WWNTBM
September Prayer/Praises and Special Dates
Click the link above to download a PDF of prayer requests and praises as well as the birthdays and anniversaries for September. Note: You will need to login to SecureCloud in order to view this document. Once you have logged in, click on Files, Shared, then Headquarter Happenings, then scroll to the month you would like to view. This step protects people with WWNTBM in restricted access fields.
Yes, it is true that I tend to use “amazing” and “wonderful” to describe many things. But, truth be told, there are many amazing and wonderful things. So here I go again. The Encouragement Conference in Germany was absolutely wonderful. I was so blessed by the messages, singing, and fellowship with people I seldom see. It was so encouraging to hear from the missionaries. Some of them are just starting out, while others have been in ministry a number of years. Thanks to those that worked so diligently to make the meeting a success. The office staff worked many hours on this project. A special thanks to Keith and Julia Klaus for paving a smooth road for all of us to travel. To those that gave to make it all possible, we are forever indebted.
Brother John O’Malley did a masterful job organizing our days together and then brought it all together for us each day of the conference. WWNTBM is blessed with a great team of servants that love the Lord and want to serve Him. This kind of heart comes from our Lord and has been evidenced since the formation of the mission by our founder, Dr. Bill Wingard.
A little encouragement goes a long way. Sometimes it’s just a kind word, a smile, or a handshake. Other times it might be helping to lift a burden. No matter how we give it out or it comes to us, it is a blessing. At the moment it might not seem to be much, but in time it very well could prove to be a very important experience.
The Biblical principle is simple: we reap what we sow. How would you like to receive some encouragement? Well, sow some in someone else’s life. Would you like to receive a lot of encouragement? Then sow bountifully the same. I cannot speak for others, but I can testify that everyone at the conference was an encouragement to me.
From time to time, we will inevitably be an encouragement to someone. What might it look like if we made it a daily practice in our life? Let’s accept a challenge to look for opportunities to encourage others, not looking for anything in return except the pleasure of knowing that we lifted a load for someone else for a moment. We can communicate with others all over the world today. Take full advantage of the opportunity to be a blessing.
May you enjoy a prosperous month in the service of the Lord.
In His Service,
Danny A. Whetstone.
If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. Whetstone here to let him know.
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
1 Corinthians 3:5-15
Our text begins with a concern for divisions in the church at Corinth. Divisions in the congregation about who should lead hindered the growth of the believers. Even so, today divisions will hinder the growth of any church. In verse nine the Word states, “We are laborers together.” Some will sow the seed; some will reap the harvest. Together we can be successful in building the believers into a healthy and growing church. For the sake of space here, I will try to be brief, but I want to remind us of some elements in building a body of believers called the church.
I. Plan for the building.
The Owner chooses the plan. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said, “I will build MY church…” He speaks not of brick and mortar. He talks of an organism called the CHURCH, and it is made up of saved souls of humanity. He is the Master Architect. Before anything else was ever built or even materials or examples created, He planned and spoke the whole world into existence with all the elements necessary, including the occupants. He provided all the power sources, lighting, and resources for a sustained food supply and even made the occupants in a manner that they could be material for a body that would glorify Him, serving Him and one another. With these factors considered, we have only one Architect to consider which is Jesus Christ.
II. Personnel for the building.
God built a nation in the Old Testament. They went through some tough times and strayed from Him, but they are still being built. When the “fullness of time” came, Jesus Christ redeemed the sinners that would be His church. He started with twelve men, mostly fishermen, and has been building on HIS church ever since. Jesus left us a plan: the Word of God. He appointed apostles, pastors, and teachers to deliver His plan and to build His church. The laborers are those who have been saved and are growing (being built up) in the Lord Jesus Christ.
III. Process of the building.
Paul reminded the church at Corinth “…we are laborers together with God.” (1 Corinthians 3:9) We labor one with another, and we all labor with God. This building process requires unity and some “master builders” as the Apostle Paul. God’s plan is still the same: His church evangelizing and BUILDING His church. The plan resource remains the same: the Word of God. The foundation is laid on the Person of Jesus Christ and His teachings to the apostles. (1 Corinthians 3:11-12; Ephesians 2:20) God cares about HOW we build His church. Since the believers are the “lively stones…built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ,” we need to be separated from worldliness and separated unto Jesus Christ. Our labor and purpose should be to glorify Jesus Christ. The methods need to be biblical. The material we consume should be clean and in line with the Word of God. Popularity is not the goal, but instead to glorify Jesus and provide truth. It is what sets mankind free from sin and pleases our Lord. He did not send us to entertain, but to preach the truth.
IV. Prospect of the building.
That blessed day when the building is complete, Jesus will present to Himself a “…glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:27) The workers who labored willingly according to the will of God will receive rewards from our Chief Architect and Captain of the building. We should be building in a manner that Jesus will be able to say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” Let us put our efforts and labor together as one with a heart of love for Jesus Christ and get the building done.
If Bro. Hurst’s article is an encouragement to you, please email him to let him know. You may also visit ebarnabas.org to make an appointment with him for encouragement.
We praise the Lord for several babies who were born this past month. Pray for these families as they adjust to having a new little one in the home. Pray for the other expectant mothers in our mission family, that the Lord will grant smooth pregnancies and healthy babies.
Jackson Bartholomew Daniel was born on August 6. He was 7.5 pounds and measured 20.5 inches. Jackson is the son of Fred III and Brittany Daniel, who serve in Mexico, and the grandson of our board member, Fred Jr. and Beth Daniel. Jackson joins seven older siblings: Katherine, Ashlyn, Fred IV, Kevin, Isabella, Carolina, and Jedidiah.
Eden Hope Lockhart was born on August 30. She was 6 pounds, 14 ounces and measured 18.5 inches. Eden is the fifth child of Jeremy and Esther Lockhart. Bro. Lockhart serves as our Deputation Director. Eden’s older siblings include Allie, Bethany, Judah, and Levi.
Atarah Gail Folkers was born August 31. She weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces and was 20 inches long. Atarah is the first daughter of Seth and Kaitlin Folkers, who serve in Cameroon. Atarah is Hebrew for Crown, and Gail means Joy.
Congratulations to Brandon and Rebekah (Cmaylo) Tolley on their marriage on September 1! Brandon is a recent graduate of Gardner Webb University. He will begin a new job with Oakwood Homes when the couple returns from their honeymoon. Rebekah will continue her responsibilities as Office Assistant at World Wide, where she has worked since 2014. The couple will live in Kings Mountain near the mission office. Pray for them as they begin their new life together!
Due to the new tax laws for 2018, the IRS is recommending that individuals speak with their tax preparers to evaluate their estimated taxes before the fourth quarter of the year. We recommend reviewing your needs to ensure that you will not be surprised at how the changes will affect your 2018 tax return. Please notify us if you need to begin or change monthly withholding.