BMA of Arkansas State Missions
Missionaries
Michael Hight, Hispanic Coordinator, ; (501) 326-0198
Ruben Isturiz, Misión Ebenezer, West Little Rock: (501) 707-5388
Carter Pearce, Grace, Green Forest; (870) 688-7412
Juan Carlos Posadas, Misión Creciendo en Cristo, NLR; (501) 712-8752
Jim Tollison, Mustard Seed, Cain; (870) 370-3938
Chad White, Connection Point, Brookland; (870) 243-4683
Darrin Smith, Life Journey, Fort Smith; (479)-763-8909
Johnny Shew, Faith Chapel, Flippin; (870) 421-1984
Clinton Morris, Northwest Arkansas; (870) 316-1519
Office Location: 10712 Interstate 30 • Little Rock, AR 72209
(501) 565-4601 • E-Mail: bmaofarkfrontdesk@gmail.com
Mailing Address: PO Box 195514, Little Rock, AR 72219
Director’s Email: arstamis@comcast.net
www.bmaofarkansas.com
Facebook.com/ArkansasMissions
Paul White
Executive Director
Part 2: Prayer
In this world we ask our earthly father for things and then he sifts out what we do not need — the things that might hurt us — and so does our Heavenly Father. I read where a pharmacist went in to catch up on some prescriptions and took his three-year-old son with him. The boy grabbed a bottle sitting on the counter and the father quickly took it away from him. While the boy did not understand the danger, the father did.
There are a few things we need to understand about our prayers:
We should move in the direction to bring about our request. A story is told of a farmer who bought a truckload of seed and then he prayed, “Father in Heaven, give us a good crop this year for we really need it.” Then he walked into the house and left the seed in the truck. Would not that be foolish? Yet many times our prayers are just as foolish.
We need prayers of intercession. “As we also forgive every one that is indebted to us” (Luke 11:4). We are admonished to pray for others. That is called intercessory prayer. It is what Jesus does for us, even now, as He sits at the right hand of God making “intercession for us” (Rom. 8:34). Paul is a great example for us. He prayed that he might be accused in order that his people might be saved. We must take caution not to simply speak to fill in the gaps of our prayers. God answers prayer sometimes on an individual basis (private, closet kind of praying). So, we need to pray in specifics, calling out the name or need of the person we are praying for.
We need to pray giving thanks. The lives of most Christians are missing gratitude. Remember the 10 lepers who came to Jesus — only one came back to thank Him. “Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever” (Psa. 145:2). We are not bashful to ask; we should not be bashful in giving thanks.
All of these are directions for prayer and can be used separately or collectively. It has been said that prayer changes the one doing the praying. Yes, friends, prayer is profitable to the believer in that prayer is talking to God. That is an effective way to pray. Many people are considered prayer warriors because they know God’s desire is to answer us.
Let us end with these recommendations:
• Be in a spirit of praise all the time if possible.
• Enter prayer for repentance and daily strengthening the lines of communications.
• Enter petitionary and intercessory prayer daily. To enter means to desire an audience with God for either one or all of the above.
It has been suggested that the best time to pray is when you least feel like it. Like the song says, take it all to him in prayer. Remember the words to this great old hymn:
“Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, that calls me from a world of care. And bids me at my fathers’ throne, makes all my wants and wishes known. In seasons of distress and grief, my soul has often found relief, and oft escaped the tempter’s snare, by thy return, sweet hour of prayer.”
From Our Missionaries
Connection Point, Brookland: Chad White writes, “We had a decent week at Connection Point. Our attendance and offerings were down. The combination of quarantines, illness, travel and deer season took a toll on our numbers. However, we had a good day and are thankful to be able to continue to meet in person.
“Sunday, we began signing up to help purchase Christmas for some needy children in our community. This is one of the highlights of our year. Our ladies are also providing a Thanksgiving meal for a large needy family in our area. We pray that God receives the glory from these outreach ministries.
“Saturday, we had our men’s breakfast with a good turn out and some great food. Saturday, we also finished repairing our sign. It is back up and working great. Pray for us as we continue to move forward. We are trusting God to provide for all of our needs.”
The Mustard Seed, Cain: Jim Tollison writes, “Our covered walkway should be completed this week. Our folks are very excited about this addition to our facilities. We realize that the community is watching, and this gives them an even greater assurance that we are here to stay.
“I want to thank you again for your support during State Missions Special Emphasis. The money received from this went a long way toward paying for this project. We have remained debt free here at the mission, and that would not have been possible if not for your generosity.
“Pray for us as we continue to reach our community with the Gospel.”
Grace, Green Forest: Carter Pearce writes, “Sunday, we took a ‘Deep Dive into Walking on the Water’ during our worship service. One thing that hit me hard during my preparation is how that story begins. The Bible tells us that Jesus sent his disciples away (I picture that as a pastor telling his kids to leave him alone for a while), so He could be by Himself in prayer. As exciting as the story is (with the storm, the disciples’ thinking that Jesus was a ghost, the walking on water, etc.), it is also exciting to see that Jesus needed quiet time, too. I tend to be a busy person. Serving as a missionary, working at Tyson, being involved with community activities, and having three (almost) teenagers at home, it is easy for me to forget the importance of the quiet times. In fact, I often have to schedule quiet time or simply get outside to listen and enjoy God’s creation and draw near to the Creator. In the business of life, don’t forget that we need time alone with God. Jesus needed it; so much more do we.”
