Author: John O'Malley

by John O’Malley

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

Psalm 46 comforts our souls, resets our fears, and restores our confidence.

Like you, I have taken this psalm and read it to the sick, lonely, and troubled.

I read these inspired words to find the same comfort.

Perhaps in your home, you have Psalm 46:10 on a plaque as a reminder that God will always be more significant than our storms, greater than our troubles in the world, and is Sovereign over the political climate.

Have you thought about what stillness means? Have you ever thought about God’s calling and His command to stillness?

The world is noisy. The noise creates unrest.  The world’s noise brings inner discomfort, stirs our fears, and shakes our confidence.

The Psalmist delivers God’s message with inspired clarity. God calls us to stillness. Yet, what does stillness look like? I asked myself this question and made a note of these:

• • • Being still sounds like silence.
    • Being still looks like rest.
    • Being still seems like doing nothing.
    • Being still feels like waiting.
    • Being still means listening more and speaking less.
    • Being still will not make sense to the world.
    • Being still will not make sense to the enemy.
    • Being still may not make sense to your spouse.
    • Being still means more thinking, less speaking.
    • Being still means more faith, less fear.
    • Being still means waiting without worry.
    • Being still means trusting without being terrified.
    • Being still means God can do it better without me.
    • Being still means God can do it bigger without me.
    • Being still means God can do it beyond without me.
    • Being still means God can do more without me.

As I ponder the art of stillness from Psalm 46 I conclude:

1. 1. 1. God has a plan for my situation.
      2. God has a place for me in my situation.
      3. God has a purpose for me in my situation.
      4. God has a promise for me in my situation.
      5. God has a policy for me in my situation.

Recently, I preached at my home church a message on Psalm 46. You are welcome to watch the message below.

Your leadership in the area of stillness will affect your marriage, family, and ministry.

Yours for the harvest,
John O’Malley

If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. O’Malley here to let him know.

by John O’Malley

This past week, I met with nearly thirty pastors from across the Arabic-speaking world who serve in the 10/40 window.

These men will never have their names in a nationally recognized religious periodical. These men will never have their names heralded from a national religious worker’s conference platform. Instead, they serve in anonymity to man but are known to God.

These men and their families know suffering, persecution, beatings, and death, and are acquainted with difficulty.

These men serve where God called them. They serve in places few would go and where no American could easily go. They serve in their homelands.

These men bring the Gospel to places where hostility for their faith abounds from governments, culture, and religious militants.

These men will continue to serve when their churches are threatened with bombings, imprisonment, and loss of all their possessions.

These men care deeply for each other. They strive to help each other in the ministry. They are raising their families in locations we would call extremely challenging, but they call the same locations home.

World Wide missionaries Edgar Feghaly and Mike Ward work with these nearly 30 men. In fact, there are even more men with whom they work whom I did not meet. These men spoke with affection for our two missionaries and our missions agency. These dear National Partners and Associate Gospel Workers expressed gratitude for the help they receive.

These men reminded me of the unnamed people in Hebrews.

“(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, mountains, and dens, and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:” – Hebrews 11:38–39

Indeed these dear servants of the Lord, known to our God, must be like those of whom the writer of Hebrews wrote.

Yes, some of these men are in hiding. Some serve in nondescriptive locations. These men face an oppressive religious culture, yet they figure out a method to obey the Great Commission. Their townspeople speak of how Islam kills their families, and the Islamic persecution makes them turn to Christianity. Some of these men have been imprisoned, beaten, separated from their families, lost their homes, faced humiliation, and have known personal suffering because of the Gospel.

The men I met told me how they prayed for World Wide New Testament Baptist Missions, the churches who support them, and those in our office who serve them. They asked me to remember to pray for them, their families, and their outreach.

Before the men departed, Brother Feghaly asked me to pray publicly for these dear servants. As these men knelt before the Lord and the congregation of believers, I thought, “The world is not worthy of these beloved servants.”

Dear WW family, you are serving somewhere today. Wherever you serve, remember God sees you. He knows where you are, the sacrifices you make, the distance you are away from your family, and the oppressive religious culture where you serve.

Keep your eyes on Him; His eyes are on you.

Yours for the harvest,
John O’Malley

If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. O’Malley here to let him know.

by John O’Malley

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:7–9

If you live with an infirmity, you may find yourself saying, “Why me? Why do I have to suffer with this ailment? Why must I go through this trial?”

You may question God. You seek answers from others. You wonder, “What possible good could come from this infirmity?” You may look at others who do not have your infirmity and wonder, “Why do I have to suffer and they do not?”

When Paul spoke of his infirmity, he quantified his infirmity in three ways. He saw it as a thorn in his flesh. He declared it a messenger of Satan. He wrote of it as something which was meant to keep him humble.

