Wrong girl...
Are you sure about this?...
I don't know if I am... if I could... if I can...
Missionary - what?
That is my title.
About a year ago, I got an official certificate saying that I was a bonafide missionary.
Whenever I was asked about what I was going to do, I would give the "missionary teaching in Venezuela" spiel with the shields and armor ready to explain "Yes, my faith is really important to me" ... "Yes, I am aware it's unsafe" ... "Um... yeah, they support me" ... "It's a minimum of two years, but we'll see" ... "I know there are problems here too" ... "It's what I feel called to do" ...
If you would like to know why, go back to "Why Venezuela?"
This morning in devotional we were asked two questions:
1. What is God's mission?
2. What is your mission?
With a devotional about Philip's mission...
On Mission with God
Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake this chariot." (Acts 8:29)
Missions is God finding those whose hearts are right with Him and placing them where they can make a difference for His kingdom. Some of the great missionaries in history did not live long lives, but their lives dramatically affected eternity.
God had access to Philip, and the Book of Acts gives the exciting account of how God used Philip’s life to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. Philip was preaching powerfully in the city of Samaria (Acts 8:5). So mightily did God use him that the entire city was rejoicing at the miracles God was doing (Acts 8:6–8). This would be any evangelist’s fondest desire, to see an entire city responding to the gospel through his preaching. Yet Philip was not activity-centered in his Christian life. He was God-centered. Philip was not preoccupied with expanding his reputation as a great preacher or miracle worker, he was concerned that his life remain in the center of God’s activity. When he was instructed to leave his fruitful ministry, he did not hesitate (Acts 8:27).
God continues to seek those as responsive as Philip to go on mission with Him. The reason God has not brought great revival to more places is not that He is unable or that He is unwilling. He first looks for those willing to have their lives radically adjusted away from their self-centered activities and placed into the center of God’s activity around the world. Have you seen the activity of God around you? What is God presently inviting you to do? How are you responding?
Missions is God finding those whose hearts are right with Him and placing them where they can make a difference for His kingdom. Some of the great missionaries in history did not live long lives, but their lives dramatically affected eternity.
God had access to Philip, and the Book of Acts gives the exciting account of how God used Philip’s life to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. Philip was preaching powerfully in the city of Samaria (Acts 8:5). So mightily did God use him that the entire city was rejoicing at the miracles God was doing (Acts 8:6–8). This would be any evangelist’s fondest desire, to see an entire city responding to the gospel through his preaching. Yet Philip was not activity-centered in his Christian life. He was God-centered. Philip was not preoccupied with expanding his reputation as a great preacher or miracle worker, he was concerned that his life remain in the center of God’s activity. When he was instructed to leave his fruitful ministry, he did not hesitate (Acts 8:27).
God continues to seek those as responsive as Philip to go on mission with Him. The reason God has not brought great revival to more places is not that He is unable or that He is unwilling. He first looks for those willing to have their lives radically adjusted away from their self-centered activities and placed into the center of God’s activity around the world. Have you seen the activity of God around you? What is God presently inviting you to do? How are you responding?
(Experiencing God Day-by-Day - May 23, 2013)
I think back on this year... What have I done?... This message talks about how it's not the work - it's not the activity... What I have done is nothing. What God has done in me is everything.
Our Secondary Bible teacher mentioned that our 11th and 12th graders said that the greatest testament to Jesus Christ is when they look upon someone who is in love with Him... The love is captivating... not the works, not the prayers, not the rules, not the 'goodness'... the glory of God is in the love He pours upon us and out of us.
This year... I have changed... I have grown more in love... My view has grown. My desires have grown. The ways I give and receive grace have grown. The way I love has grown. I am far from perfect...
Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me."
2 Corinthians 12:9
I have shared in my weakness and in my suffering.
This year I have shared much.
This year I have suffered, too.
I am weak.
I think about the weakness that I have shared over this year.
I thought about making a list.
But..
But..
Earlier this year, a friend told me,
"One day... there will be a time when you will no longer just write about the past."
...I am an offering...
...and I give You my heart, 'cause it's all I have to give...
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11
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