What is of “First Importance” to you?

Paul in speaking of the resurrection of Jesus Christ to the Corinthians said in his letter (1 Corinthians 15:3-5)

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.”

Of First Importance!

Is the resurrection of Jesus Christ of first importance in your life? If it isn’t … or even if it is of “some” importance … today is the day to pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you through the steps it will take to make the significance of our celebration this Easter the most important thing in your life.

Once you have accepted, as Paul is suggesting to the Corinthians, that the resurrection and your reaction to it are the most important thing in your life … you will find all the other “important” things in your life are easier to achieve through Jesus Christ.

Hallelujah … He Is Risen!

Larry Abele – Editorial Team

10/40 Window or The Whole World?

A church in the U.S. has informed one of our missionary families that they will no longer be supporting them as they don't work in the so called' 10/40 window of the world.

(The 10/40 Window is a term coined by Christian missionary strategist Luis Bush in 1990 to refer to those regions of the eastern hemisphere located between 10 and 40 degrees north of the equator, a general area that in 1990 was purported to have the highest level of socioeconomic challenges and least access to the Christian message on the planet.) This church no longer considers Europe to be a mission field.

This is staggering, especially when you consider that the vast majority of Europeans do not attend church, have never been to a church service, and have never heard the Gospel message preached by a Holy Spirit anointed preacher. Europe was Christianized (at times with the edge of a sword) in centuries past but not evangelized. There are still vast areas of Europe that remain unreached by the Gospel. There are tens of thousands of towns and villages that are devoid of any living Christian witness.

While I accept that Luis Bush’s emphasis on the “10/40 window” of the world may have served it’s purpose to draw the attention of the Church to a needy part of the world, as a missions strategy it is unbiblical and irrational.

The bible states; “Go into all the world”. (see Matt. 28:18-20. Mark 13:10) This command refers to evangelism and disciple making, not Christianization. God also expects us to preach this gospel to each successive generations until the Lord returns.

Please do partner with us and all that will proclaim the gospel to the world, but do not neglect other parts of the world just because their ancestors have been Christianized.

Recent events in North Africa and the Middle East have taken the world by surprise. Current happenings are reminiscent of the fall of Communism in Europe in the late 1989. One encouraging thought is that all that has taken place in Egypt and elsewhere occurred nearly overnight. If God can do the politically impossible in a comparatively short time span then surely we can trust Him to do the seemingly spiritually impossible anywhere in Europe! How wonderful and exciting it would be if entire European nations were to be overcome by a spirit of conviction and repentance. "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" Let us ask God for the salvation of Europe.*

Paul

* (Paraphrased from the ECM Update by Vincent Price)

Is Japan our Neighbor?

Japanese officials believe the death toll from Japan’s earthquake and tsunami is almost certain to exceed 10,000. Hundreds of bodies have washed ashore in the hard-hit city of Sendai.

And as this is being written there has been another 6.4 earthquake in Tokyo … nuclear panic continues to grow as there has been a fourth explosion in power plants … thousands are missing and tens of thousands are homeless.

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37 "... "And who is my neighbor?"

This question is part of a dialog Jesus had with a person that was well versed in the teaching of God’s Law.

What would you do if your neighbor is surrounded by great trouble? For the Jewish believer the law of love was plain and simple: treat your neighbor as you would treat yourself.

Jesus told a parable to show how wide God's love and mercy is towards all. What does Jesus' story tell us about true love for one's neighbor?

First, we must be willing to help regardless of the circumstances and reasons for the trouble.

Second, our love and concern to help others in need must be practical. Good intentions and empathizing with others are not enough.

And lastly, our love for others must be as wide as God's love. No one is excluded. God's love is unconditional. So we must be ready to do good to others for their sake, just as God is good to us all.

Thinking about Japan. This is not a time to spread blame or even to ask rhetorical questions. This is the time to help. help by praying and giving.

Please pray for the people affected by this catastrophe, and that God may grant wisdom and direct our steps as we respond.

Please give, missionaries in Japan, World Vision or Samaritan's Purse can be your avenue of help to the neediest in Japan.

Partnering with you,
Betty and Paul