, but rather to remind you of what you already know. First, it is worth it to follow God's leading. There is always a cost in following God, and we don't know what that cost will be, but we will not regret any of that cost when we stand before our Savior. There is also a cost in not following God, and none of us want to pay that. There is also reward in following God, and your ministry is motivated by that reward. What you do today matters for eternity. We have no way of knowing all that God will do through us, but there is no better option than to follow His plan and allow Him to use us.

Second, God can protect. I suspect you have your own stories of protection - both first-hand as well as stories that have been related to you by others. God is not limited. He can protect young men in a raging fiery furnace, a man in a pit of hungry lions, and people surrounded by attacking armies. True, some have died for Christ, but that is never because of God's inability to protect.

Third, God uses all things for our good and His glory. This is hard for us, because we are human. We feel loss and pain, sometimes very deeply. Also, we can't see eternity, so we can struggle when we don't see the purpose. We can trust God, however, that He is using everything for His good purposes. He says He is. Even if we suffer and even if we do not see the good, God is doing His work.

Don't be afraid. Trust the Almighty God who is always watching over you. You are safe in His hands, both now and in eternity.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com

11102018 Matters for Eternity

Dear Missionary Lady,

As the season of Thanksgiving approaches, I trust you are finding many things for which to thank God, both in your ministry and in your personal life. God is so good to us and showers us with so many blessings, both spiritual and temporal. Certainly, He is worthy of our thanks, praise, and service.

You may have noticed that in each letter so far, I have written this sentence: "What you do today matters for eternity." I have included this statement deliberately, because it is hard for me to think of a more appropriate reminder for those in God's service. Of course, the thought is true for all Christians, but it is true in a special way for those who have dedicated themselves to labor for eternal investment.

To some degree, this reminder serves as a challenge. If what we do matters for eternity, then we had better make good choices, doing the right things and evaluating our activities and efforts to be sure they have eternal significance. We must be sober in this life, not carelessly expending our time and energy on frivolous and valueless efforts.

My intent in sharing the reminder, however, is not so much to challenge as to encourage. Life and ministry are filled with many tasks, some of them repetitive and time-consuming; sometimes the big picture gets lost in the tangle of routine life. God has called you to a life with an eternal focus, and all the details required for living that life contribute to that eternally-focused ministry. Therefore, those tasks do matter.

For example, cleaning the church building may seem a drudgery, maybe even a waste of your talents and a drain on your energy that could be devoted elsewhere. But cleaning the church is necessary for the effective functioning of the church. Many other routine tasks could fall into this same category. I'll let you enumerate the specifics in your situation. While it is natural to think that you could accomplish more valuable types of ministry if you did not have to spend so much time doing these mundane things, your practical service is also important.

If God provides others to do some of those routine tasks, wonderful. If not, I hope you will remember as you do them that they do matter. I think of the early church in Acts 6:1-6. It wasn't expedient for the apostles to leave off teaching the Word in order to wait on tables, but waiting on tables and thereby meeting the needs of the church members was an important task also. Someone had to do it. Perhaps that someone is you, and perhaps your carrying some of those responsibilities frees your husband or your co-workers to carry out some of the ministry aspects of the church.

My consideration of this statement about eternal value in daily tasks also takes into account your service to your family. Women who work a job outside the home often despair at the challenge of juggling everything; even for those who devote themselves to the home, the tasks are never finished. Laundry is unending, meal preparation is constant, and caring for the children is incessant. In a foreign country, those tasks can be even more time-consuming, depending on the culture and available conveniences. I can imagine the challenge of trying to add ministry responsibilities to an already full schedule. "If only my home responsibilities didn't require so much of my time," I can hear the sigh.

This aspect is also an important part of your calling and has tremendous impact on the work of God in your location. In impacting your surroundings with the gospel, the proper and harmonious functioning of your family is critical. What you do in your family matters. I illustrate this with two common sayings. While secular sayings often conflict with biblical principles, I think these two have some agreement with Scripture and therefore some valuable insight.

The first is "Behind every good man is a good woman." While the world might use this to exalt the role of the woman as superior to that of her husband, the Bible teaches that a good wife is extremely valuable. God's purpose from the very beginning was to provide a helper meet (suitable) for the man. Proverbs 31 describes the benefit and blessing of a wife to her husband. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 shares some poignantly powerful verses about how two are better than one, as they have reward for their labor, and as one can lift up the other who has fallen.

