God has provided! Today is thanksgiving in America. It is a special time in our country. But it is also a special time for us in Africa. Yesterday, November 22nd, was our 48th wedding anniversary. Cathy and I committed our lives to one another in 1975. Since that rainy night in Jackson, Mississippi we have taken a roller coaster ride that has seen the hand of God touch our hearts, minds and dreams. Words barely convey the magnitude and grace we have been given by the mercies of God. We are grateful for so many of you who have invested in our thoughts, prayers and dreams. Many have mentored us as we walk the paths of life.seeking and giving direction. Each person has given a valuable moment to help us as we take each step in life. We find ourselves with a group of young missionaries who thirst and seek deeper meaning in the Word of God. Their own words speak of the changes in their hearts, minds and souls. Those six volunteers made mini donuts for the celebration of our anniversary. Flowers were brought to the door. What more could we ask for? Yesterday also reminded us of how we are take great care in each step we take. Our missionary friend rounded the edge of the volunteer home and a Cape Cobra reared his head and spread his hood.and attempted to bite him. An alert was sent out to everyone to be aware of the snakes that are coming from the ground. The paths of Khanyisa are now cautious and we remember. Tomorrow we celebrate Thanksgiving with the group. Cathy is cooking turkey. I was surprised we found one! We are headed to town to celebrate our anniversary. You will come along with us in our hearts. Thank you for everything!. Cathy and Danny Sartin www.deeperstillmissions.com. _________________________ Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved. This on the field report is written for those who support Deeper Still Missions and our goal of missionary retention. Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.
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Feeding Child led homes!Imagine driving on roads that are crumbling from inattention. Pot holes make the trip even more hazardous and arduous. Constant rocking back and forth through the ruts and holes. Hours are added to the schedule just to drive 200 miles. During this last week Damon Grevile was in Zimbabwe to see the work of Bonface Metudsa. He is the founder and local pastor that established the ministry called Youth with a Vision. They feed child led homes in five locations around the country. Pictured above is the crowd of children and care givers listening to Bonface. This lifeline reaches over 1500 children in five locations around the country. who have lost their parents in the years past. Local grandmothers help teach these children how to cook and take care of their siblings.They also share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have partnered with ministries in Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Mpumalanga province. Pray for these great servants of the Lord. We have seen water wells significantly affect these locations. As God provides resources we will expand these efforts. Thank you for the prayers that are the foundation of these life changing events. Cathy and Danny Sartin www.deeperstillmissions.com. _________________________ Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved. This on the field report is written for those who support Deeper Still Missions and our goal of missionary retention. Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions. Report #2 From AfricaPictured above is the volunteer missionary team serving in Robertson, South Africa. They work among the children of the farm workers of the valley. They come from Germany and America this year.
They are sitting in our collage built by the farmers to serve those children. Our goal is to teach them the Bible and whet their appetites to learn more of God's Word. We also build relationships with the team and share our very lives. What a special small group experience! We asked the young people what was good for them in these studies. I will never look at the Word of God in the same way. You taught us to look closer at the Bible and ask questions. I would love to do more and we are going to do our own study while you and auntie Cathy are gone to the North. Cathy and I flew to Mpumalanga province North East of Johannesburg. last week. We are among a blessed family who has hosted us many years at this special location. How wonderful to be with them, laugh, talk and see both of the children who are now moving to university. What a special treat for us! It is so nice to feel at home again. I am preaching on Friday at a very difficult neighborhood called Tikwane. I spoke here almost ten years ago in a tent. Sunday I am in the village of Shatale. Israel Malete is the Bishop over twenty village churches planted over the decades. They are called the Word of Life Bible Churches. Missionary Comfort Nlovu is the key leader we have come to mentor and encourage. Pray for us as we serve a number of leaders in the remote and poor areas. We will be here for a month before we turn back South. Cathy and Danny Sartin www.deeperstillmissions.com _________________________ Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved. This on the field report is written for those who support Deeper Still Missions and our goal of missionary retention. Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions. God Provided! We landed at Cape Town on the tip of the dark continent. God went before us as we have just returned to Africa. We are always amazed at His provisions from place to place as we plan visits to Robertson Valley, Mpumalanga, Znysna and Cape Town. Dozens of missionaries float through our minds as we anticipate the joy of seeing friends face to face. Pictured above is the window of our flat provided for the first four nights near Cape Town. You see the beautiful beaches of Blouberg and Table Mountain standing as the beacon of the bottom of Africa. We could rest, pray and seek God's guidance as we watch young missionaries from Germany come and go as they serve children in the valley north of Cape Town. We were pleased to see Sara and her mother from our visit in 2022. Her smile and race to hug our necks gave a special ambiance to our long flight to Africa. They had returned to be there for a few weeks until her university studies resume back home. Now we have moved to the farm of the Roux family who we dearly love. They built a cottage for us to use in this section of Africa. Their children also raced to hug our necks and show their gratitude for our return to the valley. Pictured on the right is the grape vines directly in front of our cottage. It feels like home as we drop our suitcases and settle into a welcome home away from home. Rhianna, matriarch of the family, showed up at our door. In her hands was a milk tart pie. Similar to a buttermilk pie in America. She remembers that this was a favorite of ours and she taught Cathy how to make it from scratch! Her son Johan and daughter in law Tania all came by the cottage. Staples for bread, apples and food to get us started for this month. God just sent a Hoopoe bird, Cathy's favorite, as he displayed his unique feathers over his head. Winter is still flowing with strong winds but we know that spring is close behind. We are deeply thankful for your prayerful attention to our service to missionaries on the field. We are humbled by your faithfulness to our Lord. Cathy and Danny Sartin www.deeperstillmissions.com _________________________ Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved. This on the field report is written for those who support Deeper Still Missions and our goal of missionary retention. Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things . . . Psalm 119:18 (ESV) 2 Timothy 3:3 (NIV84) without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, The Holy Bible: New International Version (2 Ti 3:3). (1984). Zondervan.
Our focus is on the Greek word unforgiving. This comes from the description of people in the latter days by Paul. Look at the news tonight and see if it appears in the behavior of various groups. 3:1–5. As in his previous letter, Paul warned Timothy about the collapse predicted for the last days (cf. 1 Tim. 4:1–3), a term which includes the entire period between the first century and Christ’s return. During this interim, according to the prediction, the world will see terrible times of societal degeneration. Paul gave an extraordinary list (cf. Rom. 1:28–32) of 19 general characteristics believers should expect. People will be: (1) lovers of themselves (philautoi, “self-centered, narcissistic”); (2) lovers of money (philargyroi; cf. 1 Tim. 6:9–10); (3) boastful—the outward manifestation of the fact that inwardly they are (4) proud (“arrogant”); (5) abusive toward others, which translates blasphēmoi (“blasphemers”). Several of the words which follow begin in the Greek with the prefix a=, meaning “without” (as in moral-amoral, theist-atheist), signifying absence of the designated virtue. Thus people will be (6) disobedient (apeitheis) to their parents; (7) ungrateful (acharistoi); (8) unholy (anosioi); (9) without love (astorgoi, trans. “heartless” in Rom. 1:31, the only other place it is used in the NT); (10) unforgiving (aspondoi). Diaboloi, a word usually translated “devil” (cf. 1 Tim. 3:6–7; 2 Tim. 2:26), is used here with the root meaning (11) slanderous; (12) without self-control (akrateis); (13) brutal (anēmeroi, lit., “untamed,” the opposite of civilized); Litfin, A. D. (1985). 2 Timothy. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 756). Victor Books. The same evident reversal of moral values is also seen in five of the six vices mentioned in verse 3, the only word without the negative prefix being slanderous (diaboloi). The word translated unforgiving (aspondos) literally means ‘without a truce’, and therefore ‘implacable’. It describes an hostility so intense that a truce is impossible. Guthrie, D. (1990). Pastoral Epistles: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 14, pp. 174–175). InterVarsity Press. The hostility against Judaeo-Christian values in our societies is unbelievable. But Paul warned us about the atmosphere in the last days. Jesus will bring the peace when He comes. Thank the Lord for His promises. Cathy and Danny Sartin www.deeperstillmissions.com __________________________ The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ps 119:18). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved. Bible Nuggets are written for pastors, youth leaders and missionaries who desire to go deeper still in God’s Word. Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things . . . Psalm 119:18 (ESV)
