David & Vicki Creel
David & Vicki Creel serving with FEBC USA & Asia
There in the Garden
My Savior plead,
There in the Garden
My Savior knelt down and prayed,
“Father, not my will
But Your will be done”
There in the garden
My Lord surrendered
To His Father’s plan
Yet He had won
The Victor’s crown
There in the garden
My Savior wept
He cried bloody tears of surrender
There in the garden
My Savior won over sin and temptation
Death and evil no more have dominion
There in the garden my Savior won the Victor’s Crown.
“Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Mark 11:9-10)
Reading: Mark 11: 1-10 ((See also Psalm 118:25-26)
Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a colt (v.7). Many people laid their clothes on the road as a carpet for the entrance of Jesus, while others spread out green leafy branches. They shouted “Hosanna, please deliver us, blessed is He who comes in the name of Adonai.” (Mark 11:9 Jewish Bible).
The people of Israel recognized Jesus as their long-awaited Savior and Messiah. They recognized Jesus was sent by the Lord God when they said, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of God” (v.10). They also recognized Jesus was a descendant of David, the rightful heir to the throne of David when they said, “Blessed is the kingdom of our father David.” (v. 10)
The people of Israel were in a desperate situation because the tyranny of Roman rule was heavy upon them. They felt powerless and helpless. As life became harder for them with more taxes, less freedom, etc., they needed another Savior more than ever. Like King David, who saved them from their enemies, and like Moses who delivered them from slavery in Egypt, they wanted Jesus to deliver them too.
So, when Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a colt, the people of Israel thought that their time of deliverance had come. Their hopes were up! They thought that was the best time to be free from the oppression of Roman rule. They thought God sent Jesus to deliver them. They cried and pleaded with Jesus, “Please deliver us!” However, God had a different plan. From the birth of Jesus, God’s plan and purpose was to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). Yes, God wanted to deliver them from the oppression of their enemies. God still accomplished that plan. Later, after many years, Roman rule and power ceased. The purpose of Jesus’ coming to earth was to deliver and save people from their sins. It was sad that the people did not recognize their need for a Savior to deliver them from their sins because they did not recognize their own sinful nature. They did not recognize the condition of their hearts and souls, the sin in their lives such as pride, arrogance, hatred, lack of fear of God, etc.
Yes, many of them followed and obeyed the law and commandments of Moses, but their hearts were far from God. They were upset that a heathen nation was ruling them. The people of Israel did not recognize their Savior. The Lord Jesus Christ came to deliver them from sins.
So, Jesus came and taught them to turn away from sin and turn to the Lord God. As people were pre-occupied with how to survive the heavy oppression from Roman rule, Jesus taught them, “Do not worry about your life…” (Matthew 6:25-33)
Reflection:
The people of Israel only wanted freedom from Roman rule so that their lives would be comfortable again. But God’s plan for salvation for all people was first deliverance from slavery to sin, salvation of souls to give us eternal life. God wants the hearts of people to turn to Him – to be free from sin. Then someday in the millennium and future eternity, Jesus will rule as King of kings, and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16). Jesus will come back again to rule and reign with His followers. (Rev 20:6 and Rev 21:6-7)
“And He said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.’” (Rev. 21-6-7)
“Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God,saying:
“We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty,
The One who is and who was and who is to come,
Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.” (Rev. 11:15-17)
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You that You came to seek and save me from my sins. Thank You for delivering me from the power of darkness and bringing me into your marvelous light. Thank You for rescuing me from slavery to sin. And thank you that you are coming back again to take me with you. Someday you will rule and reign here on earth as our Lord and King.
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now…” (Philippians 1:2-5)
With these words, the Apostle Paul expressed his deep gratitude to the church at Philippi for their faithful support of his ongoing missionary efforts. As we reflect upon the past 30 years of ministry with FEBC, these words also express our sentiments as we remember your faithful partnership in our radio/media ministry. We are greatly blessed by your prayers and financial support which enable us to continue providing engineering and technical support for our radio stations in Asia. Thank you for your partnership!
Since our last prayer letter, David has been busy assisting Family FM in Phnom Penh, Cambodia as they investigate the idea of replacing their guyed tower with a self-supporting tower. This is being considered to “free up” space at the transmitter site so that a new studio building can be constructed there to replace the old/crowded studio site in downtown Phnom Penh. So, David has been gathering data on antenna weights and wind loads so that a new self-supporting tower can be designed. Please pray for wisdom as David and fellow missionary Guy West work on this project proposal.
David has also been assisting Batjargal, board chair of FEBC Mongolia, as he sets up a home recording studio in Sacramento, California. He will soon be translating the “Through the Bible” radio programs into the Mongolian language, so David has been assisting by ordering the needed equipment. Please pray that the new setup works well.
Jimri of FEBC Indonesia also recently contacted David to ask for advice on troubleshooting technical problems at Heartline Lampung and Respon Radio in Padang. Both stations are experiencing reduced power output, most likely due to antenna problems. Please pray for wisdom in solving these problems.
