MissionMinds

Great Quotes

2009-12-05T17:25:00.000-05:00

"People who do not know the Lord ask why in the world we waste our lives as missionaries. They forget that they too are expending their lives ... and when the bubble has burst, they will have nothing of eternal significance to show for the years they have wasted." -- Nate Saint, missionary martyr

"'Not called!' did you say? 'Not heard the call,' I think you should say. Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear Him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father's house and bid their brothers and sisters and servants and masters not to come there. Then look Christ in the face -- whose mercy you have professed to obey -- and tell Him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish His mercy to the world. -- William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army

When James Calvert went out as a missionary to the cannibals of the Fiji Islands, the ship captain tried to turn him back, saying, "You will lose your life and the lives of those with you if you go among such savages." To that, Calvert replied, "We died before we came here."

"He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose" -- Jim Elliot, missionary martyr who lost his life in the late 1950's trying to reach the Auca Indians of Ecuador

Justifed

2009-11-04T23:35:00.000-05:00

I was laying in bed thinking about a person I know who is very old and coming to the end of her life. I wonder if she is truly saved. I was crying out the God for mercy for this woman and as I prayed I realized that only Jesus could know what it is like to be in the hands of an angry God. I was really feeling the weight of this person's soul.

I continued to think about the work at the cross and was feeling burdened in my own heart as I felt condemned in my own heart. Sometimes I wonder if I might "trample the blood" and the fear that comes with that. I fear of losing salvation.

As I was considering, I thought about what the Accuser of the brethren's words. How in Revelation 12:7 it talks about the Accuser of the brethren who stands before God and accuses us day and night. I remembered Job and how Satan would try even to accuse Job to God. I was feeling heavy by the thought of the possibility of loosing salvation as well as knowing I was and even feeling the accusations of the accuser against me.

Then I remembered what Ken said, "Jesus blood speaks a better word." Ken talked about how Jesus blood speaks a better word and justifies us. As I thought this I could almost see a "vision" in the night of a group of men and women standing in a group with white robs and no matter what the accuser would accuse these people of it didn't matter. I realized that the accuser's word doesn't matter at all it is the word of the blood of the lamb that has wholly and completely covered me.

It's the blood on the mantel when the angel of death passed over. It's as if the accuser will tell the Father all the horrible things and mistakes that we fleshly, weak human beings do. Yet When the Father looks over at us He sees us not out in the world deserving of judgment but rather in the Christ's fold.

As I got on the computer to write down my thoughts I opened my computer bible that has a different verse every time I open it. The verse that was up on the screen was Acts 13:38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;
Act 13:39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Thank you Lord. I am justified.

How does one love God?

2009-10-23T09:27:00.000-04:00

Deuteronomy 6:4

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

Why?

Because,

Deuteronomy 6:14-15 For the Lord your God is a jealous God among you, lest the anger of the Lord your God be aroused against you and destroy you from the face of the earth.

What does it mean to love the Lord? If it be a command, in what way might I love Him?

John 14:15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments.

Again in,

John 14: 21-24 "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered and said to him, "if anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me.

Because I love You Lord, then I must know your word so that I might keep Your commandments. So unlocks the greatest pursuit of a man's life. When a man loves a wife he finds out those things which please her. How does he know what pleases her? It is by knowing her. It is a romantic pursuit of understanding someone more intimately than any other person in the world. For she is his wife and he loves her. So also it is with God. How may I find favor with God? How may I demonstrate the love that glows like a warm ember within me towards Him? It is by pursuing the things which electrify His heart towards Me. What is that? For me this day in this morning it is by seeking to know what pleases Him. Born not out of a labor some need to please one that has been labeled a Dictator by some. But rather born out of something more powerful, more motivating than just keeping law. It is love which motivates, love that inspires, love that causes me to pursue the very heart of God Himself. Some say God is a dictator, and a dictator strikes such a bad chord with us. The definition of a dictator is an absolute ruler. Dictator has such bad connotations to it. Why? Because a Dictator has always been unjust. Because every Dictator the world has know has been flawed because of their human makeup. But let me ask a question; If I was married to this absolute ruler and loved this person with every ounce that is in me then love would motivate me to follow that which has been decreed. You see there is a separation between two groups of people in John 14, One group knows the absolute ruler and loves Him. We know that He is good; we know that He is just, we know that He is perfect, spotless, of the most purest makeup burning with love towards those who love Him. Then there is also another group those who love their lives more than they love Him. The first group sees a commandment, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods" and because they love the law giver examines their lives to cleanse themselves from their sin. The other clings so tightly to their sins without repentance that they become so intertwined with their sin. He who lied once continues to lie and becomes a liar. He who stole just a little money from a friend steals again and becomes a thief, He or she who took a second glance at a man or woman to lust for him or her continues to do so and becomes an adulterer. But not so for the first group. One of my favorite verses, James 4:8 says, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded." It demonstrates along with John 14 that God will manifest Himself to those who keep His commandments. So for the first group, they that love God and because of their love for God keep His commandments, joys and happiness forever more as God manifests or as defined through dictionaries, to show plainly; reveal or display Himself to us now and finally on that day.