Paul knew what he saw in the revelation from God when he was caught up into the third heaven. What he saw was so amazing that it could have gone to his head and made him boastful. God forbade Paul from speaking of what he witnessed.

Paul’s inspired words speak to me. From his words, I learn God’s presence, power, and promises are linked to my infirmities. When Paul spoke of his infirmity, he spoke of glorying in his infirmities. Glorying in our infirmities is not a natural reaction to affliction. Paul saw his affliction as the path for him to have the power of Christ rest upon his life.

The sense of this word rest is that God’s power tabernacles or dwells with us in our infirmity. What a beautiful picture! Like the Shekinah glory shown through the badger skins in the wilderness tabernacle, Paul’s thorn in the flesh teaches me God tabernacles with us in our affliction. He brings His power, presence, and promises as He sets up a tent over my life and dwells with me in my affliction.

If you live with an infirmity, you might say, “Why me?” But, since the power of Christ is known through our infirmities, perhaps we should say, “Why not me?”

Yours for the harvest,
John O’Malley

If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. O’Malley here to let him know.

by John O’Malley

“The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a wounded spirit who can bear?” Proverbs 18:14

When you are medically sick, you desire to get better. Your inner man, your spirit, drives you to get well. But what happens when your spirit gets wounded?

When the spirit gets wounded, we call these emotional wounds. Emotional wounds may come from marriage, ministry, acquaintances, and family. In fact, the very people you have given your life’s calling to reach with the Gospel can wound your spirit.

Emotional wounds are not a recent generational phenomenon. Scripture affirms the existence of wounded spirits by asking, “But a wounded spirit who can bear?”

How do you cope when emotionally wounded? How do you process the hurt caused by another? Do you retreat within your fears, brood, or seethe with anger? Do you try to hide because of shame or guilt?

I watch when ministry people become wounded. They use their platform of ministry to attack the one who wounded them on Social Media. I watched others go after the one who wounded them from the pulpit or in the classroom. Yet, others resort to gossip to sow seeds of discord about the one who wounded them.

Jeremiah (8:22) spoke of a wounded person with access to medicine and physicians. He even asked why they were not better when they had access to health.

Jeremiah validated the truth: Israel had a wound. The wound was real; it was not to be denied.

Jeremiah asked if the region of Gilead had run out of its healing balm. He wanted to know if there was still a medicine available.

Jeremiah further inquired, were there still physicians in Gilead? Doctors were available and present to help apply the balm needed for the wound.

Jeremiah asked with a perceptible tone, if they had all the resources, why were they not better yet?

Because of a fear of perceived weakness, you may not readily admit you have a wound. Your children can point to your wound. Your spouse can tell you of your wound. Yet, if you do not readily admit there is a wound, how will you get better?

It is acceptable and permissible to say I have a wound. Pull yourself up by your bootstraps and remember, there is a medicine, the word of God. You will need to force yourself to recall there is a physician, the Holy Spirit of God. You will need to decide. When will I allow myself to heal?

Tell the Lord, this is where they hurt me. Listen for Him to say, “Yes, but this is where I began to heal you.”

Thank you.

Yours for the harvest,
John O’Malley

If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. O’Malley here to let him know.

by John O’Malley

In recent months, God chose for Kim and me a season which required us to set aside every plan we had to assist Kim’s mom.

Kim’s mother’s had eight surgeries in a matter of weeks to help her overcome a two-inch (five centimeters) tear resulting from a complication from outpatient surgery.

We learned lessons during this season as Kim’s mom hovered at death’s door for many days during her sixty-five days in the hospital.

When going through a difficult time, it is easy to ask questions above our pay grade. We ask God, why? Why them? Why us? Why now? Why here?

I believe asking God is okay; doubting God is not okay.

We are prone to make lists to rehearse with God the credentials of the one suffering. We do so as our objection or protest to what is happening.

Internally, we recite our concerns, rehearse our worries, and desperately ask, “God, what are You doing?” We give God our questions asking why this season of suffering came. We tell God why it should not be the one He chose for this season of suffering. Our fears inform us this suffering is not just. Our faith tells us God is always working His will.

Perhaps during the initial moments of suffering, we are reconciling our will to His will about a new season in our lives and the life of the one suffering.

Solomon, gave his heart to search out wisdom in all which takes place under heaven and to discover the sore travail God gives to men, said: “To every thing, there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

A season is an appointed time for something to occur. God has appointed times or seasons for us to live through for His glory.

When seasons come, God has lessons to learn for the individual suffering. God gives suffering to those who are strong enough to bear it.  (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Because one suffers, it does not mean the one suffering made sinful choices. Job was a perfect man who feared God and abstained from evil. Yet, God chose a seasoning of suffering for Job.

When suffering comes, nobody suffers alone. The suffering’s caregivers, prayer partners, and healthcare partners can observe and learn about God in this season of suffering.

