Merry Christmas from WVIW

     We wish you and your family a blessed Christmas season. We are praying for you this week and know that God has something great for in store for 2010.

     Thank you for being a part of the WVIW family and have a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

WVIW Staff

Letter From Director Johnny Moffitt

A very good friend recently shared something with me I think you may be interested in. She got this information from an article called, “Economy Takes Toll on Giving.”

1. 22% stopped giving completely
2. 19% cut their giving by up to 20%
3. 17% cut their giving by half

My friend also shared these facts from a separate article called, “Keeping Outreach in the Midst of Crisis.”

1. Remember God is in control
2. Remember the power of crisis to open up people to their need for God
3. Continue to emphasize reaching out
4. Focus on being effective, creative, and generous

I was very moved by these statistics and the advice. I know that even in tough times God is our source. All of us here at WVIW know that we do what God has called us to do because our friends and partners do what they can by praying and giving to send us into the prisons and around the world. We appreciate that very much.

As I pondered the advice to ministries listed above, I thought what we see. Crisis! My friend, Emmitt Solomon, said, “When a man goes to prison a family goes into crisis.”

How true! I have seen hundreds of prisoners’ wives and children in great crisis for many years. These precious ladies stand by their husbands and pray for their release. Many work two and even three jobs. Their children suffer greatly. These women have done no crime and yet they are in crisis.

I have seen God use this time to open their hearts to receive the love of God and accept Christ. We continue to reach out to them. Just recently we provided Christmas dinner for 32 prisoner families, we fed 91 family members and provided Christmas presents for 101 prisoner children. This ministry is being effective, creative, and generous.

The above advice is right on. In 2010 WVIW will continue to reach out through four Marriage Seminars, two crusades, two international mission trips, 50 weekly Overcomers meetings in prisons, and provide a Transitional Home for returning prisoners.

I want to encourage you to remember that during these tough economic times, God is in control. Keep Him first. Your neighbors are going through the same thing you may be. Consider the possibility that their heart may be open to receive the love of God. Be effective, creative, and generous. This is Christian’s finest hour.

Please continue to remember WVIW when you pray and when you consider where to invest in Kingdom business. May God richly bless you.

Johnny Moffitt
Director

Equipped | Moses Part 4 | Travis Moffitt

"Who am I that I should go..." This was Moses' question. God had personally called Moses out to fullfill his life's destiny and all Moses could do was express his own personal feelings of inadequacy.

In his banter back and forth with God, Moses continually gave God reasons why he was not equipped for the job.

"If they question me, how will I answer them?"(Ex. 3:13)

"What if they don't believe me?"(Ex. 4:1)

"I am slow of speech."(Ex. 4:10)

Three times Moses tried to explain to God why he was not the man for the job. Three times he described why he did not have what it took to deliver the Hebrew nation from the hand of the Egyptians. And three times God answered him.

The theme of God's answers can be summed up in one question from God. "What is that in your hand?" God pointed out what Moses already possessed.

To Moses' worry of how the Hebrew leaders might question him, God gave Moses His name. The name of God in this story was reiterated over and over again to express God's personal and present hand of deliverance. God Himself was a companion that Moses already had. God had appeared to Moses' fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and promised Himself to their decendants forever.

God was already present in Moses' life.

To Moses' question of doubt that the Hebrews wouldn't believe him, God pointed out Moses' staff as a medium to express God's power. Moses was now working as a shephard. His staff is the one thing that Moses would have always had with him. God knew this.

To Moses fear that his speech would not be appropriate for Pharoah, God reminded Moses of who had created his mouth in the first place. At Moses' persistence, God even appointed his brother Aaron to speak for him. A family member of Moses in place before the burning bush

God equipped Moses with tools and gifts that Moses already possessed. By birth Moses was already in covenant relationship with God. By trade Moses already had a staff. By creation Moses already had a mouth. And by heritage Moses already had a brother.

God knew these things. God did not casually use what was in Moses' life out of convenience. God had a plan to use those things that had been planted in Moses' life from years before.

How often do we explain to God the reasons that we are ill-equipped for the task He gives us. How often do we overlook our own equipping, all the while God has made us ready for every good work.

You and I already have everything we need to do what God has called us to do. You and I are already equipped for every good work. You and I have already been given gifts from God to carry out His mission for our lives.

He has given us Himself and His name. In so doing He has ordained us and declared us as ambassadors of His Kingdom.

He has given us a staff. A means to express His great power. This may be some ability you have through which God can magnify Himself.

He has given us our own created bodies. However imperfect they may seem to us, they are perfect for His work.

He has even given us our family and friends to help carry the message.

As you look to the task ahead, rest assured that in Christ you truly have what it takes. You are equipped so step out in obedience and faith and trust in the One who has equipped you.