As we look forward to zealously pursuing the Lord in 2024, let us encourage and equip ourselves by gleaning four critical concepts from Philippians 4:

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:10-13)

1. Beware our human inclination in the coming year. Paul had to learn contentment, as it does not come naturally to man and is counter to culture. 
2. Prioritize being a practitioner, not an academic, of your faith in the days ahead. John Owen said, “The apostle does not say, I have heard, that in every estate I should be content: but, I have learned…Paul was a practitioner. Christians hear much, but I fear, learn little.”
3. Prepare yourself now for God’s 2024 classroom. Warren Wiersbe states, “How did Paul learn? Surely in God’s classroom, the curriculum offering such classes as Discipline 101 and Tribulation 102; classes in which Paul had ample experience” (2 Cor. 11:26).
4. Rely on Christ. Paul depended on the power of Christ at work in his life to faithfully pursue God’s will and walk (Jn 15:16). As we labor FOR Christ this year, let us do so IN Christ’s strength.

Happy New Year!

As we head into the final days of 2023 and EA’s 11th year of ministry, I was reflecting this morning on Paul’s words to the church in Philippi regarding God’s provision:

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. (Phil. 4:10)

Ten years had passed since Paul had established the church in that city. The Philippians had generously supported Paul when he left Philippi to minister in the Macedonian cities of Thessalonica and Berea (Acts 17:1-13) and moved south into Achaia, ministering in Athens and Corinth (Acts 17:14-18:18).

Throughout the years, the Philippian church had remained concerned about Paul and his ministry, but the distance had hindered their ability to minister to him. The late theologian John Walvoord explains how the arrival of Epaphroditus with their financial support (Phil. 4:18) immensely encouraged the imprisoned apostle:

“The fact that they had gone to such effort to send him an offering by the hand of one of their beloved brethren in the church at Philippi touched Paul’s heart and gave him great encouragement in the lonely hours of his imprisonment.”

Thank you for being so supportive throughout the years! And please know that any gifts toward our year-end matching campaign will, like the Apostle Paul, greatly encourage your ministry partners pictured below.

In the Apostle Paul’s letter to Titus, we find the following encouragement regarding the practical implications of the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Like the most spectacular Christmas sunrise, Christ’s first coming shed the light of the grace of God’s salvation in a sin-darkened world.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. (Titus 2:11-14)

Charles Spurgeon commented on how we currently live between the two advents of Christ:

“To use an ecclesiastical term, we stand between two Epiphanies: the first is the manifestation of the Son of God in human flesh in dishonor and weakness; the second is the manifestation of the same Son of God in all his power and glory…We have everything to hope for in the last appearing, and we have now to wait with patient hope throughout that weary interval which intervenes….In this description of our position is the very best argument for a holy life.”

May this Christmas celebration give us gratitude for God’s grace and motivation for our sanctification!

Years ago at the outset of Empowering Action I read the following quote by the late theologian Warren Wiersbe that I have returned to again and again throughout the subsequent 11 years of EA’s ministry:

“The Lord is planning to work through us in the lives of people and places we know nothing about today; but if we walk in His will, we shall share in the blessing.”

December has been filled with blessings for Carey and I:

• A wonderful reunion-like atmosphere at the EA Christmas Party;
• An historic and emotional retreat in the Dominican Republic with the Cuban pastors and their wives who serve as regional connectors and minister sacrificially amid the most difficult of circumstances;
• Our staff Christmas party in Santo Domingo which included our traditional time of prayer and thanksgiving for the Lord’s grace in allowing us to serve His Church for another year;
• Returning to learn how many of you had already partnered with us financially in our year-end campaign;
• Finally, being contacted last night by a generous EA supporter offering to match all donations up to our $100,000 goal.

Reflecting on the above blessings, I was drawn to the Psalmist’s exhortation to trust God exclusively, worship him explicitly, and thank Him abundantly.

“I love the Lord, because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live…Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.” (Psalm 116:1-2, 7)

It may surprise you that Jesus said more about money than anyone else in the Bible and more about money than any other subject.

Why?

Jesus recognized that an individual’s attitude towards money is a manifestation of the spiritual condition of their heart. In fact, in Luke 19:1-10 Jesus judged the authenticity of Zacchaeus’ repentance and salvation upon his eagerness to part with his money for the glory of God and the betterment of others. The evidence of Zacchaeus’ transformation was his attitude toward money.

In the video below, Pastor Widmy describes the encouraging developments of our Savings Group program within Haiti and the Dominican Republic, which equips churches to impact their communities through biblical principles and practices regarding work and finances.

Your year-end financial support enables such efforts in 2024 to serve Christ’s Church, whom we celebrate, this Christmas season.

The life of the local church relies upon the Word of God (Matthew 4:4). To that end, equipping church leaders for greater biblical fidelity is foundational to our ministry, as a leader ignorant of God’s truth is ill-equipped for spiritual combat and faithful shepherding.

As our 11^th year of ministry comes to a close, we thought you would enjoy this update from Raydel on the exponential growth and impact of our K2:42 Church Network Development ministry, which was made possible by God’s grace through your financial giving.

Your year-end financial support enables such efforts in 2024 to serve Christ’s Church, whom we celebrate this Christmas season.

This year has been quite the rollercoaster ride for me personally. Amid researching, writing, and defending my dissertation, and searching, securing, and transitioning to new housing, I often felt both anxious and expectant: Anxious about needing the Lord to graciously show Himself strong on my behalf. And expectant as to how He would do so.

I guess you could say that I felt “anpectant.” I felt like the father of the mute boy in the gospel of Mark who said to Jesus, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).

As we move into the year-end giving season, I find myself anpectant again. Anxious, as perhaps not since the early years of EA, has so much depended on year-end donations in determining the breadth of ministry for the coming year. And expectant, as while the Lord can provide by any means and at any time, traditionally, He has used year-end contributions to propel EA into another year of ministry.

And so I find myself anticipating the Lord to provide EA a firm foundation to move into year 12 of ministry so that we might declare His praises for His provision through faithful ministry partners such as yourself.

Therefore, we pray to the Lord, in the words of David,

“Set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear and will trust in the Lord.” (Ps. 40:2-3)

Thank you again for another year of your earnest interest, prayerful support, and financial partnership. As you are able and feel led to contribute toward our bold goal of raising $100,000 in the coming weeks, we thank you in advance.