MidnightCall Magazine
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News From Israel MagazineUruguay
“Incline your ear, and come unto me: and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David” (Isaiah 55:3).
Isaiah 55:3 addresses the people of Israel and requires them to do two things: hear and come. God spoke to His people through the prophet Isaiah with the desire to lead them towards the New Covenant. If only they would hear what the Word of God had to proclaim!
When we hear the words of God, they always lead us to the living Word of God— the Word that became flesh and lived among us.
Before the Transfiguration took place, Jesus took Peter, James and John, “and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them” (Matthew 17:1-2). Then God said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him” (Matthew 17:5). That command—to hear Christ—is still the best advice for us to follow.
But we know from Scripture that Israel did not hear the words of God. Jesus said to them: “Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive. For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them” (Matthew 13:13-15).
In Revelation 1:3 we read, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Note that the word “readeth” is added here. Both the hearing and the reading of His Word involve receiving a blessing.
We pray that our Lord will open the ears of those who have come close so they may hear and read the message He wants us to receive in these endtimes.
The need to hear and read the Word of God is more important than ever, particularly now, as the world shows clear signs of confusion and experiences wars and rumors of wars.
The proclamation of the prophets is recorded in the Old Testament and the message of the apostle is recorded in the New Testament; thus, the Church has a sure foundation: “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20). What comes next? Verses 21-22: “In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
It seems to me that we are approaching the finishing touches of this building, this “holy temple in the Lord…a habitation of God through the Spirit.” It is almost complete. Those who hear the Word of God and respond to it will be added to the Church, this spiritual house being completed on the foundation that was laid in Jerusalem.
Note the succession of our salvation: “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13). We hear the Word, we believe the Word, and then God seals us with His Spirit. That is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which takes place the moment we become born again of His Spirit.
The following are some excerpts from our missionaries serving in Uruguay:
URUGUAY
Radio El Libertador
“Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake” (Psalm 115:1).
Full of thanks in our heart, we look back at the beginning of Radio El Libertador in April 2005. There are several important points we need to list to show God’s faithfulness towards His work:
- During our extensive travel to gospel meetings and business related events, we have experienced wonderful protection.
- The Lord opened the doors of important contacts to political authorities, economists and those working in the relationship of culture.
- We had innumerable possibilities to give a clear and plain testimony for our Savior and Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ.
- It was a joy to see each of us mature and grow in the practical work operating a radio station.
- We experienced protection during a natural catastrophe when a hail storm virtually destroyed the entire neighborhood.
- We also experienced God’s guidance relating to our spiritual battle.
- It was the Lord who gave us the needed grace to establish a sweet and genuine fellowship with the many new co-workers.
- We thank Him that He has continuously given us the financial means to operate.
We are also very thankful that the Lord has given us the physical and spiritual capacity to carry the load.
Overall, we must testify that the Lord has given abundant grace to open the ears of innumerable new listeners who trust the Word of God and thereby we are giving them the opportunity to further their knowledge of the precious message of the Gospel.
Recently, our missionary brethren from Brazil held a four-day conference in this area and we are thankful for the result.
We also were able to hold a pastor’s conference, specifically designed to encourage local pastors in their work. Here too, we experienced the grace, guidance and direction of our Lord. He alone is to be praised.
Erich and Sonja Maag
The First 18 Months of Radio El Libertador
We are enormously thankful for all of your prayers. Without doubt, it is the Lord who has carried this work thus far. It is with special joy that we realize that our radio station has received the highest recognition any station can attain and all that in just such a short time.
To receive this honor, we had to travel to Punta del Este and spend the evening there. Two of our own produced programs received highest recognition. This was an evening we would not forget; we experienced clearly the hand of our Lord. Our children’s show received the highest award of any locally produced program.
But there were more surprises to come. At the end of the ceremony, the best radio program in all categories was our own, Viajeros, produced by Radio El Libertado of Vergara in Trienta y Tres! Great was our joy and thankfulness to God when we received this important recognition of our work. Doubtless, we have experienced grace upon grace and each of us is extremely thankful for what has been accomplished in this relatively short time.
Thank you for your continuous prayer support.
Sandra Costabel