November 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 November. 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.
“Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil . . . And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written…” (Matt. 4:1, 3-4a)
Some things about this scene I don’t even know how to process — they generate more questions than answers!
For example, Why in the world did Satan even attempt to make the Lord Jesus sin? Did he have the tiniest hope that he could succeed? Did the Serpent really think he could trick his Maker into doing evil? It seems preposterous to answer these with a “Yes”.
And yet he did try.
Could it be that we fall very short of understanding the full degree to which the Lord became man? Was He so boldly human that the tempter saw what he thought was a weak spot in the incarnation? Again, the mind gets dizzy trying to wrap itself around these ideas.
But there are a few things we can nail down with good confidence. One is that the Holy Spirit led Christ into the desert for the temptation and recorded what happened in selective detail. Another is that He was tempted at a level far beyond that of mortal man—these were no ordinary temptations! And then, of course, that He very simply and completely neutralized Satan’s attacks.
Now we might say, “Sure, but He was God! It must have been easier for Him.”
That totally misses the point.
The key here is HOW Jesus won. The Spirit did not lead Him into the place of temptation to see what would happen. He took Him there and recorded the critical facts, so we could witness the event and learn from it.
Christ’s strategy was the one accurate defense against temptation, always relevant for you and me. He cleared the road to victory and paved it for us.
According to the text, the Lord answered Satan in a flash, with the written Word.
There simply was no debate, no argument, no consideration, no deliberation. Nothing separated the temptation from the swift swish of the sword.
And the more you think about it, the more logical the reason.
If when we are tempted, to anger, to lust, to envy, to complain, or whatever, we pause to think things over . . . at that moment we are already finished. It’s as simple as that. It takes no more than the first second of hesitation to begin the nosedive into sin.
But if we have decided beforehand that we are vulnerable, weak, and unable to stand up to the Devil, and arm ourselves with swords of truth that we will instantly use to swipe the head off the temptation…
The Word will rapidly transform our thinking, even as we quote it. It will miraculously cleanse our mind and change our desires. By the time we finish the passage our whole perspective will be different.
One of the main challenges is exercising that mustard seed of faith to draw and swing. It’s not that hard to do if the decision has already been made before the assault. It is supposed to become a spiritual reflex as real as the reaction to duck when somebody throws an object at your head.
So why do we not live in this victory?
Most of the time it’s just a matter of pride. We keep thinking we can manage ourselves…
And the years go by.
Dear Father, the Lord Jesus has left me without a whimper of an excuse. Help me obey. Amen.
October 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 October. 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.
“Jesus saith unto them, my meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” John 4:34
Our Lord had traveled to an area that was obviously dangerous for Him and His disciples. It appears that His followers did not think that it was a good idea to go, but since He was going they would go also. When they reached their destination the Lord sent them to town to purchase provisions for them. While they were taking care of mundane things—that were certainly necessary for their sustained well-being—the Lord remained by Jacob’s well. He had a divine appointment.
A woman came to get water, and He engaged her in conversation. It would not be long before she would recognize Him as the promised Messiah. She went to town to tell everyone about this One who she met at the well. Many followed her out to see for themselves what this man was like.
When the disciples made their way back with the much-needed food, they felt that He should join them for the meal. They had been traveling and were undoubtedly in need of the nourishment. However, Christ found something that was even more important. He said, “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me….” He did not fault them for doing that which was only natural, but what He was busy with was even more important. It was His desire to do the will of the Father, and “to finish His work.”
It does not matter how long we have been about the Lord’s work. We must “do” and “finish.” It might be deputation or field ministry that you are involved in presently. The idea of getting the job completed is the same. Surely everyone gets sidetracked from time to time, but we must remind ourselves to lift up our eyes and be reminded of His calling. We do not have to get overwhelmed with sin to fall short of His will. Many have started out right only to be distracted by less important things along the way.
In the beginning it seemed that His ministry would only reach one woman, but soon the followers of Christ would see that reaching that one would result in many trusting the Lord. We will not always see immediate results as they did that day, but nonetheless finishing His divine purpose for our lives is of utmost importance.
May the Lord not only help us to finish the job, but may He help us to love doing it. This is not the time for us to be half-hearted in this most noble cause of reaching the world with the gospel of Christ, and then teaching them to follow Him as they grow in the grace and knowledge of our great God.
In His Service,
Danny A. Whetstone
Often we are asked, “Whom do I contact when I want to get answers to my questions?” If you have a question about a specific area, these are the individuals who can best assist you:
Gifts you received:
Bekah Cmaylo – [email protected]
Naomi Torberson – [email protected]
Funds spent from your accounts:
Kim O’Malley – [email protected]
Naomi Torberson – [email protected]
Monthly Financial Reports:
Laura Cmaylo – [email protected]
Naomi Torberson – [email protected]
Please also continue to use the email address [email protected] to submit financial reports or receipts.