The second saying is "The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world." This recognizes the enormous impact that a mother has on her children in training them. As they go on to live their lives in arenas the mother never experienced, her influence expands greatly as the children reflect the mother's training. Deuteronomy 6 shares the importance of biblical training in the home, and the Bible shares examples in Jochebed (Moses), Hannah (Samuel), and Lois and Eunice (Timothy). Your children can become your most faithful and active co-workers, and they can also become the next generation of missionaries in an age when the missionary supply seems to be dwindling. These results come through your love, training, and nourishing.

Your work with your family matters. It provides an intrigue for the unsaved and an example for your church families. It gives needed support and encouragement for your husband and critical training and nurturing of your children. Yes, there are some days when the most important interactions you have with respect to ministry will happen within the walls of your own home. Wherever your energies are needed today - in your home or in your church - in the mundane or in the spiritual - know that your labor matters.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com

11032018 The Faith Kept

Dear Missionary Lady,

"I have kept the faith" (II Timothy 4:7). This third statement in Paul's testimony gets very personal and quite poignant. Probably every one of us has seen a friend, family member, or even a respected leader, who has walked away from the faith, quite possibly totally unexpected. There is a strong likelihood that it has happened in your ministry to someone in whom you have invested hours of training and prayer.

It is painful, disappointing, and disheartening to see such desertion from the faith. Perhaps it is saddest when the person has passed difficult tests already and has continued strong, but in the face of yet another test, he walks away. The Bible often addresses the danger of such a thing, and it should not be surprising. The battle of the Christian life is about faith, and there is no doubt that our faith is sorely tested at times. "That the trial of your faith, being more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire" (I Peter 1:7).

The Bible warns of the danger in walking away from the faith and gives strong encouragement to continue faithfully. "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God" (Hebrews 3:12). "Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck" (I Timothy 1:19). "If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the gospel" (Colossians 1:23). "Stand fast in the faith" (I Corinthians 16:13).

The temptation certainly exists. The epistle to the Hebrews was written because of the surging tendency among those Jewish believers to leave the faith, reverting to their previous traditions. When the Bible talks about the temptation to leave the faith, the basic answer is that there is no other answer. Faith may at times be a challenge, but there is nothing else as solid or as dependable. Faith in God is the only true solution.

The book of Hebrews continually shows those struggling believers the excellency of Christ and the vast superiority of Christianity over what they had known before. "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)" (Hebrews 10:23). Only God's way is the true way. "Testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand" (I Peter 5:12). There is no other answer. "Then said Jesus unto the twelve, 'Will ye also go away?' Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life" (John 6:67-68).

Can I get very personal? It's one thing to talk about some anonymous person departing from the faith, but we would be naive to think it could never happen to us. We would like to think that we would never come to a crisis point of intense struggle or a crossroads where we battle to decide if we will keep following God or not. I confess that I have been there. I thank God that His grace held me and that I never walked completely away from Him. What nearly happened instead was more of a coldness, a drawing away, reaching the point of merely going through the motions and staying on the fringes. I was disillusioned, feeling that I had served God so faithfully and that life had just been too difficult. I had given too much, and from here on out, I was no longer going to give. I was no longer going to be strongly invested. My heart wasn't in it. It was easier to keep going to church than to face the censure of others if I had stopped going, but there wasn't much motivation to want to go - or to read my Bible or pray. It was empty and meaningless. I had started a drift that if unchecked would have led to eventual desertion of genuine Christianity.

I don't know what your experience has been or will be, but I can tell you that it is possible to reach that position even while involved in ministry. We know how to go to through the motions. We can paste on that smile. We know what to say and how to act in public. We can even (by God's grace and the power of His Word) minister to others when we are dying inside with nothing to encourage ourselves. It is a miserable way to live, and it is an extremely challenging way to try to minister to others. No one else might know; certainly it is easy to hide the extent of our struggle. Others might suspect that something is bothering us but not have any idea of the depth of the emptiness in our souls.

I don't write this presuming that any of you are in this position nor suggesting that you ever will be, but I do know it is possible. So I just want to say, I understand. If now or in the future, you find yourself in such a place of struggle, I desire to share your burden, to pray for you especially, and to offer you a safe place to talk, a loving heart, and a compassionate ear. I know it's not easy to admit such a struggle, but it is also not easy to face that battle alone, and it can be dangerous to assume you can. So I just want to make myself available.

I close with these three practical helps for the struggle of faith. First, a struggling person needs lots of time in the Bible. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). Second, faith is a choice; it is deliberately telling God that one will believe Him no matter what seems to be true. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Third, God will answer the heart cries of the one who seeks Him. "And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief" (Mark 9:24).

Do not give up the faith! It is worth it. If you are struggling - either with a major crossroads or with daily discouragement and doubts - please seek help. Fight for faith!

