"Have you suffered so much for nothing..." Galatians 3:4 Our Thailand journey ended this summer. Although we've been back for over four months, we have five boxes still unpacked. Many people have been asking how we are doing with our adjustments, and I often reply, "We are doing good." It's easier that way. But, deep within me, I have been wrestling with the feelings of defeat and confusion over all that had happened the past two years. Although we were able to help the Four-Year-Team settle and engage in the vision of our church pretty well before leaving, our hearts remained heavy with sorrow. As a family, we suffered greatly, because we had ...

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The cross of Christ gave us freedom from guilt and the performance driven life. However, we move on from the gospel when God does not meet our expectations. We don’t fix our eyes on the cross when we are disappointed with God. As a result, we take the cross for granted. If we take the cross for granted, we will: Lack joy. Be spiritually dry or dead. Have no passion for God. Always be looking for something else that will satisfy. Are you not tired of being tired? Are you not tired of trying to make life work by neglecting your time in the Word of God and prayer? If we live in the freedom of Christ: We will break away from joy ...

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We intend to do a lot with our lives but often the most important things slip by... At the Agape, Avis has a sign on the wall that says, “I intend to,” so I asked her about the significance of the sign. Avis told me a story about a Burmese woman who was dying of AIDS in the Thai government hospital. Avis used to visit the hospital once a week to encourage the women who were dying of AIDS. Avis tried to share the gospel with a Burmese woman but could not clearly communicate the message, so she promised to bring a Burmese Bible the next day. Although Avis thought about the Burmese woman the next day and the day that followed, she failed to take ...

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“Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will glorify me.” I noticed three things immediately about this particular verse. First, our duty is to call upon God, because the verse assures that we will face days of trouble. In the life of Christ followers, the days of trouble is inescapable, and we will face them because we have no control over our lives. Secondly, God is able to deliver us because He is in control. I find incredible comfort in knowing that God is in control, because I can ask Him to help in my days of trouble. Lastly, God is so confident in Himself that He enables us to glorify Him. Thus, my hope in Him will ...

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2 Corinthians 6:10a Recently, the Lord spoke to me clearly and rekindled my heart for the nations. For more than 7 years, I felt led to write a book but couldn’t really get a clear vision for the book, until I came to Thailand. God took hold of my heart with 2 Corinthians 6:3-10, especially verse 10. I could not move on to other passages, because God would not allow me to stop thinking about the verse. In submission to the Holy Spirit, I meditated on the verse and started to look deeper. I asked myself, how can Paul be sorrowful and yet always rejoice? Can joy be a constant heartbeat of our soul when severely persecuted for the gospel’s sake? ...

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By Pastor Tae Pae Last week, I was able to preach at the Jasper Kids in Wiang Pa Pao to encourage and comfort the kids. I shared with them that the Light of Christ will shine brightly through our darkness. In our darkness, we must not allow defeat to overtake our soul but learn to see the victorious work of Christ. Just as Paul said, “Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” 2 Cor. 6:10. Thus, we must reclaim the past defeat as victory by releasing the spiritual strength we have gained from pain and suffering. By Kathy Pae My husband and I first saw Chaiyapon while ...

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"A man's steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?" Proverbs 20:24 I met Suchi six years ago when I first came to Thailand. He was just a little boy living at Jasper Kids, but now he has become a man of God. Currently, he is attending a Technical Vocational High School learning to be a mechanic. When Missionary JJ first told me about Suchi’s story, I was heart-broken. I couldn’t believe what he had to face and endure in life. His parents were murdered, because they were Christians. Suchi’s family lived in the mountains and the villagers all believed in superstition and held an animistic belief. His parents ...

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