Prayer Letter: January 2019

Prayer Letter: January 2019

January 2019

Philippians 4:20-21 KJV

Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.

Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Luke 14:28-33 KJV: For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

 

My pastor, James W Knox, impresses upon us the importance of setting clear and obtainable goals. I have been amazed at his ability to set goals, both spiritual and temporal, then track his progress in each area over the years. In light of this, Kristin and I have set goals for ourselves as we progress toward deputation. We had three major goals to accomplish before I would quit work and begin deputation in a full-time capacity. First, I would meet the Bible Baptist requirement of finishing Bible School in the Deland School of the Bible. Second, we wanted all the bills paid off and outstanding debts settled. Third, we wanted to save $15,000 or more in our missions savings account.

 

My idea of “living by faith” is very practical. Understanding that faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God; I conclude the biblical approach to faith is to move forward in accord with what God said in his word. The Lord Jesus Christ asks the questions, which of you would set out to build a tower or prepare for battle without first counting the cost? As disciples of the Lord, Kristin and I are expected to sufficiently prepare for the task at hand. Our aim on deputation is to raise the financial and prayer support needed for the two of us to labor for the Lord in Uganda. We intend to accomplish this without putting an undue burden on churches along the way. Therefore, in obedience to the Lord, we will step out on deputation, as prepared as we are able, to finish the work whereunto the Lord has called us.

 

My purpose in discussing these ideas is to announce as of February 2019 we have met all three goals. My Bible school course work was completed last August 2018; in December the Deland School of the Bible had formal graduation that included four students. As of January 2019, we sold our car and paid off our last debt. Finally, as of February, we will have saved $15,000 in our missions account. As a result, I have informed my work that they will have my dutiful employment until February 15, 2019. Immediately after, we hit the road and begin deputation as a full-time endeavor. Praise the Lord, the following weeks our schedule is packed with visiting churches and missions conferences. From this point forward, new plans will be made, new goals will be set and we will continue to press toward the mark.   

 

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Thank you so much to those of you that pray for us; it truly seems the Lord is responding to your prayer. These are exciting times for us, so many of you have so encouraged us. Our schedule is filling up rapidly, please pray this will continue. Please pray for us as we lay out the next set of goals to meet and plans to follow. Also, pray for Uganda, we so desire to be laboring there in that field. Finally, pray for our safety as we hit the road full time on deputation.

Sending Church: THE BIBLE Baptist Church • 872 Glenwood Road • DeLand, FL 32720  – http://www.jameswknox.org
Mission Board: Baptist International Missions, Inc. • PO Box 9 • Harrison, TN 37341 • 423.344.5050 – http://www.bimi.org/

Thomas and Kristin Irvin

Ambassadors For Christ

Psalm 130:7, Plenteous Redemption

 

 

 

I highly recommend books written by James W Knox.
Not simply because he is my pastor, but because he is a highly gifted Bible teacher. I have known Brother James to be a faithful servant of Jesus Christ. he has been an excellent example for Kristin and myself. I am certain that if you are a Bible believer, you will be greatly blessed by his written material. You may also be encouraged by his preaching, much of which is widely available online. You can learn more at http://www.jameswknox.org.