Dear Mountain Climbers, Movers, Shakers, Giant-Killers, and the Rest of Us,
May the God of all grace fill your hearts with increasing faith, hope, and love. This is our prayer for this new year. This may be the Year!
“The just shall live by faith …” What a statement made by a disconcerted prophet with a limited understanding of his world and with an unexplainable God! Habakkuk could not understand why Israel was not being punished for its flagrant disavowal of and disobedience to Jehovah God. His second problem was theological: How could God use the vicious and idolatrous Chaldeans to discipline His own people? Oh, are these questions relevant today to us who view the Church and our world as they are, and our God as He is!
To Paul and to each of us, the “just” are not only “justified by faith” but their life is to be led, sustained, and invigorated by a vibrant living faith. Hebrews 11 speaks of faith being the “title deed” and the “conviction” of those who possess it.
It is a faith that gives understanding to the mystery of the universe, provides impetus for holy living, gives joy in death, and is needed for the “translation” Rapture. It is this kind of Biblical faith that brings us to the “obedience of faith,” the substance for live births from dead wombs, the offering of material sacrifices, and a heavenly perspective and viewpoint concerning time and eternity, sacrifice and seeing, and rejection and rewards!
It is a faith that will not give up, will not sell out, will not shut up, will not stay put, will not sit down, will not wash out, and will not cave in. It is a faith impregnated by the living Word and Spirit, that grasps as present, future realities.
Faith sings, shouts, saves, shows, sees, suffers, and serves. It transcends age, gender, time, space, or matter. No mountain is too big, no river too wide, no task too great, no obstacle too formidable, no valley too deep, no cave too dark, no tunnel too long, no demon too strong, and no army too large.
Faith’s divine Source and incarnational reality transcends, travails, testifies, tarries, and triumphs! Through faith, our spiritual ancestors were persuaded by the promises of God, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims.
Our struggles are not with flesh and blood. The Kingdom of Light and the kingdom of darkness are in mortal combat. The devices of Satan can either be subtle in manifestations (reason, “common sense,” deception, majority opinion, doubt, etc.) foisted upon us by, at times, well-meaning leaders, family, friends, or church members (see Matt. 16:13-28). Hell’s impious legions advance attacks which may be physical, mental, or spiritual. They may be an aggressive expression of hostility, persecution, rejection, slander, divisiveness, malignant backbiting, a well placed Judas, etc. (James 3:13-18).
Look up and away unto the Captain (“File-Leader”) of our Salvation … put away the besetting sin … and be spiritually fortified in your minds with a renewed vision of Him. Do not despair. Only realize you have not yet resisted unto blood! You are being honored to suffer for His Name. Only do not look back (Luke 17:32). You are His chosen (John 15:16)! Keep looking down (Ephesians 2:6)!
Hear heaven’s response to what may be your crisis of faith in II Cor. 9:8. The Lord reiterates five times on the positive side that His grace is sufficient—”all”, “always”, “abound”. A literal translation could read, “God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound unto every (all) good work.” On the negative side, Hebrews 13:5 states emphatically five times, “Not will I fail thee—nevermore! No! Never by no means will I forsake thee.” So, from God’s perspective circumstances are for our “profit”. All earthly things serve heavenly ends to those whose heart is right with God (Rom. 8:28; II Cor. 4:17,18; James 1:2-8; Romans 5:1-11; I Peter 1:2-9; II Peter 2:2-11).
Fight the good fight of faith, weary, but not forsaken, soldier. Cease from your own works, as God did from His. Let us labor to enter into His Rest and hear His Voice. Harden not your hearts. Let us fear lest we fail to enter into God’s promises. Let us come boldly into His presence … Let us go on perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Let us lay aside the sin … let us hold fast our profession … let us have grace … let us go forth unto Him without the camp … let us sacrifice the sacrifice of praise … Lift up the weary hands and straighten out the paralyzed knees that hang down with weariness! He Who has begun a good work in us will perform it unto the Revelation of Jesus Christ … for He is the Author and the Finisher of our faith!
Furlough
We are approximately 5 months into the furlough process. Thank you to those who have opened their hearts and doors and have welcomed us in! You have blessed us! We are humbled and honored by the “open doors” given by the Lord and you. Contact us at the address/phone below, if you would like to schedule a time for us to serve you.
Family
We had all but one of our sons at home for Christmas: Paul from CA, Nathan from CT, and Stephen from IL. Reuben was in Israel over the holidays to celebrate with the world and friends the Incarnation. He has been serving in the 10-40 window in India and Nepal as an advisor to Christian businessmen and companies. He will stay until April when his visa expires.
It was nice to be with family and friends. However, we did miss our many friends throughout Europe, fellow-laborers in God’s Kingdom, and the unique way Europe celebrates this blessed Season. Carmen and I are temporarily staying in the home of my sister, who has graciously opened it to us. We are grateful!
Future
Both Carmen and I are still experiencing the “peace that passes understanding” in respect to our future geographic location and forms of ministry. We are still aware that the Lord is the Harvest-Master and will direct us, in His time, into His part of the Field that would best serve His purposes and interests. We are content to know Him and His faithfulness, as He not only provides but prepares, protects, and prospers those who wait on Him with love, faith and obedience. Lord, help us to be faithful! Many of you have shared your thoughts, encouragement, and especially your prayers with us. We thank you!
Finally…
May this coming year be filled with faith challenges that will cause us all to rely upon a God Whose Word cannot fail and a Name that cannot change. We must not falter. Though the fire will be heated seven times hotter in the near future, more than the past, and the winds of change are already blowing, our God is able to help and deliver. This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. Faith when tested is the victory—not deliverance, healing, or “success” as man or movements dictate. By faith, we shall receive a good report, for through faith, God is pleased. We cannot burn, if we will not bow! Carry on! The battle is the Lord’s, and His rewards are with Him when He returns for His own! Lord, increase our FAITH!
Blessings to you … Jesus is Lord! Maranatha!
Desiring to be God-honoring, Christ-centered, and Wind-blown,
Reuben & Carmen Sequeira
Hebrews 3, 4,11,12