Hello from Thailand! Well it is Saturday in Thailand and I [Craig Conaway] have been here a week already. It has been so incredible. As I write this the rest of our team (including my family) is in air on their way. I can not wait for them to get here.
I wanted to give you a quick update and share something that God is doing in me (I am typing on my iPhone so please give me grace for any typos!). As a pastor, I love teaching God's word. I also love to prepare and spend lots of time studying the truths of God to present them to others. However, I knew my opportunities to teach in Thailand would be different in that I would not always have time to prepare what to say. God's Spirit had been preparing for this by impressing on my heart the principle of Matthew 10:19-20, " . . . do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you." A few nights ago we visited a boy's home outside Chiang Mai. While we where there I was asked to share with them. Without any notice and preparation, I began to share God's word with them as the Holy Spirit lead me. God was so good and faithful.
Yesterday, God gave me an opportunity to teach at a small bible school here in Chiang Mai. It was amazing. God had laid a few passages on my heart but I went in completely trusting in God's promise to give me His words.
Before I was to teach we spent time worshipping together. Even though I had no idea what they were singing to God, God's manifest presence could be clearly experienced. As they worshipped God in Thai, I joined my brothers and sisters and praised our awesome God in English. It was an another incredible experience worshipping with others here in Thailand. As we worshipped, God spoke to me something that He had never spoken to me to do in a corporate setting. He placed on my heart to pray and prophesy over them at the very end of my teaching! I immediately thought, "But God I have never done anything like that before!" So I was a bit nervous, but I knew God was leading and I must walk by faith and obedience in what He speaks to us.
Let me quickly say that the reason I want to share this story with you to encourage you and for your own faith to be stirred. This is not about me or to try to impress you with Craig Conaway it is all about God and His glory. God wants to ever one of us mightily for His glory and Kingdom. We must be willing to leave our comfort zones and step out in faith and take a risk at times. I believe that the only thing between us and walking in the promises of God and His power is sometimes a simple act of courage - to obey God in whatever He ask us to do!
As I taught them, God guided my words and lead me what to say and preach to them (just like He promised to do!). There was also a tremendous "grace" that God also gave to me with the translator. Everything went so smooth in communicating to them. The teaching time was so powerful as the Holy Spirit engaged their hearts. I concluding my time with them by sharing words of encouragement and identity to each of them. I was completely amazed at the faithfulness and steadfast love of God. As I spoke and prayed over them individually, you could see the Holy Spirit ministering to them and pouring out His love in them. Tears flowed from women and even a few of the men. It was powerful. God was engaging His children. They were encountering their Father.
Later that day, one of the missionaries came by the Hannsh House where I am staying. He shared with me how several people were so overwhelmed by what God had spoken to them. They had commented about me to the missionary, "He does not know me, but he knew me. The words he spoke to me where exactly true about me and exactly what I needed to hear." I told the missionary to remind them that God knows them!
It is so awesome to see God pour out His power. Again, there is nothing special or unique about me. Jesus gives us a powerful promise in John 14:12, "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father." I am simply one of the "whoever believes" in Jesus people just like you.
Thanks for praying for Team Thailand!
Craig Conaway
I wanted to give you a quick update and share something that God is doing in me (I am typing on my iPhone so please give me grace for any typos!). As a pastor, I love teaching God's word. I also love to prepare and spend lots of time studying the truths of God to present them to others. However, I knew my opportunities to teach in Thailand would be different in that I would not always have time to prepare what to say. God's Spirit had been preparing for this by impressing on my heart the principle of Matthew 10:19-20, " . . . do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you." A few nights ago we visited a boy's home outside Chiang Mai. While we where there I was asked to share with them. Without any notice and preparation, I began to share God's word with them as the Holy Spirit lead me. God was so good and faithful.
Yesterday, God gave me an opportunity to teach at a small bible school here in Chiang Mai. It was amazing. God had laid a few passages on my heart but I went in completely trusting in God's promise to give me His words.
Before I was to teach we spent time worshipping together. Even though I had no idea what they were singing to God, God's manifest presence could be clearly experienced. As they worshipped God in Thai, I joined my brothers and sisters and praised our awesome God in English. It was an another incredible experience worshipping with others here in Thailand. As we worshipped, God spoke to me something that He had never spoken to me to do in a corporate setting. He placed on my heart to pray and prophesy over them at the very end of my teaching! I immediately thought, "But God I have never done anything like that before!" So I was a bit nervous, but I knew God was leading and I must walk by faith and obedience in what He speaks to us.
Let me quickly say that the reason I want to share this story with you to encourage you and for your own faith to be stirred. This is not about me or to try to impress you with Craig Conaway it is all about God and His glory. God wants to ever one of us mightily for His glory and Kingdom. We must be willing to leave our comfort zones and step out in faith and take a risk at times. I believe that the only thing between us and walking in the promises of God and His power is sometimes a simple act of courage - to obey God in whatever He ask us to do!
As I taught them, God guided my words and lead me what to say and preach to them (just like He promised to do!). There was also a tremendous "grace" that God also gave to me with the translator. Everything went so smooth in communicating to them. The teaching time was so powerful as the Holy Spirit engaged their hearts. I concluding my time with them by sharing words of encouragement and identity to each of them. I was completely amazed at the faithfulness and steadfast love of God. As I spoke and prayed over them individually, you could see the Holy Spirit ministering to them and pouring out His love in them. Tears flowed from women and even a few of the men. It was powerful. God was engaging His children. They were encountering their Father.
Later that day, one of the missionaries came by the Hannsh House where I am staying. He shared with me how several people were so overwhelmed by what God had spoken to them. They had commented about me to the missionary, "He does not know me, but he knew me. The words he spoke to me where exactly true about me and exactly what I needed to hear." I told the missionary to remind them that God knows them!
It is so awesome to see God pour out His power. Again, there is nothing special or unique about me. Jesus gives us a powerful promise in John 14:12, "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father." I am simply one of the "whoever believes" in Jesus people just like you.
Thanks for praying for Team Thailand!
Craig Conaway
What a wonderfully refreshing story to start off my Saturday morning back in Okla! It is soul-satisfying to hear the work God is doing in Thiland! How encouraging!! I'm eager to here more once Team Thailand settles in.
ReplyDeletePraying for a heightened sense of the Holy Spirit's leading among you, and for the effectiveness of your ministry to the Thai people.