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com

10272018 A Finished Race

Dear Missionary Lady,

How was the battle this week? Hopefully not so overwhelming that you feel mortally wounded! Paul's first description of his life - the good fight - can carry the idea of death and danger; the second description tends more toward exhaustion and endurance. "I have finished my course" (II Timothy 4:7). Paul talks about a race, and you know that this is no mere sprint. This is a marathon. It is a race that never ends until we reach glory.

Running is not easy. Some people really enjoy it. When I was in college, one of my friends tried to inspire me with her interest in running. Over a month or two, I began to build my stamina, until I was able to run each evening with some success. Then I went home for a week and didn't run while I was home. When I returned to campus, I never started again. I knew there would be some challenge in getting back to where I had been, and I just didn't have the heart to go through that. I've never again tried to get into running.

My health has held some significant setbacks over the years, with lots of ups and downs. A few years ago, I was in an upward surge. I was walking regularly, and one day I felt so good that I thought I would try running. I didn't go far - maybe 100 feet - and that was the end of that. I am resigned to the likelihood that this body will never run again! But there is a spiritual race that must be run by us all, whether we are physically athletic or not.

Intimidation, fear, and discomfort cannot keep us from this race. We can't shy away from the challenge. As Paul considered past and impending threats to himself, he declared, "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). God had put a race in front of Paul, and he was unwavering. He was determined to run that race no matter what. Your race is also divinely-designed, and you also can have joy in finishing the race you have been given.

Paul talked again about the joy of finishing the race. "Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain" (Philippians 2:16). His expected joy was to be found in knowing that his race mattered. It wasn't just running for the sake of running. It wasn't running with no destination in mind. It wasn't running his heart out only to find that the race had been discontinued or the prize withdrawn. Because the race was centered on eternal things, Paul's effort was not vain, and neither is yours. What you do today matters for eternity.

The prize makes the race worth running, particularly in the spiritual race. Paul encourages us to run not casually or half-heartedly, but with diligence and with the desire to run successfully. "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly" (I Corinthians 9:24-26). The prize that awaits us is significant - not a cheap trophy that will tarnish and gather dust. No, this race matters, so we must dedicate and discipline ourselves to run it well and with firm resolve.

There is inspiration for the race. Primarily, we have Jesus as our example. He ran faithfully. The race was not easy or pleasant for Him either, but He looked past the pain to focus on the eternal glory. We are to be inspired and encouraged by His example. "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him ... lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds" (Hebrews 12:1-3). Yes, our minds get weary and faint in this race that exhausts us at a level beyond the physical, but looking at Jesus' example helps us to go on. And when we're properly focused on Him, we lay aside some of the extraneous things of life that would hinder our progress.

Wonderfully, there is even divine strength for the race. I can't run it on my own, and neither can you. We would spend most of our time fallen in the mud and with pulled hamstrings! But God can give us strength and endurance that we don't have. He can enable us to run when our resources are totally depleted. We need to look to Him, expectantly and dependently. "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31).

Indeed, God can help us to run races that we never thought possible and to overcome obstacles in that race that seem insurmountable. "For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall" (Psalm 18:29). The race is not too hard for God - or for us with God's help. Keep running - one step at a time, with eyes on Jesus for inspiration, and with a focus on the eternal reward. Runners say, "No pain, no gain." There is pain, but the result is worth it!

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com

10202018 A Good Fight

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings, sisters. I trust that God has blessed you this week, giving you strength and wisdom, and accomplishing His work through your labors. The results are not always visible on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis, but God is performing His work, even when we can't discern measurable advances. What you do today matters for eternity.

While we all live in the day-to-day, missionaries have to maintain a long-term view. Their commitment is long-term, their investment is long-term, and the expected results are long-term. The best motivations and the best rewards are eternal in nature. While life is made up of a long series of days, I am captivated with the idea of what will happen (by the grace of God) when I reach heaven, when those days are finally ended, and a summary statement encapsulates all they represent. In particular, I long to hear God say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

As the apostle Paul summarized his own life, he gave three powerful statements that fit that same tone. The first of them is "I have fought a good fight" (II Timothy 4:7).

I'm not really very fond of fighting. As a child, I didn't fight much with my siblings, and I endeavored to avoid conflict. I still prefer to avoid arguments or disputes. I'm not even a very competitive person (anymore). I realize people are different, but in general fighting is a "guy" thing. Men can get excited about fights, aggression, and brutal athletic contests. They can be caught up in the drama of war and battles. They can have a strong surge of resolve that motivates them to fight for their families and for their countries.

