ORLANDO CHINESE CHURCH MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
DECEMBER, 2002
Testimonies of Dedication
(At the 20th Anniversary Retreat)Brother Hsieh:
This hymn of consecration touched my heart. Yesterday we saw the slides of our twenty-year record, realizing that many changes have taken place over the years. I remember when I began Bible study after becoming a believer, the first lesson was "the living sacrifice". Several years have quickly gone by, and today my wife and I would like to testify and offer ourselves to God once again. It is the Lord who has worked in us.
In Matthew 4:18-20, the Lord Jesus called two fishermen Peter and Andrew to become fishers of man, and they followed Him. While Peter was a fisherman, I work in hi-tech area. But I see myself in Peter, and would like to share based on Peter's experiences.
Thanksgiving and retreat mean so much to me. I was baptized six years ago on Thanksgiving. Then two years ago at the summer retreat, my wife and I responded when Dr. James Taylor made the altar call for people to become full-time workers for the Lord. After that I desired to come out and serve, but realized that the timing was not yet right. Last year I was laid off by Lucent, and I thought about this matter again when staying at home. Matthew 14:22-31 recorded that Jesus was walking on water, and Peter joined Him. But when he saw the high waves, he was afraid and sank. When we had the desire to serve, many problems surfaced and with fear we put off our decision.
God had mercy on me and gave me a job in Boston. While working there, the picture of John 21 appeared to me. After the Lord's crucifixion and Peter's denial, Peter went back to fishing, although he at one time intended to do great things for God. So did I intend to offer myself, but "why am I doing this in Boston?" In John 21 the risen Lord appeared to Peter, but when will be my time?
As the Lord continued to burden me, I asked for a number of confirmations. Among them I sought the concurrence from my mother. She is not a Christian, and has a number of things against Christianity. When I talked to her, surely enough she opposed to my service to God. I took it as the Lord's will. Then when I returned to Orlando last month, I felt led to call my Mom again. Surprisingly this time she did not object to my decision anymore. To me that was truly a miracle, so I presented my decision to the church leaders. They all whole-heartedly supported me, and I have therefore submitted my resignation, planning to return to Orlando by the end of the year.
We know there are many hardships ahead of us, the finance, the teaming and our children….. For the consideration of our children, we should wait till they enter the college. But the days of our lives are short, and we should give the strength of our youth to the Master. May the Lord use us as His vessels to bless others with His grace. We know that we are not better than others. In fact, many shortcomings are apparent; but the Lord called and we have to obey. We focus not on the riches of this world, but the eternal glory in heaven. May our dedication encourage others to do the same in this congregation for the glory of our God, our Lord!
Sister Hsieh:
It is so difficult to describe how I feel these days. By ourselves this cannot be possible, but the Lord has done it. We ourselves can only think of the problems ahead, such as the future of our children. I argued with the Lord, "if I were not married nor had any children, things would be much easier." But today as a wife and a mother, I have great struggles in my heart. I can only testify that the almighty God has done this in me. He led me to know that the Lord Jesus is more precious than anything. He touched us to seek to please Him in all things. I thank God for having led me to this most important decision of my life. Confirmations are plenty, and I only have time to share a few:
I thank the Lord for His abundant grace. With His love He led us over the years to reach the decision of today. As we step out to this new journey, I recall the words of Deuteronomy 1:21, "The Lord God has given you the land. Go up and take it as the Lord, the God of your fathers told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Please pray for us so that we be strong and encouraged.
- His calling: Matthew 9:37-38 said the laborers are few. In Isaiah 6:8 the Lord asked, "whom can I send?" Six years ago the Lord called me in a vision. At that time I was a young Christian and did not even know these verses. But God showed me a picture that He needed many people to go out to work for Him. I was so naive, not knowing what the cost is, that I responded to His call. Over the years, He appeared again several times, but I told Him that I could not at the time, and therefore did not take any further actions.
- His confirmation: Two years ago at the retreat Dr. Taylor challenged the congregation to serve as full-time workers. God once again touched my heart, and my husband and I went forward. However, we were not yet able to step out with faith.
- His compelling love: God's love continued to encourage me. The sweetness and joy overflowed in my service to Him. I just cannot refuse Him anymore but to obey. One example is as the following. Even though we had not announced our desire to serve, God began to use an unknown person to give me offering regularly for several months now. I know that this is His way of assuring me the financial support. If not for the love of this true and living God, who could have done this for us?
A Word of Encouragement: Brother Ting
Having heard their testimonies, we recognize their call from on high and the divine love from within that led them to this decision. We also testify that the Lord has given them the gift of evangelism and a field to labor in. Indeed the Lord of harvest has sent them out!
They both indicated that they face the hardships ahead with fear. But, thank God that He not only comforted them with His own Word, but also sent several missionary and Christian workers to encourage them. We know how faithful He truly is. The Lord said, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." We all confess that we have fear from within. One who does not know fear has probably not yet met the Lord. Isaiah 40:23 said, "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall." We know that by ourselves we can do nothing. We have to fully depend on the Lord.
We wholly commit this young couple and their family to the Lord. As they obey and move ahead, what can we do? We are not by-standers, but partners and coworkers with them. When they go, we go; when they work, so do we. May I encourage all brothers and sisters to do the following:
We have witnessed many great things God has done in our midst these past twenty years. As the church confirms their calling and receives them as the gospel messengers, may we love and pray and serve together. May this testimony today be the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. Brother Hsieh said to me, "I could have waited till sixty-two to come out. But the Lord would not allow me to waste some twenty years until that time. His call is so earnest, and we can only obey by stepping out." This thought touched me greatly. May the love of Christ compel us and encourage other families to be used by the Lord as well. May the Lord build us up, even all of His own church!
- As to their concerns for financial support, it is our responsibility in the family of God to relief that fear. May the Lord use us to become the divine channel of blessing. According to the principle of tithe, we trust that the Lord would raise ten faithful families for this cause. Would you please pray and see how God would have you share in their Christian service?
- Please be sure to pray for them regularly. When we labor with them in prayer, we shall see the great work of our God.
- May we truly be a testimony of God's love by loving them more. They are concerned that there may be difficulties in the ministry. With more abundant love we can help them to overcome. Every person is different, and we each think differently. But love bears all, and we ought to be patient and accept each other in love.