Prayer Letters:
Laura Cmaylo – [email protected]
Bekah Cmaylo – [email protected]
Please be sure to use the email address [email protected] to submit all correspondence related to your prayer letters or address changes.
Mrs. O’Malley manages the entire office. Our entire Staff exists to serve you and your needs. Each staff member has a speciality, but all will serve all of your needs. Your calls and emails are never a burden. We exist to help you as you serve the Lord. Please do not hesitate to contact us with your needs.
Mrs. Anna Workman served with us for three years in the office. She enjoyed getting to know many of you. Effective October 1, she is now a church receptionist in Shelby, NC.
Congratulations to Rolando and Hannah Ortiz on the birth of their second daughter, Viana Alethia Ortiz. Viana was born on September 14, weighing 7 lbs. 10 oz. The Ortizes are currently on deputation to go to Mexico.
If you already have a housing allowance in place, this will automatically roll over at the same amount for future years. There is no longer a need to submit a new request every year. If you would like to make a change to the amount of your allowance, please email the new amount to [email protected], and we will present this to the Executive Board for approval. Ordained missionaries who do not have an allowance in place may request one at any time.
Mark Your CalendarThe Office will be closed on Monday, September 7, in celebration of Labor Day.
Markie and Christy Bullock have been appointed as associate missionaries with World Wide, pending their interview. Bro. Bullock grew up on the mission field in Mexico. After his graduation from West Coast Baptist College in 2005, they returned to Mexico, where they served as missionaries until the Lord called them to accept an associate pastorate at the McKee Road Baptist Church in Bakersfield, CA. They now believe it is the Lord’s will for them to serve in Spain. They are being sent out of the Pine Bluff Baptist Church of Albany, GA, with Pastor Keith Smith. The Bullocks have two sons, Nick (7) and Sam (5).
Nick and Lindsey Stelzig are the newest additions to the World Wide family. They are both recent graduates of Ambassador Baptist College. While at Ambassador, they were active in inner-city ministries in Charlotte, NC. Their desire is to plant inner-city churches in the Boston, MA area. They are sent out of the Maranatha Baptist Church in Yorktown, VA, with Pastor Dale Coffey. The Stelzigs have one son, Gabriel, who is 6 months old.
April Howell resigned last month. April served with World Wide in areas of prayer letters, graphics design, and web layout since 2011.
Bekah Cmaylo and Laura Dillon will be sharing April’s previous responsibilities regarding prayer letters. Please be sure to use the email address [email protected] to submit all correspondence related to your prayer letters or address changes.
April has offered to continue doing graphics work on a freelance basis for our missionaries. If you are interested in this you may contact her directly at [email protected].
We would also recommend Andrew Minion for any of your graphics and web design needs. He may be reached at [email protected].
Tennessee Ridge Baptist Church in Tennessee Ridge, TN, has a guest room available for those traveling in that area. Contact Pastor Dennis Kirk at 865-360-4240 for information and reservations.
From time to time you may have a need to raise funds for a special purchase. Often our 
missionaries will raise funds for Bibles, hymnbooks, pews, vehicles, building programs, or assistance for nationals serving in their ministries, among other things.
If you will be raising funds for a special project such as this please contact our Office in advance, as the Executive Board must vote on any special projects for which funds are received in our Office.
“For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil;
because the word of the Lord was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily. Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.”
Jeremiah 20:8-9
When you read of Israel’s prophets, don’t you ever wonder how they continued on? Before Isaiah ever even started his ministry, he knew that no one would listen to him. He asked he Lord, ”How long?” He was told to proclaim the message until there was no one to tell. Joseph did not have a formula to calculate how long he would be in prison before being released and eventually becoming second in command. Daniel was prepared for the lions’ den to bring his earthly journey to an abrupt end. His three Hebrew friends thought the fiery furnace would be their conclusion as well, but they refused to bow. Esther was of the opinion that she was there for that particular time, and whatever the outcome she would carry through with her task.
Now we find Jeremiah in an awful situation. He had done nothing but deliver the Word as it was given him by God. His only desire was to save Israel from certain destruction. Instead of Israel turning from their sin to God, they turned against His messenger. Jeremiah had had enough. If this was his reward for being true, he would simply remain silent. However, like all of the others mentioned earlier, he could not—God’s Word was in his heart. It wasn’t just written so that he could read it every day. It was not simply memorized so that he could rehearse it each day. No, it was in his heart! It was a part of his very being. He could no more walk away from it than he could rip his heart from his chest and walk away. He would die if he could not deliver God’s message to God’s people. Jeremiah and so many others would have quit, but they knew that there was a divine purpose for them. They would fulfill that purpose or die trying.
