The World Wide Web

The influence the internet has had upon the world in the last decade is mind boggling. With those three letters "www" everyone is connected into a virtual world of communication. This web of information reaches across the world transmitting data at incomprehensible spends and offers us opportunities and conveniences once only dreamed of. However, this information highway is not the first "world wide web" to hit the scene. There is another more powerful source of information that has been weaving its web of influence upon people for centuries. The apostle John gives us a hint to what this is in 1 John 2:16: "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world." According to John, this powerful source of influence is the world itself. We know from a careful investigation of scripture, this word many of us have heard, kosmos, has at least three different meanings. First, it simply means the natural universe as we know it. Second, it makes reference to the inhabitants of the earth. Most famous is John 3:16, "For God so loved the world..." He loved the people and gave His son for them so that they may have eternal life. But, there is yet a third definition of this word and it means quite literally those forces that under the control of the devil that seek to spin a web of deception about us to make us fall into an age old trap. We first see this trap in the garden of Eden where Satan lured Eve through these three powerful forces--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life. Genesis 3:6 says, "When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate." It was in this decisive moment in history that these devastating forces of evil caused Adam and Eve to send all of humanity into bankruptcy and ultimately death--something God never intended to happen. We know the rest of the story...or do we? We know the good news of what God has done for us through the life and work of His only Son, Jesus. But do we know that the influences of the world are alive and well, still weaving their web of deceptive lies upon any who fall prey to their age old tactics. Don't we see that these influences of the world are still powerful and devastating. Let me make it very clear. Anything that appeals to the desires of our flesh...anything that we see with our eyes that arouses desires...anything that causes us to be boastful and full of pride...these are the things that belong to the world. They are not from the Father. These are the things that will lead us to destruction if we are not established in the truth. What concerns me about this whole thing is that most of us don't know what the "truth" is. What is it that will really protect us from these deadly influences of the world? Paul gives us the key in 2 Corinthians 11:3, "But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of Christ." Yes! There it is. The answer is Jesus. Should we be surprised? Of course not. But do we really understand? Our only hope against the destructive forces of this world wide web" of lies and deception is abiding in Christ. Only in Him are we able to keep from being deceived. If Adam and Eve, as perfect and sinless people, could not keep themselves free from being entrapped by the devil, how do we think we stand a chance? That is why, by God's doing we are in Christ Jesus and He has become for us our redemption. (see 1 Corinthians 1:30) Only in Christ are we redeemed (literally saved and protected) from the wicked influences of the world. Only in Him can we find the protection we need from the world. It is through simple devotion to Him and Him alone. So let us gird ourselves in the truth of who we are and most importantly where we are--in Christ Jesus! We won't be able to win this battle against the forces of this world through better information and technology. It will only be through Christ Jesus and our daily devotion to abiding in Him.

Ministry Update

May was a busy month with ministry activities. Cliff traveled for two weeks to Botswana and Namibia. These were new countries for Cliff and the time was very productive. We believe the Lord spoke to us at the beginning of the year and said that Cliff would be traveling more this year and that he would be developing new areas of ministry and this trip was another confirmation of that word. The time in Botswana was spent with a couple of men from Zambia and their families who are missionaries living in Botswana. (pictured below) Two men from Zimbabwe also came over to join up with Cliff as they ministered to a new fellowship that has just started. After spending a week together teaching and ministering, Cliff and the other four men traveled by road across Botswana into Namibia where they spent a week building new relationships. Namibia is a very challenging place to minister. There are many harmful influences in the church including witchcraft, immorality, and division among the body of Christ. The time in Namibia was challenging spiritually, but the Lord was faithful to direct our steps and lead us to some faithful people there who we will continue to work with in the future.

In June Cliff will be traveling for two and a half weeks through Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique. He will be joined by Rene Brown and Jack Horn from the States. They will be having leadership meetings in Zambia and Mozambique and will be spending personal time with leaders in Zimbabwe and Malawi.

After returning from his trip to Botswana and Namibia, Cliff prepared for a week of teaching at the YWAM base here in Worcester. He spent the week sharing with the Discipleship Training School (DTS) students on world view. This was a new topic for Cliff and it was a very powerful week of ministry.

We continue to be involved in the ministry to the street boys here in Worcester. In order to keep you up to date with this ministry we have included an exert from Erena's recent update. For those of you who don't know, Shirley is one of the key leaders in the ministry to the street boys.

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