As the son-in-law of the suffering one in our family, God gave me an observation post to this season of suffering. Below are thoughts I learned in this season of suffering.

Seasons of suffering are:

• • • • • for learning about God’s purpose. (Eccl 3:1-11)
        • for observing God’s hand and heart. (2 Chron 16:9)
        • for listening to God’s word. (Psalm 119:71)
        • for meditation and comfort. (Psalm 94:19)
        • for a greater plan. (Gen. 50:20)
        • not just for the one going through the most challenging times. (James 5:10-11)
        • for revealing friendships. (Gal. 6:2; 2 Cor. 1:7)
        • for reminding you of His presence. (Heb. 13:5)
        • for sensing God’s comfort. (2 Cor. 1:4)
        • for preparing me for the next season to comfort others. (2 Cor. 1:4)

We are better when we learn to embrace the season in which He’s placed us. In your season of suffering, whether as the participant or the observer of the suffering, keep listening; keep learning; keep trusting.

Perhaps you know someone who is in their season of suffering. I encourage you to assure the suffering you prayed for them. Remind those who suffer. You are there if they need you.

It is okay if the suffering does not ask you for any help. They know you will help when a specific need arises. Give them space in their suffering and grace when they are silent.

On behalf of Kim’s family, thank you for being here during this season of suffering. As we embrace this season of suffering, your love, thoughts, and prayers comfort us.

Thank you.

Yours for the harvest,
John O’Malley

If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. O’Malley here to let him know.

by John O’Malley

2 Samuel 9:1-3

“And David said… Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him?”

David resolved in his heart to show God’s kindness to someone of the house of Saul.

David’s mind could have been a file cabinet with folders of bitterness, bruises, blisters, and bad memories. Yet, his heart was a vessel of compassion, looking for another vessel into whom he could pour himself in the memory of his friendship with Jonathan.

David saw himself as an agent of kindness working for God. In memory of Jonathan and devotion to his God, David decided he would show divine kindness to anyone of Saul’s house. Other monarchs sought to eliminate the family of the former royalty, but it was not so with David.

David asked his servants who remained of Saul’s house to whom he could show kindness. Of the many word meanings of “shew,” one synonym stands out. It is the word “accomplish.” David wanted to accomplish kindness in memory of his friend, Jonathan.

Is there someone around you who needs to see the kindness of God today? Someone who needs you, on God’s behalf, to go the extra mile, invest no matter the cost, and sacrifice what’s dear to display the kindness of God?

David showed God’s kindness that day. Will you show God’s kindness this day?

Yours for the harvest,
John O’Malley

If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. O’Malley here to let him know.

by John O’Malley

The young child descended the stairs. Her heart beamed. You could see it in her eyes. Her sleepiness disappeared as she saw the present. She longed for this gift. The young girl drew pictures of the gift. She glanced at her parents. She dashed over to them to give the biggest hugs and the sweetest of kisses.

The young girl’s dream came true. She wanted a specific gift. The little girl longed for this gift. She prayed for this gift. And today, Christmas Day, her parents gave her the gift.

The spirit of anticipation during this holiday season is in children and adults. We get excited about spending time with others, sharing a favorite meal, or giving a special gift to someone.

Anticipation marks this season. It has from the very first Christmas. Angels appeared to Mary and Joseph. The Angel’s news filled Joseph and Mary’s hearts. An angel spoke with shepherds, which gave the shepherds anticipation as the shepherds heard the news. The glory of the Lord shined around them. Then, a chorus of speaking angels delivered the message the world needed to hear,

“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace,
Good will toward men.”

Anticipation drove the shepherds to the manger scene. Anticipation brought Simeon and Anna to the temple to see the Lord’s Christ.

Anticipation marks our relationship with God. As servants of the Gospel, we serve because of anticipation. We anticipate the Lord’s return. We anticipate meeting Him who endured and is the Captain of our Salvation. We anticipate the One we only know by His written Word and His presence. We anticipate, like Job, in our flesh, we will see God.

Anticipation carries us through trials. Such spiritual hope sustains us during our absence from Him and gives us hope when the world says it is hopeless.

You anticipate meeting Him, Who is the object of our affection, the center of our attention, and the sole hope for our eternity.

Would you please allow nothing to rob your anticipation of this holiday season? You may have seasonal triggers which stir old fears, kindle suppressed anger, or place the spotlight on some lingering shame of something you still cling to from your past. Christmas is a season of anticipation.

What piques your anticipation this Christmas season?

Click the link below to tell me what this Christmas makes you anticipate.

Merry Christmas!

Yours for the harvest,
John O’Malley

If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. O’Malley here to let him know.

by John O’Malley

You followed the divine invitation to be right where you are in ministry. You did not know what all God had for you from the moment you submitted to His will for you. But you trusted, and he’s been faithful.

