Blog Posts - Deeper Still Missions | Missionary Training | Ministry Mentoring

Looking Into Hearts!

8/9/2018

A Kingdom Leader finds other friends when they go to a location to ministry. He seldom allows himself to become isolated in a community. He calls out for relationships with other kindred spirits in a town. He carefully searches for people who might connect with him and they become friends.

Who is your closest friend in your ministry setting? What do you have in common with one another? How did you become friends? Do you have fun together outside of ministry activity? If you don’t have a kindred spirit . . . start looking for one this week.

"After this Paul1 left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named vAquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife vPriscilla, because wClaudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, 3 and xbecause he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade."

May you be blessed with a wonderful heart partner to encourage you on the path of ministry. We pray that you find one and bless each other.

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissins.com
________________________
1 Greek he
v ver. 18, 26; Rom. 16:3; 1 Cor. 16:19; 2 Tim. 4:19
v ver. 18, 26; Rom. 16:3; 1 Cor. 16:19; 2 Tim. 4:19
w ch. 11:28
x ch. 20:34; 1 Cor. 4:12; 9:15; 2 Cor. 11:7; 12:13; 1 Thess. 2:9; 2 Thess. 3:8
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ac 18:1–3). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

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.

Determine Your...

7/26/2018

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

What is more beneficial than fine gold? What tastes sweeter than honey? Consider the rules of personal conduct given to us by the Lord. His precepts have greater value than the most precious commodity in the world. Review of his law can renew your soul and bring it back to its original function.

Psalm 19:9 (ESV)
9 the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.

Yes, God's rules have great value in every day life. But it has a deeper affect on the position of your heart, mind and soul. It can revive and refresh your soul when all seems lost. Respect for God's law has come under attack in this century. His word has been seen as useless, flawed and a collection of fairy tales.

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary
7–11 The revelation of God’s law is clearer than the revelation in nature. Nature “declares,” “proclaims,” “pours forth,” and “displays” the revelation of God’s majesty, wisdom, and power. However, the revelation of the law is greater. It is greater because it is given by the covenant God, whose name is Yahweh (“LORD,” vv. 7, 8, 9), whereas nature reveals the glory of the Creator-God (El, v. 1; see the appendix to Ps 22: Yahweh Is El). It is also greater because of the comprehensive nature of the revelation. This is brought out by the choice of the synonyms for God’s revelation: “law,” “statutes” (v. 7); “precepts,” “commands” (v. 8); and “fear,” “ordinances” (v. 9; see appendix below). The synonyms are not to be studied in abstraction but give a comprehensive emphasis that all of the words of the Lord are beneficial. Although the benefits of natural revelation are with us on a daily basis (day, night, heat [vv. 2, 6]), how much greater are the comprehensive benefits of God’s revelation in the law! The list of four benefits (vv. 7–8) is given to encourage the godly to embrace the law of God as an expression of his wisdom. The rewards (v. 11) of responsiveness to the revelation of God are compared to gold (v. 10; cf. Prov 3:13–18; 8:19) and to honey (cf. Prov 16:24).
The benefits are set forth propositionally (vv. 7–9). First, God’s word “revives”(cf. v. 7). Its restorative quality gives healing to the whole person by assuring forgiveness and cleansing and by giving life to the godly. It unleashes the promises of God by his gracious redemptive acts (80:3, 7, 19). Second, God’s word is the source of “wisdom” to all who are ready to receive it (v. 7; cf. 119:130; Prov 21:11). Both the inexperienced (“the simple,” v. 7; cf. Prov 1:4) and the wise develop as they begin with “the fear of the LORD” (v. 9; cf. Deut 4:10; Prov 1:7) and embrace the will of God in all aspects of life (cf. Prov 1:2–6). Third, God’s word gives “joy” (v. 8a). The heartfelt joy is equivalent to inner peace and tranquility, as one loves God with all his heart, i.e., with his innermost being. Fourth, God’s word gives “light to the eyes” (v. 8b). The internal joy radiates through the eyes. It expresses the joy of being alive and of receiving God’s blessings (cf. 13:3). Thus Yahweh has made the sun for light in creation and has given his word for light in redemption.