Fundraising Ideas

2009-07-06T15:36:00.000-04:00

Here are some ideas for those missionaries out there struggling to raise support.

Halo Tournament: Projected Earnings: $800.00

Get your unsaved and saved buddies together and charge each of them 50.00 dollars to participate in a Halo tournament. Halo is a big deal amongst many gamers and they would very easily pay 50.00 to participate in a night of gaming. I know several people that love to play Halo. Talk with your friends who have the counsels and the game to see if they would be willing to participate in the action. Offer a prizes to the winners. Think of things that you have laying around the house that you plan on selling anyways. For instance I have a game cube with some games. I think that I will use that as a prize for the winning person at the end. Invite as many people as you can. If they are not participating in the actual tournament they can be honing their skill and getting ready for their next battle. Try and get as many t.v.s as you can. Keep everyone busy and provide chips and pop. Better yet see if everyone will bring a little something to contribute; pop, chips, whatever. Halo can host four xbox's a total of 16 people at one time. If you can get 16 people, have them invite friends etc... 16x50 =800.00 You can make $800.00 from a simple night of gaming fun. *Even better it is a good excuse to go hang out with the guys for a night of vids...

Church Fund Raising Meals.
Projected Earnings: $200.00- $500.00

I have found that a good way to earn a couple hundred bucks towards our set up fund is by throwing a fund raising meal at different churches. Call up the pastor of a church and let him know what you are doing. Ask him if it would be all right to have a meal after one of the services. Make sure to ask him if it would be all right to announce a week or two ahead of time that their will be a meal following the service. Include the reccomended donation of $5.00 and stress that you would be responsible for any cleanup that will need to take place. If you know of friends that attend another church, ask them if you could call their pastor and use them as a reference when calling. We have found that this works well and pastor's of smaller congregations are very happy to have you come and have your fund raising meal. If you can drop a name of one of their congregation it works a lot easier than just cold calling. Look around, find some sort of an in. Make sure that when you pick a meal to have it is low cost. Keep cost's down and you make more money. Also Try and make the food the day before so all you will need to do is heat it up.

Car Wash Projected Earnings $150.00 -$300.00
Though car wash's may get overlooked, we have had a couple car wash's and have been very pleasently surprised with the return. Contact your local youth group and ask the youth pastor if you could talk with the youth about helping with a car wash. Several of the students may be very excited to help a missionary out. Talk with your younger friends who may not be able to help you financially but would be very willing to help you for a Saturday washing cars.

Longing

2009-07-06T00:00:00.000-04:00

I sat listening to Pastor Tony Hedrick preach the word today in church. He was preaching that Jesus is the only way to heaven. My heart burned within me. "stir one another up in your most holy faith." As he preached about my Lord, a fire that has been kindled much, stirred within me. We talk about many topics while in church, but my favorites are those that enthrone my savior. This Jesus was the one that transformed my life. There has been only one single message that has so provoked my heart unlike any other. It was on the day I first believed.
Think back to the topic that has most gripped your heart. If you are a believer, surely it had to do with this Warrior King. What grips my heart about Him was when He turned to Peter and said put away your sword, do you not know I could ask my Father and He would send to me ten legions of angels?

