Dear Friends,
Greetings in the Lord. We hope you are well and that the Lord is keeping you in perfect peace. Over the last month, we have moved from South America and on to missions in the Middle East. We ask that you pray for open doors and open hearts as we preach the Good News in difficult places. The world is steadily changing, but the Word of God is still the same yesterday, today, and forevermore. God heals the sick, demons are cast out in His name and He freely gives salvation to all who believe in Him. What a wonderful and awesome God we serve. Thank you for supporting the mission every step of the way as we reach the unreached and create new episodes to encourage a new generation of missionaries. We live in challenging times, but greater is He that is in us, than He that is in the world.
This month, we would like to share a message called — Gifts
Gifts Given: God has a unique purpose and plan for each of our lives. He has gifted us with specific abilities and talents that He expects us to use to further His kingdom. Romans 11:29 tells us that the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. This means that if God has called you to do something or gifted you with a specific talent, He won’t change His mind about it. Whether or not you have obeyed God’s call, it’s still there waiting for you. In 2 Timothy 1:6–7, Paul encouraged Timothy to kindle afresh or in the KJV “stir up” the gift that was within him. “For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh (stir up) the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” Likewise, we should all be stirring up the gifts that God has given us. We must recognize the potential within us and use it to glorify God. As we do this, we will find our true purpose in life. Now there are a great many gifts God has given. Some have to do with specific ministerial offices in the church known as the fivefold ministry in Ephesians 4:11–12 (apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher), others have to deal with spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:7–11), which include words of wisdom, words of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. These gifts are given to individuals for the common good of the church. We also find the gifts of helps and administrations listed later in 1 Corinthians 12:28“And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.” So, we can clearly see God has given gifts to the church in a variety of ways just as it says in Ephesians 4:8 “WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.” Now we just need to use them and listen to the calling of God.
Listen: Nobody likes it when a gift is rejected. God is the same way. If we reject the precious gifts He has given to us and shy away from our calling, we insult our Maker. God is not impressed by our fear masquerading as humility that some use to disqualify themselves. Saying things like, “Oh, I’m just a nobody and not worthy of this gift He’s given” doesn’t sit well with the Lord. Look at how God responds to Jeremiah when he questions the Word of the Lord. “Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.” — Jeremiah 1:4–9. God reminds Jeremiah that he created him for a specific purpose. God doesn’t like to be second-guessed. What pleases Him are those who are faithful and obedient. So if you find yourself resisting God, repent and listen to what He is saying. Follow His path and you will find your true self in Him.
Humility: Humility is of the utmost importance when moving and operating in your gifts and calling. If you don’t act in humility then you fraudulently try to credit yourself with what God gave to you. The Apostle Peter knew this well and never wanted to misrepresent what he was. In Acts 10:25–26 Peter encountered Cornelius who bowed down and worshiped him, but Peter responded simply and effectively. “And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshiped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.” In the end, God is the Creator of all things and the one who is worthy to be praised. Those who walk humbly before Him will find that God will entrust them with more and more. As a note of caution, extreme and excessive humility can turn into self-righteousness meant to draw attention. This is what the Scribes and Pharisees were guilty of and Jesus called them out for their hypocrisy. “But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.” — Matthew 23:5–8. The best way to walk is to love God, love your neighbor, and be bold and sincerely humble.
Boldness: Don’t wait on your gifts and calling if you know what they are — seize the day. Time is too short to waste your life wondering what could be. We can tell you from our own experience that we don’t look back in regret at what we might have missed out on in the world. God’s way is always better, and even if you don’t have it all figured out yet don’t worry it will come to you as you stay faithful to Him. A leap of faith isn’t easy, if it were everyone would do it. The people of God are bold as a lion and jump into whatever lies ahead because they know If God be for us, who can be against us?
At Travel the Road, we praise God because we followed His path from our youth. Now, 25 years later we can still say it was the best decision we ever could have made. We’ve witnessed healings, deliverances, and salvations, traveled to 155 countries preaching the Good News, and are still going strong. He is our strength and Hightower. The gifts and calling He has put over our lives are specific and we will always follow that path. We also know there are many young people out there hungry to live life and make a difference for the kingdom. Through the series, we are encouraging a new generation to take the light of Christ to the nations and carry on the work of the Great Commission. Next up for us will be to the heart of the Holy Land and then onwards to Africa. Thank you for your faithful support in both prayers and finances. You are clearing the road ahead and preparing the hearts of many. We thank you for always being there for us. Peace be with you.
In Him,
Tim and Will