Daily Devotional

I’m told that missionaries call dramatic events on the mission field “tiger stories.” The Apostle Paul and his companions traveling with him on their missionary journeys had plenty (Read Acts 13-27). Well, do I have some tiger stories of my own to share with you! The following was one of my first “reports” after a trip to the Philippines in 1990. I will share these in a few subsequent devotionals. Be certain of this: Satan was active in his attempts to thwart our recent ministry in the Philippines. Gratefully, we experienced the sheltering arms of Almighty God protecting us all the way. Read on.
 
Tiger Story #1 
The war in the Gulf started just a few hours before our scheduled departure to Manila. To make matters even more frightening for our families, the first threats of international terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens came from the communists and Iraqi sympathizers in the Philippines. The day we arrived in the Philippines, an Iraqi terrorist tried to bomb one of the U.S. government buildings in Manila. He wasn’t very good at it and blew himself up by mistake.
            “Lord, thank You for Your divine protection from the foolishness of evil men.”
 
Tiger Story #2 
Three of my fellow missionaries and I were excited to learn at the airport we were being given a free upgrade to business class. This meant good service and room to stretch and sleep. God knew we’d need the rest! We arrived in Manila around midnight only to find out we were to travel all night by car to Baguio City, where a group of pastors would gather in the morning to attend a conference I was to teach on “Building Personal Purity.”

As we got in the car, we were told there had been several threats on Americans in the region where we were going. We were also told there was no need to worry because one of the men driving with us was a member of the Philippine CIA. He was well-armed and ready to protect us for the next week. At first, I resisted the idea of having a bodyguard. We were soon glad he was around!

After driving all night, we arrived in beautiful (and delightfully cool) Baguio City. After a brief meal, we proceeded to Risen Lord Fellowship where I would teach the conference for seven hours. I was amazed at the energy God gave as I taught. I truly sensed the power of God throughout this whole time. It is difficult to put into words. We also sensed God’s Spirit moving mightily among those pastors as they recommitted themselves to live and teach all over northern Luzon the principles regarding personal purity. By the time we hit the pillows that evening, it had been over two days since we had slept.
            “Jesus, thank You that in our great weakness Your strength truly shines!”

We were humbled by the response of our host pastor. Besides using my recorded messages, they refurbished a room to serve as a library to house several theological books they are praying we will bring them on our next trip. This resource center will be used by numerous pastors and leaders in the region.
           
We visited with a military instructor at the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio. He is asking us to provide him with seminary level training so that he might be more effective in his service for the Lord at the academy. Here is a man who can impact the entire country by impacting the present and future top-ranking military officers in the Philippines. He and I talked about the possibility of our coming to teach at the Academy.
            “Lord, we pray You would open wide this tremendous door of opportunity for the Gospel in the Philippines.”

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