Monday, January 9, 2012
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Winter Update 2011
Dear Friends,
This month we had an opportunity to attend a graduation party for a Saudi Arabian man whom we have befriended over this past year. He just received his Masters degree from F.I.T. in Melbourne, Florida. His children attend the Christian school of our sending church and he invited us to attend his party. We didn’t know what to expect but we went hoping to build a stronger relationship with this family. As we walked into the celebration of mostly men they all stood up and welcomed us in. They had traditional Saudi Arabian dress and we enjoyed goat, lamb and a few other things that we weren’t sure about. In case you don’t think you’d like this food, it was great. There were about 30 men and 3 women in attendance so Sarah felt a little out of place but it was a great opportunity to reach out and continue building this bridge. They are Muslim so please pray for this family to come to know Christ. Their children have now heard the gospel many times and we believe God is working in this family. This time also reminded us of our friends in Austria and the opportunities that still exist for discipleship and evangelism both in the Muslim community and with the Austrians. It is our desire to return in the summer of 2012 so that does not leave us much more time to raise support. We ask that you would please make this a matter of prayer. At this time our support level is not enough to go but we are praying for God’s provision by the summer.
Other prayer requests:
Luke is graduating in May-Wisdom for him about the future
Visa for Austria
Open doors and hearts from churches and individuals
All for Christ,
Eric, Sarah, Luke, Lisa and Leanne Lantrip
This month we had an opportunity to attend a graduation party for a Saudi Arabian man whom we have befriended over this past year. He just received his Masters degree from F.I.T. in Melbourne, Florida. His children attend the Christian school of our sending church and he invited us to attend his party. We didn’t know what to expect but we went hoping to build a stronger relationship with this family. As we walked into the celebration of mostly men they all stood up and welcomed us in. They had traditional Saudi Arabian dress and we enjoyed goat, lamb and a few other things that we weren’t sure about. In case you don’t think you’d like this food, it was great. There were about 30 men and 3 women in attendance so Sarah felt a little out of place but it was a great opportunity to reach out and continue building this bridge. They are Muslim so please pray for this family to come to know Christ. Their children have now heard the gospel many times and we believe God is working in this family. This time also reminded us of our friends in Austria and the opportunities that still exist for discipleship and evangelism both in the Muslim community and with the Austrians. It is our desire to return in the summer of 2012 so that does not leave us much more time to raise support. We ask that you would please make this a matter of prayer. At this time our support level is not enough to go but we are praying for God’s provision by the summer.
Other prayer requests:
Luke is graduating in May-Wisdom for him about the future
Visa for Austria
Open doors and hearts from churches and individuals
All for Christ,
Eric, Sarah, Luke, Lisa and Leanne Lantrip
Monday, November 14, 2011
Reasons to be courageous and go
Reasons to be courageous and go
1. Christ has others that are coming
“And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” John 10:16.
This is a great missionary text in the book of John. It has been a source of inspiration for many missionaries through the centuries. When we get to comfortable this verse is a great reminder that Jesus has others that are not yet converted. This kind of verse causes us to look beyond our own area locally to the people of the world and dare to believe that God might want to use us to disciple some of these unreached.
This truth encouraged the apostle Paul when he was discouraged and afraid.
“And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, "Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” Acts 18:9-10
“I have sheep that are not of this fold” and the truth that “I am with you” are great reasons to be courageous and go.
Second,
2. They are scattered and still lost
This verse also implies they are currently outside of the family and they are not all in one location.
John said that
“Thou was slain and by thy blood did ransom men for God from every tribe and tongue and people and nation” Revelation 5:9
We may be sure on the authority of God’s Word that among all the peoples of the world we will find people who belong to God's family. That is a great encouragement to get on and keep on with the task of missions and to reach the lost that are new in every generation.
Third,
3. The Lord Himself has committed to bring his lost sheep home.
He promises to do it. “I have other sheep , that are not of this fold; I must bring them also.” He will bring them. This does not mean that we don’t go. We must go.
