Issue #1,150 August 11, 2004 Lessons Re-learned
Since returning from Africa, I have fielded dozens of emails asking about Genni the Wonder Dog. She survived quite well in the care of our two sons Kris and Kyle, who house sat in our absence. With two people to spoil her, she got extra walks and even lost a little weight. She was however delighted when "the boss" came home.
One of the things we had been warned about by more experienced missionaries was the need for a time of reintegration back into home life upon our return. They were correct! We're just working through the post mission/ministry trip, missing Africa and adjusting to Canada blues. It will take some time to get back on our feet.
We learned a lot in Africa. We saw confirmation that our ministry philosophy can work. We met wonderful devoted Christians, saw great needs and watched in awe of God's handiwork. Now comes the hard part ... putting it all into perspective, sorting out the most important parts and sharing our trip with those individuals and congregations that made it possible for us to go in the first place.
People have asked me about the most important things I've learned.
Firstly was a reminder of the importance of daily one on one time with the Lord. I didn't schedule enough of it during our trip. Bad mistake. He was faithful even though I wasn't as faithful as I should have been, but missing that daily time definitely makes a huge difference.
Secondly, I saw a church that believes in the same approach to ministry that Kathy and I share, and it works! They work wherever possible with existing churches to provide joint ministry. They also take the church outside the four walls into the community. They minister in schools, teach English and literacy, have programs for troubled teens, are building an AIDS hospice and more. Wherever there is a need they are striving to meet it in the name of Jesus. We need to do the same.
In some ways, there is nothing earth shattering or new about those revelations. I've spoken of them often, but it was good to be reminded in real terms.
We're called to go to the people and minister in the name of Jesus.
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left."Then the King will say to those on his right, `Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
"Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
"Then he will say to those on his left, `Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
"They also will answer, `Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
"He will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
Matthew 25:31-45 NIV
All of us have gifts and talents. All of us have something we can share. It's time to mobilize and take Jesus out into a dark and hurting world. You don't have to travel halfway around the world, the opportunity can be right outside your door.
Until next time, let me ask you .... what will you do?
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed
Kevin
Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. You have value in the eyes of God so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that heaven will not be complete without you.
HELP FOR THE HURTING
We all have needs, Jesus can fill them. We all need purpose in our lives. Serving
Jesus can give you that purpose. The first step is to open your heart and give
it to Christ.
You can simply begin the relationship by honestly and completely opening your heart; admitting you need God's help; turning away from your sin and saying a prayer along the lines of the one below. There isn't any "magic" in the prayer; it's simply a way to open up to the gift that Jesus already bought for you with His very life. You can't earn it. You don't deserve it. He freely offers it to all who will accept it.
Jesus:
I have made many mistakes in my life and done things I am not proud of. I have sinned. I need your love and forgiveness. I believe that you came into this world and gave your life on a cross to pay for my sins and that you defeated death and rose again. Please forgive me, and be the Lord of my life. I give my life to you Lord.
Amen
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