“There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.” (Proverbs 19:21) I have a sneaking suspicion that this is going to be a somewhat unusual letter – though you could make the case that all of my prayer letters fit that category. 😊 First of all, let me just say that I really like this verse! I understand that the word devices carries a pretty negative connotation throughout the Bible, and even in this verse, you could make a good argument that God is talking specifically about “wicked devices.” However, this verse has a unique appeal to me personally because it describes both sides of my verifiably complicated personality. 😊 On the one hand, there are so many things that I want to do in my life; there are so many projects that I want to finish! However, on the other hand, I want more than anything else to fulfill God’s will for my life. I have learned by painful experience that pushing projects that God is not particularly excited about can only result in failure or, at best, a highly unsatisfying form of “success.” “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” has become something of a motto for me as I seek to temper my natural drive. I am by nature a workaholic who has had to learn the hard way that waiting on God can never be replaced by increased human effort. Realistically speaking, if God gave me the longevity of Methusaleh, I still couldn’t finish every project that is burning in my heart. Consequently, as I seek to run for God, I want to make sure that I am pushing the projects that God is pushing. As Paul said more than once, I want to be sure that I’m not running in vain, because “. . . the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.”
If I were to list in this letter all the different projects that I am currently in the middle of, you would probably label me as crazy and perhaps, accurately so. 😊 God has given me something of a gift in the area of linguistics, and I see a great need for materials in the Cebuano language. I am aware that there is a heavily accepted idea that ALMOST ALL Filipinos understand English very well, but it simply is not true. If we are going to help the Cebuano-speaking people to reach their potential for God, we must have materials in Cebuano. We need Christian Cebuano songs, we need Cebuano study resources, we need Cebuano books—books on marriage, child rearing, ministry work, and Christian living. I believe that God has placed me here for that purpose. However, at the same time, I know that I need to make sure that I am keeping “the main thing the main thing” in our church and ministry. I don’t want to get so wrapped up in linguistic projects that I lose my passion for souls and the true work of the ministry. So, I guess what I’m trying to say is this: would you please pray that God would clearly lead me as I seek to push these projects? I can’t possibly do everything that I would like to do, so I desperately need God’s guidance! Thank you for your prayers and faithful support.
Dividends on Your Investment
Rain has been a constant factor in our soul winning over the last several months, yet I have found that God often uses it to help us meet people we might never meet otherwise. About three weeks ago on Friday, October 25, I had such an experience. This particular day, I took a group of soul winners to the Dapitan City Plaza. In spite of its location, directly in front of the foreboding Catholic cathedral, the plaza has been one of the most fruitful soul-winning areas for our soul winners over the years. As I parked the jeepney and the soul winners began getting out, I couldn’t help but notice the darkening clouds. I approached a group of three young men and began sharing the Gospel. I knew that my time was limited, so I tried to hurry, but I wasn’t fast enough. Just as we were finishing up the fourth point of the Romans Road, it began to sprinkle. Of the three young men, one had been called away, but the remaining two really wanted to be saved. As the rain increased in intensity, we ran under a tree for shelter, but to no avail. The sprinkling had become a steady rain, and there was nowhere to go. Praise the Lord, they still wanted to be saved, so there under the tree, with rain running down their faces, they both bowed their heads and put their faith in Christ.
However, that was just the beginning. As soon as I finished talking to the two young men, I looked around and saw that most of our soul winners had gathered under a shelter on the opposite side of the plaza. So, I ran across the plaza through the rain and joined them under the shelter. There under the shelter, I met a “white guy,” who turned out to be from Alberta, Canada. His name was Tyler, and he appeared to be in his mid-20’s. I also met his girlfriend, a Filipina who had lived in Canada for many years. When I gave her a tract, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that she and Tyler had been attending a Baptist Church in Canada for quite some time. However, when I asked Tyler about his personal salvation, he clearly still had some doubts. He had heard the Gospel, but obviously something hadn’t quite clicked yet. There under the shelter, I had the pleasure of sharing the Gospel in straight English, something I haven’t done in years. After about 20 minutes, Tyler bowed his head and put his faith in Jesus Christ. Only our God could bring a man halfway around the world to hear the Gospel and then send a cloudburst at the perfect time to make sure our paths would cross!
Yours for souls,
Mike Morrissey