John 17:18 says, “As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.”
John 20:21 says, “Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
We continue His mission and He has prayed for us.
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,” John 17:20
Just as Jesus called disciples in His time on the earth He now calls them through us as we preach the gospel. What a privilege!
This is the wonderful power of the Gospel. When it is preached we can expect some to receive it as the Word of God.
“And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13
It is just as true today as it was in Jesus’ day: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 20:27).
It is Christ who calls in the gospel. Christ gathers and we are His ambassadors. That is why Paul said in Romans 15:18.
“I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has wrought through me to win obedience from the Gentiles, by word and deed.”
So we can be courageous and go: all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to the Son of God and he declares, “I must bring in my other sheep.” He will do it. And He will do it with us!
1. Christ has others that are coming
“And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” John 10:16.
This is a great missionary text in the book of John. It has been a source of inspiration for many missionaries through the centuries. When we get to comfortable this verse is a great reminder that Jesus has others that are not yet converted. This kind of verse causes us to look beyond our own area locally to the people of the world and dare to believe that God might want to use us to disciple some of these unreached.
This truth encouraged the apostle Paul when he was discouraged and afraid.
“And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, "Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” Acts 18:9-10
“I have sheep that are not of this fold” and the truth that “I am with you” are great reasons to be courageous and go.
Second,
2. They are scattered and still lost
This verse also implies they are currently outside of the family and they are not all in one location.
John said that
“Thou was slain and by thy blood did ransom men for God from every tribe and tongue and people and nation” Revelation 5:9
We may be sure on the authority of God’s Word that among all the peoples of the world we will find people who belong to God's family. That is a great encouragement to get on and keep on with the task of missions and to reach the lost that are new in every generation.
Third,
3. The Lord Himself has committed to bring his lost sheep home.
He promises to do it. “I have other sheep , that are not of this fold; I must bring them also.” He will bring them. This does not mean that we don’t go. We must go.
John 17:18 says, “As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.”
John 20:21 says, “Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
We continue His mission and He has prayed for us.
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,” John 17:20
Just as Jesus called disciples in His time on the earth He now calls them through us as we preach the gospel. What a privilege!
This is the wonderful power of the Gospel. When it is preached we can expect some to receive it as the Word of God.
“And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13
It is just as true today as it was in Jesus’ day: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 20:27).
It is Christ who calls in the gospel. Christ gathers and we are His ambassadors. That is why Paul said in Romans 15:18.
“I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has wrought through me to win obedience from the Gentiles, by word and deed.”
So we can be courageous and go: all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to the Son of God and he declares, “I must bring in my other sheep.” He will do it. And He will do it with us!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Fall update 2011
Dear Friends,
To those of you helping us with regular financial support we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. For those of you who regularly pray for us we also thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You have helped us get started and remain at the ministry to return to Austria. God’s faithfulness through His people is humbling. Each week God works through us to minister “at home” and we are grateful for preaching and teaching opportunities. At the same time we are also saddened that we are not in yet in Austria where the need is so great. Europe remains one of the most spiritually dark places on the face of the earth. In spite of all their wealth and advancements many in Europe are returning to paganism, atheism, Islam and anything other than Biblical Christianity. We cannot abandon them.
We still have many who have expressed interest in helping us return but have not been able to add us to their support family. If you are reading this and would like to help the gospel get to Austria would you please consider adding us in the next few months? It would be a great encouragement to us. While we recognize that mission’s is God’s work from start to finish, we must also recognize that God calls His people to go and to send. When His people go, share the gospel and make disciples they go with the authority and power of Jesus Christ. How can we ever go wrong sending another missionary to a foreign land? Again, if you can add us in the next few months it will be a great encouragement to us and will also help us set a date. The field remains “white unto harvest” among the people of Austria. God often gives us second chances in life but there are no second chances to harvest a ripe crop. Many in Europe are ripe for a relationship with Jesus!