Women, not so much. We prefer peace and stability. We try to avoid conflict, and we rarely go looking for fights. In certain realms, that is okay. In the Christian realm, however, we don't have that option. We are in a fight whether we like it or not. The Bible says we have an adversary, who like a roaring lion, prowls about seeking to devour us. Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers and the rulers of the darkness of this world. We can't allow Satan easy victories by neglecting to fight.

This is no small foe we fight and no puny enemy. This is a major battle, and it matters immensely. In fact, we would not consider it a mere battle. In reality, it is a long-term war, one that ebbs and flows, but one that endures for years. Satan has a strong foothold in this world, and his forces are at work. Evil reigns, and its influence is evident around us every day, sometimes in frightening ways. Until we are called home to heaven, we are in this battle, and we must fight.

We must fight tenaciously. We can't back down, and we can't give up. What makes the battle so challenging is that it doesn't end. It isn't too hard to muster our strength and resolve for a short time and for brief bursts. Our emotion or adrenaline can kick in to push us through an intense situation. What is hard is to maintain our vigilance and our resistance when the battle stretches on. When the battle has left us bruised and bleeding, exhausted and weary, it is hard to push on into another battle. It is challenging to face another situation or another day.

This is when the world would tell us to dig deep, to find strength inside us, and to show that women can't be conquered. The world is so wrong. While we certainly can't lie down and quit, the strength to endure is not in us. It is in God. He can help us to continue on when our strength is gone. When our resources are exhausted, God can help us to rise up on wings as eagles, to run and not be weary, to walk and not faint. Yes, we can be completely worn out, feeling that we can't do another day, but God can strengthen us in our souls where we most need it. He can help us to endure. He can allow us to fight for one more day.

In addition to fighting tenaciously, we must also fight wisely. Wisdom lies in knowing that the strength is not in us and that we don't have the answers. Wisdom lies in recognizing the spiritual nature of the conflict, and in remembering that the weapons of our warfare are also spiritual. Those weapons are divinely powerful for the pulling down of strongholds. The armor is not our own; it is all of God. The defense is found in God's truth, God's righteousness, God's salvation, God's gospel. The offense is found in God's Word, as we follow Jesus' example of relying on God's written truth.

Interestingly, because the battle is spiritual, it is not our bodies that grow most weary. It is our minds and our spirits. That is where the battles are won or lost. We must renew our minds with God's truth. We must refresh our spirits with His Word and allow Him to restore our souls. We cannot allow our emotions to get the better of us, and we cannot allow discouragement to drag us down. There are opportunities every day for us to be defeated and to give up in the battle, but God is able to give the victory for each day. Because the ultimate victory lies in the future, the skirmishes will continue, but we cannot give up. With God's help and His enabling, we must fight a good fight. No surrender! Stay in the fight!

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com

10122018 God Supplies

Dear Missionary Lady,

"But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).

This assurance was particularly given to people who were sacrificially giving of themselves and their resources in order to meet the needs of others, which is pretty much the definition of a missionary. Throughout Scripture, God has demonstrated His intent and ability to supply for His children. That doesn't always look like what we expect, but it is always enough.

As a single person who was used to living simply and who lived rent-free on the mission compound, I was able to get by with a fairly low support level. Generally speaking, I lived carefully but wasn't consumed with financial concerns. There was one month though …

Because of the way my support came in, I alternated between a high month and a low month. If I remember correctly, I was coming off a low month, so was looking forward to payday being a little more than normal. I always had the opportunity to call the mission board and find out immediately what my deposit would be for a particular month. I usually didn't bother, but this time I did. The information stunned me. Instead of my expected high month, my income was even less than the month before.

I knew immediately that things would be tight. Because of church ministries I helped with (and just getting to church, for that matter), I needed to keep my car supplied with gas. And that was just about how much money I had available. I went through my cupboards and inventoried my food - right down to cups of flour and number of eggs. I made out a menu for the month that utilized every bit of food I had available. When the month ended, I had no money, enough food for one meal (due to eating with friends one day), and a few gas fumes still in my car.

Did God let me down? Of course not. If anything, He showed me His ability to take care of me even when it seemed especially difficult. He assured me that even when things were tough, He was still there for me. There actually was a bit of excitement and specialness in seeing God take care of me in a situation when my stunned silence had prompted the mission board personnel to ask if I needed a loan to get through the month.

Personal experience can be powerful, as we see the practical reality of what God can do, but personal experience is not the most powerful reassurance. It merely confirms what God says in His Word, and the Bible is the best source of encouragement and assurance. In addition to promises like the one above, the Bible repeatedly reveals God's care for His children. When I think of financial or physical need in the Bible, my thoughts go to Elijah.

