I am primarily an evangelist and teacher who travels around the world in apostolic ministry as God leads and enables me. In addition to preaching and teaching the Bible, I mentor our key partners to be more strategic and impactful for the Gospel in their countries and cultures, just as they continue to mentor me. I am relationally focused rather than program or project focused in ministry relationships and partnerships.
"…we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken."
(Heb. 12:28)
All over the world God is 'shaking thing up' -- or down! He has been shaking up our economy in America. In Europe -- which is in what many call the 'post-Christian era,' He is shaking up entire countries to the verge of total economic collapse. Much of the Moslem world is being shaken up by the 'Arab Spring' that is a grass-roots yearning for freedom and democracy. But sadly, the 'Arab spring' is rapidly turning into an 'Arab winter' as Islamic fundamentalists and radicals take more and more control.
In addition to economic and political shaking, there is ecological shaking taking place on a global scale. Whether through tsunamis, hurricanes, tornados, wild fires, floods -- or earthquakes like Haiti experienced in 2010, things are shaking all over the world. Many years ago the pop singer, Jerry Lee Lewis wrote a song that said: "A whole lot of shaking going on!" While he was singing about the shaking of the body through dancing, there is a more intense shaking going on today! It is a shaking that is touching the farthest corners of the earth and the deepest parts of the human spirit. Many are asking themselves: "What's going on?!"
The Bible gives a clear answer to that probing question. Here it is:
"Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens. The words 'once more' indicate the removing of what can be shaken -- that is, created things -- so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe" (Heb. 12:26-28).
So God is "shaking things up and down" so that His Kingdom can come -- which cannot be shaken! That's His agenda through the ages. That's why He has ultimately shaken to destruction every human kingdom that has been contrary to His eternal Kingdom! Egypt experienced it. Babylon experienced it. Rome experienced it. America is experiencing it. Ultimately the whole world will increasingly experience His shaking!
But here's the good news: "Do not fear little flock for your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom" (Luke 12:32). That's your only hope and security! Our only hope is in God's "Unshakable Kingdom" (Heb. 12:28) and His "Unchanging Christ!" (Heb. 13:8). That's the message we took to Haiti.
Please take a few moments to look at the following pictures and video from that trip in commemoration of the Second Anniversary of the killer earthquake. God is mightily at work there -- and you are a vital part of it through your prayers and financial partnership!
The Bible gives a clear answer to that probing question. Here it is:
"Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens. The words 'once more' indicate the removing of what can be shaken -- that is, created things -- so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe" (Heb. 12:26-28).
So God is "shaking things up and down" so that His Kingdom can come -- which cannot be shaken! That's His agenda through the ages. That's why He has ultimately shaken to destruction every human kingdom that has been contrary to His eternal Kingdom! Egypt experienced it. Babylon experienced it. Rome experienced it. America is experiencing it. Ultimately the whole world will increasingly experience His shaking!
But here's the good news: "Do not fear little flock for your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom" (Luke 12:32). That's your only hope and security! Our only hope is in God's "Unshakable Kingdom" (Heb. 12:28) and His "Unchanging Christ!" (Heb. 13:8). That's the message we took to Haiti.
Please take a few moments to look at the following pictures and video from that trip in commemoration of the Second Anniversary of the killer earthquake. God is mightily at work there -- and you are a vital part of it through your prayers and financial partnership!
"After Jesus was born…Magi from the east came to Jerusalem…to worship Him."
(Matt. 2:1-2)
Dear Friends & Partners,
Happy & Holy New Year's Blessings to each of you! Now that Christmas has passed and the New Year has come, we tend to 'pack up Jesus' along with the Christmas tree and decorations. We are eager to get back to 'business as usual.' But Christmas was a series of events, not just a solitary one on the night of His birth in Bethlehem that we celebrate on December 25th.
Historically, the church has also celebrated the 'coming of the Wise Men' on January 6th. It is called 'Epiphany' from the Greek word, Epiphaneia, meaning 'manifestation' or 'appearance.' This day commemorates the time sometime after Jesus' birth when He was revealed to the Gentile Magi -- showing that He was not just 'King of the Jews,' but God's Messiah for the whole world.
Matthew reminds us of this 'Gentile Epiphany' with these words:
"When they saw the star they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh" (Matt. 2:10-11).
So Biblically speaking, 'gift giving' is associated with Epiphany more than with Christmas Day. But since Christmas reminds us that God is a giving God,giving is appropriate any and every day of the year!
I am sharing with you Christmas pictures from some of our dear national partners, click here to see them. We have been able to give gifts to them this past year because of the gifts you have given us. So as you look at their pictures, I hope you will have a special spiritual Epiphany – a fresh manifestation of the Lord Jesus, through these precious friends and partners you have invested in through your love, prayers and financial support.
Finally, as you read this email, I will be back in Haiti for a weekend of ministry related to the second anniversary of the killer earthquake. Be watching for my report upon my return next week…
Sharing His Epiphany,
JL
PS: I hope you will also click on a timely Christmas message from one of our Christian partners in Nepal that I just received. I think you will be blessed and challenged as you enter this New Year.
Matthew reminds us of this 'Gentile Epiphany' with these words:
"When they saw the star they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh" (Matt. 2:10-11).
So Biblically speaking, 'gift giving' is associated with Epiphany more than with Christmas Day. But since Christmas reminds us that God is a giving God,giving is appropriate any and every day of the year!
I am sharing with you Christmas pictures from some of our dear national partners, click here to see them. We have been able to give gifts to them this past year because of the gifts you have given us. So as you look at their pictures, I hope you will have a special spiritual Epiphany – a fresh manifestation of the Lord Jesus, through these precious friends and partners you have invested in through your love, prayers and financial support.
Finally, as you read this email, I will be back in Haiti for a weekend of ministry related to the second anniversary of the killer earthquake. Be watching for my report upon my return next week…
Sharing His Epiphany,
JL
PS: I hope you will also click on a timely Christmas message from one of our Christian partners in Nepal that I just received. I think you will be blessed and challenged as you enter this New Year.
I am primarily an evangelist and teacher who travels around the world in apostolic ministry as God leads and enables me. In addition to preaching and teaching the Bible, I mentor our key partners to be more strategic and impactful for the Gospel in their countries and cultures, just as they continue to mentor me. I am relationally focused rather than program or project focused in ministry relationships and partnerships. 