Do you feel his joy today? If not, consider His law to help restore your soul.

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com
________________________
VanGemeren, W. A. (1991). Psalms. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs (Vol. 5, pp. 181–182). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.
4 Or just decrees
x Ps. 119:142, 151, 160
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ps 19:9). 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.

Going Home

7/19/2018

Rest in the Vineyard!

This week marks two months in our current flat in the vineyard. It has been such a joy to live on the farm and watch the operations day by day. Currently the pruning process is going on and it is an amazing picture as you see above. They completely "clean" the vine for next years harvest. Hundreds of shoots are removed to focus future growth and make it more productive.

My personal picture of John chapter 15 has fresh meaning as we watch the process. It makes me think of my own life and the clutter of activity that can sometimes dominate my heart and mind. I can see why God the Father will prune each life so that the future fruit is better.

But I must admit that we have had a special privilege to visit the homes of the farmers in the area. At their request we spend several hours opening the Word of God and giving them insight into the Bible. They had heard from the German volunteers about the substance of our studies and they wanted to hear also.

That Saturday sparked a firestorm of questions about how to read the Bible. Almost every day Johan comes by our flat and asks additional questions from our study. He says, I see there is so much more in the Bible than I understood. I never looked deeper still until this exercise! I was skiing across the Bible.

We plan another study this weekend. We only have two weeks left before we fly to Zambia. He wants to do as much as we can until we leave. This weekend we will look at the world before the flood of Noah and after the flood. What is different?

Johan's discussions with other believers has surfaced a group who wants to know more. Johan said, you are coming back next year aren't you? We must plan to do more studies next time.

Thank you for the prayers and support. We are being pruned in the vineyard.

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 Doors

7/12/2018

A Kingdom Leader is keenly aware that God is placing him in the position to influence and affect events in the lives of others. Meetings and proceedings of daily life are not random but purposeful events. There are many activities that are directly encouraged and allowed by God the Father.

Has the Lord brought someone new into your life this week? Has he surfaced a prior relationship and connected you with someone you have not seen for many years? Do you recognize a role for you in the life of these people? Can you be the encouragement they need to step out in leadership? Are you positioned to be a catalyst in their mind, heart and soul? Is your ear open to hear from the Lord?

Samuel was willing to allow the Lord to uncover his ear and speak to him in secret. He was to perform a powerful function in the life of this future leader. God knew the exact time Saul would come because God would send him.

1 Samuel 9:15–16 (ESV)
15 Now the day before Saul came, sthe Lord had trevealed to Samuel: 16 “Tomorrow about this time I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, uand you shall anoint him to be prince3 over my people Israel. He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines. vFor I have seen4 my people, because their cry has come to me.”

Very few leaders aspire to take the leadership reins in a church, community or organization. Stepping into that role will almost always cost you something. Most people are comfortable with their life and do not want to expose themselves to the examination, second guessing and ridicule of leadership. This is especially true in spiritual leadership. You struggle against powers that you can not see.

Allow God to uncover your ear today. Pass on His message!

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com
________________________
s ch. 15:1; [Acts 13:21]
t Ruth 4:4
u ch. 10:1
3 Or leader
v Ex. 2:25; 3:7, 9
4 Septuagint adds the affliction of
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 9:15–16). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
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.

Crushing!

6/21/2018

He looks really harmless as a youngster.

The Hyena is a specialized scavenger created by God to consume any animal whether alive or dead. They like vultures, have strong stomach acids to completely digest flesh and bones. They leave nothing behind!

Their powerful jaws can crush bone, rip sinew and devour every part of an animal. A group of hyenas can devour an entire Zebra and leave no leftovers, not even the bones, in under a half hour.

Their vicious nature makes them a threat to each other when feeding. They fight with each other over the remains, ripping and clawing one another. Hyena are cannibals and will attack and eat other hyenas including their young.