Pontious Pilot says to Jesus, "Answer me. Don't you know that I have the power to release you or kill you?" Jesus response, "You have no authority except that which was given to you from heaven." Imagine the thoughts racing through this mighty leader's mind. This man standing before me, whose very eyes I can barely look into for they pierce my soul, has been accused of calling Himself God, and a great king. Yet when I examine Him I find no fault with Him. Now my wife is telling me she is having strange dreams about this man. Who is He really? He just told me I have no power over Him except that was given me from above?

Then the scriptures say, and Pilot saught all the more to release Him. Pilot knew something was amiss. This man was unlike any man he had encountered. If the eyes are a gateway to the soul, when Pilot looked into Jesus eyes, surely He must have trembled. He was like a lamb led to the slaughter but behind those eyes surely was the knowledge that He was God in flesh, "I could speak a word and ten legions of angels would descend from heaven in a fiery vengeful moment. Touch our God, Surely the only thing keeping the floodgates of heaven from descending like a mighty inferno was their allegiance to the Darling of Heaven. How could He still chose to endure the taunts and sufferings of mere mortals. Their Master created the heavens. Were they not their when He laid the foundations of the earth and they all shouted for joy. (Job) His voice is absolute truth. Men dare to declare there are no absolutes. Foolish men, their lives are but a blink in the eye of eternity. They will all stand before Him when He stands full of Glory.
The Word became flesh. When He speaks it is accomplished. His very utterance is law, laws which cannot be broken. That's why His word is so critical. God who speaks, and it is, Spoke His word to the prophets of old declaring absolutes. When it talks about Jesus returning to judge the earth and out of His mouth produces a two edged sword with which to smite the nations, I fear for them. For all hope is finished. It's utter depression, utter hopelessness, It is the Word which carries absolute weight saying depart from me you workers of eniquity, I never knew you. It is utter rejection without hope. A denial unremoved. An unfathomable weight that cannot be carried. Consider, God said let there be light, and we take it for granted. When God says depart from me, there is no turning back. I fear for those I love who day after day reject Him. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish from the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little.
The proper response to His Holiness, Power, and Beauty is to fall on our faces and worship. I pray that the Lord would let me see His Beauty, not for my sake, but for His. He deserves much more than I can offer. Consider these men, John, and Moses, and Daniel, and Paul, and so many more that encountered the Glory of the real God. They made haste to worship, they became as dead men, they fell from their horse and groveled upon the ground as blind men. One thing I ask Lord, Just one thing and my heart will be forever satisfied is to see You as You are and to worship before Your feet. My eyes were made to behold, my ears meant to hear. Satisfy the longing of my created being. Give me the desire of my heart. If the bride so longs for His groom how much more the groom for the bride. Surely your heart beats more quickly than mine. Surely Jesus, who has invested much more than I and can feel zeal and desire more than I, must long for His bride. When, Father, will it be complete? When will you finally say it is enough and all the enemies of our God are forever silenced. When will I gaze into Your eyes?

A Father

2009-05-27T22:15:00.000-04:00

I have been asked more times than I can possibly count in the last few days if I was excited to be a dad. My wife will be having our baby this Friday, May 29th. I don't know about you but sometimes I need some time to sit and think to really fully comprehend something of this magnitude and how it affects me.

I'm going to be a father... I am going to model, on earth, to this little innocent baby my heavenly father. How she observes me and interacts with me should point to our Father in heaven. I love this little moving ball of energy more than I can possibly express. I lay beside my wife, as she is falling asleep, and feel my daughter move her arm all the way across my wife's belly. I have such a love for this little girl whom I have never seen more than I can find words to describe.

In the early stages of her life I couldn't, but trust that she existed. A little stick with two lines on it said that she existed but I could not observe her with my eyes or any of my senses. Funny how you can love something that can not be observed physically. Reminds me of my deep love for my God. Unobservable in the physical sense yet very much known and loved.

God how do I show this little girl your deep love? How do I show her discipline in love that will model yours? You never grow weary of us and You are so slow to anger. Please Lord help me to be to her as You are to us. I know I am fleshly but Jesus in Your mercy make me long suffering towards my little girl. Father I want to learn from my little girl what it means to be child like in faith. She will rely on me without question. She has no fears of what her next meal is or how we will get to South Africa. All she knows is that her mother and I will protect her and she trusts us without question.

