Earthly Kingdom
You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15
The only thing that seems clear right now is uncertainty. James speaks to us regarding the unknown and maybe we need that same message today when we hear of wars and rumors of wars.
During these past years, we have enjoyed relative international stability. Travel to various parts of the world has been feasible, communication has been possible, and health concerns could be managed. The past two years have reminded us that we do not know what tomorrow will bring, and it reminds us that teaching people to train their own people is the model that can meet people in their own situations and adjust to our changing world.
We continue to go forward with our plans for training in Malawi in April. The war in Ukraine and its effect on the rest of the world reminds us that “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or do that.” We have seen the Lord’s will in causing an interest in the training and a hunger for God’s Word. We have seen His will by providing ministry partners who want to train their people. Now, we watch for His timing.
To train people well and to use our time effectively we plan two months in advance. That allows ministries on the receiving end to prepare their people and their schedules. It helps us make reservations, budget, and coordinate details. At the same time, we trust in the Lord for open doors for His Word.
Join us in prayer for the people of Ukraine, training in Malawi, and for the Lord’s will as we live in this earthly kingdom.
Heavenly Kingdom
Come, behold the works of the Lord…He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the chariots with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:8-10
We can easily get distracted by the things in our world and our earthly kingdom, but our perspective changes when we stop and look at things from the perspective of God’s kingdom. Stop for a moment and consider God’s kingdom. Where is it? What does it look like? God’s kingdom is wherever God is King. The Bible tells us about His heavenly kingdom, and it tells us about His kingdom in the lives of those who look to Him as King. In the Lord’s Prayer we pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
The whole purpose of the Orality Institute is to bring the Good News of God’s kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven.” The lives of those who have been touched by God’s kingdom look as different from this world as light compares to the darkness.
Namayonjo Ruth took the training in Uganda because she saw a change in her husband’s life. He had been a pastor, yet she said, “This training has changed his life. I can see it in his character, his knowledge, and his ministry.” Their 17-year-old son Peter said that now their home had joy. Before it didn’t have joy, but now there was happiness. Peter himself used the Word that had been shared in their family to battle witchcraft that he saw at school.
The Kingdom of God shines through His people whenever and wherever they let His light shine out from their lives. They reflect His work and they exalt Him among the nations.
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