A few weeks back I stood on the edge of an immense dump in the village of Duquesa, watching men of all ages search for hours through the sea of trash from Santo Domingo, for recyclable metal that they could bring to have weighed for payment. Seeing these impoverished individuals labor endlessly in extremely dangerous and difficult situations was a heartbreaking experience that became jaw dropping, as we watched what accounted for hours of effort produce minimal financially when placed on the scale.

As Empowering Action daily continues efforts to empower and equip Christ-honoring organizations and ministries serving the poor and spreading the gospel, we, as staff, are motivated to weigh our efforts with an eye towards eternity.

Pastor John Piper has rightly stated,

“Jesus says the mark of a Christian is that his eyes are on heaven and he measures all his behavior by what effect it will have on heaven.”

And the Apostle Paul instructed Timothy to…

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (1 Tim. 6:17-20)

It would be easy to assume that this command to “do good, be rich in good deeds and be generous and willing to share” does not apply to you and I, but the Bill Gates’ and Warren Buffett’s of the word, when, in fact, most reading this are “rich in this present world” when compared with the rest of the world’s population.

The facts are:

• If you have assets of $2,200, this places you in the top 50% of the world’s wealthiest.
• If you made $1,500 last year, you are in the top 20% of the world’s income earners.
• If you have sufficient food, decent clothes, live in a house or apartment, and have a reasonably reliable means of transportation, you are among the top 15% of the world’s wealthy.
• If you have $61,000 in assets? You’re among the richest 10% of the adults in the world.
• If you earn $25,000 or more annually, you are in the top 10% of the world’s income-earners.
• If you have any money saved, a hobby that requires some equipment or supplies, a variety of clothes in your closet, two cars (in any condition), and live in your own home, you are in the top 5% of the world’s wealthy.
• If you earn more than $50,000 annually, you are in the top 1% of the world’s income earners.
• If you have more than $500,000 in assets, you are part of the richest 1% of the world. *

In his book The Treasure Principle Randy Alcorn states,

“I’m convinced that the greatest deterrent to giving is this: the illusion that earth is our home.”

Followers of Christ are, in essence, on a temporary work Visa on earth, for “our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil. 3:20) and therefore we need to:

• “Measure all our behavior by what effect it will have on heaven.”
• “Set our minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Col. 3:2)
• “Store up treasures in heaven” (Matt. 6:19)
• and “be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” (1 Tim. 6:18)

Please continue to pray for Empowering Action, as we seek to foster such thinking and facilitate such actions for the glory of God.

* ( Source: http://irememberthepoor.org/3/)

In August 2013, we received a container of 15,372 Sketchers “crocs” style sandals, with the goal of distributing this resource through our local DR partners to meet physical needs while using the sandals as a tool to share the gospel. Recently, pastor Alexis Remigio leveraged the sandals in an outreach event from his local church in Santo Domingo Este. The church was able to give away 140 sandals to those in need, while reaching 140 adults, youth and children with the gospel—resulting in 32 professions of faith in Christ!

In Ephesians 1:4, Paul describes God’s intentionality and eternal plan in salvation: “…he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.” Before the foundation of the world, in love God selected those 32 individuals to fall at the foot of the cross and profess Christ as Savior. How humbling to think that in eternity past, God chose to use a pair of plastic Sketchers sandals as a tool to bring His fallen children from death to eternal life. Thanks for your donations and continued partnership as Empowering Action seeks to leverage temporal resources to create eternal change.

-Andy Manfredi, Director of Operations

On a recent trip to Williamsburg, my family and I enjoyed spending an afternoon strolling through the revolutionary city, observing many skills that, in hindsight, I recognized have become obsolete as a result of technology. Those who practice the art of shoemaker, silversmith, blacksmith, brickmaker and wheelwright are all under siege from technology’s automation.  In the same way, those who seek to emulate Christ and practice the increasingly lost spiritual discipline of solitude are besieged by technology, which can easily intrude into any moment of quiet contemplation. Jesus himself fell victim to interruption, apart from technology, when seeking solitude with His Father in the passage below,

 “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: ‘Everyone is looking for you!’ Jesus replied, ‘Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.’ So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.” (Mark 1:35-39)

It’s important to understand that when it says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark,” it was possibly as early as 3-4am when Jesus left Simon’s house in the city, and went out of town to a garden or remote building.  I envision Jesus seeking solace in the darkness in an isolated place, much like the picture above of a remote village in the Dominican Republic we recently visited.

