Recently for my Biblical Basis of Missions class we had to give a Textbook Analysis on "The Key to the Missionary Problem" by Andrew Murray. If you ever get the opportunity to read the book please do, Bro. Murray does a great job of showing the need for foreign missions. For this post I would like to give some of the highlights of my analysis...
"The Central idea about the volume is solving the missionary problem by first giving ourselves wholly to the service of God and following where He leads; whether that would be to go to the deepest jungles of Africa, or training, sending, and supporting those that have been called to go in our stead.
The five most important things that I have learned are that, first of all we as Christian have failed in recognizing the vastness of the missionary problem. We say to ourselves, 'Well, I gave to missions this month, I prayed for the missionary that was on the bulletin from church this week, and I even had the visiting missionary over to my house for supper! I am fulfilling the Great Commission!' "
(Is that all there is to missions?)
"Next, on page 73 this phrase jumped out at me, referring to Hudson Taylor, 'He would ask God to teach him at home how to walk in faith." So many missionaries never make it to the field, never make it through deputation, or never even surrender to the call to begin with because they do not know how to walk in faith...
...The chapter that is most significant for my life and ministry is chapter eight because it talks much of self-denial in the Christian life. On page 97 he quotes Hudson Taylor, 'If we are to simply pray as a pleasant and enjoyable exercise, and know nothing of watching in prayer, and weariness in prayer, we shall not draw down the available blessings. We shall not sustain our missionaries...we shall not even sufficiently sustain the spiritual life of our own souls.' I am a selfish person, and praying is very hard for the flesh. But the Lord has used this book to challenge me in that area; that I cannot expect to do great things for God without being willing to devote myself to the necessity of prayer....
...Many times we fail to see the children around us as the pastors, missionaries, and teachers of the future. But if we are to solve the missionary problem we must not neglect the next generation. I would recommend this book to anyone who is willing to listen to God's call for their lives because we are all missionaries, some of us are called to the four year olds Junior Church, while others are called to Sri Lanka. Either way, we are all called to ministry. This book really drives home the ever present need of fulfilling the Great Commission, especially with the examples of real people...It is a wonderful challenge to the believer."
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Serving the Lord in OKC
I'M BACK!
I know that is not the most exciting news you have heard today, but bear with me, this might get good!
I just returned from Tuesday Night Visitation. We had a few open doors but no real opportunity to go through God's salvation plan with anyone. But we did leave a tract and most every home (even leaving one in the crack in the garage door because a giant bush blocked the door). But I am very thankful that we did get to speak to a few, hopefully we planted a seed in their heart.
Visitation, for me, is like a espresso shot in the head! When we got off the bus I was trembling from excitement. I prayed that the Lord would give me a passion and eagerness to tell people about their need and God's solution to that need, and He did!
I am ADDICTED to the ministries that I am privileged to be a part of.
Where is our passion? Where is our drive to see people come to Christ?
Sure, I have problems, but when I step onto that bus I leave my cares on campus and focus on the countless soul's who have never heard that they were a sinner and that their sin separates them from their Creator.
God please help us to serve You, and love people!
I know that is not the most exciting news you have heard today, but bear with me, this might get good!
I just returned from Tuesday Night Visitation. We had a few open doors but no real opportunity to go through God's salvation plan with anyone. But we did leave a tract and most every home (even leaving one in the crack in the garage door because a giant bush blocked the door). But I am very thankful that we did get to speak to a few, hopefully we planted a seed in their heart.
Visitation, for me, is like a espresso shot in the head! When we got off the bus I was trembling from excitement. I prayed that the Lord would give me a passion and eagerness to tell people about their need and God's solution to that need, and He did!
I am ADDICTED to the ministries that I am privileged to be a part of.
Where is our passion? Where is our drive to see people come to Christ?
Sure, I have problems, but when I step onto that bus I leave my cares on campus and focus on the countless soul's who have never heard that they were a sinner and that their sin separates them from their Creator.
God please help us to serve You, and love people!
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Do or Die
Life is full of do or die situations. Especially if you are a 20 year old missionary kid in Ukraine.
For example...
Eat the food or starve.
Take public transportation or walk.
Learn John 3:16 in Russian or fail Sunday School.
But let's take this up a level.
We could...
Learn the language, go to the university, learn sign language, take and teach Bible lessons, live a holy separated, spirit filled life everyday(not just Sunday), evangilize, pass out tracts, pray, fast, preach the Gospel till every ear has heard...
Or...watch Kharkov, Ukraine go to hell without God.
I must do so they don't die.
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Thursday, May 1, 2014
The Countdown Begins
Twenty days...
It's so surreal. Truly hard to believe that in less than a month I will be in Ukraine. We've worked toward this, prayed toward this, dreamed about it for three years. God is good.
The tickets are bought, our bags are (almost) packed, our passports are ready. God is good.
God's people have gave faithfully; we have everything we need. God is good.
I am BEYOND excited, though nervous. But my Heavenly Father is with me, wherever I go.
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever." Psalm 23:4-6
I know going to Ukraine is not the "valley of the shadow of death," but there is going to be a lot of death to self. I know that sometimes it will get so dark that the chastisement of the Lord is a comfort because it shows He's still there. But I believe God will prepare us a table in the wilderness, He has already blessed us beyond measure. And I know that His goodness and mercy will follow us as we serve Him at home and abroad! 
It's so surreal. Truly hard to believe that in less than a month I will be in Ukraine. We've worked toward this, prayed toward this, dreamed about it for three years. God is good.
The tickets are bought, our bags are (almost) packed, our passports are ready. God is good.
God's people have gave faithfully; we have everything we need. God is good.
I am BEYOND excited, though nervous. But my Heavenly Father is with me, wherever I go.
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever." Psalm 23:4-6
I know going to Ukraine is not the "valley of the shadow of death," but there is going to be a lot of death to self. I know that sometimes it will get so dark that the chastisement of the Lord is a comfort because it shows He's still there. But I believe God will prepare us a table in the wilderness, He has already blessed us beyond measure. And I know that His goodness and mercy will follow us as we serve Him at home and abroad!
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
1 Corinthians 16:13-16
"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
Let all your things be done with charity.
I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have ADDICTED themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth."
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