Newsletter - The Bill-Board

Gospel Glory, Inc.

Most of us really do care about our own lives and the lives of those around us.  We care about poverty, injustice, orphans and the sick. Yet, weighed down by everyday responsibilities—bringing home a paycheck, putting food on the table, shuttling kids around—we question our ability to make a difference. When we’re bombarded by the latest celebrity-help-the-world-athon, we shrug our shoulders in futility.  Sometimes we think that in order for it to count, to make a difference that matters, we have to do something big or everything we could do or something no one else has done. 

But that’s not true. Just last night, I was watching my favorite television show, “Extreme Makeover”.  I enjoy watching it whenever I can and I found myself commenting that I wished Gospel Glory, Inc., could go into the homes of the impoverished and makeover the rooms and homes of the needy children like that.  That’s simply not a realistic expectation at this time but gradually the Holy Spirit began reminding me of individual differences all of us have made working together in the past nine years or so.  In this very special Christmas season, Billy and I want to share from our hearts as the Lord leads and enables us a little bit of the difference you make in our lives and the lives of those you enable us to reach out and help.  You have touched so very many and don’t even know it.

As I write this, Billy is at the hospital bringing home a neighbor who has suffered much over the past 18 plus months.  He has survived esophageal cancer and numerous serious complications by God’s grace and your answered prayers.  Many of you are faithful prayer warriors remembering always this dear neighbor and all those on the prayer list in this monthly newsletter.  You are actively obedient to Galatians 6:2:  “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”  You have prayed the prayer of faith and the sick have recovered! It’s not unusual for some of you to even accompany us on hospital and home visits.  Some have been healed of diseases, some have accepted Jesus, some have been delivered from various addictions, marriages and other relationships have been restored, jobs and promotions, emotional and educational needs have been fully met, food, clothing, shelter and finances have been freely provided—all because YOU did what you could. 

You didn’t always know the individuals, but you prayed and obeyed whatever God led and enabled you to do.  God answered.  You and God are awesome co-laborers. Billy and I are so blessed to be a part of what God is doing through you.  Without your prayers, support, love, and encouragement, Gospel Glory, Inc. would not even exist. Returning from a road trip, I knew I had to send an inquiry to a friend we hadn’t talked to in awhile.  I felt something was up but didn’t know what. 

Let me share his reply with you:  “It's funny how things just kinda line up sometimes, but you guys never cease to surprise me with your presence in our lives. I am in West Virginia at my parents’ home now. My Mom is in the hospital after complications from her hip surgery in August.  Her recovery has been long and hard and ultimately unsuccessful. She was re-admitted to the hospital for the second time Thursday a week ago. She suffered a horrible stroke last Wednesday that has rendered her blind and without cognition. She is now on "comfort only" treatment per her living will. 

My Dad, brother, sister and I are here and waiting for a miracle or the inevitable end. It sounds so clinical, but I will assure you it is not. We are each dealing with this event in our own way. Suffice it to say that it is very sad and painful.  Your reaching out at this time IS NOT a coincidence. It is divine intervention. This I know. I know you will pray for God's will and His comfort and guidance for me and my family. This gives me great comfort. I now know that He cares because here you are. What a relief to know that y'all are on the job!”  We can give the same comfort from the Holy Spirit that so many of you have given to us time and again.  We are not “on the job” alone—we have all of you right alongside us and it is a glorious blessing.  You are all a great comfort to us. Night before last, we were able to fill coolers with frozen meats and vegetables for an evangelistic couple struggling financially. 

They couldn’t afford their home and had to move into their bus which needs a ton of work done while they’re trying to live in it.  Times are tougher for everyone and churches are hit just as hard as anyone else. Giving is down as many have lost jobs and income.  God has provided well for Billy and I through all of you in one way or another.  That is a special blessing to us personally and we thank you for that. One precious couple regularly fills our freezer and we get to give food away to all those we know in need.  We don’t even have to be home to receive or give the food away. Earlier this year while we were on an extended road trip out of state, our pastor made several trips to our freezer to get food for those in need.  He was amazed that he was never able to empty the freezer out and stated that it was like the widow’s cruse of oil—no matter how much he took or how often he came, the supply seemed endless.  Because of your gifts, many of the hungry have been fed from our freezer and fridge. 

