A Missionary Here at Home

Can You Be a Missionary Here at Home?

Yes, you most certainly can!

I used to be confused about that myself until, over the years, I came to understand that God will call you where He wants you to be. It may be overseas, or it may be as a missionary here at home. God is calling you to spread His message of salvation through Jesus Christ, and it doesn’t matter where you live.

Our Courageous Brothers and Sisters in Christ

There’s no doubt, the brave men and women who work in the foreign mission field are doing God’s work. They are working tirelessly right there on the front lines, with family in tow, planting seeds for the Kingdom and helping to lead people to Christ.

missionary here at homeI admire foreign missionaries more than I can say. It takes a special person to take the training and learn the culture to be able to acclimate abroad. Many of these missionaries risk their lives every day. They gladly accept the risks, including facing religious persecution and death, to spread the gospel.

But, what if you can’t travel right now? Is missionary work strictly a “ticket overseas” kind of thing? Not at all. In fact, God has endowed all of us with spiritual gifts which we can use for His kingdom no matter where we are. It could be overseas, it could be here in the U.S., it could even be at your place of work during your lunch hour.

*If we give God service it must be because He gives us grace. We work for Him because He works in us.Christian pastor, Charles Spurgeon.

Blessed Giving

Opening your checkbook and donating to missions is a great thing. That’s being a good financial steward. But, if you can also discover your spiritual gifts and use them in a way to bring glory to God, then you’re in the mission field God has chosen just for you.

These are just a few of the many possible examples:

  • Volunteer at a local organization that clothes and feeds the needy and demonstrates God’s love.
  • Become an ESL teacher. Use that wonderful opportunity to break through the language barrier and share Christ’s love.
  • Establish a college campus ministry to support other Christian students in public universities.
  • Use your gift as a musician or vocalist to perform songs that glorify God, especially to our nation’s youth.
  • Start a Bible study for co-workers during your lunch hour.
  • Encourage others through social media.
  • Anonymously buy a meal at a restaurant for someone, for example, a soldier, an elderly person, or a cancer patient.
  • Write articles, a novel, or a screenplay that honors God and reaches a dying world.
  • Share your testimony, especially with a lost friend or neighbor.
  • Hand out gospel tracts in a busy downtown area.
  • Sponsor a child overseas or here at home.

sharing faithIf you are actively sharing your faith with others, then you’re working in a mission field. Don’t feel discouraged if you’re not able to travel with a missionary team. Your mission field doesn’t have to be overseas. It can be where you are right now. We must all look for those opportunities where we can talk about our delight in God with the world.

God will bless you for it!

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*Charles Spurgeon quotation, public domain, as quoted from ChristianQuotes.info.

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The Movie, “Risen”

The Movie, “Risen”

Have you seen the promos for the movie, “Risen?”

It looks like it could be pretty good. I’ve checked local theaters and it appears that, unfortunately, the movie is only being offered on a limited release. For instance, in our hometown, it’s just showing this weekend. I don’t understand that, but I really hope folks turn out to support it. We as Christians need to show Hollywood we want more movies the whole family can see.

Here’s a clip released from Sony Pictures for “Risen,”

I haven’t seen the movie yet or even a promotional copy, but I’m hoping for the best and that the film’s producers have created a believable story line.

I love this verse from Scripture

I’ve read the passages in the Bible about the death and resurrection of Jesus. One verse that always come back to mind is this one from Luke 23:47-48, NASB.

* 47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts.

The movie RisenThe centurion praised God! A Roman officer witnessed the horrific events of the Cross and then he praised God.

To praise means to “admire and commend.”

That is so huge and one of the gold nuggets in the Bible that I like to think about. Jesus was experiencing a violent death and yet God’s only Son prayed for His enemies who had nailed Him to the Cross. Jesus also welcomed a repentant thief, also hanging on a cross, into the eternal kingdom that was to come.

JesusCan you imagine the centurion, a non-believer standing guard at the Cross, hearing those precious words of forgiveness from our Lord at a time of His greatest agony?

I try to put myself in his place.

What was going through the centurion’s mind? Perhaps,

No! This can’t be happening.
This man is innocent.
Oh Lord, forgive me.

I get chills.

God bless you this week.