You can almost see it in a pastor, missionary, or evangelist. If there is a mandate from God, you cannot stop them. But if that burning is not in their heart and bones, you just know that somewhere along the road of service they will give up and go back. If the call of God is real, you cannot stop them. You might sit by the wayside and observe these God-called servants and wonder why they don’t just quit. They can’t help it. The thought might cross their minds from time to time as it did for Jeremiah, but it is not in them to stop short of God’s calling.
I know many of you have faced unbelievable hardships. I am only one servant observing another, but I want you to know that your testimony helps me stay in the fight. Oh, we must lift each other up in fervent prayer! Please take time to pray for the World Wide family—today.
In His Service,
Danny A. Whetstone
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.
“And David said, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. So Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up, and was chief . . . Do thou therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace. (1 Chr 11:6/1 Kings 2:6)
These two statements of David were separated by forty years. The first paved the way for Joab to become his general commander. The second was spoken to Solomon, advising him to kill Joab.
What in the world had happened? Why was David now encouraging his son to get rid of the man who had successfully led his armies for so many years?
There are, perhaps, a number of reasons, but I think these two are key. First, and concerning Solomon himself, David was obviously trying to save him a ton of grief. He knew that if Joab stayed on the scene, Solomon would suffer hugely. The man was dangerous and bad.
But how had it come to this? How had David chosen such a man?
Part of the answer surely lies in a very early decision of David, just as he was setting up his government. He had done many good things, but here he made a serious leadership mistake. Every leader has blind spots and David was no exception. I think he blew it in his method of delegating responsibilities and authority.
The setting was Jerusalem, before it was ever the City of David. The Jebusite inhabitants had taunted David, saying that even their blind and lame men could ward off his attack. Perhaps distracted by the sting of pride, the young king hurled a challenge to his men: “Whoever is the first to take him will be my chief and captain!” Joab, his very own cousin, did just that. He gathered a group of fighters and proved himself one of the best warriors in the land. So began one of David’s nightmares.
He had found a great fighter but a vicious man. Joab had a strong personal agenda and would ruthlessly and deceitfully assassinate anyone who got in his way. First to fall was Abner, stabbed in the stomach when he expected a peaceful conversation. Then came Absalom, David’s own son, butchered as he hung from the tree by his hair, against the wishes of the emotionally distraught king. Finally it was Amasa, also reconciled to David, whom Joab gutted after tricking him with a fallen dagger.
No wonder dying David wanted him out of Solomon’s life.
How sad that David did not remember the words God had spoken through Samuel when he himself was selected for the position of king: “the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”
When seeking leaders, he had focused on the outside skill, not the heart inside.
It is even sadder when we don’t learn the lesson. How often churches have split and pain has flooded a congregation because someone was chosen for leadership simply because they had talent. They could sing, they could speak, they could write . . . but they were not good.
Faithfulness is more important in ministry than talent. The problem is, faithfulness, by definition, requires a certain amount of time to be proven. And we are often in too much of a hurry.
Dear Father, help me realize that you do not need my talent unless it comes with a faithful heart. And as I deal with others and serve your flock, give me discernment to know who is loyal and true to you. Amen.
“Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house.” (Ezekiel 12:2)
There was actually nothing wrong with their eyes or ears. Like us, the Israelites were created to spiritually see and hear God. Their problem lay in the deepest part of their being–their hearts.
It is amazing how much we can see and hear from God when we really want to. A simple Bible message from a novice preacher can flood our souls with joy. However, too often we come to the Lord and His Word with hidden reservations. Essentially, we are not totally honest. We know His blessing rests in obeying His Word and we want it. But we hope that we can acquire blessing, at least to some degree, without a complete and unreserved surrender. That very intention is rebellion and renders us blind and deaf to His gifts. We cannot see, hear, or value His goodness.
God made us with the unique ability to perceive Him. For one thing, and unlike animals, our minds can comprehend the concept of time, which opens before us the vast horizon of past and future. From this wider balcony of time, we can in a limited way catch a glimpse of eternity. If we could not calculate in terms of minutes and years, the eternality of God would not make even a lick of sense to us.
Our eyes let us see what He has made and reach conclusions. Our ears hear the Word and allow us to understand even more than what our eyes reveal. But if these two witnesses shout their evidence at a heart that is proud and disobedient they are wasting their breath. A rebellious soul will look at nature and force evolution into it. The same rebel will listen to the Gospel and cry, “Foolishness!” While modern man thinks he is an intelligent observer and listener, he is actually blind and deaf.
Have I ever found it hard to discern the truth in God’s Word? Has my soul remained cool while others shined with zeal for God? Did I blame it on the speaker for not making his sermons more attractive? The problem probably had nothing to do with my eyes or ears, but with the dullness of my heart. When the heart is glazed over with stubbornness, truth will rarely be able to shine in through the two windows of sight and hearing.
Dear Father, rid my heart of every rebellious strain so that my eyes and ears can show me what I am uniquely qualified to see.