None ever had a full indication of how God would show Himself strong in their lives.

Like the three fishers of fish in the Gospels, God said, I want you to follow Me. Their obedience to follow God gave them three distinct views during their three-year ministry with Christ. Their obedience gave them an opportunity to walk with God, an opportunity to watch God, and an opportunity to work with God.

Your obedience to God’s direction for your life is identical to the three fishermen who became fishers of men. You sensed God’s nudging, and you heeded. Then God continued His work in you.

His direction gave you an opportunity to walk with God. In your life and ministry, you are walking with God. You have His presence, His promises, and His protection, no matter what you face. You have His guarantee of His expected outcome as you walk with Him — a fisher of men.

Right now, because you followed, you watch God in your ministry. Today, He is working in your heart, in the life of your family, and in the homes of your people.

Surely, the disciples took moments to reflect on the things God was doing in them.

If you have not recently taken time to reflect on watching God do His work in you, I urge you to look around and discover or rediscover what He is doing around you, in you, and with you.

As with the three fishers of men, God’s invitation to follow Him was an opportunity to work with God. These fishers worked with each other. They worked within the fishing community. These men knew a camaraderie in life, but now, this calling – His calling – to take on another occupation changed their lives. They would work with God. The same God Who spoke the world into existence will now let them work with Him.

Remember, wherever you serve, God is working. He is always working out His plan.

Yours for the harvest,
John O’Malley

by John O’Malley

I purchased several books from eBay. The seller included a free book which became more valuable to me than the books I bought. The booklet is A Foreign Missionary Workers’ Manual*.

I read this selection, and I thought of you this month where you are. I thought about the global sickness and fatigue from the pandemic, the challenges you face, the sufferings you have endured while preaching the Gospel in the place you serve.

I drew strength from a selection in the manual entitled: Onward Christian Soldiers.

A fourteen-year-old Japanese girl who had only recently found the Lord came into the missionary telling of her desire to take the message of salvation to her loved ones at home.

On inquiry, the missionary found that her home was two hundred miles away over the mountains and that the girl had no other way to cover the distance than to walk. She insisted, however, upon going and was anxious the missionary lady should accompany her.

They started, and even after a steady tramp for a long distance, the Japanese girl did not care to stop. “We must hurry,” she would say, “they might die before we get there.”

Many more weary miles were placed behind them, and noticing that the girl’s feet were bleeding and sore, the missionary insisted that the convert should go no further, without rest.

Resting but briefly, they continued the journey until finally both travelers fell exhausted on the mountainside. At the missionary’s statement, “We cannot go any farther,” the girl looked up and said, “Can’t you sing ‘Onward, Christian Soldiers?’”

The song finished, the little girl asked, “Missionary do you think that the people in America will think that I love Jesus as much as they do?” At last, the home was reached, the story was told, and the family joyfully found the Lord.

Do you, an American, love Jesus as much as the Japanese girl?

I saw these lessons from this fourteen-year-old girl:
1.   I must not lose my passion for souls.
2.   No distance is too great when it comes to delivering the Gospel.
3.   When I feel I cannot go on, I can.
4.   The people I serve have much to teach me about my walk, faith, and passion for the Gospel.

Do you have a lesson that sticks out to you? Please email me and tell me what lessons you drew from this illustration.

Yours for the harvest,
John O’Malley

*A Foreign Missionary Workers’ Manual
The Pilgrim House
Indianapolis, Indiana
Published in 1947

If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. O’Malley here to let him know.

by John O’Malley

Recently, I led a team of people on a See The Harvest trip to Boston and the greater New England area. We visited several ministries, met with a dozen pastors, and delivered the Gospel in public and private settings.

As I met with the spiritual leaders in this area, they reminded me of our duty to get the Gospel to the regions beyond and the regions close at hand. I saw the vacuum of the Gospel in the region.

In your place of service, you regularly see what happens to society and culture where a Gospel vacuum exists. Yes, America, especially the areas we went to, needs the Gospel.

Where you are, the people need the Gospel.

Thank you for being where you are doing what you do. You serve in unreached places amongst an untold people. Thank you for serving the cause of the Gospel.

As I met with these church planters, they reminded me of the emotional toll the ministry can take when serving in isolation or remote from other servants. These men and their wives serve the Lord in a place where few may even remember they are there.

God remembers the place He called you. God remembers your service to Him done, perhaps in isolation, in a place where Christ is not named. You are not alone.

You are seen by the all-seeing God. You are known by the all-knowing God. You are valued by the all-loving God.

Please remember your service to Christ matters. You matter to us at World Wide New Testament Baptist Missions. You make the difference between Heaven and Hell for your community.

As we enter the last third of the year, be faithful, be strong, and be true to God’s calling.

Yours for the harvest,
John O’Malley

If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. O’Malley here to let him know.