Dear Friend, “…Stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel.” (Phil. 1:27b) The Apostle Paul’s words echo clearly from the past and speak well to our present times. There is no doubt about it; we are living in trying days. But we’ve got to stand strong and firm in the faith for the sake of His Gospel message. Paul’s times were manifestly tough as he sought to firmly establish the early church on Christ’s example and teachings. Yes, even while he labored to establish the church, undeniably he lived under a heavy barrage of persecution and terrible opposition.
Even in the midst of pain and suffering, economic instability or just plain bad news, the Good News of Christ’s Gospel deserves to be preached, and even more effectively! For it’s in that very time, that very hour that our efforts need to be stepped up, not slowed down. Above all, it’s in that time that people everywhere need to know that the hope we offer is being lived out authentically in our lives! Christ needs to be preached in 2009. So, stand firm and don’t give up!
A YEAR OF DIGGING DOWN DEEP!
In Luke, Jesus tells a much-repeated story about the wise man who dug down deep to build the foundation of his house on a rock. He related this parable to demonstrate both the practical and spiritual principal of preparation. Like you, in this New Year, we’re getting out the old shovel and taking stock of our foundation, making certain that it is firm, even as we seek to grow in meaningful, strengthening ways, so that when the inevitable storms come, we’ll be able to continue in our evangelistic efforts.
Some of the ways that I will be doing this is by spending a good portion of my 2009 speaking schedule sharing here in the United States to a host of church groups and other events geared specifically to the youth, prisoners, military audiences. I’m making a deliberate decision to sow spiritual seed into the place where the ministry of Life Without Limbs is established, thus digging our foundations here deep. Secondly, I’m planning on taking some concentrated time to finish work on a book that was begun in 2008, but was waylaid due to my intensive speaking tours abroad. A third goal for 2009 is to proactively make use of avenues that will broaden my audience for evangelistic purposes. As such, I will be intentionally increasing the use of all manner of media outlets available to cast the net of Christ’s hope out even further to this generation so desperately in need of hope. Please remain in prayer for me in each of these three areas.
NOTES FROM THE FIELD
Dateline: China, November and December 2008
Hong Kong: Last November, on into early December, I spent some important days in China with the people of Hong Kong and Beijing on my World Tour to Asia. While in Hong Kong, the Lord began to tap a wellspring of such spiritual beauty, even our Team was amazed and humbled by its proportions. The lives of many people, both young and old, were being transformed before our very eyes and a spiritual hunger never before experienced was being unleashed in a number of meetings. As thousands listened to my personal testimony, the Lord began to move among them, showing them that this was the kind of faith God wanted to be at work in their lives too. It was what their hearts had been hungering for! Many were moved from an intellectual faith to an even deeper understanding of what faith looked like as it was anchored in trust and genuine relationship with God and His vital purposes for them!
Beijing: Another highlight from the nation of China occurred in Beijing where we were greatly honored to meet up with the directors and children of four orphanages. Ranging in age from early elementary on into the upper teens, many of these children were the survivors of the horrific 8.0 Sichuan earthquake which took place last May, claiming the lives of 70,000, injuring 300,000, leaving 18,000 missing and displacing millions. Though the Chinese are industriously at work rebuilding the leveled cities, there are many hearts that need repair from the massively-felt emotional loss of this natural disaster.
Children who survived the quake, which is being called by some “the worst earthquake in a generation”, with no family to take them in, reside in a couple of these orphanages. They came together to present a magnificent artistic dance and dramatic performance for myself and the Life Without Limbs Team. It was spectacular! Afterwards, I was given the highly unique opportunity to hug many of the children who wanted to meet with me. They lined up very orderly and came to me one by one. True, mutual tears were shed.
I think by holding on to me, many felt they were holding on to hope. What they were feeling as they hugged me was the intense love of Jesus for them! That day registered in my mind as a powerful example of Christ’s barrier-breaking ability once more.
How exactly do we stand firm in the spirit as one man for the Gospel? One of the greatest ways that immediately comes to mind is through fervent prayer. The times and our Savior call us to be steadfast in prayer (I Thess. 5:7). Another way to continue spreading the gospel is through your giving. We are in need of your financial support right now. It is through both of these vital means of assistance that I am able to say “yes” to those groups and nations that ask me to come and share my testimony and declare Jesus as the hope and genuine source of the purpose that drives my life. As long as the
Lord makes a way for me to go, I will go. I’m willing. The last several weeks have been tough as a number of our faithful donors have called to desist their monthly giving due to job losses, personal cut-backs, health reasons and more. We will continue to serve in and out of season and we pray that the Holy Spirit will stir your hearts to give in and out of season. “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love…then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” (Phil. 2:1-2) I’d like to ask you to join me in spirit and in purpose this year by praying and asking God how you might help support me in prayer and with your finances. Recognizing the times in which we are living, keep us in your prayers as we routinely do for you too!
In Him, Through Him, For Him,
Nick Vujicic
President
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