October 14, 2011

10-14-11 Friday, 8:06 am Oak Ridge, Tennessee, 53 degrees

Yesterday was exactly as we hoped it would be, making our attendance at this conference worthwhile. The new district superintendent for Honduras, Juan Guerrero is from Columbia, South America and has a Ph.D. I downloaded his dissertation which is about John Wesley and Pentecost. Audrey was able to visit through the day with Ron and Loretta, the VIM hosts in Honduras who are glad for us to return to Diez de Septiembre in January. I was able to have meaningful conversations with the missions pastor from Church of the Resurrection about their future involvement, and possible collaboration. Today there will be individual teaching seminars in the morning, and general sessions in the afternoon.

II Thessalonians 2

Paul warns his readers not to be deceived by those who say that the “day of the Lord has already come”. In verses 3-11 Paul gives more details about what must precede the Lord’s return, including “the man of lawlessness” being revealed, who will “exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshipped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God”. Paul explains that there is a power that is holding him back, even as “the secret power of lawlessness is already at work.” This is one of the signs that end times observers are watching for. Hitler came close to being this man of lawlessness, but never set himself up in God’s temple. When I study about the 1930s and consider Germany, Europe and the rest of the world, I realize that in very short order someone could arise and fulfill this prophecy.

Verses 13-14 give me great hope, and inspire me to continue teaching and preaching the gospel. I realize that many people who are today spiritually asleep will wake up and become “saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth” (verse 13b).

“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” (16-17)

Lord, I am encouraged as I consider Your work in Honduras, in Springfield and around the globe. It is a mystery how your Spirit convicts of sin and saves through your sanctifying work and a person’s belief in the truth. Guide me as I preach and teach, live and demonstrate your good hope for this lost world.