Ron Sawka Ministries
December 22, 2021; Tevet 18, 5782
www.rwsministries.com
“Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard” (Luke 1:13).
“To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:79).
Holiday Schedule
This will be the last update of 2021; the next one will be released on Jan. 12.
The blessings for Shevat, the eleventh Hebrew month (Jan. 3–Feb. 1), will be released on Friday, Dec. 24.
The last MPP of the year will be Dec. 24; it will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 11.
Editor’s Note: Now in Korean—This weekly update and all postings are now available in Korean, as well as in English, Japanese, Chinese, and Russian. Contact info@rwsministries for more information.
The Best Christmas Ever!
Expect answers to things you prayed for earlier
Last week during MPP, the thought came to me: “Expect this to be the best Christmas ever!” I had already been so blessed by revelation the Lord had given during Hannukah (when we dedicate ourselves to the Lord and live for His purposes, He anoints us and makes sure the oil doesn’t run out).
During MPP, we had been led to Luke 1:79 and how Jesus came to give light. He comes to shine on anyone in darkness. He breaks the power of death. Then very clearly the idea came to “expect this to be the best Christmas ever.” I pondered on that all week, and then on Monday the Holy Spirit began to give better understanding. It was about unanswered prayers suddenly being answered.
This revelation came from the story of John the Baptist’s father, Zacharias. He and Elizabeth were aging and childless. No doubt they had prayed long and hard for a baby. And they surely knew the Old Testament stories of children being born to barren couples (e.g., Samson’s parents, Hannah, the Shunammite woman), as well as the promises of God giving us children. So their prayers were based on faith, but after many years—there still wasn’t an answer.
So in Luke 1, while Zacharias was attending to his allotted duties in the temple’s Holy Place, an angel appeared to him. Zacharias was told that his prayer was heard.
I think he was shocked and surprised. I think maybe he and Elizabeth had given up on their prayers for a child. They were still godly people, but had no choice but to accept they would always be childless. For some reason—even though based on faith—their prayers hadn’t been answered…
Until that one day in the Holy Place when the angel relayed, “Your prayer is heard.” I feel this is what God wants us to focus on this Christmas. I feel this is the word the Holy Spirit wants us to know and believe. Our prayers are heard. Many of us have multiple things we were led to pray for, but which haven’t yet been answered. God wants us to know our “prayer is heard.” I like the wording of that. As soon as we pray, our prayer is heard, and it keeps on being heard. It is never “not heard.” It keeps on being heard until the time the Lord releases the answer. Maybe now is the time for many unanswered prayers to be answered.
Zacharias and Elizabeth finally got their prayer answered, but it was much, much more than just a child. He was John the Baptist, the forerunner. Their answer to prayer turned out to be a great blessing to many. We also should expect that these sudden answers will be far more impactful than what we originally expected.
As we approach Christmas, please consider the following:
We have prayed for many things based on faith and scriptural promises.
Perhaps no answer came even after a long time of praying, so maybe we have forgotten or given up.
But that prayer is still being heard. God does not forget; He never forgets.
At the right time (and perhaps now is the right time), God’s answer will come.
This answer will be far beyond what we first expected or thought.
I don’t know about you, but I am going back to those things I have prayed for but haven’t yet seen the answers to—and will bring those matters before the Lord again. I really do believe God wants me to expect this to be the “best Christmas ever.”
In this final update of 2021, we want to thank you again for you. Thank you for your connection with us, and for your prayers and support. And we do pray and believe that this indeed would be your very best Christmas yet!
Thanks for praying,
Ron and Teddy
AFS Supporters Month
Again, I want to thank and honor all those of you who pray for us and support us financially, especially the Apostolic Fund Supporters (those who give the equivalent of US $1,200 for the year). This is the time of year when many new supporters sign up, or present supporters renew their pledge (see form below). Despite the ongoing COVID situation and very limited travel, 2021 was a year of growth. We greatly expanded our online presence and ministered to many, many people. In addition to the weekly apostolic training (Tuesdays for Chinese, Fridays for Slavic/Russian), I have done online seminars and training for Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, China, Japan, and Korea.
