Sterling, Kansas (Heartland of America)

Bruce and Lenore first met in the late 1950s while attending Sterling College, a Christ-centered, liberal arts college located in Sterling, Kansas.  Although they came from quite different backgrounds (big city boy meets country girl), the couple soon fell in love and desired to serve God together.

BACKGROUND:  Lenore was born into a close-knit, Christian family in the small farming community of Burdett, Kansas (population 412).  Her family was united in prayer and church activities.  Her father’s neatly painted barn was boldly lettered with the words “Put Christ First” across the front, which attested to their faith and witness in the community.

In contrast, Bruce came from the greater metropolitan area of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where his parents ran a small plastics manufacturing business.  Although good, ethical people, his family did not think in terms of being “born again” or having a close relationship with God.

Bruce first encountered the Lord Jesus at age 17 and decided to surrender his life to God.  A few months later, he sensed the Lord calling him to be a minister of the Gospel.  Bruce had always considered himself to be Presbyterian because it was his family’s religious heritage, so he decided to attend a Presbyterian college — Sterling College in Kansas. It was there that he met Lenore.

Bruce and Lenore married in 1961, while Bruce was still a senior in college.  They began their life adventure together in Alden Kansas.

More next blog.

Farewell to Africa - October 30, 2011

This will be my final report on this year’s trip to Africa.  The past week has been tremendously exciting and fruitful in the Kingdom.  I’ve met with a good number of folks to counsel, encourage, and impart the Word of the Lord into their lives. What joy to hear our Shepherd’s voice and follow His leading!

I spoke with one man who has served as a missionary for a few years and is now getting further education back in his home country.  He really has an apostolic call upon his life, but now finds himself not bearing much fruit. Also, his wife feels “left out” of any real ministry. He was so very encouraged as the Lord enabled me to speak into his life.  He freely accepted my exhortations as to how he could lovingly minister to his wife, imparting hope and opening opportunities for fulfilling service to her.  As we prayed, the Lord spoke a Word into his spirit. It was good to see him find fresh purpose and direction!

Another man came specifically to thank me for the Word the Lord had imparted into his life three years ago. (Honestly, I did not remember it.)  He shared that I told him he needed to hear the Lord speaking in his heart before he ventured into things.  He applied that word, and the Lord opened a whole new area of ministry to him. Now he serves God giving oversight within a very large facility in the center of the city of Bloemfontein.  He is confident that he is now living in the center of God’s will for his life.

Bruce with Decas Mwenzi, Brian Sweetlove, Stefan Louw, and Friday Mumbi.

Brian Sweetlove and I drove to Johannesburg Saturday morning, and I met with about 20 young men in the home of a dear friend. These men were very open to hearing the message that God gave me to share.  The Holy Spirit’s anointing made the Word of God alive to take root in their hearts.  Four of these men believe God is calling them into ministry.  One in particular, who is from Ghana, now knows that the Lord will have him return to his home country to preach the Gospel. What a blessing to see the Lord accomplish His purposes in men like this!

As I close this final report from Africa 2011, I want to express my appreciation to each of you who have supported me in prayer.   Please be assured that all that happened to bring fruitfulness in the Kingdom during this trip is also credited to your heavenly account.  I could not function without the strength I receive through your intercession. I could not be here without the gifts many of you have provided. God bless you each one! Thank you! Thank you! Thank You!!!

Love ya, Bruce

Hello again from South Africa. The past week has been full, exciting, and, I believe, very fruitful. God is so very good to us! I am so very thankful to Him, and I am grateful for each of you have been interceding before the Father in my behalf. God bless you, each one!

My week started with a Pastors’ Meeting. We had pastors from the black township area gather together for a wonderful time of teaching, discussion, and Q&A. Most of these anointed men I have known from previous years. Others I met for the first time. Their hearts and minds were open to all the Lord gave me to share with them. It is such a rich thing to see truth become revelation in the lives of men of God.

At the close of this three day Pastors’ Meeting I had the great joy to welcome Decas Mwenzi and Friday Mumbi, who arrived by bus from Zambia. Decas had literally spent 48 hours on busses to travel from the far north part of Zambia to be with us, and, Friday, more than 30 hours. These two experienced men of God function as apostles; Decas giving oversight to 50 churches, and Friday leading more than 100 fellowships. These two men are my spiritual sons. We have walked together many years. They were happy to have made the sacrifice physically and financially to come and be with me.

So, the day after the Pastors’ Meeting we started our African Apostolic Dialogue. What a blessing to meet with seasoned, mature men of God from different parts of Africa! They came with real revelation and experiences to share, and they came to hear what the Spirit of God might speak. Thus, Friday evening, all day Saturday and into Sunday afternoon, we shared our hearts and had a very real sense of the Lord’s Presence among us. Oh, how good it is to see these men encouraged, strengthened, and refreshed! There was a common sense among them that they had received much and would go back with fresh insight and purpose.

Today I’m meeting with key people in the Church one-on-one. My first appointment was with a young man whom I had the joy of leading to know Jesus as Savior, and then to receive the fullness of the Spirit. Tomorrow I’ll spend most of the day with a new son-in-the-Lord. I’m also having opportunities to speak into the lives of each member of the Sweetlove family. What a blessing!

I’ll try to share more with you next week. Thank you for uplifting me in prayer,

Love ya . . . Bruce

12.  OBEDIENT SAINTS 

In response to hearing the voice of God.

I have often challenged folks who questioned as to whether God would really speak to them: Just say to God: “Lord, if you will speak to me, I will quickly obey whatever you say.”

I tell folks that I’m a father, and any time any of my children would say that to me: I keep lists of things I’d like them to do, just waiting.  I believe it is also true of our Heavenly Father.

OBEDIENCE TO GOD

✦ Without faith impossible.    Hebrews 11:6.

✦ Obeying his voice.             Exodus 19:5; Jeremiah 7:23.

✦ Better than sacrifice.           1 Samuel 15:22.

✦ Christ our example.             Matthew 3:15; John 15:20; Philip 2:5-8; Heb. 5:8.

✦ Should be:

     From the heart.                       Deuteronomy 11:13;

                                                     Romans 6:17.

     With willingness.                    Psalm 18:44; Isaiah 1:19.

     Unreserved.                Joshua 22:2,3.

     Undeviating.               Deuteronomy 28:14.

     Constant.                                Philip 2:12.

✦ The wicked refuse.                  Exodus 5:2;

                                                     Nehemiah 9:17.

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Do we obey God’s voice, or do we attempt to obey our conclusions of what we think God would say?

Ω

BECOMING OBEDIENT TO JESUS

      “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. ²⁷ And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”  (Luke 14:26-27)

      “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. ³² And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)

      “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

      [1] We cannot be His disciple unless we hate.

Father, Mother, Wife, Children, Brothers, Sisters, Own Life

      Love wants to be a part of…  Liniere verb.

      Hates wants no part of…     Punctiliar verb.

      [2] We cannot be His disciple unless we die.

        Bear our cross.   Follow Jesus.

           The instrument of our death.

      World is in the business of crucifying Jesus.

     Follow Jesus.  “I have decided — no turning back.”

      [3] We cannot be His disciple unless we forsake all.

      Forsake all that you have.

           Walk away from it.  –  All of it.

      Can we compromise?  Can we go half way?

      [4] We can’t be His disciple unless continue in His Word.

      What is His Word?  (Points 1, 2, & 3.) 

           Not a book, written page.  In our heart.

      Obedience.  Hearing His voice and walking it out.

  “The Golden Bell”  Ringing for a miracle. (Now, when I ring, you come.)

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