February 2009
Dearly Beloved of Our Lord:
We have begun this New Year with fairly dry, but cold, weather which has made it possible for us to get out to Pioneer Courthouse Square several times each week. We found many people glad to be able to get outside to the Square after the weeks of cold and snowy weather. It was interesting to meet up with people in the Square we might not see until the spring. This gave us an excellent opportunity to talk and pray with many people, some of whom have been severely shaken by the economic hardships they have had to endure.
As you might guess, we have also been affected by the current economic changes sweeping across our nation and the world. When we worked through the year-end financial math we found that our income had dropped about 25% from last year. But the Holy Spirit had been leading us in our expenditures throughout the year and we found that our income and our expenses were only a few hundred dollars apart by year’s end. Some of those who have supported us have lost their jobs and are unable to do so at this time. Others have had to help family members who are in need. If you have any financial pressures or needs we would like to hear from you so that we can pray for you. Please feel free to send us a note or an email.
We have been living as missionaries to our city and our region so we are living by what our Lord supplies. We do not receive any government monies through any programs, including Social Security or Medicare since we do not qualify. We have no pensions and no financial investment portfolios so we have not suffered losses in these areas as some have. We understand that there are those who cannot support us right now because of financial decreases and they are also in our hearts and in our prayers. It is clear that we are all living in difficult times which may last for quite some time. Hopefully we will all be able to continue to be sensitive to the needs of those around us in our families, our fellowship, and our communities so that we can continue to live in generosity and be a witness to others of our Father’s love and provision.
Laborers in our Lord’s Harvest
Last month we wrote about the need for supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving for all men, especially for men in authority. (1 Timothy 2:1-6) As we humble ourselves in supplication before our Father we experience His will that all men be saved and come into the knowledge of the truth. (Jesus is The Truth and the Holy Spirit is The Spirit of Truth – John 14:6; 16:13.) As we pray for others we are better able to identify with their circumstances. This is especially true when we pray for President Obama and those in authority in our nation and our world. Intercession calls us to stand in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30) on behalf of others when destruction is near because of sin. As we attended the Sunday Memorial Rally at the Square on behalf of the 50 Million Lost our tears joined with tears of others as they rang a gong fifty times – once for each million babies killed legally through abortion in our nation.
Our Lord has been speaking strongly to us through Matthew 9:35-10:8.
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
1And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease… 5These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “… 7And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”
Jesus asks us to pray specifically for a certain group of brethren. He asks us to pray for the laborers in His harvest. Note that Jesus does not ask us to pray for the harvest but for the laborers. This has caused us to change the way we pray for people who need to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. We pray to the Lord of the Harvest that He send a laborer to that particular person. Every person has specific needs and will receive the testimony of some and not receive from others so we ask our Lord for the laborer to be sent who will be received. Note that the specific laborer comes not in word only but in power.
5For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. (1 Thessalonians1:5)
As we go we declare the presence of His Kingdom and we do the works of His Kingdom which he gives us to do. This usually involves some form of healing – healing in the spirit, healing in the mind or emotions, and healing in the body. The laborer in His harvest declares His Kingdom and reveals the power of His Kingdom through the works of His presence by the Holy Spirit. This is a call to humility and obedience as we labor in His harvest.
He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)
We are asking for your prayers as we labor in His harvest during these difficult times. We speak with and pray for many people who are often greatly distressed. Many are hurting emotionally, mentally, and some are broken-hearted. Some are very physically ill and unable to obtain medical help and need prayer for physical healing. We often come home tired and cold at the end of the day at the Square; Portland’s Living Room. We deeply appreciate your prayers and supplications on our behalf. And we thank you greatly for your financial sacrifice and giving which allows us to continue. May you have a most blessed and fruitful year. We send you our love and our prayers with this letter.
~ Ron & Karen
E-mail: awakening1s@comcast.net
Home Page: awakening1s.net
church @ 24/7
Ron & Karen Rohman
PO Box 14292
PORTLAND OR 97293