Many more doors will open in 2022. Already we feel the Lord leading us to more expansion in Russia and Korea. I know there will be many other major opportunities and doors the Lord will open. Thank you so much for helping us walk through those doors.
Join Pete Sawka for “30 Minutes of Worship, 10:00–10:30 p.m., Sundays–Thursdays
Praise is also a time that God releases healing. As we worship and praise, we can expect to receive healing of body, soul, and spirit—as well as healing for relationships and businesses.
You can continue to connect with Pete Sawka for thirty minutes of praise in Japanese, five times a week, Sundays–Thursdays, 10:00–10:30 p.m.
Blessings for Hebrew Month of Tevet
The Tenth Hebrew Month of 5782, December 5, 2021–January 2, 2022
Shevat—The Eleventh Hebrew Month of 5782
January 03–February 01, 2022
Time to Shout Out the Goodness of God - will be posted on Wed Dec 29
Broadcast Schedule
Below is a list and times (Japan Standard Time) of public meetings you can connect with via Ron’s public Facebook page.
Apostolic Center Training—Tues., Dec. 21, Jan. 4, 8:30–10:00 p.m., English/Chinese. Registration required. Contact chinese@rwsministries.com to register.
Apostolic for Russia (open)—Fri., Jan. 7, 7:00–8:00 p.m., English/Russian.
Apostolic for China (open)—Sat., Jan. 8, 8:30–9:30 p.m., English/Chinese
Morning Prophetic Prayer (MPP)—Mon.–Fri., 6:00–6:45 a.m., English/Japanese. The final MPP for the year will be Fri., Dec. 24. MPP will resume again on Tues., Jan. 11.
For more information or to connect with our ministry team, please write us at info@rwsministries.com or info@mppjapan.com.
Giving to Ron Sawka Ministries
I am so thankful for the new fields and assignments the Lord is opening up even during this difficult year of the virus. Our webcasting is greatly expanding and your financial support plays such an important role. I remind you of what David instituted among his warriors - even those who stayed with the baggage were to receive the same reward as the others (1 Sam 30:24). Thank you and be blessed.
You may also feel led to become an Apostolic Fund Supporter (AFS)/Fire Stater by pledging to give $1200 (US) or its equivalent for the year. Please be sure to send us a photo of yourself to help us in our praying of you.
Apostolic Fund/Fire Stater Commitment for 2021
Name:
Number of pledges:
Family members you want prayer for:
Nation:
Email:
Also please be sure to attach a recent photo of you and your family (if applicable).
Please send us this information with the subject line of “2021 Apostolic Fund Supporter/Fire Stater.”
Bank Info and Online Giving
You can give online by credit card at give.mogiv.com/app/giving/rwsministries
In addition to online/cc giving which can be used from any nation, you may give via the following:
JAPAN
Japan Post Bank: 029 Branch
Account No: 0142537
Account Name: CTF Japan
Account Code Number: 00250-6-142537
USA
CTF World USA, 2304 Page Rd, Durham, NC 27703
Phone: 919-848-3063
Email: finance.raleigh@catchthefire.com
Please make out the check to CTF World. Be sure to clearly designate “For Ron Sawka Ministries.”
Taiwan
Bank: China Trust
Account Name: SAWKA RONALD WADE
Account Number: 42854-041347-0
Korea
KEB Bank 172-18-47989-8 Ronald Wade Sawka
KEB HANA BANK 249-890619-84307 Ronald Wade Sawka
Japan and Direct Deposits from Overseas
Account name/number: Ronald W. Sawka 93642377
Bank name: SMBC Trust Bank
Address: Nishi Shimbashi Square 1-3-1 Nishi Shimbashi, Minato Ku, Tokyo Japan 105-0003
SWIFT code: SMTC JPJT
Intermediate bank name and SWIFT code: Sumitomo Mitsubishi Bank Corp. SMBC JPJT
Singapore
POSBank 149-42129-7 (account name Ronald W. Sawka)
Canada
Since we do not have a Canada office, we suggest you use the credit card option give.mogiv.com/app/giving/rwsministries. (Unfortunately, the receipt is not tax deductible for Canada.)
Thank you for your giving!