To Build

“To Build for God”

“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small man who finds it easier to live in the world they have been given rather than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact, it’s only an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration, it’s a dare. Impossible is potential, ready to be made possible with God.” – Anon

I remembered so vividly when God first called me to His service in Kalimantan. I could not say the sequence of events were heart placating, everything seems out of place. When Indonesia was deep in economic crisis around 1997/98, God called me to leave my family in Australia and go to Central Kalimantan. IMPOSSIBLE, that word rang over and over in my mind. Dehes, a small village in Katingan region, Central Kalimantan is a very isolated place and except for thick bush lands and a few villagers, there was nothing. But that village was to be my mission field, the place I was called to build for God. God can turn any impossibility to opportunity and that was exactly what He demonstrated through His work in Dehes. “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19)

It has been a thoroughly challenging, rewarding and fulfilling journey with my God. There is no doubt in my mind that God’s method to build His kingdom is through a man or woman, and anyone can be that individual. The Holy Spirit takes anyone up. He can make anything of anybody, just as He likes and there is no limit to what God can do when the Holy Spirit is working through us. Is anything impossible for Him? NO, and that must be our unrelenting conviction and faith. With the God-given vision impressed in my spirit, Dehes Ministries started to build. The little we have for a start became much because God was in it. The provisions grew exponentially because the Master Builder was our Lord Jesus Christ. Today, we have completed building a mission base and three churches in the Katingan region. Jesus said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27)

We often become afraid when God tells us to do something which we are not familiar. Our God-given vision can overwhelm our natural mind and self. It is also true we will have more questions than answers. But we must obey if we aspire to be that man or woman whom God has called to build for Him. The Holy Spirit will birth that boldness of heart and spirit from within, and we obey day by day, moment by moment as He builds and builds. Obedience will have to be the true evidence of our faith, forsaking all we follow Him. When God guides and directs, He provides. He is never late and never early. He is always there on time and He never fails.

Often, many believers think building for God involves only proclaiming the Gospel. But I am reminded of the conversation between Jesus and Peter when He asked, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you. Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17) Winning souls must always be our priority but to follow-up and provide for God’s people when they are in need must also be a role which we must willingly embraced. Jesus emphatically told Peter three times to “feed His lambs”, “take care of His sheep” and “feed His sheep”. In Dehes Ministries, beyond the physical construction of church buildings, we work hard to build the lives of the new believers and local pastors who labor tirelessly in Katingan. We provide financial support or give them opportunity to earn a living through farming or rubber-tapping. We endeavor to impart a new way and standard of life, under the Kingdomship of the Creator of life, our Almighty God. As our understanding of Christ grows and deepens, so does our burden to do His will and this catapults our initiatives to do more with Him and for Him. I am so humbled in my heart to know that as I build for God, He has also built for me in ways beyond my expectations.

What could possibly bring more joy and satisfaction to a believer except to be involved whole-heartedly with the work of His Lord and God? I am privileged to find truth in the words of the Master, “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:35-36). I have been enriched in my life, glory to God.

As you are reading about my journey, I know this is a divine appointment for you to know that God wants to work with you to build His kingdom. You are unique and you already know that special piece of assignment He wants to accomplish though your life. Will you say “YES” to Him today? I pray that you will. The world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:17)

May our God bless you abundantly as you continue your journey of life with Him.

Ev Sebastian Sugiarto

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