The topic of the last days is a constant subject among Christians today. We see so much change morally and intellectually. We have touched on the end times discussions numerous times over the last three years. The role of the church, the rapture, and traits of men in the last days as described in 2 Timothy chapter three. Recently I was asked about the witnesses sealed in the book of Revelation. Consider the thoughts of a favorite writer from Dallas Theological Seminary, Roy Gingrich. 2. The two visions connected with this interlude a. The first vision—The vision of the sealing of the 144,000 (7:1–8) (1) The four angels of judgment (7:1) These four angels hold back God’s judgments (the “four winds” from the “four corners of the earth”) until God’s cup of wrath is full. Then they execute God’s wrath (which hurts the earth and the sea). (2) The angel of restraint (7:2, 3) He restrains the four angels from releasing the four winds of judgment until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads. (3) The sealed one hundred and forty four thousand (a) Who are they? 1). Negative—This group is not the church, as some theologians teach, neither is it a cult group, or a group of sinless overcomers, as some cult leaders teach. 2). Positive—This group are saved Israelites, 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel (they are called Christ’s “brethren” in Matt. 25:40). Note that the tribes of Ephraim and Dan are replaced by the tribes of Joseph and Levi. Probably this is because Ephraim and Dan were the first of the 12 tribes to turn aside to idolatry in the Old Testament era. Note that they are again listed as two of the 12 tribes during the Millennium, Ezek. 48:1–5. Also, note that God knows the location of the so-called “ten lost tribes” and that He knows the tribal identity of every living Israelite. (b) Is the number 144,000 literal? Yes. There is no good reason for believing otherwise. (c) When were they saved? They were saved during the first half of “the Seventieth Week of Daniel.” If they were saved before the beginning of the Seventieth Week, they would have been in the Rapture. If they were saved after the midpoint of the Seventieth Week, they would not be called “the servants of God” at the mid-point of the Seventieth Week. (d) How were they saved? They were saved by the Holy Spirit through the word, the way all sinners are saved. The Holy Spirit will no longer be resident on the earth after the Rapture but in His omnipresence He will yet be present on the earth. During the whole period of the mediatorial Kingdom of Christ, the Holy Spirit has been, is, and will be, present to convict sinners and to regenerate them. (e) How did they hear the gospel? Through one or more of three ways: (1) through the testimony of church-age saints (before these saints were raptured); (2) through reading their Bibles (Bibles won’t be raptured); or through a personal revelation from Jesus Christ, Jn. 1:43. (f) When are they sealed? They are sealed “after” the opening of the first six seals, 7:1, but before the opening of the seventh seal, 8:1, which begins “the Great Tribulation.” (g) Why are they sealed? They are sealed that they may be made immune from death that they may be God’s witnesses throughout the period of “the Great Tribulation.” Many other saved Israelites, Zech. 13:8, 9; Ezek. 34:11–16, and many saved Gentiles, Matt. 25:31–46, will also come through the Tribulation without dying but the 144,000 are a special group chosen to carry out a special assignment, to conduct a worldwide revival before Christ comes in His Second Advent. (h) What is the connection between this group and the 144,000 spoken of in chapter 14? The 144,000 of chapter 7 and the 144,000 of chapter 14 are the same group. In chapter 7, this group is seen before the Great Tribulation; in chapter 14, this same group is seen after the Great Tribulation, in the Millennial Kingdom. In chapter 7, we see them ready to enter the fiery furnace (the Great Tribulation); in chapter 14, we see them emerged from the fiery furnace, unhurt. We gain confidence in our present day situation from the Bible. God is in control! He knows what is coming and how it will be handled. We can be thankful for his promises. Cathy and Danny Sartin www.deeperstillmissions.com ________________________ Gingrich, R. E. (2001). The Book of Revelation (pp. 45–46). Memphis, TN: Riverside Printing. v Dan. 8:17, 18; 10:9, 10, 15; [Luke 24:37; John 21:12] v Dan. 8:17, 18; 10:9, 10, 15; [Luke 24:37; John 21:12] w Matt. 17:7 x ch. 2:8; 22:13; Isa. 41:4; 44:6; 48:12 y Rom. 6:9; 14:9 z [ch. 9:1; 20:1] a ver. 2, 11 b ver. 12–16 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Re 1:17–19). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved.Bible Nuggets are written for pastors, youth leaders and missionaries who desire to go deeper still in God’s Word. Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things . . . (ESV)
2 Timothy 3:3 (NIV84)3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, The description of people in the end times comes from Paul's book to Timothy. There are nineteen traits listed between verse 2-4. Today is focused on the word for brutal. Most importantly Paul says, Mark this! People will be like this in the end times. Following is the Greek word and the meanings behind it. ἀνήμερος, 2 anēmeros wild, untamed* In 2 Tim 3:3 with διάβολοι, ἀκρατεῖς, ἀφιλάγαθοι, and other words referring to human behavior in the “last days.” Balz, H. R., & Schneider, G. (1990–). In Exegetical dictionary of the New Testament (Vol. 1, p. 98). Eerdmans. 20.5 ἀνήμερος, ον: pertaining to fierceness, in the sense of being wild and untamed—‘fierce, vicious, untamed.’ ἔσονται γὰρ οἱ ἄνθρωποι … ἀκρατεῖς, ἀνήμεροι, ἀφιλάγαθοι ‘for people will be … lacking in self-control, they will be fierce and hate the good’ 2 Tm 3:2–3. Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). In Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 228). United Bible Societies. Each of us has seen examples of this on the news. People killing people. Riots, destruction of property and attacks on others who do not use the correct words. The positive side of this reality is that Christ is coming soon. Maranatha . . . Come Lord Jesus! Cathy and Danny Sartin www.deeperstillmissions@gmail.com _______________________________ The Holy Bible: New International Version (2 Ti 3:3). (1984). Zondervan. Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved.Bible Nuggets are written for pastors, youth leaders and missionaries who desire to go deeper still in God’s Word. Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions. A Kingdom leader works hard to motivate himself and others. You will find the essence of motivation by remembering your stated goals, providing effective encouragement, supporting your team in tangible ways and reflecting on your attitude. You will see activation, persistence, and intensity. You will see goals accomplished that you set together. What is the essence of motivation in your leadership? The elephant in the room is often a misplaced motive. Do you spur others to good works? Do you give them a good reason to do something? Do you give them the stimulus they need? Do you have clear goals that others can understand and adopt? I find it interesting that the Lord weighs a person's motives. As a leader we can miss the mark of motivation by trusting in our position and not getting permission to lead. We can miss the hearts of our team by not listening to them. Proverbs 16:2 (NIV84) 2 All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Cathy and Danny Sartin www.deeperstillmissions.com _________________________ The Holy Bible: New International Version (Pr 16:2). (1984). Zondervan. Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved. Photos taken by Cathy and Danny Sartin in Africa. Kingdom Leadership is written for missionaries and ministers serving our Lord in various parts of the world. Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this email in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions. Rare Photo of a Bushbuck A bushbuck standing in a thicket is virtually invisible as long as it remains motionless! On the Sabie river we came around a corner and surprised a bushbuck who was away from the thicket. He froze which is his standard reaction to a predator being near. At night time its disruptive white markings help to conceal it from lions and hyenas who might be passing nearby. Once he is spotted a bushbuck races for the nearest cover. Then he becomes virtually invisible. Calves dropped in dense cover, do not accompany their mothers into the open. They remain in the thicket for up to four months. The mother attends the baby regularly until it matures. The creative design of our heavenly father is amazing. It is something to watch a bushbuck return to the thicket and disappear. John 1:18 (NIV84) No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, e f who is at the Father’s side, has made him known. Cathy and Danny Sartin www.deeperstillmissions@gmail.com _______________________________ e Or the Only Begotten f Some manuscripts but the only (or only begotten) Son The Holy Bible: New International Version (Jn 1:18). (1984). Zondervan. Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved. Spiritual Safaris are written for those who support Deeper Still Missions and its goal of missionary retention. Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions. A Kingdom Leader has to focus on today. The moment can compete with the past and the future! You can't be diverted from the present situation and find yourself anticipating past failures or future disappointments. Do you find yourself looking back at the past? Do you feel anxious of what might go wrong? Are you able to focus on the situation you face at this moment? What takes your focus away? Paul understood the competing mistakes, failures and sins of the past. He had lived with heartaches and discouragement. His hopes and plans were to stop the church! Philippians 3:13 (NIV84) Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. Do you completely forget the past? That is the full meaning of the word forget in the Greek. Set the past behind you and strain toward the goal Christ has put in front of each of us. Look around you and find those who need encouragement to focus on the moment. You can lift a burden from their shoulder and help them run the race set before us. Cathy and Danny Sartin www.deeperstillmissions@gmail.com _______________________________ The Holy Bible: New International Version (Php 3:13). (1984). Zondervan. Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved. Photos taken by Cathy and Danny Sartin in Africa. Kingdom Leadership is written for missionaries and ministers serving our Lord in various parts of the world. Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions. |
Danny SartinFour decade veteran of youth ministry in churches, Youth For Christ and now is the Founder and Executive Director of Deeper Still Missions. Danny and his wife Cathy spend most of their time mentoring missionaries in Africa, Europe, Central America and North America. Future opportunities include South America and the Asia Pacific area. Archives
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