IBPFM

The Independent Board for Presbyterian Foreign Missions

One of the most important activities of our ministry is to help Christians, young and old, discover God’s will for their lives. This is our concern, because as Christians we feel that God has a plan for each one of our lives in the context of His sovereign will. Also, being committed to the commands of Christ, such as "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature” (Mk. 16:15), our concern is to help interested Christians, in this context, to discover God’s will for their lives. We encourage and support those in every way possible, who feel led to take the Gospel to those in other cultures.

The apostle James wrote, “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. For you ought to say, if the Lord wills, we shall live, and do this, or that.”(Ja. 4:14b-15). The apostle Paul also wrote; “.....be ye not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is....redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Eph. 5:17-16). Again, Paul wrote, “...be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Rom. 12:2b).

As already stated, our sincere desire is to help Christians discover God’s will for their lives, who will accept the challenge, and who desire, Lord willing, to “make a difference” in this sin-sick world of misery, suffering and death. As someone has said, "Life is short, death is sure, sin the curse, Christ the cure!"

Life is truly short, and what we do for Jesus must be done in this present life. "Only one life, t’will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ, will last." The fact is, a person with a 70 year life span only has a total of 18,000 days of potentially useful service for the Lord, assuming his first 20 years, or more, must be spent in education and training.

If you feel God’s will for your life is to serve Him full time, with your gifts and talents, somewhere in this vast world of some six billion souls and spiritual needs, we invite you to please contact us for free literature, and more information, whether you are interested in short- term, or long-term service. We, also have a summer program of just a few weeks for college age young people, who would like to serve the Lord, share His love with others, get a good "taste" of "Biblical Missions" today, and use this experience to help them discover God’s will for their lives. We have a fully qualified staff to help answer your every question. If you want true spiritual excitement, deep spiritual satisfaction, and the joy of self-fulfillment, knowing that you "made a difference" in this world, for the glory of God, having shared the love of Christ with others, with souls coming to Christ, and having walked in His known will for your life, then please contact us for further information and guidance. Thank you for your attention, and for "clicking" on our Website.

Yours for "Biblical Missions",

Rev. William R. Le Roy, D.D.
President of IBPFM

July 14-21
14. India – Mr. Eapen writes that his body is weak but that he is ready to continue ministry. Many villages are without a proper witness. He has purchased two bicycles for reaching these villages, and has given them to two evangelists. Pray for Mr. Eapen’s physical needs to match his spirit’s desire.

15. God\'s Provision - Praise God for the funds recently received, that will cover the cost of a number of construction projects in various locations.

16. Retired Executive Officers – Let us pray for God’s blessing on our retired Executive Officers: Dr. William R. Le Roy and Mr. Robert E. Martin, Sr. Pray for the Silver Retirement Fund, now lacking $740 monthly.Dr. William Le Roy underwent shoulder surgery Monday. Pray for his complete recovery. Pray for Mr. Robert Martin\'s recovery from a recent stroke.

17. Finances – During the summer months there is a noticeable drop in missionary support. Let us pray today that this will not be the case this year. But we are also mindful of the goodness of God’s people in supplying the needs of our missionaries, special projects, and various outreaches. May God be pleased to bless them.

18. Kenya Mission – The Johnsons want to praise the Lord for the three young people who were with them for four weeks, ministering at the Bethel Bible and Technical Schools, mobile clinics, public schools, and patients at the Eye Clinic. Praise God for the many who heard the Word during the Eye Camp, were treated for eye problems, and the many who had surgery. It was also a blessing to have Rev. Coleman from the Board headquarters, visit the work in Isovya.

19. Internationals – Judy Creamer thanks the Lord for profitable trips to Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee, and the opportunity to meet with contacts at the Arab Church in Cincinnati; pray for the church’s growth. Pray for her ESL classes through the summer when the children of her students are out of school.

20. Holy Land – Joan Davenport requests prayer for Ismael as he takes his June government exams. She is thankful that he is studying more now. Pray for Joan as she will travel to the US in July for a family reunion and a nephew’s wedding. Pray for the Samarah family during the summer months, especially the children.

21. Missionary Support – Please continue to pray for the financial needs of a number of missionaries still in need of monthly support; the percentages indicate what is still lacking: Rev. and Mrs. Eben Yoon – 23%; Rev. and Mrs. Paul Durand – 14%; Rev. and Mrs. Jonathan Jara – 7%; Rev. and Mrs. Woo Sun Kim – 54%; Rev. and Mrs. Hal Ricker – 13%; Rev. and Mrs. In Pil Choi – 5%; Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Kang – 34%; Rev. and Mrs. Ken Olson – 2%; Pray also for the General Fund - $9,500; BCEA Work Scholarship Fund - $980.

"Let Me Not Hear"

“And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” Exodus 20:19

Amy Carmichael has written in the little book called IF: “If there be any reserve in my giving to Him who so loved that He gave His Dearest for me; if there be a secret 'but’ in my prayer, 'anything but that, Lord,’ then I know nothing of Calvary love.”

The people in the time of Moses, as they experienced God’s power on the mountain, feared to have God speak to them directly, feeling the outcome would be disastrous. They were willing to hear Moses speak to them, but not God Himself. Was it simply the fear for their lives, or did they perhaps feel that if God spoke directly it would require either full obedience or telling God they would not obey His Word?

True believers do not want to disobey the definite commands of the Word of God consciously, but if they do not hear them, it takes away the sting of disobedience. The Word of God gives specific commands, but believers are so prone not to follow them, though they are happy to see others being obedient. The attitude then takes on the form of “let the servant of God speak to us, but not God.”

How wonderful to hear the ringing testimony of the servant of Christ, the way in which God has taken a consecrated life and marvelously used it, the way in which He has been able to reveal His power and grace even in the strongholds of Satan. How we love to hear a man of God stir our hearts by dramatic sermons, but let not God speak to us. If only His servants speak, it is less difficult to say, “Yes, God used this one”; “This is marvelous for you”; “That is your interpretation of God’s call and his will for you, but God has not spoken to me in that way.”

So it is in this way that we are able to put into our prayers, “Let Your will be done in me and through my life, but do not speak to me.” Or will we rather be willing to say as Samuel did, “Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth.”

Rev. George S. Clark
Former missionary to the Holy Land
Biblical Missions, June/July 1961