Paul Miller notes in his book A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World,

“Jesus loved people and had the power to help so he had one interruption after another. If Jesus lived today, his cell phone would be ringing constantly…By spending time with our Father in prayer we integrate our lives with his, with what he is doing in us. Our lives become more coherent. They feel calmer, more ordered, even in the midst of confusion and pressure.” 

 A few points to consider from Jesus’ example above:

1.  Solitude is costly.

Jesus prayed when it cost him something; he rose and went out a long while before daylight.  In the same manner, if we desire solitude, it may cost us sleep in order to spend time with our Heavenly Father, either rising early or remaining up late into the quite hours of the night.

2.  Solitude provides focus.

Jesus knew he needed time with His Heavenly Father in order to prepare him for the day ahead.  The distraction found him out, but not before he had been prepared for ministry, and aligned his priorities with His Father’s priorities.  Every follower of Christ needs that same daily alignment of priorities and commitment to character.

3.  Solitude produces an attitude of awe and dependence.

When we “unplug” long enough to contemplate the magnificence of God, we destroy an elevated sense of self.  I witnessed this on a recent camping trip, as I watched a fellow camper miss a unique moment to grasp the wonder of God and his creation, because his eyes were locked on his smart phone.  His heightened sense of self squelched an opportunity for awe.

In short, determination to live FOR CHRIST must be combined with a daily isolation to be WITH CHRIST.

One such man who combined a determination to live for Christ with the discipline to daily isolate himself from distraction to be with Christ was Robert C. Chapman, who lived in the 1800’s in England.  He was referred to as “the saintliest man I ever knew” by Charles Spurgeon – high praise from the man known as the Prince of Preachers. On one occasion, Chapman expressed his life’s goal in these words:

“Seeing that so many preach Christ and so few live Christ, I will aim to live Him.”

 It’s been over 100 years since Robert Chapman has died, but today, like then, many preach Christ, but few live him.  Determine today to life FOR CHRIST by isolating time to be WITH CHRIST, free from all distractions, most notably those with an ON/OFF switch.

Last week, while out on my normal run, I encountered the usual faces, acknowledging them with a nod and smile or a quick wave, as is my conventional response. However, it occurred to me, on that particular day, that the same gesture of encouragement typically occurs between anyone I encounter while exercising, not merely those I know personally or see regularly. Whether I cross paths with someone running a seemingly Olympic record-setting pace or someone barely putting one foot in front of the other, typically there is an unspoken camaraderie between those “pounding the pavement” that produces an urge to give a word or gesture of encouragement.

The apostle Paul spoke about this desire to encouragement and strengthen, face to face, when he wrote to the church in Rome,

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you.  For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” (Romans 1:8-12)

This upcoming week is a particularly exciting time, as 240 students and adults from McLean Bible Church, my home for the past eight years prior to launching Empowering Action in January with Andy Manfredi, will be arriving in the Dominican Republic for their annual trip.  And while I know first hand that throughout the year MBC’s ministry partners in the Dominican Republic and around the globe are routinely lifted up in prayer by the student ministry, there is an excitement the begins to build in both locations as the trip dates approach.  Historically, the week has been used of the Lord to be mutually encouraging and beneficial to all involved, and we pray this year will be no different, with many coming to salvation, many strengthened in their walk with the Lord, and our Dominican ministry partners encouraged to “run with endurance the race that is set before them.”  (Hebrews 12:1)

This morning I was describing the scene below to my wife and it brought tears to her eyes, confirming that I had married the right woman and was in the “right line of work.”

One of the special needs children, being picked up by her mom, after a day in the new special needs program at Emanuel House. The child’s day normally would have been confined essentially to her home with little interaction and stimulation. And as I watched her walk down the street, hand in hand with her mom, talking no doubt about all that she had learned and experienced during his first school experience, as a father my heart melted.  I stopped to let the image sear into my memory as they walked down the street out of view, and I was thankful to all that contributed towards the launch of the ministry, as I firmly believe the program reflects the heart of God: caring for those that by business or the world’s standards might never be able to “fully reciprocate” or “meaningfully contribute to society.”   This is the heart of James 1:27 – Care for the most needy (widows, orphans, physically and mentally disabled, and the destitute) demonstrates true Christian sacrificial love and moves the heart of God.

If you look closely at the picture there are so many elements:

• The enthusiastic student
• The grateful parent
• The caring Emanuel House staff
• The student’s new friend saying goodbye

Investment God’s way often confounds many but honors our maker.

“Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.”
– James 1:27 – The Message

“One’s relationship to God shows up in his attitude toward the needy.”
– John F. Walvoord

I count amongst my many blessings from the Lord the ability to spend extended time overseas in the presence of those with an impassioned heart for “the least of these.” (Matthew 25:40)  These faithful servants exemplify Christ, both in character and priorities, and as such are simultaneously encouraging and challenging on a personal level.

While reading through John Ryle’s Holiness, the section below brought to mind the many faithful, overseas servants and friends “no longer living for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” (2 Cor. 5:15)

 “A holy man will follow after a spirit of benevolence and mercy toward others. He will not stand all the day idle. He will not be content with doing no harm – he will try to do good.  He will strive to be useful in his day and generation, and to lessen the spiritual wants and misery around him, as far as he can. Such was Dorcas, ‘full of good works and almsdeeds, which she did’ – not merely purposed and talked about, but did. Such a one was Paul: ‘I will very gladly spend and be spent for you,’ he says, ‘thought the more abundantly I love you the less I be loved.’ (Acts 9:36; 2 Cor. 12:15)”

 And yet, we need not be an overseas missionary to seize the opportunity, as Christ followers, to daily:

• “follow after a spirit of benevolence and mercy towards others”
• “strive to be useful in our days and generation”
• “lessen the spiritual wants and misery around us, as far as we can”
• “not merely purpose and talk about, but do”
• “to gladly spend and be spent for others”

 

 

Last week, as I served alongside the marvelous group of ministry leaders from Washington D.C. pictured above, I was reminded of the Scottish preacher Robert Murray M’Cheyne, who was only 29 years of age when he died in 1843. His ministry lasted a mere six years, and yet because he possessed so deep a love for the Lord and for people the day of his funeral is described in this manner:

“Business was almost totally suspended throughout the bounds of his hometown, and, hours before the time appointed for the funeral arrived, crowds began to appear from far and near, anxious to pay their last respects to the one whom living they had esteemed so highly. Long before the hour arrived, the whole line of road intervening between the dwelling-house and the churchyard was crowded with men, women, and children, principally of the working classes. Every window overlooking the procession, and the church itself, were likewise densely filled with females, almost all attired in deep mourning, and the very walls and housetops were surmounted with anxious onlookers. Altogether, not fewer than six or seven thousand people must have assembled.”

 What caused M’Cheyne to leave such an indelible impression in such a relatively short period of time? We find the answer in a journal entry, in which he wrote,

“Live so as to be missed when dead.”

Psalm 90:12 reads,

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Our parents teach us to count from the earliest age. We count everything – blocks, fingers and toes, eventually moving on to sports stats, finances…etc. However, the Lord has to be the teacher when it comes to “numbering our days” – realizing we will not live forever. Ecclesiastes 3:11 states that “[The Lord] has planted eternity in the human heart.”

Pastor John Piper has wisely said,

“There is scarcely any thought that will purge our priorities of vain and worldly perceptions like the thought of our imminent death. O how cleansing it is to ponder the kind of life we would like to look back on when we come to die. There is great wisdom in such meditation. Therefore, think often of your dying.”

 This concept of daily “pondering the kind of life we would like to look back on when we come to die” is one Robert Murray M’Cheyne clearly grasped, and we would be wise to embrace as well. For we have “only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last” so….“Live so as to be missed.”

 

 

This past week, as Andy and I met with a corporation in Santo Domingo interested in partnering with Empowering Action, we explained that our motivation as an individuals and an organization is found in the Apostle Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 5:15,

“And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

 In short, the sacrifice and sufferings of Christ’s life, must determine the pattern and priorities of His follower’s lives.  The conversation was all the more meaningful and relevant having occurred during Holy Week leading to the celebration of Easter, for it is at Easter that we called to a “right apprehension of the vicarious sufferings of Christ.”

In the 19^th century Pastor J.C. Ryle captured how Christians are the beneficiaries of Christ’s suffering.

 “Was he flogged? It was done so that “by his wounds we are healed” (Isa. 53:5). Was he condemned, though innocent? It was done so that we might be acquitted, though guilty. Did he wear a crown of thorns? It was done so that we might wear the crown of glory. Was he stripped of his clothes? It was done so that we might be clothed in everlasting righteousness. Was he mocked and reviled? It was done so that we might be honored and blessed. Was he reckoned a criminal, and counted among those who had done wrong? It was done so that we might be reckoned innocent, and declared free from all sin. Was he declared unable to save himself? It was so that we might be able to save others to the uttermost. Did he die at last, and that the most painful and disgraceful death? It was done so that we might live forevermore, and be exalted to the highest glory.  Let us ponder these things well: they are worth remembering. The very key to peace is a right apprehension of the vicarious sufferings of Christ.”

