Devotions Q4 2012 final

Monday.

Topic:
Where's the field?

Hymn:
These are the Days of Elijah. Verse 2
And these are the days of the harvest; the fields are as white as the world.
And we are the laborers in your vineyard declaring the word of The Lord.

Scripture:
Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life.... Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age." (Msg)

Devotion:
I'm no evangelist. I've taken dozens of spiritual gift inventories and never once has leading others to Christ been in the top 5 (or even 10). I know the four spiritual laws, and the Roman road, but going up to strangers and asking them if they were to die today, do they know where they would go has never felt right. But you know what? That's ok. We all have gifts, and forcing ourselves to do something we aren't good at and don't like seldom has the positive results desired.

But the fields are white, and we are all supposed to be training and instructing... Well, let me tell you a couple of things that have worked for me. I have served at revivals as a counselor (remember revivals?) where I only had to respond to those God called forward. I have donated scholarships for youth to go on retreats when there were students whose parents either couldn't or wouldn't support them. I've ridden in a church van from Sugar Land to Aldama, Mexico, and back to help with construction of a doctor's office (ask Ken Murphy or John Cates about the rabbits). I've worked with my youth group in rural Appalachia building a church and leading bible school. I've served meals to the homeless. I've taught Sunday school and other classes. I've served on committees.

There are a lot of things that I think fall under the missions umbrella, and there are many mission fields all around you awaiting your service. Look, and find them!


Tuesday.

Topic:
Mission, or missionary?

Hymn:
How Great Thou Art. Verse 2.
When through the woods and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook, and feel the mountain breeze.
Then sings my soul, my savior God to thee.
How great thou art, how great thou art.

Scripture:
Psalm 23:1-3
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (Psalm 23:1-3 NIV84)

Devotion:
When I was 17, I had the privilege of working at a Baptist camp in the Smoky Mountains of east Tennessee. It was named Camp Ba-Yo-Ca (for Baptist Youth Camp - original, huh?). For four weeks I was a counselor to about a half dozen boys from 6 to 12 years old, and for four weeks, I worked as staff during girls camp. (I admit, the teenaged girl counselors were of particular interest to me during those weeks.) I did everything from leading hikes, building camp fires, and washing dishes, to helping cook, cleaning a grease trap and clearing a septic clog. I stayed busy, and this city boy was experiencing a new and special world. Not only did I get to build Christian relationships quickly (a few of which continue today), but I also got to know God differently. In a daily way, a more personal way; as I saw children meet Christ. This was supposed to be an opportunity for me to help others because of my faith, and it became an opportunity for me to grow closer to my Savior. I remember as clear as anything lying on a wooden bridge over a running creek listening to the water and reading my bible, and talking with God. And sometime, looking back I wonder... Was I the missionary, or the mission?


Wednesday.

Topic:
What does a missionary look like?

Hymn.
Let others see Jesus in you. Verse 2
Your life's a book before their eyes, they're reading it through and through.
Say, does it point them towards the sky? Do others see Jesus in you?

Scripture:
Ephesians 4: 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (NIV).

Devotion:
When I think of missionaries, I think of so many people who have ministered to me. Here are a few of those, and how they were there for me:
* the youth minister who would pick me up every week for youth group on Sunday night and make sure I could afford to go out afterwards with the kids before taking me safely home.
* the next door neighbor who signed me up for little league when my parents didn't, took me to every game for several years, and taught me to throw a baseball. He took me to church with him too.
* a Christian friend who calls me here in Indiana every other Tuesday from Houston, or wherever his business travels take him, just to assure we stay in touch and that I have someone to share challenges with.
* the friend from church choir who felt led by God to give me a check one Sunday morning to help me back in my college days, not knowing I had lost my job that week.
* the pastor, who on more than one occasion was waiting for me as a member of my family showed up at the hospital at 6:00 am for some surgery procedure.
I could go on, but I think you see my point. We all have opportunities to do some rather small things well within our comfort zones for others and truly minister to them, in ways they will remember forever. I also believe you have been blessed by some of these ministers, and pray that there are others who would tell this kind of story about you.


Thursday.

Topic: Missions aren't new.

Hymn: Onward Christian Soldiers verse 3
Like a mighty army, moves the church of God.
Brothers (and sisters) we are treading, where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we: one in hope and doctrine, one in charity (love).

Scripture:
2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. (KJV)

Devotion:
It would be easy to read the newspaper (it's what old people use instead of the Internet) or watch TV and get really depressed or confused about what is going on in our world. Our country split down the middle over a leader. Our national economy described as being at a cliff after years without a budget. European countries in turmoil. Israel facing many challenges. Even reality shows about survivalists and polygamists.

But I chose to think back on one of the old hymns, which may not even be politically correct anymore. I realize again, that nothing we experience is truly new. Others have experienced troubles and trials, and yet, we know God is still in charge. He wants us to be His ambassadors where we are every day, and to carry forward his message. For some, it will involve living in exotic places and adapting to strange cultures. For others, it simply means growing where you're planted. Recognizing that no matter the things that separate us, there is unity in our faith. Jesus still died for our sins, and we have a mission to share our experiences with others. Think daily on the enduring hope that is Christ, and listen. You'll know what mission He has for you.


Friday

Topic: Personal mission.

Hymn: Just a Closer Walk with Thee. Verse 2.
Through this world of toil and snares, if I falter, Lord who cares?
Who with me my burden shares? None but thee, dear Lord, none but thee.
Just a closer walk with thee, grant it Jesus is my plea.
Daily walking close to thee, let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Scripture: Acts 2:
"In the Last Days," God says,
"I will pour out my Spirit
on every kind of people:
Your sons will prophesy,
also your daughters;
Your young men will see visions,
your old men dream dreams.
When the time comes,
I'll pour out my Spirit
On those who serve me, men and women both...

Devotion:
I may not be a young man anymore, but I haven't reached the dream stage yet either. I find that on one hand, I know myself better, and on the other, I have fewer certainties. I even find myself asking questions about things I used to think I knew. And you know what? I've decided that it's ok. The questions are things like what impression do I want to leave on my family and friends? What memories do I want to share with them? How does God want to use me at this stage of life? In how many ways am I choosing to live less than God's best? Do I know the difference between a want and a need? Who are my heroes? Am I really doing my very best?

And as I progress through this life, I try to walk closer to my God every day, listen more carefully to what He is saying to me, and then go forward and do the things that would please Him. Like most of you, I have a home, a family, a job, friends, and so on. Each of those provides an opportunity for God to use me as His missionary. If I don't seize each chance, I have no one to blame but myself.

What things are you choosing to do to walk closer to God? Are you watching to see when He pours out his Spirit on you.





Sent from Jim's iPad.

I am second. ><//>