Thank you,
Eric & Sarah
To those of you helping us with regular financial support we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. For those of you who regularly pray for us we also thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You have helped us get started and remain at the ministry to return to Austria. God’s faithfulness through His people is humbling. Each week God works through us to minister “at home” and we are grateful for preaching and teaching opportunities. At the same time we are also saddened that we are not in yet in Austria where the need is so great. Europe remains one of the most spiritually dark places on the face of the earth. In spite of all their wealth and advancements many in Europe are returning to paganism, atheism, Islam and anything other than Biblical Christianity. We cannot abandon them.
We still have many who have expressed interest in helping us return but have not been able to add us to their support family. If you are reading this and would like to help the gospel get to Austria would you please consider adding us in the next few months? It would be a great encouragement to us. While we recognize that mission’s is God’s work from start to finish, we must also recognize that God calls His people to go and to send. When His people go, share the gospel and make disciples they go with the authority and power of Jesus Christ. How can we ever go wrong sending another missionary to a foreign land? Again, if you can add us in the next few months it will be a great encouragement to us and will also help us set a date. The field remains “white unto harvest” among the people of Austria. God often gives us second chances in life but there are no second chances to harvest a ripe crop. Many in Europe are ripe for a relationship with Jesus!
Thank you,
Eric & Sarah
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Summer update 2011
Dear Fellow Believers,
The summer season is here. We hope that you are enjoying this wonderful time of the year. It has been a year since our reinstatement and God is to be praised for all the fruit. We were able to get some dates for this normally slow time so we are grateful to God and praying/working for more this summer. God has also faithfully added new supporting churches and individuals each month.
We want to update you on our children as well. There will be some big transitions for them before we return to the field so we want to make them a priority in prayer.
Luke turned 18 on May 20th. Wow, time flies. Sarah is getting old. :-) We are praying that God will direct him towards a college to attend as he finishes up his senior year. God has great plans for him!
Lisa, our 15 year old, has finished her 9th grade year and is dual enrolling at Brevard Community College for the next year. God has blessed her with a great mind and she is using it for His glory. Please continue to pray for her and God’s direction for her life.
Leanne turned 13 on June 16 and she is excited about entering 8th grade. Please pray that she will always have the childlike faith she possesses now. What a gift from God!
Thank you for your prayers for our children.
On a sad note my (Eric) grandma passed away on Sunday, June 5th. She was a strong believer and so we are also rejoicing that she joined the heavenly choir in worship around the time that most of us were worshipping in our local churches. God completed what He started in her long ago. She was 89 years old.
With Great Thanks,
The Lantrips
The summer season is here. We hope that you are enjoying this wonderful time of the year. It has been a year since our reinstatement and God is to be praised for all the fruit. We were able to get some dates for this normally slow time so we are grateful to God and praying/working for more this summer. God has also faithfully added new supporting churches and individuals each month.
We want to update you on our children as well. There will be some big transitions for them before we return to the field so we want to make them a priority in prayer.
Luke turned 18 on May 20th. Wow, time flies. Sarah is getting old. :-) We are praying that God will direct him towards a college to attend as he finishes up his senior year. God has great plans for him!
Lisa, our 15 year old, has finished her 9th grade year and is dual enrolling at Brevard Community College for the next year. God has blessed her with a great mind and she is using it for His glory. Please continue to pray for her and God’s direction for her life.
Leanne turned 13 on June 16 and she is excited about entering 8th grade. Please pray that she will always have the childlike faith she possesses now. What a gift from God!
Thank you for your prayers for our children.
On a sad note my (Eric) grandma passed away on Sunday, June 5th. She was a strong believer and so we are also rejoicing that she joined the heavenly choir in worship around the time that most of us were worshipping in our local churches. God completed what He started in her long ago. She was 89 years old.
