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IN THE WAY OF THE LORD'S PROVIDENCE
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July 2006
An impression of our mission trip to the West.
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On our way to Montana (USA) we stopped at several places to get some rest. During the trip to the West, we have had some technical problems with our vehicle, but in a miraculous way we could fix the failures. When we arrived in Bozeman (Montana), we stopped at a Wal Mart place, to stay overnight. But the devil was also present at that place. He sent some boys who made a lot of noise by skateboarding, especially close to our vehicle, so that we could not sleep. We decided to leave that place, to look for another. But driving at night through the Rockies is a very dangerous job, because of many steep mountain passes. However, we had to take a very steep pass that night, but when we started descending, we flew down the Interstate like a bullet, because of our 7 ton-weight vehicle. While we descended with a horrible speed, I realized the brakes would burn if being used too much. Inwardly, I cried to the Lord to keep us, because in the darkness I could not see if there were any other vehicles down the road. Our vehicle looked like a rapid-approaching train that nobody could have stopped. But the Lord held us in His hands and finally we safely reached the valley behind the mountain pass. We have thanked the Lord for keeping us. We stopped in the village (Whitehall) we drove through, at a little parking spot in front of an unknown building. Early next morning, somebody knocked at the door of our vehicle. I saw a man with a coffee can in his hands and he offered us some coffee. I thought, what a kind man for strangers like us! However, he told me we were standing on his church property (look at the sign on the picture). "I am an elder of this church", the man said. It was a real miracle that the Lord brought us at this place, because he needed biblical lecture for some of the church members who wanted to go in a wrong way of salvation. We were very glad that we were able to give him the lecture he needed. The elder invited us to stay at his spot for a while to make use of the washroom of the church. I have had a very good conversation with him, because he was very serious about the biblical doctrine. In spite of most of the arminian Christians in the USA, do you know what that man said to me? He said: "Us American Christians, have to return to our Old Fathers believe!" What a faithful expression!
What this man said to me is also a real spiritual message to Reformed Holland, including her abroad church denominations!
So, we travelled by the Lord's providence and we have met some people on our way to talk with them about the Holy Word of God, Christ, His fulfinished work and the Gospel of free grace. On Sunday we stayed in Choteau, a little village in Northern Montana. We went to the Church of the Strict Baptists to hear the preaching of the Gospel. Last year (2005) we have been there as well and the pastor and his wife and the few members of that Church invited us to their houses for a visit and to have lunch or dinner with them. Besides the Lord, we were very thankful for their remarkable hospitality and spiritual conversation, especially with an old widow, who is in deep darkness about her part in Christ. She felt her sins were not forgiven. She told me that somebody said she was already regenerated, but if our sins are not forgiven, we still live on our own account, in spite some conviction of sin. She felt and did believe that it was true. I like her, because she didn't say: "I am a child of God, because I have some experience, some conviction of sin and a searching life."
There is a multitude of confessing people in our days who are thinking they are in Christ with these remarks and there are a lot of preachers who are guilty of misleading souls in this way. A "regeneration" without the saving knowledge of Christ by true faith is from the devil. For sure, the conviction of sins is the first working of the Spirit, but be aware: not after, but before regeneration. Conviction of sins without a true faith in Christ is not the rebirth itself. That is not my doctrine, but the doctrine of the holy Word of God. There are a lot of searching souls, but there are few that will enter the narrow gate. Be honest, my dear readers, and burn your critical vision about the Scriptures! However, that widow we've met was a very honest woman for herself and the Lord gave me room in my heart to proclaim her a willing Christ for a lost and hell deserving sinner. May the Lord remember this widow in the revelation of Christ Jesus in her heart and life, in the forgiveness of all her sins.
I (GPPB) confess, I am nothing, nothing at all, but our mission trip was not for nothing. The living God is still working, yea, He is working always!
GPPB.
PS. Look at: 'GOSPEL MISSION'.
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