God provided for Elijah, who lived a fairly nomadic life, for the duration of a three-year drought. Even as he lived in isolation by a stream with no grocery stores nearby, ravens brought him food and the stream provided water. He even got deliveries twice a day. When the stream dried up, God sent Elijah to a poor widow woman who was down to her last meal herself. Yet one meal at a time, God supplied until the time of famine had passed. Later Elijah fled to the desert, where he had no resources whatsoever; he was too depressed to eat and too exhausted to fix food even if he had cared enough to eat. God sent an angel who not only prepared the food, but prodded Elijah to eat it, and then repeated the process until Elijah had the strength he needed. God made that food strengthen Elijah for forty days, far beyond any reasonable expectation. God took care of Elijah through extraordinary means and even through some very ordinary ones. He fed Elijah during times of faith and victory and during times of doubt and defeat. God faithfully took care of Elijah even when men would have said it was impossible.

God owns all the resources. "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof" (Psalm 50:10-12). The answers may not always look exactly like we expect, but God is always able to meet our needs. At times we may need to adjust our expectations or re-evaluate our expenses, but God can give wisdom for those decisions, while supplying all that we really need.

What you do today matters for eternity, and God will make sure you have all the necessary resources to do what He wants you to do. Human resources are limited, but God's are abundant. When things get tight (or remain that way month after month), trust God to take care of you. He has an excellent track record, and He can take care of you even when no one else knows. He can open His storehouses and supply for you. "Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me" (Psalm 50:15).

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com

10052018 Psalm 27

Dear Missionary Lady,

"I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD" (Psalm 27:13-14).

These two verses are so precious. They acknowledge the very realistic scenario of being overwhelmed, even at the point of despairing and fainting, but they also give an anchor to hold onto. They offer hope that God can turn the condition of the heart - not always the outward circumstances, but certainly the inner turmoil. Like every precious verse, these verses have a context, and their consolation is best appreciated by examining that context.

Verses that express such hope and confidence almost of necessity come in a situation where that hope is desperately needed. Verses 1-3 reveal David's condition. He was facing war, wicked enemies that wanted to devour him, and a host that was encamped against him. He was alone (or nearly so) with an entire army of spiteful enemies besieging him. He was the leader, responsible to guide others in a war he did not ask for. David's situation could be summarized by the words "threat" and "attack."

The normal human response to such situations would be fear, but David did not fear. Instead, he said things like "whom shall I fear," "of whom shall I be afraid," "my heart shall not fear," and "I will be confident." David's response could be summarized with the word "confidence."

David possessed such confidence is his very difficult circumstance because he remembered who God is and what God does. His confidence was placed in Someone far greater than himself. He called God his light, his salvation, and the strength of his life. He remembered that in the past, God had made his enemies stumble and fall. Those past attacks were perhaps by smaller groups, but David recognized that the size of the group didn’t matter. God could effectively deal with any threat, past, present, or future, regardless of its size. David realized that God was his defender.

In the midst of his difficulty, David's desire was to be with God in His temple. He wanted to be able to behold the beauty of God, to enquire of Him, to offer sacrifices  and sing praises to Him. This desire was also based on considering how wonderful his God was. David thought about God as an effective help, as having hidden him from danger, of setting him in a safe refuge. David especially wanted to praise his wonderful God for His protection. While protection had happened in the past, David had confidence that additional instances of protection would happen in the future.

So far, David has calmly expressed great confidence in God, but in verses 7-10, he appears to be rather desperate and alarmed. His requests pile up on top of each other: hear, have mercy, answer, hide not thy face, put not thy servant away, leave me not, neither forsake me. David cries out, apparently desperate and frazzled, but an examination of these verses actually reveals otherwise. He was crying out to God only because he expected God to hear and answer him. He was able to expect God's deliverance because he was responding in obedience to what God had instructed him to do. God called David to seek His face, and David immediately vowed from his heart to do so. David prayed for God's faithful nearness with the remembrance that God had been his help in the past. David was confident in God's help, knowing it was even more sure than the help of a father or mother during a difficult time.

In the final section, David asks for two things. He first asks God to teach, lead, and direct so he can see clearly where to go to avoid his enemies. Second, he asks God to deliver and protect him, not delivering him to the false witnesses and others who threaten him. David's attitude throughout the psalm is that of confidence that God would answer his requests.

His confidence, which emerges again in vs. 13-14, does at times threaten to waver; his natural inclination was toward fainting. With so many threats around him, it is no wonder that he wanted to faint. He didn't though, and for one reason: he believed he would again see God’s goodness. He knew God was good, and he resolutely believed that God would show him that good. Without that thought as his anchor, he would have been without hope, but because of that belief, he could speak with confidence.