*Bible verse taken from New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

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Rising Above Life’s Storms: Austin and Lindsey Adamec

Rising Above Life’s Storms: Austin and Lindsey Adamec                    

I can’t wait for Austin and Lindsey Adamec’s new album to come out. I recently heard an advance promotional copy and I think their new self-titled EP from Radiate Music is incredible. Their vocals are simply beautiful. The Adamecs There are six songs on the album. The lyrics of every song are heartfelt jewels of encouragement reminding us that God wants none of us to perish and that, with our heartfelt prayers, He will walk with us through every one of life’s storms.

This extremely gifted husband and wife team have dedicated their impressive musical talents to sharing God’s word through song. My favorite song on the album is, “Lost In You.” You can hear an excerpt of it in the video above. The guitar intro and soft harmonies lead the listener along a tranquil path. Sometimes I need that, just to hear a soothing song during the day.

Mysteries unraveling, hope that’s everlasting,

safe in the unknowing is where I want to be.

I’m lost in You, I’m lost in You.

Do you need encouragement? Are you facing a difficult challenge? This song affirms the real peace that comes when we are walking with God. He is always present, just a prayer away, when we put our trust in Him.

It Is Finished

Another favorite song of mine is “It Is Finished.”

A war was waged inside of Heaven,

a war the enemy has lost,

a war that ended with a sentence,

it is finished on the cross.

I love that! There is power, awesome power, in the name of Jesus. Through Him alone we will have the final victory. Spiritual attacks come into our lives, but remember that victory is ours. We must keep our focus and persevere in Jesus’ name.  When our hearts are heavy, we can shout it to our souls, “It is finished on the Cross!”

Rising Above Life’s Storms With Austin and Lindsey Adamec

Austin and Lindsey Adamec have weathered many storms in their own lives. In the beginning of their relationship, their busy schedules often kept them apart. Lindsey’s cup was already full as one of the talented singer/songwriters of 1 Girl Nation and Austin was burning the midnight oil as a singer and songwriter.

“With endless nights away from each other on the road and a growing whisper in our hearts to root ourselves back in the local church, we were desperate for signs in Scripture that pointed to such a crazy blind faith to step out into the unknown. That’s when the familiar passage of Peter walking on water came to us. In the midst of a massive storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus tells Peter to ‘come’ and walk out on the storm-battered waters,” 1 says Austin.

The reminder of Peter’s stormy encounter with Jesus marked a renewed commitment for the couple. They faced their challenges head on with fervent prayer and an unshakable faith. Austin and Lindsey AdamecThey decided to take a different path, become a duo, and the resulting album is a testimony to their beautiful story. I love that they are celebrating God’s faithfulness for the world to see. I hope their album will be a huge success. The album drops on March 29. For more information, you can find their website here: austinandlindseyadamec.com. They also have a Facebook fan page at: https://www.facebook.com/Austin-and-Lindsey-Adamec-461601650710092/ I hope you get a chance to check them out. Love and blessings to you!

[1] Single quotation from Hoganson Media Relations. (2016). Austin and Lindsey bio. [Press release}. From http://www.austinandlindseyadamec.com/about/

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Happy New Year 2016

Happy New Year 2016

Happy New Year 2016

Greetings to one and all!

I just wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you

for visiting my blog and for your continued friendships.

I have received many kind words from you,

both on my blog and through private emails.

You have complimented my writing and, for that,

I am humbled and grateful.

Hoping My Blog is Helpful

My ultimate intention, with the help of the Holy Spirit,

is to plant seeds for the Kingdom.

If my blog has been helpful to you in any way

or if my testimony has touched you, then that means more to me

than words could ever express.

My family is my brothers and sisters in Christ and I can’t

wait to meet all of you someday when the Lord takes us home.

May God bless you with His love, guidance, strength, and mercy in 2016.

We’re in this together!

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Merry Christmas to You and Yours

Merry Christmas to You and Yours

In the hustle and bustle of the season,

may we never forget the One who came to save us.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas to you and yours

Celebrating The One Who Came To Save Us

Happy Birthday Jesus, the greatest gift of all! He alone is more than we ever need. He alone came to us as one of us and yet, He is divine.

Who could deserve such a love? Certainly not us and yet, He paid the price for our sins because He thinks we’re worth it.

It’s hard for the human mind to fathom.

Hallelujah Christians, that we have opened our eyes to this truth!

Who could deny such a gift of grace? Are they crazy?

The Bible’s foretelling of Jesus’ birth was fulfilled.

Scripture is Truth. For those of us who are Christian, our hearts are filled with the blessed promise of eternity with Him.

It’s time to spread the good news and, with guidance from the Holy Spirit,  help reach the lost for Christ!

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