I drove down the slippery hill onto a muddy path headed into a shanty cluster of homes. The slow misty rain ensured the mud was soaked. People walked in the sludge headed to a church with their children.  

You could see mostly tin shacks and irregular boards on other makeshift dwellings. Outhouses seemed tiny and unbalanced. Trash was caught on clusters of grass, barbed wire and posts.

I walked into the church that had a tile floor now covered with wet and muddy foot prints as the congregation gathered. Music blared over loud speakers and the people danced near their seats. Their joy knew no bounds. Their toothless smiles reflected their excitement and they sang at the top of their voices.

Sitting behind me was an elderly man that appeared to be in his seventies. His smile was all gums as he reached out his hand in respect and enjoyment. I had just come from an Afrikaans church that would mirror a small church back home in America. The difference was stark between the two locations.

I looked up at the ceiling that was exposed trusses and rafters. My mind raced back to my teenage years of building with my father. I had nailed those two by fours with great effort. My father could nail an eight penny nail with one clean blow. My memory held great respect for my father’s skill and ability.

These first few weeks in Africa have been powerful and poignant. Today was the beginning of much needed rain for the country. The hearts and minds of the people we have spent time with so far are just as parched spiritually as the dry dust from yesterday.

Wednesday we begin teaching pastors in Elukwatini just as last year. Cathy and I conduct a retreat this Friday and Saturday with eighteen missionaries who will be new to us. Our schedule has been full and appears that it will speed up over the next few weeks.

We continue to be thrilled that we can breathe life into God’s Word with the missionaries, pastors and people of Africa. It is such an honor to represent you  Thank you for sending us and please continue praying.

Cathy and Danny Sartin

Many see the Word of God. . .few observe!

The Word of God is stable and trustworthy. Consider the thoughts of the Holy Spirit as given to the writer of Psalms.

Psalm 19:7b (NIV)

7 The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

The Ten Commandments were written on tablets as a solemn and divine charge by God the Father. His testimony is the foundation of civil law adopted in many countries around the world. It provides the legal provisions, warning signs and reminders that are important to remember. The Hebrew word translated statutes in the New International Version of the Bible is edut. (see the Lexicon entry below)

†עֵדוּת S5715, 7802 TWOT1576f GK634319 and עֵדֻת27 n.f. testimony;—ע׳ abs. Ex 16:34 +, cstr. ψ 19:8 +; pl. sf.עֵדְוֹתֶיךָ 119:14 +, עֵדְוֹתָיו Je 44:23 + 4 times;— 1. testimony of the Ten Words on the tables as a solemn divine charge,לֻחֹת הע׳ Ex 31:18; 32:15; 34:29 (P), הע׳ 25:16, 21; 40:20 (P); ark as containing tables, אֲרוֹן הע׳ 25:22; 26:33, 34; 30:6, 26; 39:35; 40:3, 5, 21 Nu 4:5; 7:89 (all P), Jos 4:16 (JE; Kue הברית [ag. him Di], so Benn Steuernag), הארן לע׳ Ex 31:7 (P); abbrev. לִפְנֵי הע׳ 16:34; 30:36 Nu 17:19, 25 (P); עַל הע׳ Ex 27:21 ( = הע׳ Lv 24:3), 30:6 Lv 16:13 (P); tabernacle as containing ark of testimony, משׁכן הע׳ tabernacle of the testimony Ex 38:21 Nu 1:50, 53(×2); 10:11 (P); so אֹהֶל הע׳ 9:15; 17:22, 23; 18:2 (P) 2 Ch 24:6. 2. the code of law in gen. (late), as a testimony of God: ψ 19:8 119:88; 122:4; || תּוֹרָה 78:5; || חֹק 81:6. In titles, עַל־שׁוּשַׁן ע׳ ψ 60:1, אֶל־שֹׁשַׁנּ֑ים ע׳ 80:1 = melody whose first line cp. law as testimony to a choice flower. Special laws of the code are denoted by pl.; + חֻקּוֹת etc. 1 K 2:3 2 K 23:3 = 2 Ch 34:31 ( + חקים etc.), Je 44:23; חֻקִּים etc. 1 Ch 29:19; מִצְוֹת Ne 9:34; pl. of contents of covenant 2 K 17:15; pl. elsewhere ψ 119:14, 31, 36, 99, 111, 129, 144, 157. Vid. also iii.  [עֵדָה].—For הָעֵדוּת 2 K 11:12 = 2 Ch 23:11 read prob. הַצְּעָדוֹת (cf. 2 S 1:10 We al.).[1]

The reliable laws God provided are firm and permanent. They cannot be shaken by cultural shifting sands. They are true no matter how we twist them, color them and distort their principles. They provide key assumptions required in a system of thought. They are also a standard of moral and ethical decision-making. The Hebrew word translated trustworthy in the NIV is the following entry.

