How Missions-Minded are you? By Karen Finn

How Missions-Minded are you? 

 By Karen Finn

Caitlyn looked forward to camp every summer. She’d been going ever since she was in junior high. There was always so much to do, and it was fun making new friends. The preaching was good too, causing Caitlyn to re-evaluate some of her attitudes and actions. However, this year was different. Seven of her nine cabin-mates had been on a mission’s trip, which got her thinking. I’d like to do that, she thought. I’m going to pray about doing that next summer. 

Do you think that the Holy Spirit was speaking to Caitlyn’s heart? I think so. Her exposure to God’s Word in a camp-setting was stirring up not only conviction, but a challenge to look outward at the need of others. Being “missions-minded” is having a greater awareness of the spiritual need that exists all around you. Our minds automatically envision a foreign culture or an impoverished country. Yet, there may be multiple, local opportunities God is placing right under your nose! If you are in a public school setting, that is a mission field, for sure! What about the older residents at the local nursing home, who enjoy visitors? Reaching out to a lonely neighbor, an introverted teenager, or an unsaved relative—all of these are occasions to minister and put into action what God commands us to do.

Traveling to a far-off place has a distinctive, glamorous sense to it, doesn’t it? However, we never stop to think about the obstacles that are dealt with, day in and day out. I know of one missionary couple, which set out with eagerness and excitement to share God’s Word, only to realize that they had to spend three years in language study before they were able to communicate with the inhabitants. It was frustrating to not be able to jump right into the work they had planned on doing. During those three years, the husband and his wife cultivated an attitude of patience, resting in the knowledge that God would ultimately use them as He wished. What a humbling experience!

Whether or not Caitlyn gets to go on that desired mission’s trip, she can play a vital part now, in supporting those who are already on the mission-field.  James 5:16b proclaims, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Our prayers have the power to direct the hand of God, and should not be taken lightly. Paul gives us a pattern for prayer in Colossians 1:9-12: “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light (KJV).”

Here is an outline of specific requests you can bring to God concerning those who are serving in the field as a missionary:

 

1.) Pray for them to be in God’s Will.

2.) Pray for them to be filled with wisdom and discernment.

3.) Pray that their actions will please God.

4.) Pray that they will treat others well.

5.) Pray that their work on the field is productive.

6.) Pray that their relationship with God remains close, always growing.

7.) Pray that they will remain strengthened and continue to be steadfast.   

8.) Pray that they would have a thankful spirit in all things.

Paul’s prayer pattern can actually be applied to our own, everyday lives. The spiritual needs listed for missionaries, are quite similar to what we should personally strive for—discernment, strengthening, thankfulness, etc. Use this list as a reminder to support those who are making a sacrifice to leave the comforts of home, and are willing to take the Gospel (“Good News”) to those who need it. And, apply it for your own personal use, realizing that God is preparing you to serve on the mission field he has planned for you!

India or Ice Cream? By Sarah P.

India or Ice Cream?

By Sarah P.

"The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard.
Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world."
~Psalm 19: 1-4

As I watched the sunrise this morning, this verse really came to my mind. It's a really amazing world we've been given! From here in the USA all the way to India, God has given us a wonderful place to live. What's the only thing that ruins it? We do. As humans, we "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". (Romans 3:23) It can be discouraging to think about this. God gave us this perfect world to live in, and in return we sin and go against His will. There's more to the story, though. God gave us grace through Jesus, and He saved us! (See John 3:16) Now we don't have to live like that anymore! We can choose to glorify God and live for Him daily!

There are other people in the world that don't know about this, and it's our job to spread the word. Take India, for example; a nation of 1.237 billion+ people, and most of them have never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. We, as Christians, have to tell them about Jesus! He commanded us to tell them the Good News in the Great Commision. (Matthew 28:16-20) However.....not all of us can fly to India and spend a month, two months, or three months there as missionaries. We can certainly help with our time, resources, and influence, though. If you don't think you can make a difference, look at this fact: the average American family spends around $75.00 on ice cream each year! (www.pamallison.com/2012/06/12/ice-cream-who-buys-it/) That's enough money to send almost 76 children to a week-long Bible school in India! I like this dessert, but would I rather indulge my sweet tooth or have 75 children hear the gospel? This should be an easy choice to make! I'm not saying that you should give up ice cream, but I hope you get the point: you can make a difference for Jesus!

It's the same sun that rises and sets all over the world, and it's the same moon that shines during the night. The living conditions are not the same everywhere, though, and not all people have had the opportunity to hear about Jesus. We have to reach out! God has done more than enough; He sent us Jesus and this beautiful world to live in. He asks us to show His love to others in the world by telling them about Jesus...so, what will it be? India or ice cream?
(Note: if you are interested in more about missions in India, visit www.lostinindia.org. It's a great fundraiser!)