Ebenezer, West Little Rock: Ruben Isturiz writes, “This week has been full of activities. On Monday night, the Berean Group (cell) in Chenal was growing in the knowledge of the Word of God. On Tuesday at 1:30 p.m., I met with Henri Forcella for discipleship and vision transmission. Thursday was interesting since the Baseline Berean Group met and the Berean Group that we have online did the same. The wonderful thing was to see how members of the online group are from Chile, Colombia, Panama and the USA; but the groups that we have in person are people from Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador, El Salvador, Venezuela and the USA. It is our desire that, at Ebenezer, we experience a little bit of heaven converging.
“I thank God for the opportunity to attend our annual meeting of the association and hear brothers say to me, ‘We are praying for you.’ Wow! What a blessing it was! Feeling your love and support was wonderful.
“Then on Saturday morning, my whole family went to Houston, Texas to celebrate the wedding of my brother, Efraín Isturiz. On Sunday, I transmitted an online service from this city and the people of Ebenezer developed their gifts as someone led the service and a brother gave a meditation on the Word of God.
“Once again, thank you for your support. Glory be to our God.”
Faith Chapel, Flippin: Johnny Shew writes, “What a difference a week makes! After not having services last week (while waiting for a COVID-19 test, which finally came back negative, praise God), we resumed in-person services, beginning on Wednesday evening with our prayer meeting. This was our best attended prayer meeting ever; but beyond that, it was one of the most worshipful, reverent, spirit filled prayer meetings I have ever been a part of. We did nothing the entire service but pray, and the love and fellowship we all felt for each other and for the Lord afterward was amazing.
“It just continued Sunday morning as though we hadn’t stopped, and though our numbers were down a little, we had a wonderful time of worship. We thank you all for your support, we could not do this without you! We thank you most of all for your prayers, that is what truly keeps us going.”
How to be a Shepherd Sheep Can Trust
By Stephen Rummage • Baptist Press
A writer spent time with a shepherd on the Texas plains. One night, the shepherd built a fire, and the sheep gathered close. Around midnight, a coyote howled in the distance, followed by another coyote from the opposite direction. The fearful sheep began bleating.
The shepherd tossed logs onto the fire. As flames shot up, the writer looked out and saw 4,000 tiny lights — the fire reflected in the eyes of 2,000 sheep. With enemies all around, the sheep looked only toward the shepherd. Why? They trusted him.
Ezekiel 34 describes wicked shepherds, leaders of Israel who exploited God’s people. They fed themselves, not the flock. They butchered the sheep. They let weak sheep become prey. As a result, God said, “Behold I am against the shepherds… I Myself will search for My sheep and will seek them out” (Ezek. 34:10-11).
God’s sheep need shepherds they can trust. I want to suggest four “trust” questions every pastor should ask.
• Can my intentions be trusted? God intends to search for His flock, feed them and care for them. The word that best expresses the Lord’s intention toward His flock is rescue. God says, “I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered” (Ezek. 34:12). Rescuing means snatching the sheep away from harm. God never leaves His sheep to danger.
As shepherds with trustworthy intentions, pastors will not abandon the sheep to which God has called us. We will preach the Word of God even when it harms our popularity or offends people of influence. We will sacrifice our preferences and comfort for the sake of the flock.
• Can my ability be trusted? God repeats a phrase over and over in Ezekiel 34: “I will…” Each repetition underscores God’s ability to accomplish His purposes. Faithful shepherds should develop and strengthen our abilities to do what we are called to do. Most significantly, we should depend on God to empower our abilities.
When I began my first pastorate, the work seemed impossible. As I tried to preach, lead and care for people, I prayed so many times: “Lord, I can’t do this. I need your help.” God answered and graciously used me. Today, I have ministered to people in nearly every scenario imaginable. Along with every other pastor, I face the danger of thinking: “I’ve got this. I can do it myself.” Training and experience can enhance our skill, but leading with trustworthy ability means constantly relying on Jesus’ power.
• Can my judgment be trusted? God promises, “I will feed them in justice” (Ezek. 34:16). His leadership will flow from wisdom and righteousness. Pastors with trustworthy judgment make choices that follow God’s best purposes. Our congregations want to trust us. We must work not to lose their trust. By seeking the Lord’s direction through Scripture and prayer, a shepherd honors the Lord and blesses the church with wise decisions.
• Can my character be trusted? One of my mentors entered ministry after years in the telephone industry. He told me, “I’ve seen employees lose thousands of dollars for the phone company because of bad decisions and still keep their jobs. I’ve also seen people get fired for stealing quarters out of a pay phone.” The lesson is clear — errors of skill and judgment can be overcome. Errors of character destroy.
The problem with the false shepherds in Ezekiel 34 was moral and spiritual. Their hearts were corrupt. Psalm 78:72 says of David: “With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.” David’s skill as a shepherd was important, but his heart was essential. A tragedy in ministry is when we elevate ability over integrity.
To guard our character, pastors should ask questions like: Do I consistently tell the truth? Do I seek forgiveness when I mess up? Do I guard my relationships to avoid temptation and reproach? Am I completely above-board in my finances? Am I the same person with my family, by myself and before God that I portray myself to be in public? Questions like these are a good starting place for shepherds who desire to protect the purity of their heart.