Father I want to be like this little girl will be. You are the God of heaven. Power unimaginable exists in your very essence. Your will is law. Your love unmeasurable. Your thoughts toward me are good and without malice. You told us to trust in You, but Lord I struggle. I look to myself more than I look to You. How do I come from a place of reliance on me to a full trust in You? Lord You have to help me comprehend your bigness. If I could only grasp your hugeness, Your vastness, Your unapproachable glory, then maybe I would know that when you say, "Do not worry for I will provide." then I need not worry. O Lord I think I need a better understanding of who You are. Please Lord let me understand who my Heavenly Father is.

Thank You Jesus.

Streets of Minneapolis

2009-05-25T22:26:00.000-04:00

I recently was invited to participate in feeding the homeless on the streets of Minneapolis. I went with a group of students from the Mission sending College in Bloomington, Mn. The fifteen of us jumped into three different vehicles and began the drive to a home located in the suburbs of Minneapolis. As we drove one of the students who had brought a guitar began playing in the backseat of the car. The rest of us quickly joined in and were joyfully singing as we arrived at Pastor Scott’s house. We crammed into Scott’s living room and began to pray for the homeless men and women that we would be coming in contact with. Heaven was going to meet the gates of Hell and they would not prevail against us.

There was a Korean lady whose name was Grace amongst us. She is in her 50’s and a very inspiring woman. She founded this group several years ago and is a warrior for the gospel. As we prayed this elderly woman became a warrior contending for souls through prayer. Her years were forgotten as she prayed with authority and power. Prayer and singing rose from the house of this Minneapolis home and I can imagine that from the perspective of heaven a light grew brighter in the darkness that covered that neighborhood. “Let your light shine before all men that they might see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

After prayer and singing we loaded up the food and water into the van that would take us to the Salvation Army station located at 900 N 4th St, Minneapolis, MN‎. We arrived to see a line already forming outside of the station. We parked our van and began unloading all of the food and water that we would be handing out. A group of us brought the guitar out and began to sing worship songs. A wrinkled old black lady came over to our group and began singing with us. The light in her eyes declared that she was a daughter of the Most High. “The eyes are a gateway to the Soul.” As I scanned the crowd I could see those who were walking in darkness chained to their addictions and poor choices. These men and women were dying inside. O that the light of Christ might shine into them bringing a twinkle to their eyes and a smile to their sad faces.

A young man repents

meen nothing. I remember one young man very well. He came to us and asked that we would pray that he would have a better relationship with the Lord. He said he had been raised as a pastor’s child and wanted to have a better relationship with God. I said I would but had a thought. I told Him that if he felt like God wasn’t being close to him sometimes it meant that he was holding on to things that God wanted to take from him. I asked if there was any sin that he was holding onto. He seemed shocked but admitted to participating in witchcraft and messing around with it. He also told us that he was holding onto anger towards his father. I told him that this was between him and God. This had to be resolved so that God could continue to have a good relationship with him. Light does not have fellowship with darkness and if this young man wanted to have fellowship with Christ, he had to ask forgiveness for participating in witchcraft. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands you sinners and purify your hearts you double minded. I told him the only way I would pray for him to have a better relationship with God is if he would ask forgiveness. He prayed and asked forgiveness for dabbling in witchcraft and cried out to God for forgiveness. Three of from the college began to pray for him. We partnered with him in his stance against the enemy and prayed that the Lord would really come near to him. He seemed very grateful and embraced us. Before he left I looked into his eyes and warned him not to dabble with any more witchcraft. God does not have fellowship with darkness.

A Demon Manifested:

As we walked the street we could see those who were Christ’s and those who weren’t. We saw some extremes of people while we were there. One old gray hare wrinkled man kept walking back and forth on the streets uttering phrases under his breath and threatening to get violent with some of the other guys on the street. I had the thought that this man had a demon in him because of the way he was acting. As he paced back and forth wildly I looked at him and thought how week the enemy really was. I observed the man as he threatened with wild eyes and then looked up to the heavens. How tiny in comparison was this demon in this man compared to the heavens that God with a command created. Scripture says, “You believe that there is one God you do well even the demons believe and tremble.” I had just realized this when the man came ambling towards me. I looked at him as he came and as he passed me he made an evil face and with his fist raised high at me he growled at me. He continued past me and my heart laughed inside of me as the realization of God in comparison to this demon was still fresh on my mind. Romans 8:38, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor heights nor depth, nor any other created thing , shall be able to seperate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.