At this point, I would like to share an urgent prayer request with you. As you may have seen in the international news, there was a recent coup d’état in Myanmar (Burma). FEBC has been operating in Myanmar since 1973. Broadcasts are in Burmese and 4 other ethnic languages. At present, our staff are safe, but in recent days pro-democracy protesters have been killed as the military has responded with violence. Please pray for a peaceful end to the conflict, a return to democracy, and the safety of church leaders and FEBC staff.
LISTENER RESPONSES
Maria from Indonesia writes, “I listened to Heartline Radio not long ago…and now I am an avid listener. At first, I was just tuning around on the shortwave dial, but then I found FEBC Indonesia with its spiritual broadcasts. I was staying…Since then I’ve never changed the radio dial. I always tune into Heartline Radio, from morning till late night. The program that I often hear is ‘Sharing and Prayer’ where the program host asks for prayer support for every listener…I currently have a lot of struggles, especially health. Almost every day I ask for the mercy of God, to lift the pain I was suffering. Praise God, thanks to the support of prayers from God’s servants at FEBC Indonesia, my disease has gradually started to heal, and I am getting through recovery again.”
A listener from Malawi shares, “I am very grateful for having received a radio which will help us understand what God says about Jesus Christ. Since many of us are illiterate, the radio will help us grow in our faith.”
Goomaral from Mongolia writes, “Thank you to all the team. Due to the pandemic, churches are closed. But with the online stream, we can listen to the sermon…and praise the Lord at our homes.”
Your partnership is enabling millions of listeners just like these to hear the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ. On behalf of our listeners, we want to thank you for partnering with us as we proclaim Christ to the World by Media “Until All Have Heard.”
May God bless you all!
David & Vicki Creel
For Support:
Far East Broadcasting Company
PO Box 1
La Mirada, CA 90637-0001
Account #1240
Website: https://www.febc.org
Online Contributions: https://www.febc.org/creel
Only if they know You
Only if they know
How much you love them,
They will love you too
Only if they know your love
They too will be in awe of You.
Only if they know
That You gave Your all
Body, soul and all
Only if they know
That Your body was bruised for our transgression
Only if they know
You bore a crown of thorns
Only if they know
You carried the cross for our sins
Only if they know
Your hands and feet were nailed to the cross for our iniquities
Only if they know
Jesus only if they know
They too will be in awe
That You love them so true
Jesus if they know
How much you love them so
They too will love you so.
Unchanging love
You are my unchanging love
You picked me up when I am down
You cheer me up when I am sad
You gave me love when I was feeling unworthy
You gave me hope when there was no hope
You are my unchanging love
In my ups and downs
You are the constant One
You never change
Nothing moves you
Nothing takes you by surprise
You are always there by my side
When I needed someone to care
Jesus You are my unchanging love
Parable of the Persistent Widow and the Unjust Judge
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ” Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8 (NKJV)
This is a parable of contrast not comparison!
Our heavenly Father is not like the unjust judge.
Parable of the Persistent Friend
And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs. Luke 11:5-8 (NKJV)
This is another parable of contrast not comparison!
Our Heavenly Father is never reluctant to meet the needs of His children.
Jesus’ Admonition to Ask, Seek, and Knock
So, I say to you, ask and keep on asking, and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking, and you will find; knock and keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking [persistently], receives; and he who keeps on seeking [persistently], finds; and to him who keeps on knocking [persistently], the door will be opened. Luke 11:9-10 (AMP)
The Father’s Desire to Give Good Gifts to His Children:
Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will [instead] give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will [instead] give him a snake? If you then, evil (sinful by nature) as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give what is good and advantageous to those who keep on asking Him. Matthew 7:9-11 (AMP)
(This is the parallel passage to Luke 11:11-13)
* ASK AND KEEP ON ASKING!
* SEEK AND KEEP ON SEEKING!
* KNOCK AND KEEP ON KNOCKING!
What amazing answers to prayer have you seen due to persistence?
What seemingly “impossible” prayer requests can we bring to the Father today?
“…With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 9:26
“For with God nothing will be impossible.” Luke 1:37
“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27
Bible passages from Amplified Version and New King James Version
The global pandemic, upheaval and turmoil in the nations, people suffering for their faith, religious persecution, violence against innocent people, unrighteousness, godlessness, injustice, and other wicked deeds remind me of the prayer of a man in the Bible named Habakkuk.
How long, Lord, must I call for help,
but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save?
Why do you make me look at injustice?
Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds.
Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails.
The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted Habakkuk 1:1-4 (NIV)
Habakkuk was a man who lived during the kingdoms of Judah and Israel around 600 BCE. He wrote his prophecies before the Babylon invasion. God used Habakkuk to warn the people of Judah (Jews) to repent and turned from their sinful ways.
Habakkuk grappled with God’s economy of justice. “He finds it inconceivable that God could use and evil pagan nation to judge His people. However, God uses a vision to convince Habakkuk that His ways are right” [1]
I felt the burden of Habakkuk to have justice in the midst of wickedness.