Over the years I’ve been privileged to hear missionaries recount various interesting anecdotes and facts, but one, in particular, has remained over time in the forefront of my mind, because of the powerful principle it represents in how God often prepares us for maximum effectiveness for His service.

Years ago I was struck by the fact that brand new missionary aircraft are stripped of any non-essential material, to reduce the overall weight, in order that the plane might fly faster, farther and carry more needed supplies. It’s a powerful image to envision a direct from the manufacturer aircraft having seat cushions, headliners, dash boards…anything non-essential torn from its hinges and discarded. And yet I believe that often God must remove the “excess payload” in our lives, “stripping off every weight that slows us down” (Hebrews 12:1) in order that we might soar faster, farther and offer more in His name and for His glory.

However, admittedly this can be a painfully lonely, unsettling, and humbling process, as we are stripped of our:

• Normal routines
• Closest relationships
• Familiar surroundings
• And cherished identity

in preparation for a new God-ordained destination in our lives.

Pastor Charles Swindoll recounts such an instance in his own life in the book “A Life Well Lived,”

July 1, 1994 began a period that I can best describe as a long, cold winter – a stark lonely season during which I found myself without all the things that gave me comfort, purpose, meaning and identify. It helped a little that I had entered this season willingly. It was a necessary transition from a very successful, almost twenty-three years in Fullerton, California, to an uncertain future in Dallas, Texas. I never doubted that I was where the Lord would have me and I knew it would be difficult, but I never imagined just how much it would challenge my character and stretch my faith. I felt more than lonely. I felt alone.

I was living in a small apartment over a friend’s garage while pouring myself into my new duties as president of Dallas Theological Seminary, the institution that had launched me into ministry thirty-one years earlier. The world of academic theology, while strange to me, was stimulating. Those with whom I worked could not have been more gracious or kind…but nothing was familiar. It would be another two years before we could move the headquarters of Insight for Living from California to Texas, so my wife Cynthia had to divide her time between Anaheim and Dallas. That left me with a lot of solitude, something I typically enjoy. But this was far more than I had anticipated or wanted. I was separated from all my children and grandchildren for the first time since they were born. The deep friendships I had cultivated for twenty-three years were fifteen hundred miles away. The home we had lived in and enjoyed belonged to someone else, and the ministry that had given me such joy and fulfillment was now only a memory. Moreover, I was a shepherd without sheep. That loss kept me on my face before God.”

Like Pastor Swindoll, the Apostle Paul also allowed discomfort to draw himself to God,

“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” (2 Cor. 12:7-9)

Where did Paul go? He didn’t go to Timothy, Titus or some other friend. He didn’t look to an earthly formula, man-made therapy or technique to find the path to comfort. No, he went to the Lord. That was and is the right response, and itself the rationale for God stripping away the excess in our lives: that we would find our sufficiency in Him alone. Is this stripping away a humbling process? Without a doubt. However, God must have humble servants. As Charles Spurgeon once said, “You have two choices. You can either be humble or humbled.”

The Israelites were a forgetful people, often failing to remember God’s provision and intervention on their behalf. The book of Judges contains just one example of their falling to recall God’s involvement, love, care and pursuit of them?

“And the people of Israel did not remember the LORD their God, who had delivered them from the hand of all their enemies on every side.” (Judges 8:34)

As a result, God commanded the Israelites to erect Stones of Remembrance throughout the land, to trigger memories of God’s involvement in saving the nation that He loved so much.

Last Monday, as a result of God’s provision through McLean Bible Church’s New Years Aid event, Emanuel House was able to add 25 new students to its pre-school program. After visiting the students in their class, meeting the new teacher and watching Mirqueya greet each student’s parents at pickup, we “built our own Stones of Remembrance,” gathering the staff, and stopping to remember God’s provision and intervention over the years, to enable the Emanuel House ministry to have grown to 135 children daily, in a building that Mirqueya and her team could not have envisioned in their wildest dreams.

As we move forward, we echo the thoughts of Joshua that “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord” in light of His most gracious provision, but instead “we will serve the Lord, for He is our God!”

“Then the people answered, ‘Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods, for it is the Lord our God who brought us and our fathers up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight and preserved us in all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed. And the Lord drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.’” (Joshua 24:16-18)