Watching faith work is such a joy!

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Watching faith work is such a joy!

Life Today!

©2021 | Bill C. Dotson

Saving and sanctifying faith

“For by grace you have been saved through faith” and, “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Paul to the Ephesians and James are writing what the Spirit is showing them. It is such a joy to see God work through faith. We receive salvation by faith and we live our lives, or at least we should, by faith. One is a saving faith and the other is sanctifying faith.

Deane Parker and I have the privilege to visit weekly with Bosco and Derrick, the Abiding Fathers’ coordinators in Rwanda. We were divinely introduced to them mid-year 2020. Since then, we have met weekly, if not more, with them by Zoom. Two men of extraordinary faith, who seek to rely on the Spirit in all they do. They were already discipling men in a country that was ravaged over two decades ago through a genocide. The family structure is severely broken. They had been praying and believing God for something that would impact the family significantly. Thus, God introduced them to Abiding Fathers and the book/study guide: From Faith to Faith.

God’s provision

For approximately six months Deane and I trained and equipped them. Since then, the Lord has opened door after door as they step out in faith for their country and continent. One hundred men have been trained by them who in turn are going to train others in the prisons, villages and professionals. God has provided a wonderful training center in Kigali through a generous lady. They needed the English versions to be translated into their native language, Kinyarwanda. God delivered.

And as God would have it, these two laymen, with humble hearts living by faith, are now training pastors, in groups of twelve, some with their wives, to be equipped to lead their own families and their congregations. The largest denomination in Rwanda has contacted them to train their top leadership with the material. And if that weren’t enough, they are now equipping five other African country leaders which will allow the fatherhood mission to spread to millions of dads and their families. Plus they are ministering to a single village of 36,000, helping meet their physical, educational, family, and spiritual needs.

All glory to God

Why am I sharing their story with you? Because it is a testimony of faith being revealed through their works. “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?….But someone will say, you have faith and I have works. Show me your faith apart from your works and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2. 14,18).

And appropriately, evidenced by their faith and their works in Christ, God receives all the glory. Since this testimony is so powerful to me, I just had to share it with you. Shows what happens in this world when men, and women, boys and girls, place their trust in an omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent God. And are they looking expectantly by faith to 2022? Yes, and Amen!

PS-Jesus demonstrated his faith, and love, toward us, by his finished work on the cross. Hallelujah. That’s the reason Bosco’s and Derrick’s faith and works can flourish. Makes you want to examine your own faith and works, doesn’t it?

Article Notes:
Scriptures taken from the ESV

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Dads! Love! Listen! Lead!
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Dads! Love! Listen! Lead!
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Abiding Fathers is a Biblical fatherhood discipleship ministry committed to helping men be the dad…God wants them to be. It’s a movement of God that is “International-Relational-Generational”. Join with us. We need you!


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