James and Lori Clarke’s News Bulletin - Jan 2012

James & Lori Clarke’s News Bulletin
Jan 2012

Working with the Albanian Evangelical Mission (AEM) in southern Albania

Dear friends,
I hope this letter finds you all well. I’ve included some news about Christmas in here too as I didn’t send a letter out after Christmas. I hope this helps you in your prayers for the work of the Gospel in Albania.

Outreach
Over Christmas we gave out the gospel newspaper and Bible-verse calendars in Gjirokaster and neighbouring towns and villages as usual. This is always one of the best occasions in the year for outreach and it’s great to see the calendars hanging on the walls of many of the shops and businesses in town – a verse from
God’s Word on clear display for anyone entering to see. January reads: “Jesus said: ‘I am the way, the truth and the life.’” (in Albanian).

Christmas Concert
On the 24th of Dec, as a church we hired out a hall and put on a concert. The concert was called ‘Songs of Christmas' and included brief explanations for the carols sung. The main purpose of this was to invite people who don’t come to church. Over 100 people attended and the local TV station ran a short story on it on the evening news.

Opportunities through English teaching
As you know Lori has been teaching English for a few years now at a private language centre. Last academic year the owner of her school asked me to cover some lessons while another teacher was away. I accepted as I thought it would be a good way of getting to know people, and I was later able to invite some of my students to our summer camps. One girl who was in my class and came to camp later professed faith. So when I was asked to take on a group for this year I accepted. Although in class I must focus on teaching English, I have had some good opportunities to witness. Two girls in my class asked if I could get them bibles as they said that they 'have always wanted to read the Bible but never had the chance'. Obviously I was more than happy to comply! They then came to the Christmas concert and told me to let them know when we put on any other events. (Sadly they can’t come to church as they live in the village and are expected to stay at home on Sundays). They are currently reading the Bible, so please pray for them! Apart from this several in the class have asked to come to summer camps in 2012.

Tepelena
In Tepelena the teenage group called ‘Albion +’ with whom we did the bible overview last year have largely stopped coming to Saturday morning meetings. While this is partly due to the fact that they are in the last year of high school and are under a lot of pressure from their parents to stay in and study, I think that some of them have simply made the decision that they don’t believe. While this is very sad, we ask for your prayers for them and wait in hope. They have heard the gospel and know a lot of God's Word. Pray especially for the group of girls that came very regularly for several years – that they will remember what they heard and that it will work in their hearts. Kristi and Eugene (Xhino) continue to come faithfully and also attend church in Tepelena on Sundays. The younger groups continue to come and although numbers dropped a bit while the weather was cold, numbers are picking up again.

Gjirokaster Lads
Friendship and games will never convert a soul, but in order to be able to share the Gospel with young people you have to meet them first! The Saturday night social evening for lads has continued to lead to opportunities to invite boys in the neighbourhood to church. A few of them have turned-up to Bible studies and other meeting and we are planning further activities with them. A Tuesday night study in the book of proverbs had led to some very interesting conversations.

Other News
Lori continues to do her other translation work and also helps me lot in preparing sermons. I've preached in Albanian again a few times since my last newsletter and I'm getting a bit more used to it, although it’s still a lot of work to get the sermon together and learning them. My Mum came for a few weeks over Christmas and New Year. It was a blessing to see her and have an extra hand looking after John! John will be one year old on 13th February – how time flies! He hasn't begun walking yet, but that hasn’t stopped him exploring the house and trying to get into cupboards and drawers!

Prayer Points:
• For everyone who is coming into contact with God’s word either preached or written.
• For the group of teenagers in Tepelena.
• For the lads in Gjirokaster.

Thank you again to all who pray for us and support us.

Issue 2 - Day 2

1 Thessalonians 3

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

12. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
13. To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

Much of this chapter is given over to Paul’s desire to see the Thessalonians again, and confirm them in the faith, which Timothy was sent to do. However, the result was that things were going well. However, Paul’s prayer was that they grow in number, grow in love for each other, and grow personally, firmly rooted in the Lord. when you pray for missionaries, how do you pray? We can pray for specifics in their lives, and this is good, but these three we can always seek God for.

The work in Valadolid is a prime example of this. The team have grown together over the past year, and have become established together in the Lord, which is not always an easy thing. Now it is time to see results. we know of the many connections they have gained in the city. Over a hundred names could be put on a list to pray for their salvation, particularly Alberto, their Spanish teacher. We must pray for the growth of the work there. And this should be as Paul prayed, daily.

The same can be done for each of our missionaries, but the key is, pray daily! I encourage you to take a moment now, and write out the names of our missionaries. Pin them on the wall and commit to praying for them daily.