I. אָמַן—(1) prop. to prop, to stay, to sustain, to support, ftüßen, unterftüszlig;en, specially—(a) to support with the arm, to carry a child, Nu. 11:12; Lam. 4:5. Part. אֹמֵן παιδαγωγός, one who carries and cares for a child, Nu. loc. cit.; Isa. 49:23; also, one who guards and brings up, Est. 2:7. 2 Ki. 10:1, 5 (compare כִּלְכֵּל; Arab. مان to sustain, to nourish), f.אֹמֶנֶת nurse, Ruth 4:16; 2 Sa. 4:4.—(b) to found, to build up (kindred to כָּנָה, אֶבֶן). Hence אָמָן, אָמוֹן architect, workman, Baumeifter; אֹמְנָה column, Stüße.

(2) intrans. med. E. to be stayed up; hence to be firm, unshaken, such as one may safely lean on. Metaph. to be faithful. Part. pass. אֱמוּנִים faithful ones, πιστοί, Ps. 12:2; 31:24. Compare סָמוּךְ Isa. 26:3. Arab. أَمُنَ to be faithful; أَمَنَ is to lean and confide on any one; أَمِنَ to trust, to be secure.

Niphal—(1) to support, to bear in the arms, as children, Isa. 60:4. Compare Kal No. 1.

(2) to be founded, firm, stable, e.g. of a house, 1 Sa. 2:35; 25:28; 2 Sa. 7:16; 1 Ki. 11:38; of a firm place where a nail is driven in, Isa. 22:23, 25; of a firm and stable condition, Isa. 7:9.

(3) to be of long continuance, perennial, of water (opp. to אַכְזָב), Isa. 33:16; Jer. 15:18; of sickness, Deu. 28:59; of a covenant, Ps. 89:29.

(4) metaph. to be faithful, trustworthy, sure, such that anyone can lean upon (auf den man bauen kann); of a servant, 1 Sa. 22:14; Num. 12:7; a messenger, Prov. 25:13; a witness, Jer. 42:5; Isa. 8:2; of God, Deu. 7:9; Isa. 49:7; Hos. 12:1.—Ps. 78:8, לֹא נֶאֶמְנָה אֶת־אֵל רוּחוֹ “their spirit was not faithful with God.” Part. נֶאֱמָן upright. Pro. 11:13; 27:6,נֶאֱמָנִים פִּצְעֵי אֹהֵב “upright are the wounds of a friend,” i.e. proceeding from sincerity of mind,ehr=lich=gutgemeint. Wounds are here used for severe rebukes. Also, a man of approved wisdom, Job. 12:20.

(5) to be sure, certain, Hos. 5:9; of the word of God, Psa. 19:8; also, to be found true, confirmed, Gen. 42:20; 1 Ki. 8:26.

Hiphil הֶאֱמִין—(1) to lean upon, to build upon (auf etwas bauen), prop. Isa. 28:16, “he that leaneth thereon [believeth in him] shall not flee away.” Generally--

(2) figuratively to trust, to confide in (like the Arab. آمَنَ with ب). Job 4:18, הֵן בַּעֲבָדָיו לֹא יַאֲמין “behold he trusteth not in his servants;” Job 15:15; 39:12; Ps. 78:22, 32; 119:66. הֶאֱמִין בַּיהֹוָה “he trusted in the Lord,” Gen. 15:6; לֹא הבְּ֞חַיָּין “to have no confidence for one’s life,” i.e. to fear for one’s life, Deu. 28:66.

(3) to believe, absol. Isa. 7:9; commonly followed by לְ of person and thing, Gen. 45:26; Ex. 4:1, 8, 9; Pro. 14:15; Ps. 106:24; followed by בִּי Ex. 4:5; Job 9:16; also with an inf. Job 15:22, “he does not believe (hope) that he shall escape out of darkness (terrors).”

(4) perhaps intrans. to stand firm, still, Job 39:24, “she does not stand still where the sound of the trumpet is heard.” Comp. Virg. Georg. iii. 83. From the common use of language it might be rendered, “he so longs for the battle that he hardly believes his own ears for joy.” Compare Job 9:16; 29:24.[2]

God’s Word has a simplicity that reflects good judgment. Study of the Bible will give you a special quality of wisdom. Its simplicity will be nothing less than profound.

The Bible can be trusted because it is truth. Are you building on that wisdom today? It will guide your thoughts as you work and live in your home.

Cathy and Danny Sartin

Deeper Still Missions

Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved.

Bible Nuggets are written for pastors, youth leaders and missionaries who desire to go deeper still in God’s Word. 

