Costa Mesa Mission
It is that time of year again. We (LCF youth) are on our annual missions trip, reaching the lost for Jesus Christ. First I would like to say that we covet your prayers! Please be praying for God to do amazing work within the hearts of our team. A mission is a time to grow exponentially if we are willing to receive what Jesus has for us. Also pray against the works of the enemy, that Satan would not reign over this trip but that Jesus would! Also please pray for safe travels and a church van that will make it through Death Valley. As it turns out we are supposed to be driving through this part of Nevada and California while record high temps are being reached. Exciting!
Secondly, I have to ask, why are we doing this?
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into the harvest.” (Luke 10:2)
“Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.” (John 4:35)
I believe scripture speaks for itself.
We go first, because we are commissioned. We are commissioned to go and make disciples so that more disciples can be made. We are to always be living a commissioned life whether here in Twin Falls, or down in Costa Mesa.
We go second, because the laborers are few. Jesus has commissioned His church yet so many don’t go. The work is hard, that is why it’s called labor, yet we must go for our third reason.
The harvest is plentiful. There are so many that we don’t even know of who are ready to hear the gospel. The Holy Spirit has prepared hearts to tip into the arms of Jesus and so we must go. I can’t help but wonder how many there are who are ready for this Good News!
Father, I pray for your blessing on this mission trip. Would you do a mighty work in the hearts of many and save some! I also pray for hearts of willingness to go as you have commissioned all of your church to go and make disciples. May we be willing to say, “Here I am Lord, send me!” We commit this trip to the work of your Spirit. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen!
Domino Effect
Last week my wife and I were able to sneak away for a couple of days of R&R. As we were traveling on the way to Boise we stopped at little town for breakfast. To our surprise the waitress was a woman that we taught in Sunday school over 20 years ago. She was married along with her sister to two brothers and they both had children of their own. We had a great time of fellowshipping and the food was good too. As we were getting ready to leave we found out that she had paid for our meal in full. When I confronted her she shared how my wife and I had impacted her and her family in so many ways over the years. I really had no idea of such an impact upon that girl.
How often do we affect people with our lives and not even see the long term results. I’m reminded of several verses; Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will depart not depart from it”, 2 Timothy 3:15 “And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus”, Isaiah 45:13 “I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways.
Do we consider the daily impact we have on people we encounter in this world? The domino effect began with Jesus and all we need to do is get in line.