Issue 2 - Day 1

1 Thessalonians 2

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

11. As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
12. That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

The greatest reward of a teacher is that their students excel. Likewise the greatest reward of a parent is that their children excel. For Paul, it was the same with regard to the Thessalonians. He had invested in them as a father does his children, and wanted to see them excel. The challenge is either as parents or children. Are we investing in others in the same way as Paul, and are we walking worthy of God, as we have been shown?

Those who are parents know what it is to sit with their child trying to explain a difficult problem. You help with the homework, encourage them to get involved in the lessons, and then they get it, excel, and win the school prize. For many parents however they do not know the answers to the problems themselves. This makes it very difficult to help with the homework!

We are to invest in others spiritually. We need to get alongside fellow believers, comfort them in difficult times, push them to grow, and give them direction. We cannot do this however if we ourselves are not walking worthily of God. The call of Paul, and for any christian is to say, I am following God. See how I am doing it, and copy me. If, for example, you are not reading your bible daily it is impossible to encourage others to read daily. Let us walk worthily and lead others in doing likewise.

Walk with God - Constant in Prayer

How many times have you been able to say, in all truth, I have not stopped praying for you since … ?

Day 7

1 Thessalonians 1

1 Thessalonians 1:6-7

6. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
7. So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

There are three kinds of people in the world. There are leaders, followers, and those who both follow and lead. It is tough to lead in one area while following in another. It is even harder to follow someone while leading others, but that is what we are called to do.

In software programing there is a concept called copyleft licencing. This is a method for making a program (or other work) free and requiring all derived versions of the program to be free as well. I like to think that we are called to copyleft evangelism. I am following God, now you copy me in following God, but you must then make his word freely available to others. All to often we work with copyright evangelism. Paul would say, you became followers of us, and of the Lord, and it stopped there.

Are you an example, a teacher and leader of other believers? Are you actively sharing the gospel so others can come to know the Lord for themselves? The Word has power. Who will you share it with today, so that they too can know the true and living God? Write down their names and pray for them daily that the Lord will touch their hearts with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Day 6

Galatians 6

Galatians 6:7-8

7. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Have you ever wondered why your school, or work life is going really well, but your spiritual life is going nowhere? Or more frequently, why everything is turning into a swamp of disaster? Today’s passage holds the key. If you put your effort into your work, then only your work will succeed. If you only put your effort into self indulgence then everything will collapse as you will have nothing to support your lifestyle.

God calls us to invest in him, in our spiritual lives. This is the only place you can invest time and money that pays dividends in other areas. The Bible promises that if we seek first the kingdom of God then all the other things will be provided. There are many gifted businessmen who are doing even better than expected because they put God first. As a consequence their success is not important to them, their primary purpose is serving God.

What is your primary purpose? the Bible tells us that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Louis Giglio puts it like this: Follow the trail of your money and time. Whatever you find at the end of the trail is what you worship.

The Church of Pergamos

Letter from

Revelation 2:12

12. And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

What is the sword that comes from his mouth? What comes out of any-one's mouth? Their voice, their words. Keep this thought in your mind as we look at the problem of Pergamos, because the solution is found in Christ, the wielder of the double edged sword, which is the Word of God.

The Problem

There is always a problem with these churches, and we face the same problems today. They listened to false doctrine, and it has serious side affects. There were two distinct problems they faced, from the same root cause, bad teaching.

The primary false doctrine was the doctrine of Balaam, which goes back to Numbers 22. In essence, what the doctrine was it this. You are God’s chosen people, and nothing you do can take that away, therefore you are free to sin because God will always forgive you. This is still taught today in churches and people don't even realise.
In these issues the solution is to take hold of the Word of God, and know what it really says. Do not be swayed by ideas, but know the truth.

Ephesians 4:14

14. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Day 5

Galatians 5

Galatians 5:24-25

24. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Do you belong to Christ? Are you living by the Spirit? The challenge throughout the book of Galatians is to those who are saved yet are failing to live in the Spirit. Although they should have left the ways of the World behind they had not. In other words, there was no way to tell them from the unbelievers living around them.

I could claim to be an Arsenal supporter. I know, you don’t believe me. But I do check on how they are doing on occasion, and I have seen them play. In fact they are the only team whose stadium I have visited. Others know every detail, watch every match, have the kit, the scarf, the cup, and so on. Arsenal is the most important team to them and it is evident. I may like Arsenal, but I am not a true fan.

In the same way, many believers have seen God, and pray occasionally etc. They are saved, but they do not belong to Christ. Is your dedication to Christ as ardent as a hardcore Arsenal fan’s dedication to Arsenal? Many believers are more like Arsenal fans who watch Chelsea play every week because someone gave them a free ticket. We live lives that look like those of unbelievers even though we are not! If you are serious about Christ then don’t just follow him, put everything else aside and live for him.