Habakkuk was not the only one in the Bible who had struggles with God’s justice. In the book of Psalms, the writer expressed his heart:
How long, Lord, will the wicked,
how long will the wicked be jubilant? They pour out arrogant words; all the evildoers are full of boasting.
They crush your people, Lord; they oppress your inheritance.
They slay the widow and the foreigner; they murder the fatherless.
They say, “The Lord does not see; the God of Jacob takes no notice.” Psalm 94:3-7
Then God replied to Habakkuk in Chapter 2:2-3
“Write the vision and make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.”
Then God spoke to Habakkuk about sure judgments to the wicked:
“Woe to him who covets evil gain for his house…
Woe to him who builds a town with bloodshed, who establish a city by iniquity… Habakkuk 2:9-15
And other woes, and judgments…
“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the water covers the sea.” Habakkuk 2:14
“But the Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth keep silence before Him.” Habakkuk 2:20
Then, Habakkuk responded to the Lord in Chapter 3: 2
O Lord, I have heard Your speech and was afraid;
O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years!
In the midst of the years make it known;
In wrath remember mercy.
God assured Habakkuk that He would surely bring justice. Just as Habakkuk realized that justice needs to be tempered by mercy, I also need to pray for God’s mercy for those who are involved in wickedness, corruption, deceit, and unrighteousness – for God to have mercy on their souls. Surely God will bring justice to the wicked, but He is also merciful, waiting for them to repent.
Back in Psalm 94 it says,
Take notice, you senseless ones among the people;
you fools, when will you become wise? Does he who fashioned the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see? Does he who formed the eye not see? He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct? Psalm 94: 8-10
When Habakkuk heard the response of the Lord God, he was at peace trusting that God will do what He was supposed to do – to bring judgment and justice to the wicked.
“Though the fig tree may not blossom
Nor fruit be on the vines… Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:17-19
A couple of weeks ago, we experienced a severe thunderstorm in our area. There was lots of heavy rain, very loud thundering, and the fiercest lightning I have ever experienced in my life! I was trembling in fear and realized the awesome power of God. It reminded me of the experience of the people of Israel in the Old Testament when they received the Ten Commandments on tablets of stone.
“Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. Exodus 20:18
The sharp, loud thunder and fierce lightning were for me a demonstration of the awesome power of God! I felt as if God was saying, He is still sovereign and in control, and has the power to do whatever is right for Him to do. I felt like a worm, and was reminded that I am not the judge, and should not fret about the wickedness and injustice I see in the world. The Lord God in heaven has all the power and might to bring about justice and righteousness in His own way and in His right time.
Prayer:
Sovereign Lord God, You are awesome and powerful! We praise and thank You for Your mercy and grace. Help us wait upon your right timing to bring your righteousness and justice in the earth.
(1)Habakkuk; The Complete Jewish Study Bible,
(2)Scripture verses taken from Bible Gateway
Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Key Verse: v4 – “who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God”
Title: Not fair!
“It’s not fair!” cried my heart when we received the results of a virus test. “Why not me Lord, my husband does not deserve this. He is a good man, he prays a lot for sick people, for those who are grieving and for many who are in need.” I thought my husband did not deserve this illness that has wreaked havoc in many countries of the world. Many have suffered, lost their jobs, their livelihood, and their loved ones. As I lamented and complained to the Lord that morning, my Bible reading happened to be in Hebrews.
During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. (Hebrews 5:7 NIV)
After reading these verses, I realized that, yes, my husband did not deserve to suffer from this illness, but neither did Jesus deserved the punishment of death on the cross. Jesus was a perfect man, but He still suffered humiliation, affliction, and death on the cross. It was not fair either. We may feel that we do not deserve bad things in life, but Jesus reminded us that,
“No one is good—except God alone. (Luke 18:19 NIV)
With the unwanted diagnosis, the next few days were difficult for my husband and me. However, we saw the hand of God at work, getting us through each day. We are grateful that in our case, the symptoms were mild, and that God saw us through.
Later on, when we heard of other friends who have experienced the same illness, we were able to pray for them and encourage them. We saw God has a purpose in every situation, whether good or bad, to cause all things to work together for good. (See Romans 8:28).
Reflection: Trust God when things in life seem not fair. God has His purpose and reason in every situation.
Merry Christmas, God loves you!
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
John 3:16
Romans 10:9 (NIV)If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord. I Thessalonians 4:16-17
(Jesus said) “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work.” Revelation 22:12
Prayer of repentance and commitment to Jesus as your Lord and Savior:
Dear God, thank You for your love for me and for sending Jesus. Thank you, Lord Jesus for dying on the cross for my sin. I believe that God raised you up from the dead. Please forgive my sins. I open my heart to you. I commit and trust my life to Your Lordship. Please help me, Holy Spirit, to live the life God has planned for me. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.
If you pray the prayer above, you are now a child of God and forgiven because of Jesus Christ! What to do next?
Christianity is not just a religion. It is a personal relationship with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
God speaks to us through reading the Bible every day. (www.biblegateway.com)
Thebiblegateway.com
The Creels' Catch 