Hello All,
I have mentioned before my involvement with the Perspectives course prior to our first trip to Spain, which was almost 1 year ago. I attended the intensive 5 week course at the US Center For World Missions in Pasadena. It was a revolutionary time for me with regard to my missiology and my general outlook on the Bible.
The first day a statement was made that has stuck with me since that time. The teacher, a brother who was a professor at Cal Baptist University, made mention that the Hebrew song book, the worship hymnal, the book of Psalms, was filled with praises unto the Lord, and that over half of those songs included some statement about the nations! I began to think about how many songs we have that reflect that heart today or how many are simply songs of personal reflection and comfort. God's inspired song book is one that is perfectly balanced, half written from the need for a personal touch from the Lord and the other half related to the courting and winning of the nations. One side, related to the first table of the law, the vertical relationship between God and ourselves and the second table of the law, which is our horizontal, human to human relationship.
Take the first two Psalms for instance. Chapter 1 is the Hebrew secret of personal success, to walk in the counsel of God and to meditate, chew on, his Word day and night, a useful way of saying, that the Word would permeate a person's entire being. This is the wise person who will stand no matter the circumstance for he is planted by God's only abundant source of strength.
Then take a look at chapter 2. It is the story of the rebellious heart of the nations, set against the Lord and His annointed, which is the Jewish Messiah, the Savior of the World, Yeshua, Jesus. The Psalmist and King, David writes that this is a futile position. And even so, the Psalm is both a warning of wrath for continuing in such an obstinate way and a cry for reconciliation to a God who simply will not be denied. Verse 12 is beautiful final summation.
• "Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him." Psalm 2:12
David tells the nations, to make their peace with this sovereign ruler, who will be victorious despite their greatest efforts. David here, acts as a national negotiator, a peace negotiator, a representative who is calling on another party to surrender, lay down arms and fall under the blessed place of peace.
I write this today in hopes that 1) we see the interest that God has in bringing salvation to the nations and 2)that our worship of God would have an eye toward outreach. For myself, this way of thinking really began to revolutionize my walk, and really, the walks of my immediate family.
But it's not just my way of thinking. I am convinced that this is God's way of thinking. His mind and His heart has been centered on revealing Himself to the nations through "Abrahams" like you and I for generations and for what generations are left, He will continue that engagement.
My prayer is that you would continue to be inspired, not by our family's involvement in missions, but by God's involvement and investment into this enterprise.
Let the God of the Earth receive praise and honor from the nations. Let it be so as we participate in that call to Spain.
Blessings To The Friends Of Spain,
Frank Sanchez
I have mentioned before my involvement with the Perspectives course prior to our first trip to Spain, which was almost 1 year ago. I attended the intensive 5 week course at the US Center For World Missions in Pasadena. It was a revolutionary time for me with regard to my missiology and my general outlook on the Bible.
The first day a statement was made that has stuck with me since that time. The teacher, a brother who was a professor at Cal Baptist University, made mention that the Hebrew song book, the worship hymnal, the book of Psalms, was filled with praises unto the Lord, and that over half of those songs included some statement about the nations! I began to think about how many songs we have that reflect that heart today or how many are simply songs of personal reflection and comfort. God's inspired song book is one that is perfectly balanced, half written from the need for a personal touch from the Lord and the other half related to the courting and winning of the nations. One side, related to the first table of the law, the vertical relationship between God and ourselves and the second table of the law, which is our horizontal, human to human relationship.
Take the first two Psalms for instance. Chapter 1 is the Hebrew secret of personal success, to walk in the counsel of God and to meditate, chew on, his Word day and night, a useful way of saying, that the Word would permeate a person's entire being. This is the wise person who will stand no matter the circumstance for he is planted by God's only abundant source of strength.
Then take a look at chapter 2. It is the story of the rebellious heart of the nations, set against the Lord and His annointed, which is the Jewish Messiah, the Savior of the World, Yeshua, Jesus. The Psalmist and King, David writes that this is a futile position. And even so, the Psalm is both a warning of wrath for continuing in such an obstinate way and a cry for reconciliation to a God who simply will not be denied. Verse 12 is beautiful final summation.
• "Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him." Psalm 2:12
David tells the nations, to make their peace with this sovereign ruler, who will be victorious despite their greatest efforts. David here, acts as a national negotiator, a peace negotiator, a representative who is calling on another party to surrender, lay down arms and fall under the blessed place of peace.
I write this today in hopes that 1) we see the interest that God has in bringing salvation to the nations and 2)that our worship of God would have an eye toward outreach. For myself, this way of thinking really began to revolutionize my walk, and really, the walks of my immediate family.
But it's not just my way of thinking. I am convinced that this is God's way of thinking. His mind and His heart has been centered on revealing Himself to the nations through "Abrahams" like you and I for generations and for what generations are left, He will continue that engagement.
My prayer is that you would continue to be inspired, not by our family's involvement in missions, but by God's involvement and investment into this enterprise.
Let the God of the Earth receive praise and honor from the nations. Let it be so as we participate in that call to Spain.
Blessings To The Friends Of Spain,
Frank Sanchez
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