Doers of the Word

 

 

James 1:22-27 But become doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  (23)  For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man studying his natural face in a mirror.  (24)  For he studied himself and went his way, and immediately he forgot what he was like.  (25)  But whoever looks into the perfect Law of liberty and continues in it, he is not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work. This one shall be blessed in his doing.  (26)  If anyone thinks to be religious among you, yet does not bridle his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is vain.  (27)  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit orphans and widows in their afflictions, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

 

Blessed Saints of the Living God, Greetings in the Name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord

 

It is our hope that you and your families had a blessed Resurrection Day celebration.  We are pleased to be offering our first E-News for Open Arms Outreach and Kairos Caribe, the name of our projects in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. We are looking to accomplish several things here in our monthly communication:

 

1. We desire to edify believers of every level of maturity by offering devotional material for study and,
2. From that teaching we desire to stimulate action that is strategic, purposeful and fruitful for the Kingdom of God.
3. Assist you in carrying out the ministry God has called you to so that you are a “workman that needs not be ashamed.”
4. Coordinate with a vast company of saints who live missionally both here and abroad. We will bring all the news we can of our mission both here in NH and abroad.

 

Please feel free to circulate this newsletter amongst your family, friends and congregation and to anyone who might benefit.

 

Now let’s consider the quoted scripture from James for our instruction.

 

Listening and understanding are the first necessities of our walk with God. These are fixed firmly on the bedrock of our faith in Jesus. The disciples were immersed in teaching. But James warns us of the static and fruitless position we find ourselves in when we listen but fail to obey. Jesus himself emphasized this point in the parable of the house built on sand versus the one built on the rock. (Matt 7:24- 27) He closed the Sermon on the Mount with this final admonition to be doers of the word, and James here is driving the point home to us in very clear terms.

 

We all know of believers who soak up teaching week after week but seldom change within themselves and in the world they are a dim light and as tasteless salt. This blight is caused by little faith, slowness of heart and dullness of hearing. It is the virulent inattentiveness to the clear trumpet call to action and it affects many of us with torpor of vision, energy or resources to do the work of ministry.

 

What is the remedy, we ask? Preach harder, rebuke more stridently or should we look into the perfect law of liberty and continue in it!

 

This is an interesting spiritual phrase, choice words implicit with meaning. “Look” in the Greek is parakupto: to lean over, bend down, draw near and peer into. This gives us the picture of active and keen attention to the point of changing your body posture to a humbler, more interested and inquisitive search, actively looking into the matter, like an investigator looking for clues. The Western model of education requires thoughtful and critical analysis to absorb facts and develop cerebral skills. However we are to learn in every dimension of our faculties this new way of life. We love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength! Disciples are doers, the world the classroom and active learning and actionable doing flow naturally. The clear sense we get from looking into this perfect law that liberates us is that we are on a journey, living a narrative that is recorded in heaven and we continue in an adventure that propels us forward with the promise of blessedness and fruitful endeavor.

 

Doing the word requires acts of omission and commission. Righteousness is about both refraining from evil, as in the restless tongue that can destroy our testimony and render our religion worthless, and about doing justice and loving mercy. At the close of the passage James sums up a description of pure religion that challenges all of us as to the reality of our religiosity. Yes, he states clearly that we should keep ourselves pure, but before that mentions the other dimension of mercy-doing that gives a holistic picture of piety. Here it is. To visit the orphans and widows in their affliction.  Now, visit does not mean to pop in and check them out momentarily like a spiritual tourist. Neither does it mean to survey dispassionately and develop a program. The Greek word episképtomai  means to inspect, examine carefully and relieve. It is close and personal, costly and engaged. It is with love and mercy and with the intention of strategically improving their circumstances.

 

This is my passion and compassion. We are actively learning how to care for the downtrodden. There are enough books on the subject to keep you learning about this for the rest of your life. But I am calling for “doers of the word” who will cast off their selfish agendas and follow the calling to wherever God might lead. Let us together “look into this perfect law of liberty” that liberates us from fear and worry and activates us to care for our neighbors in true Christian love. Let us carry the Great Commission and the Great Commandment to the nearest and furthest reaches of our world. And let us proceed with courage and joy, to His Glory, Amen!

 

The cure for your apathy is to take action, and may God grant you through godly sorrow the grace to follow through: REPENT- that is the first action to be taken!

 

If anyone desires prayer along this line seek out someone mature whom you trust to walk with you in your repentance. We would also love the opportunity to pray with you and walk with you in your pursuit of God. May God bless you richly as you follow after Him.

 

Peace and Blessings,

Ken Peters

Faith Expectant

2008 -New Beginnings

During this last year some amazing developments took place, all the more remarkable because this year 2008 will also be an historical marker for one of the darkest periods in US financial history.

