Bearing Fruit

I heard that our South Africa Mission Team missed their connector flight in DC because they were late getting out of Norfolk. That means they will be one day late getting to their destination in South Africa. I am expecting to hear great testimony about what God does on this mission trip through our people. Why are my expectations so high? Because of the difficulty they have faced.

I have noticed over time that some of the most fruitful ministry efforts I have seen or been apart of, have come in the face of great difficulty and many obstacles. It seems like all h - e - double hockey sticks is breaking loose, and in the midst of it all God shows Himself mighty and you see tremendous fruit.

The enemy is not going to let you bear fruit for God unopposed. The enemy will throw everything at you to try to throw you off mission.

We are headed into the last night of VBS tomorrow. God is moving. This is my sixth VBS since becoming Pastor of Bethel. I believe all things considered, this is probably one of the best (if not the best) VBS I have seen at Bethel. I have seen the enemy attack. Some of our VBS workers have experienced great difficulty this week. I was talking with one of our workers who was unexpectedly called into work at 2:30am and still made it to VBS. I know of a couple of workers who are dealing with personal health issues. Several are dealing with health issues in their families and extended families. But they were still there serving God!!! They have legitimate excuses to bow out, but they are still there!!! It blesses my heart to see it. The commitment is an amazing testimony and God has honored the sacrifice. I have not heard the number, but I know that our people presented the gospel clearly and a number of children trusted Christ as savior tonight. HALLELUJAH!! That's what it is all about. That's why we do VBS. Names were added to the Lambs Book of Life tonight!

It is a predictable pattern....push through the difficulty, serve God faithfully, God honors your sacrifice, multiplies your efforts and you see the fruit.

"By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." John 15:8


It is an awesome thing to see that as we have a team traveling half way around the world to reach people for Christ in a foreign land, at the same time we are reaching children right here in our own mission field. Thanks Bethelites for bearing fruit, and glorifying the Father.


By the way, thanks for all the cards, notes, emails and well wishes. You folks sure know how to make a guy feel loved and appreciated. Kay made my favorite. Chocolate cake with chocolate icing. I enjoyed a slice tonight when I got home from VBS. It goes down pretty well with a glass of chocolate milk, by the way. I needed it about like I need a hole drilled in my head. But I didn't let that stop me. It's been a good birthday.