In the final verse, David directs a charge to other people, including us. David’s heartfelt sermon, prepared in his life and reinforced by his experience is "Wait on God." Expect His answer. Have courage, and God will strengthen your wavering heart. Without confidence in God’s goodness, we will faint. We must believe that God will show His goodness. If we have waited a long time and still don’t see it, we must listen to David’s plea. Wait. Keep waiting. Keep expecting. There is no question that God WILL show His goodness; the only question is WHEN.

In whatever situation or difficulty we currently find ourselves in, we can have confidence in God. In any situation that is likely or even possible to happen, God can deliver. Our imaginations sometimes run wild about what could happen, and God can still handle all of those situations. In fact, our future might even hold scenarios that we could not and would not imagine, and God can handle every one of those situations, too. We can be confident in Him.

If you are attacked or neglected, if you are fainting or despairing, remember that a good and almighty God is watching over you. God will never forsake you, and He can give you all the help you need. Remember, what you do today matters for eternity, and it is our good God that enables you to serve Him even in the face of difficulty. Be confident in His goodness.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com

09292018 How and When

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings, sisters. I trust that God is giving you strength for each day and wisdom for each task. Unlike our frailty, His resources are unlimited.

Galatians 6:9 states, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

I'm sure you know about being weary. Your weeks are filled with church services, visitation, counseling, outreach, and making contacts. You have correspondence, cleaning of the church facility, preparation of teaching materials, and dozens of other jobs necessary to the functioning of your ministry. Then there are cooking, cleaning, shopping, laundry, errands, home schooling, and all the other home duties.

The busyness can be challenging even when it yields evident rewards. When results are less apparent, those tasks can become burdensome. It is tempting to cry out, whether in sincerity or in desperation, "God, where are the answers? You said there would be a harvest, and I don't see it. When and how will You show the results?"

The apostle Paul (who authored the above verse, by the way) was a busy man, always teaching, traveling, training, and preaching. He knew what it was like to be weary. We read about his results in the Bible, and we know that wonderful things happened through his ministry, but Paul didn't know all those things ahead of time.

When he started out, he just faithfully preached the gospel wherever he went. Often he was driven out of town by the Jews. He faced angry mobs. He was beaten, thrown into prison, stoned and left for dead. Numerous plots were made against his life, and more than once he made nighttime escapes. If Paul had become weary, however, in well doing when he faced the opposition in Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, he never would have continued to Derbe. If he had given up in despair after Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea, he would not have continued to Corinth and Ephesus. Paul did not know when he arrived in a city if he would be welcomed or rejected, if a church would be started or not, or even if there would be any visible results at all (Athens). He kept faithfully on, and God brought the harvest.

Paul shared God's truth with all kinds of people. He did not know who would reject the gospel and who would accept it. Certainly, many people rejected, but that did not stop him from proclaiming the truth once again. He shared the gospel with lowly people like a lame man, a slave girl, and natives on an island. He shared the gospel with common people like a cloth seller, a jailer, the soldiers who guarded him, and the curious visitors who came to see him. He shared the gospel with religious leaders, even leaders of the synagogue. He shared the gospel with important men like a proconsul, governors, and even a king. Some of those people rejected, but if those rejections had stopped Paul, many others would not had heard the gospel.

Paul worked with many other servants of God and trained many men for the ministry. He didn't know who would stick with it and who would quit. He didn't know which would become valuable co-workers, trusted pastors, or esteemed friends. Early on Paul must have been very disheartened by the departure of John Mark, but that didn't stop him from working with Timothy, Titus, and Tychicus. Later the departure of Demas must have been painful, but that didn't keep Paul from working alongside Luke, Epaphras, Apollos, and Aristarchus. Paul didn't even know that John Mark would later come back. In spite of the disappointments, he just kept pouring his life into people, and God gave the increase.

Faith is all about continuing to trust and follow God even when (or especially when) we don't see results. Abraham and many others never saw results. "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off" (Hebrews 11:13). Overall, the prophets' message was rejected. "Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted?" (Acts 7:42). Yet God was faithful to Abraham and those other servants. God did what He said He would do, and God blessed the ministries of those men. God did His work through them, whether they saw it or not.

How and when God gives the harvest is up to Him. We must trust God through the seeming fruitlessness. We must keep following Him through the disappointments, and we must keep serving Him through the setbacks and dry times. God says that His Word will not return void. He says that He is drawing men to Himself. He says that He wants all men to be saved. He says He wants to use us in His service. Our job is to be faithful - to continue on in spite of the challenges. God's job is to bring the results, and He will!