 

The number eight in biblical numerology represents change and new beginnings. We began our work in the year 2000 in Pantoja, Santo Domingo, DR with a prophetic mandate to put stakes in the ground and build a long term and sustainable kingdom mission. We made our faith declarations and followed through with obedience. Laboring with our brothers and sisters in Santo Domingo, DR, the Ebenezer Clinic was begun, a 24/7 clinic serving the local population of more than 60,000 people with 14 doctors and two dentists. We brought down in excess of $500,000 USD worth of prescription and over the counter meds these last eight years. About a dozen teams from the US have brought good news in word and deed, not just proclaiming the gospel but living it in a powerful display of authentic Christianity. We have seen many saved, hundreds, and even thousands. We have taught in the churches, seen the sick healed, helped to strengthen the leadership and caught the attention of the municipal government.

 

But in this year, 2008 we have finished the process of obtaining land donated to us by the government worth about $160,000. This is the site where, by God's grace, we will build a world class orphanage and strengthen vulnerable families. We have also brought in this year alone $160,000 USD in medicines and equipment to the Ebenezer Clinic. Four teams have traveled to Pantoja this year. Last February we brought orphans off the street by renting a home which is the beginning of our orphan care. Visit www.oaoutreach.org to learn more. We are delighted beyond words at how this makes a difference in the lives of these youngsters. Pastor Paulino and his wife are living sacrificially raising five to eight children besides their own son Jefferson in this home. We have pledges now of $500 USD per month for their support with the expectation of increase.

 

In November, as our flights were delayed returning home and seeking the Lord in the purpose of that delay we came across a website Dr. Francisco showed us of the American Medical Resource Foundation. We have applied and have been accepted to receive refurbished medical equipment to be shipped in containers to the DR. Should our OAO board decide we will raise the handling fees of $25,000 and more to have a half million dollars of medical equipment installed in the Ebenezer Clinic.

 

With our international presence established legally in Santo Domingo we are also developing a relationship with churches who are asking to relate to us in a new pattern outside of the denominational mold. Our hope is to water these churches so that fruitful multiplication will occur throughout the DR, eventually Haiti and the Caribbean.

 

On the home front here in Laconia at Joseph House we have a ministry of hospitality to our new friends, refugees from Burundi, Central Africa, Kenya and Bhutan. We have received and given freely more than 100,000 lbs of fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese and bread to the poor of our community.

 

What a year! I thank God that his light brightens as the world around us darkens! Consider these scriptures from which we derive our mission. Let's meditate on these tremendous promises as we thank God for this wonderful year and eagerly await His promises to be fulfilled in this coming year of 2009.

 

(Isa 58:6)  "Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds

of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke, And to let the

oppressed go free And break every yoke?

 

(Isa 58:7)  "Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry And bring

the homeless poor into the house; When you see the naked, to

cover him; And not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

 

(Isa 58:8)  "Then your light will break out like the dawn, And your

recovery will speedily spring forth; And your righteousness will go

before you; The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

 

(Isa 58:9)  "Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; You will

cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' If you remove the yoke from your

midst, The pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness,

 

(Isa 58:10)  And if you give yourself to the hungry And satisfy the

desire of the afflicted, Then your light will rise in darkness And

your gloom will become like midday.

 

(Isa 58:11)  "And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy

your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones;

And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water

whose waters do not fail.

 

(Isa 58:12)  "Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins;

You will raise up the age-old foundations; And you will be called

the repairer of the breach, The restorer of the streets in which to

dwell.

 

Loving Jesus,

 

Ken Peters, Executive Director

 

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West Side Story

By Ken Peters

A classic and beautifully done musical, arguably one of the best ever made, was filmed in the early sixties of Latinos in New York’s West Side of Manhattan rivaling a Hell’s Kitchen gang for turf and respect. It was a cross cultural collision, overlaid with the theme of romantic love in the style of Romeo and Juliet’s bittersweet tragedy. As a musical and a story it embodied all the timeless elements of human struggle so common to mankind.

Recently I reflected, here we are working on the “west side” of Santo Domingo in a reverse cross cultural situation, this time with a Kingdom-Love overlay which burns through all the barriers to His glory, without tragedy- at least as far as relationships go. Thank you Jesus! The tragic piece is found in the extremes of poverty of poor Dominicans and alienated Haitians who are the poorest people in the Western hemisphere. The oppression of poverty and its twin “ignorance” are deeply tragic and we find ourselves in a “turf” war with the enemy of all souls- the Devil himself. Children made in the image of God twisted by disease, hunger and neglect, and instead of cool music and intense choreography there is only the hollow laughter of a cruel principality delighting in the ravages of his destruction.

