Last Sunday the worship meeting was chaired by brother Him and the message (exhortation) given by brother Kosal. Him was a little nervous because with five English fieldworkers here he had to translate from Khmer to English for the first time ever. . Although he used Bible references on this subject that we “foreigners” are so very familiar with Kosal spoke about God’s love from his Cambodian viewpoint. Words delivered with gentleness and sincerity told us of his understanding of God’s love and how he feels it so strongly here in the Phnom Penh Ecclesia. The gratitude that he displayed for learning about God was uplifting and inspiring. Kosal is crippled by polio but has been blessed by God and shows his joy in a way that lifts us all. Imagine how he feels when he thinks about verses such as:1Co 15:35 But someone will say, How do the dead come back? and with what sort of body do they come?
Isa 35:6 Then will the feeble-footed be jumping like a roe . . .
Isa 40:31 But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness.
Kosal is not a crippled man. We all listened to a man filled with God’s love. Today he led us to the emblems with a twisted body filled with God’s strength. The mission fields are rich with these moments as we see God lifting the poor with the power of His healing word.
Job 5:9 – 11 RSV
. . . who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number:
he gives rain upon the earth and sends waters upon the fields; he sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.
Psa 145:14 – 19 RSV
The LORD upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to thee, and thou givest them their food in due season.
Thou openest thy hand, thou satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
The LORD is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth.
He fulfils the desire of all who fear him, he also hears their cry, and saves them.
Eph 3:8 – 21 RSV
. . . that is, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose which he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confidence of access through our faith in him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fulness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.
The support of all of our brethren during difficult financial times is appreciated. We hope that you can feel the treasure returned in the lives that are being saved here in Cambodia.
Thank-You God! (You should hear a Cambodian say these three words).
Steve
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