Your service of presenting the Word to needy people and all the auxiliary activity required to make that happen is important. What you do today matters for eternity. You might not see the results now, and you might never see many results on this earth, but God is doing His work through you. Don't be weary. Trust God for the results in the timing and method that He chooses.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com

09212018 The Departure

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings, my sisters.

I've shared some of my story with you about how God led me to the mission field. If you've been left wondering how and why I left, today is your lucky day!

I was in Mexico for three and a half years. I taught children in an MK school, where the parents were either working in the city or were there temporarily to attend language school. I also helped in a local church, directing the children's ministry, helping with the youth, assisting with visitation, etc.

From a purely human standpoint, my years in Mexico would be described as a "bad experience." There were aspects I enjoyed, and I'm very glad I served God there for those years, but it was also very difficult. I think the hardest part was being there on my own. As a single person, I was especially lonely. In part due to my upbringing, I probably wasn't equipped to handle that well. It is also likely that my struggle was complicated by medical issues that would be identified years later.

One aspect of why I left was simply that I couldn't do it anymore. Not a very spiritual reason. Wasn't God enough for me? Wasn't His grace sufficient? Obviously, there was no problem with God. The problem was with me. There were times that I was fine, and then would come times of great struggle. More than once, God gave encouragement and help. He would give a breakthrough and renewed commitment to stay.

Eventually, though, I reached the point where I think I stayed only so that I wouldn't have to admit defeat. I realized there was an inherently negative impression when missionaries left the field. Even as a younger person, my judgmental spirit told me those people had given up and failed God, and that it was very sad. I proudly thought that I would never leave - that I would stay no matter what. I was determined not to be "a statistic," but I wasn't strong enough. While I don't fully comprehend how God's sovereignty and man's weakness work together, I do know that God was in that change in my life. However those pieces interact, it wasn't God's intent for me to be a life-long foreign missionary.

God had me there for as long as He needed in order to accomplish what He needed to accomplish in and through me. Maybe I needed that experience to prepare me for later service. Maybe I needed to learn my own inadequacy. Maybe God wanted to test the willingness of my heart to obey Him. Maybe I needed to grow in maturity through what those years brought to me. Maybe God needed to completely break me so that He could make me more like Him. Maybe God wanted me to grow in my submission by seeing if I would yield the pain and choose to serve Him again. I believe each of those statements contains truth.

My loving and compassionate God cares for His children. At the time, I believed that God understood my struggles and that He "gave me permission" to go home. I wouldn't use those exact words anymore, but I do know that God understood my situation. He knew my heart and my desire to serve Him, but He also knew all the other factors, including the emotional struggle. With His kind heart, God responded to that, and in His wisdom, He even used those factors as part of His guidance.

In the end, God directed the change in my life. He directly intervened to send me home, because I don't know how long I would have stubbornly stayed there struggling if He hadn't. At that time, missionaries to Mexico typically entered on a tourist visa, which was good for six months at a time. Every six months we would drive to the border and re-enter. Then the authorities started more stringent tracking and enforcement of tourist visas. Out of necessity, missionaries started to convert to a more long-term visa.

This required significant paperwork and an invitation from a registered church. The church I was working in qualified, and in spite of my deep struggle in remaining, I worked to gather the required documents. When I went to Mexico City to present my paperwork, I learned that the signatures of my church's representatives were invalid, as they did not match the names the government had on file. Due to a past church split, the approved men were long gone, and an attempt to track them down for signatures failed. I could have pressed on and tried to start the process under another church, but all things considered, this appeared to be God's way of sending me home.

It was very hard to make the decision to leave. In many ways, it is easy to go to a place of service. Everyone approves and views it as a positive thing. People can even go to the mission field for the wrong reasons, and probably are not questioned. But to leave - that's different. Leaving a place of service requires certainty that God is in it. Otherwise, one would not be able to face the perceived criticism of others or his own attacks of guilt and failure.

What God did in my life will not match the story of other people, but I do know that God was in control. I do know that God is in charge of government officials and regulations. He oversees spouses and children and co-workers and mission directors. He is in charge of health and accidents and political situations. He even has a hand in our personalities. God uses all of those things and more to accomplish His plan in our lives, whether or not anyone else understands. In fact, whether or not we even understand personally.

"The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand" (Isaiah 14:24).

Did my service in Mexico matter? Yes, it mattered. Does your service matter? Yes, what you do today matters for eternity. The specific task and even location may not always look the same, but for however long God has you doing each task, it will matter. Trust Him to use you in His plan and for His glory.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com

09152018 Gladys Aylward

Dear Missionary Lady,

This week I read a biography of Gladys Aylward, missionary from England to China from 1930 to 1970. I thought you might be interested in and encouraged by my reflections on her story.

