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Friday, Jan 20
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DEVOTIONAL: “GOSPEL GROWTH IN CAMBODIA"
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A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog/email Advent series called The Grandmas of Jesus. My goal was to point out that the four women mentioned in Jesus’ genealogy (yes, I know, “Momma” Mary is also mentioned) were strategically included to remind us these were the type of people for whom Jesus came.
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Many of us in the Riverwood family enjoy a semi-comfortable middle class existence. Which means we most easily make friends with people in a similar socioeconomic situation. So it is easy to sometimes forget that God’s heart is for the overlooked, the vulnerable, the brokenhearted, the abused, the forgotten, the hungry, the imprisoned, and the poor. (Today’s reading should make that abundantly clear!)
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Because God’s heart is for these people, the ministry of Josh & Hillary Smith in Cambodia really stood out to our Missions Decisions Team last year as we contemplated who to begin supporting as part of our desire to see Gospel Growth to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Josh & Hillary are truly bringing the gospel to the poor. They are seeking to meet spiritual, emotional, and physical needs as they are able. They are actively sharing their faith by word and deed. They are regularly discipling those who put their faith in Jesus. And they are planting churches by gathering these new Jesus-followers together.
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But just as we prayed earlier this week, “the harvest is great, but the laborers are few.” (Luke 10:2) This is so true in Cambodia! Cambodia is 98% Buddhist, many having never heard about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. So would you join together right now in prayer for the Smiths?
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Heavenly Father, we lift up Josh and Hillary to you, asking you to
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- protect them spiritually, emotionally, and physically
- give them faithful partners in evangelism and discipleship
- provide for them financially and relationally
- help their three children stay healthy and come to know you
- give Riverwood wisdom in how to deepen our support
Feel free to open your Notes app to write down a thought or two from today's reading or write out your own prayer.
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Send Josh and Hillary an email letting them know you prayed for them today. Their email is [email protected].
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