Satan desires to devour us in the same manner. He doesn't wish to just wound us, confuse us or send us in a wayward path. He seeks to destroy us and leave nothing behind.

1 Corinthians 10:12 (ESV)
12 Therefore vlet anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

Do you think Satan will ignore you? Like the hyena, Satan is relentless. He is just waiting for you to stumble. Then the feeding frenzy will begin.

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com
_________________________
v Rom. 11:20; [2 Pet. 3:17]
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Co 10:12). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.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.

Back in South Africa!

6/15/2018

We drove on the dirt road headed to Amathunzi. It has been a familiar home for us in South Africa for the past few years.

We passed by the game reserve and went down the hill to a valley of vineyards owned and operated by the Roux families. The father, Yohann, had felt a strong call from God to provide facilities for volunteers working with farm children and a home for missionaries Rolf and Lizzie Weichardt. They were moving from Amathunzi in January of 2018.

Memories have been deep and touching in the past few years as we have hosted many missionaries at Amathunzi. The animals which live on the reserve have become fixtures in our hearts and minds. It had become a place for ministry leaders to rest, renew and refocus their call from God.

Here we drove up to a former storage building that has been renovated to house ministry leaders and volunteers. We walked into a flat that had been completed only weeks ago with a nice bed, small kitchen, shower and bathroom. This is to be our home for the next two months.

The building is nested with a vineyard to the West and an orchard to the East. There is a small gravel drive between our porch and the vineyard. Workers drive by our flat continually completing tasks in the fields and pruning the vines for next years harvest. Yesterday they were sorting olives near us.

The thrilling atmosphere has been one of great joy for the Roux family. They are excited to be engaged with the ministry. The volunteers from Germany have become like grand children for the older parents. Laughter, smiles, a few pranks with the volunteers and the sharing of meals is the norm.

You can see and feel the movement of the Spirit of God in this Robertson Valley. The son Yohan pointed out the Life Application Bible on his kitchen counter. He said, "I read it every day!" Most importantly the rains have returned. This drought and parched area of the Western Cape is now being soaked.

Pray as we minister to the missionaries, volunteers, farm families and workers. What a joy to be nestled among the mountains and in the vineyards of Le Chasseur.

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.

Encouragement

6/7/2018

A Kingdom Leader is an encouragement to others around them. They share positive thoughts, ideas and resources with their ministry team. They notice the needs of others and attempt to come alongside and help provide those needs.

A Kingdom Leader is not consumed with their agenda and goals. He carefully considers the feelings and needs of everyone on the ministry team. When someone is caught in the middle of sharp disagreements this leader comes privately and listens to the heart of each person.

Acts 4:36–37 (ESV)
36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means tson of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and ulaid it at the apostles’ feet.

The ministry of Barnabas was extraordinary among the Apostles. They gave him the name Barnabas because of his encouraging behavior and manners.

What would others say of you? Do you notice the needs of others and find ways to fulfill those needs? Find someone to encourage today!

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com
_________________________

t [Mark 3:17]
u ver. 35
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ac 4:36–37). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
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.

Our Hearts!

5/25/2018

Many see the Word of God. . .few look closely!

Proverbs 4:23 (ESV)
23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for ofrom it flow pthe springs of life.

This scripture is a foundational truth for a follower of Christ. The most critical component of our daily life is our heart. How do you pay attention to it? Consider the following thoughts.

4:21–23 heart. The “heart” commonly refers to the mind as the center of thinking and reason (3:3; 6:21; 7:3), but also includes the emotions (15:15, 30), the will (11:20; 14:14), and thus, the whole inner being (3:5). The heart is the depository of all wisdom and the source of whatever affects speech (v. 24), sight (v. 25), and conduct (vv. 26, 27).

If you want to make a change in your life it begins with your heart. But what kind of heart must we preserve?

