Dear Precious Friends in Christ,
We are approaching the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the blessed Redeemer. Believers, have the blessing to rejoice in His resurrection daily. However, this is the time to specifically set apart a time focusing upon the life, death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Friends, without the resurrection, there would be no salvation. Jesus’ payment for sin was sufficient to pay sin’s debt and His work is efficient for giving new life, for anyone and everyone who will repent and believe in Him alone for their salvation. If you have been redeemed, treasure this tremendous opportunity to celebrate the Risen King.
By now, I hope you know that Ed’s work on evangelism; ‘The Surpassing Power of the Gospel, Christ-Centered Evangelism’ is now available on many venues. The book is available through this ministry, Amazon, Books-a-Million, Barnes & Noble, and other locations. I have been encouraged by many reports from people who have already taken the time to read it. Several have written excellent reviews on Amazon, while others have commented through e-mail or message, on how the Lord is working in their lives by reading the book
Because it has now been published and launched, I would like to share one particular story about this process, to glorify the Lord. First, allow me to preface this with a few things. If you have been reading our newsletters over the last couple of years, you are familiar with my work toward publishing this material. I had requested prayer for this project many, many times. Feeling overwhelmed and unqualified for this task, and honestly, through many tears and prayers, this assignment gradually progressed.
I confess, I had never attempted anything like this undertaking. Through these years of working alongside Ed in the ministry, I worked on his materials, formatting fill-in-the-blanks workbooks for His teachings, but nothing to this degree. For this reason, I had three main prayers throughout this process. So, I consistently found myself praying for it.
- Lord, I know this is above my ability and knowledge. But, I humbly and willingly accept this assignment for Your Name’s sake. So I prayed, “Please LORD, MOVE ME ALONG in what I must do and how to proceed with this task. I need your wisdom and guidance.”
- Then I knew I would have to find a publisher when the work was completed. The fact of not having any prior published work would be a definite roadblock. Researching different publishers and their criteria made me realize quickly that the Lord would have to open a door for a company to accept this book. Most companies were not accepting new manuscripts. They were only interested in topics and authors they had sought after. Again, I prayed, “Lord, I am a novice and know nothing of this process. I am depending upon you to open a door with a publisher. Please guide me in the direction I need to go and give me discernment about the specific company that will handle this work properly.
- Then, once the book was published, I knew I would face another huge barrier. How would I get the word out about the book’s availability and get it in the hands of others? While having the book published would be a tremendous blessing; the need was for others to benefit from these truths. So, I was praying, “Lord, Ed’s name is not well known in many Christian circles, especially among the younger men in the ministry. I need your help and guidance to carry this out in a way that will glorify you.”
All praises go to our King! The Lord answered all of these prayers, in His timing. This brings me to share one of the precious ways the Lord answered that third prayer.
One afternoon, I received a phone message from Bro. Paul Washer of HeartCry Missionary Society. After reading the book, he, having an evangelistic passion, said that he wanted to help get this work into the hands of others. Unsolicited by this ministry, Bro. Paul wanted to assist in promoting this work, calling it a work for our day. The words he left on the message conveyed what I had been praying. He graciously said, “Ed’s name is not well known among many of the younger men today. So, I will like to make a video clip promoting this work to help with that.” While he made the video clip to encourage those in his ministry to read the book, he made it available for us to use in any way that would help get this news to others.
I was utterly overwhelmed beyond words by this man’s generosity and thoughtfulness. Bro. Paul is a much sought-after preacher that the Lord is blessing greatly. He is busy with his world-wide ministry, along with shepherding his family and is still recovering from health issues. So, for him to initiate the making of this video clip and take the time to give such a magnanimous gift speaks volumes of his heart for others and passion for the gospel. I know it was the Lord who stirred his heart to do this. Unaware, of my prayers concerning how to get the word out, the Lord was answering those prayers through this benevolent gesture. Wow, what a spiritual analogy. When the Lord stirs your heart about something, it could be that He wants to use you as the vessel by which He is answering the prayers of others. Hallelujah, What a Savior!
Moreover, among all these precious answers shines the faithfulness of our God. This is one of the ways the Lord chose to get this material to others. I am so thankful to Bro. Paul for being a willing conduit for the Lord to use. As Ed often said, “When God initiates something, He will provide for it.” I am thankful the Lord clearly manifested the answers to these prayers. He is using all these things to continue working in my life and in this ministry, and is intensifying my love, hope, and trust in Him. For these reasons, I pray that others will grow stronger in their faith with a true heart with increasing confidence in God’s Word and God’s Ways when reading through this book. When faith in the Lord Jesus increases, hearts and minds are permeated with love, hope, and trust. Also, I pray that many will come in genuine saving faith through repentance, tearing off the grave clothes of this world and false religious experiences, and be clothed with the Righteous Robes of Jesus Christ.