Day 4

Galatians 4

Galatians 4:8-9

8. Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
9. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

Why do we prefer slavery to freedom? IN some ways this is good as the Bible tells us we are freed from sin to become bond-servants of Christ. However ...

There is a fictitious, but informative story told of Abraham Lincoln. The story goes that Abraham Lincoln was in New Orleans, when he saw a young black girl being sold. He kept bidding one dollar higher than the last bidder until he won. As soon as he won, the girl asked him what he was going to do with her. He said he was going to set her free. In disbelief, she asked him if he really meant it. He said yes, and told her she was free to go. Right away, she told him she wanted to stay with him, because he was the man that set her free.

What we do is worse, having been purchased we chose to go back to the slaver who sold us! when we are freed we are freed indeed, so ask God to give you strength to fight the attraction of old sins. Walk in the life that God gives, not in your old ways of the flesh, for you are free!

Day 3

Galatians 3

Galatians 3:2-3

2. This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3. Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Is there any action that can gain you salvation? Having gained salvation is there any action that can retain salvation?

In the dispute of eternal salvation the biggest question is, can I lose my salvation? This is back-to-front, and is asked as if salvation were a wrist watch that can be accidentally left on the bedside table one morning. While we must take care, as Paul goes on to say in this same chapter, that we are saved by faith, to live in faith and not return to our old ways, it is also clear that if salvation depended in any way on our own actions we would lose it in an instant. Faith saves, and faith preserves, as God gives by his power, not ours. and what god has given he has promised he will never take away.

All to often we hit the extremes. On the one hand we strive to meet the demands of the law when faith is sufficient, and on the other we live without faith or works thinking that we have done enough in accepting Christ. God has called us to salvation by faith, that we may be free to walk in his ways. Pray that God would guide your path through life today.

Day 2

Galatians 2

Galatians 2:20

20. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Paul was dealing with the problem of traditions. there were those who, while otherwise pillars of faith, we’re stuck in tradition rather than following the Gospel of Christ. Our lives need to be driven by a desire to fulfil the will of God, not our earthly desires. As Jesus himself said,“My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work”.

The majority of the divisions that exist in the church today are caused by traditions. All to often we do what we do because we have always done it that way, or it is what we have always understood. Even Peter was stuck in the same trap. Some traditions are good, as they follow the Bible, but where they differ we have to stick to the Word of God.

Are you truly crucified with Christ? we have a life to live here on Earth, but let us make it a live dedicated to doing the will of God. Lord, reveal to me what is there in my life that you would cut out and replace with faith in you.

Day 1

Galatians 1

Slight hiccup with the publishing of day one. Apologies to all those who got day 5 this morning. Here is day one, and we are back on track.

Galatians 1:8-9

8. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

What does it mean to preach another gospel? It matters not if you are a pastor, a preacher, evangelist, teacher, or just a regular Christian. We all preach. We preach with every word that comes from our mouths, and every action that comes from our bodies. The question is, are we trying to please God or our friends?

Years ago I read, “The gospel according to Peanuts”, a collection of Snoopy cartoons used to illustrate some good moral points. Nothing wrong with the book, but the title says it all. This is how we are in our lives. We are happy to share the gospel according to the news, or according to Top Gear, but we are reticent in sharing the Gospel according to God.

We should indeed serve God, and preach his gospel through everything we do, but does the preceding verse apply to you as well? In failing to preach God, is your life blighted when God would have us blessed? Pray that God would give us a burden for the lost, and then put it in to action.

Walk with God - Fruitful in Prayer

This is the challenge to be faithful in prayer, and expect fruit. The fruit to pray for: Faith for the unbelievers, Hope for the lost, love for the needy.

2 Timothy 2:15

15. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

This Monday 23rd January sees the launch of the MRBC Daily Bible Readings. The object is that as a whole church in our daily quiet times we are studying the same passages, listening to God, and therefore, in theory we shall be all on the same page, of the same mind, that is the mind of Christ. If that does indeed happen it will be exciting to see what God does with us as a whole church and as individuals.

The plan is to take us through the letters of Paul, roughly in chronological order, over a period of six months. A chapter per day, a key verse and so on.

If you are following this, and are not a member of MRBC, my prayer is that God works in your life as a result of this.

Let us study to show ourselves approved of God.

Faithful in Prayer

Are you living the life of a saint, that is one whose life is pure, blameless, and set apart for God. And are you living as a faithful part of the family of Christ?

Daily Readings - Test 2

1 John 1:9

9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Daily Readings - Test 1

John 3:16

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Pete Fuggle - Jesus the teacher

Jesus taught us to be different in attitude, answer and action.

The Advent of Christ - the Son of God

Christmas is a good reminder of Christ, but far more important is who Jesus is, and how that affects our lives.