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† prefixed, or added, or both, indicates ‘All passages cited.’
S Strong’s Concordance
TWOT Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament.
GK Goodrick/Kohlenberger numbering system of the NIV Exhaustive Condordance.
n. nomen, noun.
f. feminine, feminae.
abs. absolute.
+ plus, denotes often that other passages, etc., might be cited. So also where the forms of verbs, nouns, and adjectives are illustrated by citations, near the beginning of articles; while ‘etc.’ in such connexions commonly indicates that other forms of the word occur, which it has not been thought worthwhile to cite.
cstr. construct.
+ plus, denotes often that other passages, etc., might be cited. So also where the forms of verbs, nouns, and adjectives are illustrated by citations, near the beginning of articles; while ‘etc.’ in such connexions commonly indicates that other forms of the word occur, which it has not been thought worthwhile to cite.
pl. plural.
sf. suffix, or with suffix.
+ plus, denotes often that other passages, etc., might be cited. So also where the forms of verbs, nouns, and adjectives are illustrated by citations, near the beginning of articles; while ‘etc.’ in such connexions commonly indicates that other forms of the word occur, which it has not been thought worthwhile to cite.
+ plus, denotes often that other passages, etc., might be cited. So also where the forms of verbs, nouns, and adjectives are illustrated by citations, near the beginning of articles; while ‘etc.’ in such connexions commonly indicates that other forms of the word occur, which it has not been thought worth while to cite.
P Priests’ Code or Narrative.
P Priests’ Code or Narrative.
P Priests’ Code or Narrative.
J Jehovist.
E Elohist.
Kue A. Kuenen.
Di A. Dillmann.
Benn W. H. Bennett.
P Priests’ Code or Narrative.
P Priests’ Code or Narrative.
= equivalent, equals.
P Priests’ Code or Narrative.
×2 two times.
P Priests’ Code or Narrative.
P Priests’ Code or Narrative.
|| parallel, of words (synonymous or contrasted); also of passages; sometimes = ‘see parallel,’ or ‘see also parallel.’
|| parallel, of words (synonymous or contrasted); also of passages; sometimes = ‘see parallel,’ or ‘see also parallel.’
= equivalent, equals.
cp. compare.
pl. plural.
+ plus, denotes often that other passages, etc., might be cited. So also where the forms of verbs, nouns, and adjectives are illustrated by citations, near the beginning of articles; while ‘etc.’ in such connexions commonly indicates that other forms of the word occur, which it has not been thought worth while to cite.
= equivalent, equals.
+ plus, denotes often that other passages, etc., might be cited. So also where the forms of verbs, nouns, and adjectives are illustrated by citations, near the beginning of articles; while ‘etc.’ in such connexions commonly indicates that other forms of the word occur, which it has not been thought worth while to cite.
pl. plural.
pl. plural
Vid. vide, see.
= equivalent, equals.
cf. confer, compare.
We J. Wellhausen.
al. et aliter, and elsewhere; also et alii, and others.
[1] Brown, F., Driver, S. R., & Briggs, C. A. (2000). Enhanced Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems.
[2] Gesenius, W., & Tregelles, S. P. (2003). Gesenius’ Hebrew and Chaldee lexicon to the Old Testament Scriptures. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

We are finally back in Africa. The smells, bird calls, familiar roads and friends are so welcoming. New stories of accidents on the road as we traveled to White River. Catching up with ministry friends is so pleasant and enjoyable. It settles our hearts and fills our souls with fresh excitement. What is God going to do this time?

We moved into our home away from home and began to settle in. It feels so natural and memorable to both of us. We looked at each other and embraced knowing God has come before us.

Then we had dinner with our hosts and laughed, joked and updated one another on the events in our lives. It feels so much like family that it is hard to describe.

Then they began to tell us a story about our apartment upstairs. They had a guest stay in the upstairs flat that we have come to feel is home. He was having a very difficult meeting with his father who had molested his sisters. The hard discussions were shattering to his heart and painful to hear. It would be the final meeting between the father and son. The father has since passed. Broken and weeping he went into the bathroom and washed his tears and face. Among the sobs he looked at the mirror and saw a scripture verse that Cathy had placed on the glass last year during our visit. We had neglected to remove the post it note when we left in December.

It was from the book of Job and had been an encouragement to us on many occasions. It says, He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. Job 8:21 Pain and brokenness can be an overwhelming boulder on our hearts. God’s Word has been the balance that has lifted that weight so many times during our life. It was a strong reminder that you never know how God will use your daily life in the lives of others.

Today Cathy has gone to Swaziland with Ronas and Busie Marule. They are going to take a volunteer, Joanna Russell, to the home of Numsa Lukele. She will spend the next week with Numsa serving her and the orphans of Kaphunga. Her excitement radiated as they left this morning. We talked last night and her dreams and hopes blossomed in Technicolor before us. It is such a joy to see that excitement.

Pray as Joanna spends the week in Swaziland and we begin ministering to others in Mpumalanga. Ministry will often come from an angle you never expect. Thank you for sending us.

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.

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A Kingdom Leader pushes himself to a high level of excellence. He works to make a distinctive difference for our Lord by his effort and success. He is not just a high achiever but seeks to maximize each opportunity placed in front of him. He is not content to do things on an acceptable level but raises his personal bar of achievement.

When was the last time you did your job on a high level of excellence? Are you aware of what others consider as an outstanding performance? Are you just content to do the basics of your job and go home? Do you go the second mile when asked? Do you work as if the Lord is watching you effort. Would He consider your work, attitude and effort as a reflection of high quality?

Daniel 6:3 (NIV)

3 Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.

Even non-believers can see a heart, attitude and effort that is above the norm. Raise the bar and don’t work harder. . .work smarter.

Cathy and Danny Sartin

(1) The Holy Bible: New International Version. Electronic ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Daniel 6:3

Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. 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.

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