OPPORTUNITIES AT HOME AND ON FOREIGN FIELDS
First, I am excited about an opportunity planned for this summer, at my home church, Crawford Baptist. The staff has decided to use Ed’s book studying evangelism in community groups, beginning in June. Knowing that scripture is used to back up the material, I pray this will be a very profitable time for our members and an encouragement to our pastors. A study guide to go along with the book is being prepared for this outreach. Several other pastors around the states now have the book in their libraries. I pray it will be a source of great blessing and light the flames of evangelism of the heart of many. Please be praying for this and other opportunities that are opening. Any revenue generated from the books goes back into the ministry.
As most of you know, this ministry continues to support pastors, missionaries, church planters, and Bible students. Support is sent out quarterly, which saves on fees charged by bank wires and Western Union. By co-laboring with us, we are able to continue supporting these various diligent outreach undertakings. Each ministry is faithful to give reports of their work. So much of their labor is arduous and becoming more dangerous. As we give toward these ministries, remember to pray for them, their families and their work. Even now, some of these pastors are traveling throughout other cities sharing the Good News of the Gospel. Others are diligently training men to carry on this work in the days to come.
Often, we forget the privilege we have been given in this country to worship the Lord freely. May we never become negligent or apathetic toward this great blessing! News from several countries, including the most recent occurrences in Syria, is a reminder that persecution for knowing and serving the Lord has heightened. Prayer for our brothers and sisters, in the faith, who appear to be standing steadfast in the faith during these great trials and persecutions!
Last week, reading an old article gave information that startled me, even though history has bore what I read to be accurate. The article quoted that statistics reveal that 95% of Christians will pass the test of having genuine faith when living under intense adversity for their faith. On the other hand, 95% of those who claim to be Christians fail the test of possessing genuine faith, when called to stand for their faith when living in prosperity. These statistics should awaken the church to its core. Genuine faith endures. Those who are merely religious fail the test.
Let us not be deceived about this fact. If one does not stand with the Lord in times of ease, they will not be capable of standing in a time of persecution. May we strive to be found faithful in our walk with Him and in sharing the gospel with others, whether in times of ease or affliction.
THANK YOU
This ministry has been so blessed by having faithful ones like you to walk with us on this journey. Standing shoulder to shoulder, much can be accomplished for the kingdom. This is God’s way, isn’t it? He unites His people to achieve things one person could not do alone. Through prayers, love, and giving, we are able to come alongside many ministries on foreign fields and home missions. Seeing how the Lord works and provides for every need is exciting. Please know that the Lord is using you as a vessel to carry on this work.
You are an encouragement to every gospel ministry we partner with and such a blessing to me. As I have shared, we will forge ahead in this work as long as the Lord leads. My heart’s desire is to carry out the Lord’s work He has given to do as long as it is day.
So, thank you for being such a faithful channel in spreading the gospel message to others. Even these past few weeks, we have been given a new opportunity to assist in Nigeria. Nigeria is a country where the Lord seems to be moving mightily. This open door allows us to help faithful men preach God’s word and for the Nigerians’ to receive solid materials to help them grow in their faith. Additionally, because of your faithful prayers and giving, without reservation I could grant permission for our ministry’s gospel tract ‘Have You Considered The Claims of the Lord Jesus Christ?’ to be printed in black and white by Chapel Library, a ministry based out of Florida. They offer free biblical materials to others around the world. This is a new door for the ministry’s material to be used by many worldwide.
Friends, it is such a blessing to know that the Lord is always working and that He answers prayers. Thank you for your desire to be available in His work. Please continue to pray for this ministry and for me to have spiritual discernment and strength for this blessed work He has given. It is truly an unbelievable joy to be able to carry on this work. Also, I ask you to pray for the upcoming ladies’ conference on April 26 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, outside of the Tulsa area. If I can serve in your ladies’ ministry, I would love to speak with you
Thank you again, my friends. Your prayers, love, and support are such a blessing. I thank the Lord for each one of you. May this be a season that you grow in your love and knowledge of the Lord! I hope all of you will take the time to visit our website, EDLACYMINISTRIES.ORG, and view the video by Bro. Paul. Please feel free to share the clip with others.
I close with the powerful words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:58. This exhortation has been resonating in my heart and mind these past few weeks. I hope it will encourage you as it has me.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
Your Servant for Christ’ Sake,
Dianne Lacy
Ed Lacy Ministries