Friday's Blessing

 

 

February 25

The Missionary Question

Romans 10:11-15

At every missions conference hosted by my church, I give God the same message I've been repeating since my early 20s: "I'm available, Lord. I'll go to foreign fields if you say so." Until He tells me to pack my bags, I'm going to keep on sending others to work among unbelievers in distant and even remote lands.

Paul asked a series of rhetorical questions in Romans 10 that can be summed up like this: How will the world hear about Jesus if you do nothing? God uses Christians to spread the word that His salvation plan is available to all. He put us in families and communities and nations so we will mingle and share what we know. But some believers are called to carry the gospel farther than others. Those who stay behind are to offer prayer and resources for those who travel. 

If you're shaking your head and thinking, Mission work isn't where my heart is, I have news for you: Every believer is called to missions as either a goer or a sender. That call comes in dramatic ways for some, but for most of us, it is simply a biblical principle to be followed (Matt. 28:19). What's missing for those who don't have a "heart" for such work is passion. Christians who share and go and send are often excited about God's message for unbelievers—and it's possible for you to become more enthusiastic too.

I challenge you to ask the Lord, "Am I open to going anywhere You send me?" Our roots in a community should be sunk only as deep as God wills. If you aren't called to go, then choose to be a sender. Offer your prayers, your money, and anything else that will help to put others on the mission field.

This is a challenging message for me.  I have improved in my witnessing and sharing my faith, but I am not bold enough to do confrontational evangelism. 

I did go on a missions trip years ago.  It was a two week trip to Algeciras, Spain.  It was with Campus Crusade for Christ.  We distributed the "Jesus" video, and Arabic/French New Testaments to Moroccans as they traveled through the port to take the ferry to Morocco.  It was such a challenge for a lot of reasons, and I loved every minute of it.  My faith grew in leaps and bounds. 

I have a friend who is a missionary to Muslims in Southern France, and when he is home he has a monthly prayer meeting.  I participate, and get that urge to go back to Europe for that ministry. 

I do know that I love to share my faith with friends when the opportunity arises.  I love people, and have many opportunities in AA to talk about God, because AA discusses relationships with "Higher Power" and we talk about who our Higher Power is.

Sorry to babble.

Hugs,
Trish

I am game in spirit but boy...I am sure not physically able to do much anymore. Hopefully that will all get better after the surgery.
It must have been wonderful going to Morocco! What a great thing to do! It sounds like such a faith builder.
I am glad to know that you are a person in recovery like myself!

I am struggling right now with many things in my life as we all do. I mean I am REALLY struggling and trying to get to the very core of my belief system and examine what I believe and why. So many things in life don't make sense but I am trying to trust that it will all be alright.

Thank you for sharing your faith with us. I think it's so important on OH for Christians to be able to display their hope and faith in God. And truly, we need each other!

God bless you...

Judy

That's not babbvling that's sharing! I've never been on a mission trip but do share when I can. I think I'm one who, especially at my age and health, is here to supply spiritual and finacial support. I'll leave the foreign missions to those spry young folks. However it takes all of us to get the word out there, we can't all be doers and each part is just as important as the other. Hmmm and God had that all worked out too, imagine that!

Not so spry myself anymore! I am a very good listener though and hopefully can be some support! God bless you Karen! ♥