With Great Thanks,
The Lantrips
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
A few suggestions for pursuing the lost
Pursue what makes your heart ignite with concern for the lost
All of God's people have something that will ignite a passionate response toward Him and His heart for a lost world. Pursue that fire. The world and the devil will seek to cool it with sin and problems but, by God’s grace, we should pursue what makes our heart burn with concern for the lost. Perhaps it’s a particular musician that helps us keep our focus. Music is such a powerful medium that can be used for God’s glory. Maybe it’s a great book by someone who walks with God and encourages like few others can. The Word of God with the Spirit of God is the most powerful heart heater but God also works through His people to push us in the right direction. We should pursue these things.
Plan outreach considering your personality
We are different by design. Your personality can be used for God’s glory. Allowing God to work through your unique strengths and weaknesses is part of His plan so strategize with your personality in mind. We all should live to glorify God but it helps to think how that will practically manifest itself in our individual lives. For example: where we go, what we do, where we live and worship, who we put ourselves in contact with will help us understand how we can best glorify God with our personality towards the lost. Plan outreach considering your personality.
Pray with a partner
Ask another believer to start praying with you for those you are concerned with. Having someone else join you can be a great encouragement and also give different perspectives that can come from God. As you pray and discover God’s agenda He will do great things in the lives of the lost to bring them to Himself. They won’t come to Jesus unless the Holy Spirit is working so pray for direction, conviction and His power. Pray that those dead in sin will become alive in Christ. Pray for their repentance and faith. Praying with another believer will also help spread your passion for the lost so pray with a partner.
Help develop new missionaries
These opportunities naturally come to those who have been seeking the lost. Jesus and his disciples devoted themselves “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” but Jesus also had a heart to reach the Gentiles. When He crossed a lake, delivered a demon possessed man and told him to stay there and reach his own he was spreading the gospel to the Gentiles by developing a new missionary. Understandably this man wanted to go with Jesus but Jesus told him he was now uniquely saved and changed to reach his own people. Jesus had a heart to develop new missionaries.
We can benefit a few of the lost billions as we seek to honor the Lord in these ways and more. Any other suggestions on pursuing the lost ?
All of God's people have something that will ignite a passionate response toward Him and His heart for a lost world. Pursue that fire. The world and the devil will seek to cool it with sin and problems but, by God’s grace, we should pursue what makes our heart burn with concern for the lost. Perhaps it’s a particular musician that helps us keep our focus. Music is such a powerful medium that can be used for God’s glory. Maybe it’s a great book by someone who walks with God and encourages like few others can. The Word of God with the Spirit of God is the most powerful heart heater but God also works through His people to push us in the right direction. We should pursue these things.
Plan outreach considering your personality
We are different by design. Your personality can be used for God’s glory. Allowing God to work through your unique strengths and weaknesses is part of His plan so strategize with your personality in mind. We all should live to glorify God but it helps to think how that will practically manifest itself in our individual lives. For example: where we go, what we do, where we live and worship, who we put ourselves in contact with will help us understand how we can best glorify God with our personality towards the lost. Plan outreach considering your personality.
Pray with a partner
Ask another believer to start praying with you for those you are concerned with. Having someone else join you can be a great encouragement and also give different perspectives that can come from God. As you pray and discover God’s agenda He will do great things in the lives of the lost to bring them to Himself. They won’t come to Jesus unless the Holy Spirit is working so pray for direction, conviction and His power. Pray that those dead in sin will become alive in Christ. Pray for their repentance and faith. Praying with another believer will also help spread your passion for the lost so pray with a partner.
Help develop new missionaries
These opportunities naturally come to those who have been seeking the lost. Jesus and his disciples devoted themselves “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” but Jesus also had a heart to reach the Gentiles. When He crossed a lake, delivered a demon possessed man and told him to stay there and reach his own he was spreading the gospel to the Gentiles by developing a new missionary. Understandably this man wanted to go with Jesus but Jesus told him he was now uniquely saved and changed to reach his own people. Jesus had a heart to develop new missionaries.
We can benefit a few of the lost billions as we seek to honor the Lord in these ways and more. Any other suggestions on pursuing the lost ?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)