5341 נְצוּרִים, נָצַר, נִצְּרָה [natsar /naw·tsar/] v. A primitive root; TWOT 1407; GK 5903 and 5915 and 5917; 63 occurrences; AV translates as “keep” 38 times, “preserve” 13 times, “watchmen” three times, “besieged” twice, “keeper” once, “monuments” once, “observe + 7521” once, “preserver” once, “subtil” once, “hidden things” once, and “watchers” once. 1 to guard, watch, watch over, keep. 1A (Qal). 1A1 to watch, guard, keep. 1A2 to preserve, guard from dangers. 1A3 to keep, observe, guard with fidelity. 1A4 to guard, keep secret. 1A5 to be kept close, be blockaded. 1A6 watchman (participle).

This Hebrew word has a direct derivative that gives a small clue.

5342 נֵצֶר [netser /nay·tser/] n m. From 5341 in the sense of greenness as a striking colour; TWOT 1408a; GK 5916; Four occurrences; AV translates as “branch” four times. 1 sprout, shoot, branch (always fig.).

Pay attention to the tenderness, freshness and guard it from becoming hard. Life is difficult at best. So keeping your heart tender in the midst of that difficulty is no small task.

How tender is your heart? Has it become hard and scarred by life? God's Word can help make it tender again.

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com
_________________________

Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.

MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Pr 4:21–23). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
o [Matt. 12:35]
p [Ps. 16:11]
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Pr 4:23). 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.

Charge!

4/19/2018

This elephant was grazing beside the road in Kruger National Park and seemed content. Then he turned and looked at us and everything changed. He became annoyed and charged at our vehicle. He was not happy with our car being so close to his space. The loud trumpeting, flapping ears and running gate stuck fear into our hearts! Our heart sank and become flustered. We could not crank the car fast enough and put it in gear!

The twenty-first century has become an interesting place. We have all become complacent about the elephant in the room of life. We ignore the issues, problems, risk and conditions that few want to talk about. People who are zealous for their opinion to be accepted charge the issue like a wild elephant. It has created a situation where no one wants to discuss the issues or make a challenge.

Jesus faced the same elephants in the first century. It seems that his opinion stirred the issues everywhere he went. He caused so much controversy that radical religious leaders sought ways to kill him. It seems that it takes infinite patience, discipline and a gracious tongue to address the elephants in our lives.

Be willing to sit and listen to those who have a difference of opinion. But learn to ask good questions that help sort the issues being discussed.

When necessary, ask hard questions that highlight faulty thinking and unstable hearts. Many dissidents do not have a loving person who will discuss the issues in a rational way. Love them with your attentive ears, tender heart and gracious lips!

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com
________________________

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

Days to Love!

4/12/2018

Report from Germany

Friday night we visited a youth group in Detmold, Germany. We shared key questions with the group of over fifty young people. Who is God? Who are you? Where is Jesus in our lives and in the Word of God?

Once we concluded the meeting several girls came up to Cathy and asked her to share our "love story." She shared some parts of our meeting, dating and falling in love with one another. Then she came over to me and pointed to the group of girls and said, they have a question to ask you.

Real life had jumped out at them because two of the girls were engaged to be married. They wanted to know details about our relationship. You could see the eager look on their faces, smiles and a clear desire to know more!

But the discussions did not end there. A group of young people asked an even deeper question. How do you study the Bible? Will you teach us?

So Tuesday night we met for over three hours and walked through a supposed error in the Bible. We saw the same eager look on their faces, smiles and a clear desire to know more of God's Word. They seemed to hang on every thought that was shared. Questions bounced around like popcorn. It was so much fun!

But most importantly they learned that the Word of God is reliable and trustworthy. It is not full of errors like Jim Jones of Jones town (The People's Temple of 1978) told his people. Even the most difficult Scriptures can be hard to understand but persistent discipline to search and study the Word can bring a healthy love relationship with Jesus and God the Father.

You see love is what each of us seeks. It is also what Jesus is providing! For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only son! It is a connection every heart wants. . . to love and feel loved!

What a joy to share His love with people in other parts of the world. Come with us and see for yourself!

Cathy and Danny
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.