On this August trip with a team from Cross Life Church in El Dorado, Arkansas we refreshed the saints in the churches, distributed medicines through the clinic, evangelized, and loved on the least of the Lord’s brethren. We found our friend, Junior, once again navigating in the mud without clothes from the waist down, crippled from polio. He is a seven year old boy and it seemed all heaven opened up for him as we prayed. We got him to his feet and walked him home to his shanty on the western edge of the Haitian town of Palmerejo. We arranged for him to begin therapy, gave his mom money for clothes and shoes, and the Pastor was given funds for his braces and doctor visits. Junior smiles as wide as the sky, his eyes are bright with delight at being loved and given attention. His mom, dad and grandmother are greatly relieved he will have a chance to be “upright” in every aspect of that word. Jesus is smiling! Being a disciple and making disciples is carried out only one way according to the scripture-with LOVE.

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Mat 6:33

DR Mission Schedule / Update

Greetings all you Saints of God,

I hope you are blessed as we enter into the summer season. Life is very hectic here and intense. It seems whenever there are breakthroughs to advance the kingdom, the enemy responds with “pressure” and tactics to discourage. This is a necessary dynamic which God uses to prune and refine, and the enemy uses to rob, kill and destroy. We must choose to keep our eyes on the Lord and surrender to the process of His wise dealings. We choose to become better not bitter, to increase our faith which is proven in “fire”. My hope is that you are facing your daily struggles with the knowledge of His Presence in the midst of us.

So my prayer for us is the prayer of Paul:

Col 1:9-12 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, (10) so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; (11) strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously (12) giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.

Here are some updates for the Dominican Republic-

• Adjusted trip dates for the upcoming short term mission trip. August 1^st- August 11^th, 2008
  

We currently have six to eight people interested or committed to this trip. We shifted the dates ahead a week to help some who had scheduling conflicts.

I believe there will be a particular anointing on this trip of watering by the Holy Spirit. This would mean prophetic ministry in the churches and small gatherings. This is a time of greater clarification of God’s purposes.

Ministry in the clinic and in the neighborhoods.

Groundbreaking in the natural and in the Spirit, sowing seed for future ministry and generally encouraging the saints.

We are soon purchasing airline tickets, and for those going who are local we will have our first meeting June 29^th, Sunday afternoon at 3pm at NCCC. If anyone wants to send supplies for the orphans we have limited space, and in some cases money is a better choice because we can buy things down there. Gifts of money can be sent to Open Arms Outreach directly or to NCCC. There are some orphans already sponsored (check out our website: www.oaoutreach.org) to find out more. The orphan home needs supplies like mattresses, cooking utensils, school supplies and other household items. Food is always an issue! We would like to buy some sacks of grain while we are there.

We are asking for your prayer cover and financial gifts at this time. Consider if this is not your trip, helping someone on our team with the cost of travel- $1100 in total. And stay in love with Jesus. Praise Him for all your circumstances!

Any questions call or write back. I’d love to hear from you. You folks are precious to both Michele and I and we thank you so much for your heart of concern and love.

In His Eternal Service,

Ken Peters

Shelter from the Storm

November’s DR Mission Report
Isa 61:11 For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, And as a garden causes the things sown in it to spring up, So the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise To spring up before all the nations.

The Scriptures of Isaiah 61 begin with the stated mission of Our Lord Jesus Christ as He quoted it in the Gospel of Luke. His target audience- the poor and afflicted. But this is no mere sentimentality towards the downtrodden. It crescendo’s into a full blown promise of a righteousness that transforms the nations. It supersedes all political paradigms and gets to the heart of the promise- transformation of the individual and society to the glory of God. We live in an exciting time of great opportunity for those willing to press into the heart of tragedy and face the utter devastation that is present in this world due to sin since Adam’s fall.

On this November’s trip we became a Rapid Response Disaster Team as God equipped us with more medicine than we needed to bring relief after Tropical Storm Noel dumped up to twenty inches of rain in the Dominican Republic. Torrential rivers wiped out neighborhoods and displaced hundreds of thousands of people. Rivers rose 30 feet high and surpassed the floodplains just days before we arrived. It was providential that we received a bounty of medicines (over 500 lbs. worth $40,000) and also that our trip was postponed a week. Had we gone on our initial schedule we would have been in the storm unable to help. God is amazing!

We saw about two hundred (mostly children) come to Christ on our medical evangelism outreaches, and we saw a profound healing of an elderly woman with cancer. As a result of her healing three members of her household also came to Christ in awe of the power of God and with repentance of heart. All glory to God, Hallelujah!

Also, the municipality granted approval for our orphanage project and gave us a governmental Resolution to partner with us to help orphans and single mothers who live in life threatening poverty. An architect has been retained to develop the site plan. We expect to begin site preparation in the spring of 2008.

Please pray and see if the Lord will release you to help as a short term missionary.

Any questions, please call Ken Peters 603-520-1413

May God continue to shine His face upon you,

Ken