She was too small. Only five feet tall, she was later called "the small woman" and "the little woman."

She was too uneducated. She left school at age 14 to begin working. When she later started missionary training school, she was quickly dismissed because she was failing her classes.

She was too untrained. Her preparation for mission work was brief, mostly unstructured and unsupervised. She had very little formal training. She worked for a short time with girls living on the streets and did some street preaching, but her primary experience was as a housekeeper.

She was too old. She was not called to be a missionary until she was 25. She was particularly considered too old to be able to learn the difficult Chinese language. She was 28 when she left for China.

She was too single. She had no husband to guide her, to direct her missionary activity, to share in the labors, or to carry out the preaching and leadership roles. The book I read didn't reveal any marital prospects or even hints of a relationship.

She was too poor. She left for China with only 9 pennies and 2 pounds (British money). She had absolutely no means of income or support. Her only real "resource" was her train ticket. She had no money to keep the mission going after her coworker died.

She was too unprepared and naive. Until 3 months before she left, she didn't even know what part of China she would travel to. She did not have good travel plans. Against warnings, she chose a travel route  that took her into a war zone where travel was suspended. She took basically no possessions and little clothing. Her complete baggage consisted of two suitcases. She did not have enough language skills to allow her to travel well or get to her destination safely.

She was too unconnected. She had no mission board or supporting agency. No one gave her any guidance on how to get to the field or how to minister. Her only link to China was a letter from a missionary lady she had never met, and when Gladys arrived, that lady was far removed from where she had said she would be.

She was too un-received. On her first day at the mission station, she took a walk, and the villagers threw mud at her and laughed. She and her coworker couldn't get anyone to listen to the Bible or even talk to them. They struggled to find any way to share the gospel with the Chinese people who were so afraid of foreigners.

She was too alone. Her coworker died not too long after Gladys's arrival, and there were no other missionaries and very few Christians - maybe only one at the time. She had huge responsibilities and various areas of ministry, including caring for eventually almost 200 orphans.

She was too risky. On her journey to China, she could have died walking 30 miles in a snowstorm. Because of her poor planning, resources, and language skills, she was briefly jailed in a train station. She was trapped in a hotel in Russia, closely guarded, and nearly impressed into war-time service in a factory. She later risked offending a very important man by failing to make an expected visit to him, and she dangerously served as a spy for a Chinese general.

She was too sickly. After a head injury and a long, grueling trip to rescue a group of orphans, her health was seriously compromised. With four simultaneous serious conditions, she spent two weeks in a coma and never fully recovered her health.

She was too unsafe. She lived in a remote area, which later became part of a war zone. The Japanese army put a price on her head, making even association with her potentially dangerous. She went on a lengthy and treacherous journey over mountain trails with 94 children and no adult helpers, with the constant threat of the Japanese army who would have killed her and probably the children.

In spite of all those liabilities, Gladys had one very important qualification. She was willing. When she was trying to earn money to get to China, she placed her limited assets before God and prayed, "Here is my Bible. Here is all the money I have. Here is me. Find some way to use me, God."

Gladys did what needed to be done. For a while her primary "missionary" job was scraping mud from the legs of mules. She served as a foot inspector (when a law was passed against foot binding). She helped prisoners. She traveled frequently to surrounding villages. She cared for many orphans. She served refugees and lepers. Always she used these various facets of responsibility to share the gospel. Gladys suffered much hardship and deprivation through poverty and through war conditions. She served alone for many years, but she was faithful, even at the point of physical collapse.

God did not consider Gladys unworthy of His work. He did great things through her. As a result of her ministry, many mule drivers carried Bible stories into the surrounding area. Churches were started in most of the villages around her. Orphans were cared for, taught about God, and ultimately rescued from the war dangers through Gladys's efforts. Prisoners were saved; Gladys worked to improve their physical conditions, but had a more important impact on their spiritual conditions.

After 10 years of Gladys's ministry, the most important man in the area honored her at a feast, and said, "I have seen all that you are and all that you do, and I would like to become a Christian like you." A group of 500 Tibetan monks had received a tract that included John 3:16. They waited 3 years for someone to tell them about God, and Gladys was that person. She worked with university students, many of whom were saved. During the Communist takeover, 40% of the total student population was martyred because of their faith. As Gladys watched the mass execution, she prayed for them what she had previously prayed for herself, "If they must die, let them not be afraid of death, but let there be a meaning, O God, in their dying."

Without doubt, Gladys arrived in heaven to hear these words: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord" (Matthew 25:21).

Just as with Gladys, what you do today matters for eternity. Keep doing it faithfully, and God will give the increase.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com