Last weekend was extremely enjoyable being part of the Asian Christian Conference 2015. This was the second time that New Life Fellowship had organised the event. There were some excellent speakers but the two we enjoyed the most were John Bevere and Glen Berteau. The whole event was run brilliantly, our thanks must go to Pastor Jesse McCaul and his team for making us feel so much part of the proceedings.
On Sunday morning we met at our church at 8am and set of in a bus with our favourite bus driver Seng and travelled together to Diamond Island where the large auditorium was. It was so much fun just taking a trip together knowing we were about to join many other Cambodian Christians worshipping and praising God!
John Bevere spoke three times which we thoroughly enjoyed and were challenged by every message. It was special for us as missionaries running a Khmer church to be fed and it was refreshing. My favourite message over the weekend was by Glen Berteau speaking on ‘The in Between’. He was challenging everyone about what we do in our time on earth from when we give our life to Jesus and until we go to heaven. This is a lifelong frustration for pastors when they see Christian brothers and sisters with so much to give yet so content to watch others do!
As Pastor Glen spoke he talked about when we get to heaven and we receive our reward, our crown or crowns dependant on our service. How we will stand waiting to come to the throne where Jesus will sit and we will cast our crown/crowns at his feet in complete worship. He then stopped and said those crowns are a reward for the works, good deeds we have done as a Christian. Imagine if you are one of those people, I’m sure you’re not but just imagine if you are one of those people who didn’t do anything. When your pastor asks for helpers in Sunday School or people to help serve in different church areas and you ignore the call. When you get to heaven and you stand in that line, everyone around you has at least one or two crowns some four or five and you have none. How will you be able to look at Jesus and say ‘sorry but I couldn’t be bothered or I was to shy’.
Nothing and I mean nothing scares me more than that moment of realisation that I let Jesus down; the one who gave everything for me. So I am determined to do as much as I can to show Jesus what He really means to me. Perhaps today you need to take a serious look at yourself, you’re maybe saved already but are you happy to be empty handed at the throne or do you want to be burdened down by the crown that represents what you gave back to a Lord and Saviour who gave you everything.
We have a number of things we would value your prayers for this week. A young child in our church is having major problems with her lower legs and ankles, possibly needing surgery. But the problem is the doctors say she may not walk again if the surgery doesn’t work out. We don’t want her to have to undergo surgery, we believe in a God that can move mountains and we believe that He can touch and heal this little angel. I can’t give her name out because both her and her mum need protection and are connected to our Be Free program.
Secondly Esther and I are exhausted and move house next week so we ask for energy in abundance. We love our work, our lives and the people we share those lives with but it is intense; so we just need God to give us the strength to push on and accomplish everything we need to do this week.
As always thank you for your love, and support; we really do love and appreciate you all. In closing we want to send special greetings to Esther’s sister Ruth who not only celebrates her birthday this week but wedding anniversary too; congratulations Ruth and Billy. Have a special few days and know you are in our thoughts and prayers!