You have lived Matthew 25:31-40 through us many, many, times.  We could not have done it without you.  I want so much for you to feel all the contentment, satisfaction, and fulfillment that is yours for doing what God wants you to do.  I want you to experience delighting in Him as you continue to be an active part in what He is doing in the world around us.  As you delight in Him, I hope you will share with us how God gives you the very desires of your heart.  We do love you all so very much and thank God for you. Gospel Glory, Inc. is small but effective.  It does not have any deep pocket supporters but we do have children of God doing what they can working together to grow God’s kingdom.  God is blessing above all that we could ever ask or dream. Together we are making a difference in America, Brazil, Africa, and the Dominican Republic.  The scale may be small, but believe me it truly counts because we serve a God who honors and blesses it when we do what we can. 

Please read Matt. 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9 and John 12:1-8.  The story in Luke 7 is similar but it is not the same story, people, setting, or time and doesn’t have the same message.  I say that to avoid any confusion as I want to concentrate on this story in Matthew, Mark, and John.  Mary was the sister of Lazarus and Martha. She’d sat at Jesus’ feet opening her soul to His teaching, wisdom, and love. Her relationship with Him yielded a rich essence of character from which she later anointed Him in a moment of His own great need.  Spiritual intimacy had been formed and it formed her in return.  She understood what the disciples had missed.  In her act of worship, she lived loved.  Her gift touched Jesus and I believe comforted Him when it mattered most.  I wonder if Mary’s gift gave again as Jesus prayed in the garden, when He stood before Pilate and Herod, when He was mocked, scourged, crowned with thorns or as He hung in crucifixion.  I like to think that maybe a bit of fragrance lingered, however briefly, and brought back that tender moment when Mary did what she could.  I also like to think that the giving all of you do when you do what you can keeps giving too.  I like to think that when God looks down on the sinful state of this world and the horrible atrocities that abound, He smells the fragrance of your prayers and ours. That He remembers the gifts of love from all of our hearts in such a way that He is touched by our love to Him again and again.

God wants us to do “what” we can.  It is an exciting and life-changing concept. It helps to remember that most of the time we don’t know the importance of our “what” until after we do it.  Often not until way after we do it.  “What” may depend on the moment and what is needed in that moment. Criticism may blindside us and we may encounter grief instead of support but please stay focused. If you get excluded from the great Christian “we” in particular situations, remember Jesus is interceding for YOU.  He will intercede for you just as He did for Mary.  He pronounced her action beautiful and paired it with the preaching of the Good News for all time.  A relationship with Jesus results in response.  We are loved, so we can live loved as Mary did.  We can do what we can.Our list of needs seems to be ever increasing but rest assured the time you spend praying and fasting for these people is most appreciated. 

The list includes Emma, Justin, Don, Steffany, Elizabeth, Aubrey, Mary, Rachel, Carl, Margie, Nancy, Kinley, Sandy, Linda, Kenny, Janice, Tom, Barb, Jim, Paul, Verona, Ed, Stan, Vicky, Kristin, Nicole, Wanda, Dorie, Helen, Hillary, Jeremy, Bill, Judi, Dinny, Mary Ellen, Jimmy, Matt, Jennifer, William, Brooke, Gene, Joyce, Crystal, Cheyenne, Renee, Sue, Missy, Arlene, Jackie, David, Melissa, Gary, Myrtle, Mona, Bonnie, Imogene, June, Delbert, Marty, Karen, the Baptist Church in Paranapanema and the peace of Israel.  We know that Gods listens and He is sending the answers.By the time many of you receive this letter, we will be well into our visit from Pastor Walner’s family and Will Souza.  Nine churches in Virginia and at least two in Florida have agreed for Pastor Walner to preach.  At First Baptist Church of Lake Placid, FL he will be featured in a question and answer session regarding his work in Paranapanema as well as his overall views of missions.  Please pray that Pastor Walner will be used mightily during each service.  We are looking forward to their visit and ask you also to pray for their safety while here, as well as their return trip home.  We will let you know more about their visit next month.

Until next month,

Bill and Linda
billy.r.lewis@worldnet.att.net