Play Place or Disney World For Your Campus? By Caitlin S.

Play Place or Disney World For Your Campus?

By Caitlin S.

How many of you have ever seen someone get saved on your campus? I have. My original thought was to write each and every article about one of the 5 commitments of a Campus Missionary that I introduced in my last article:
-Pray

-Live

-Tell

-Serve

-Give


But God has a way of changing our plans, and today I just want to stir your heart, and stir your passion for the students on your campus. I know it's summer and you may not have seen a lot of them in a while now, but as much as some of us hate to think about it, school is really starting very soon!

So, think about how many kids in your school openly oppose God, how many are hurting possibly cutting, drinking, and otherwise experimenting with ways to cope besides a relationship with Jesus. How many of your friends desperately need Jesus? Now what are you going to do about it?

It's not about your school having a campus club for Christian students, or whether or not they allow you to wear Christian shirts ( I'll post a link to your rights on your campus in my next article); it's really not so much about that as it is ministering to your friends one on one who need Jesus. It's about you praying for them and your teachers and school.

I heard a story once, and I don't know who originally wrote it, but I heard it from Jeanne Mayo's ministry.

There was a young boy who was riding in the car with his parents. He didn't know where they were going, and the car had been moving a very long time. Finally, he and his family stopped at McDonald's to eat (one with one of those very cool play places). The little boy was very excited and ate all of his food like his mother required for him to play in the play place. He was so happy to be getting to move around after being in the car for so long. Then it came time to get back in the car, but the little boy didn't want to leave; he loved the play place, and his new friends, and he didn't want to ride in the car for a very long time, so he threw a fit, and kicked and screamed and cried. Eventually the parents got the boy in the car and he cried himself to sleep. When he woke up at their destination, he was pleasantly surprised to see that they were at Disney World. See, the little boy didn't know what his parents had in store for him, but what they had in store was much better. How many times are we like this with God?

You see your Camus right now it's a McDonald's play place, you'rr there and your friends are there, but how much life change is going on? Do you know your friends don't have to come to your church or youth group to get saved, that they can find Jesus right there at school, and that you can lead them into that relationship with Him - it doesn't have to be your pastor or youth pastor. What God has for your campus and your friends is the Disney World of a relationship with Him - the best thing that they will ever experience - He has a revival for your school (yes, your public school), but He needs students like you who know Jesus to lead it. To pray for and show others His love.

" Look at the Nations and watch and be utterly amazed for I am going to do a work in Your day that you would not believe even if you were told" Habakkuk 1:5

Are you being stirred with compassion for your campus? Do you want that revival that I mentioned? Can't fathom a revival at school? Email godlygirlsforgod@yahoo.com and put "Campus Missions" in the subject for more info. Or go to http://www.campus missionary.com

Become a Campus Missionary! By Caitlin S.

Become a Campus Missionary!

By Caitlin S.

Has anyone ever told you that your school campus is a mission field? Or that you are the missionary that your friends and classmates need? The public school campus is the most strategic mission field in the United States, because 90% of our population passes through the public school system at some point.
Even if you go to school in another country or go to private school, this is still the place where you spend the most time with people who you can impact! Some basic commitments that are important if you want to be a missionary to your campus are:

Pray - Pray for your school, administrators, teachers and students every day.
Live - Live out your personal relationship with Jesus in your actions and interactions with others.
Tell - Tell your salvation story and what God has done for you when opportunities arise.
Serve - Serve your campus in anyway possible.
Give - Give or your time, talent, or finances to make s difference in the lives of fellow students.

Their are all kinds of simple ways to do some of these things; wear Christian t-shirts to school, do a school project on a biblical topic, carry your Bible at school, pray over your food at lunch, pick up someone's book they dropped in the hallway, pick up trash when you see it on the ground. Volunteer to help with school events or projects. Its very simple to impact someone's life and you may be the only Bible they ever read, so step up and step out!

What if my school doesn't allow some of these things?
You have the right to do any of the things I have mentioned above while at school during non-instructional time, as well as to be able to have a Christian or Bible club at school, and so much more!

I want to be a missionary to my campus - but how?
You are already a missionary to your campus just by living out your faith at school. If you would like to sign up officially you can do so at Campusmissionary.com and there are also a ton of free resources for you available there. Signing up there will also give you the option of getting information about training and even more resources available to you. I will be writing more articles and stories about campus missions, but if you have any questions or would like more information just email godlygirls@yahoo.com and put "Campus Missions" in the subject and I will be glad to get those from the staff and answer them for you. You can make a difference, and I believe in you!

“Look at the nations and watch and be utterly amazed, for I am going to do a work in your day you would not believe even if you were told” Habakkuk 1:5 (I stood on this verse as a campus missionary and saw God do some awesome things at my school!)