Go Fish

Every morning at the crack of dawn, a startling sound can be heard, there's no doubt the sound is that of an engine being switched on. While most people are peacefully asleep, this fisherman is awake, he moves the ropes from the dock, neatly arranges them and off he sails right into the darkness of the deep blue sea. This tradition of fishing in the early hours of the morning has continued for a long period of time. Fisherman know quite well and attest to the fact that, 'if you start early, you stand a better chance of success.'

This principle is pretty much applicable to the Christian life don't you think? The householder in Matthew 20:1 went to hire labourers early in the morning, Jesus resurrected early on the first day of the week according to Mark 16:9. Mark 1:35 further records Jesus waking up early (before or at dawn) in the morning, went to a secluded place and there held communion with His Father. All these encounters indicate that there is a special blessing that comes in the early hours of the morning. Have you been having communion with God in the early hours of each morning? If the success/victory of Jesus was dependent on those early hours, imagine how much victory we can gain when we do the same. 

In Mark 1:17 Jesus says to them "...come after me and I will make you to become fishers of men." Jesus leads by example, He calls them to be like Him for He came to serve, He came to restore and redeem humanity. Similarly, we like the great fisherman can serve (service to God and man) while it is still day. Is it no wonder that John records Jesus saying "I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." John 9:4

The work of fishing for souls or witnessing for Jesus, is not done haphazardly, it is done skillfully like the fisherman does. It is not a work that is just done by teaching, but is characterized by practice, through leading an exemplary life -- a life of sacrifice, we will be given power to reach many. "The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth reapers into his harvest." Let's go fishing.

"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." Luke 9:23

Backpacking Through Life

Preparing for a wilderness adventure is exciting -- backpacking/camping call it whatever you like, it's convenient, low-cost and gets us in touch with nature and with each other, that's what matters. But before venturing off we need to get a few things in place, number one is, doing proper planning and thorough research, we need to determine where we are going in order to get to our destination. Two, we need publications about our desired destination, which language is spoken in that area and three, we need to determine how we'll get there as well as some tools to bring along while we journey on. 

First things first we need friends and food (for obvious reasons), utensils, a map, torch, tough shoes, warm clothing, a camera, pen, note pad/journal, hat, tent (including add ins), money and some determination, now we're set. The Christian walk is an adventure and the Great Commission is the greatest adventure we have been given. Making friends and telling them about our heavenly family, about our loving Father. What do you think? What are some of your perceptions about Christianity? Do you think it's fun and exciting? Do you find pleasure in seeking for souls and making new friends of different languages and different races and cultures?

Friends our destination is Heaven, and for us to get there, we need to study a bit more about Heaven, the language, the atmosphere and the entry level to Heaven. Wouldn't it be powerful to bring all your friends to your new home? Think about it, why would you go to Heaven alone? Why wait for your family or friends to perish when you have all the resources to help them get there? With God's word (Bible) as our map and torch according to Psalm 119:9-12, verse 103 and 105. And maintaining a personal companionship and connection with Jesus, as our way to heaven according to John 14:6, we also need others, as Jesus did in Matthew 26:36,37 so why not bring a friend? James 2:14 & 17.

"All these people died having faith. They did not receive the things that were promised, yet they saw them in the distant future and welcomed them, acknowledging that they were strangers and foreigners on earth." Hebrews 11:13  (ISV)

Trade

"Those who are willing to sacrifice all for eternal life will have it; but it will be worth suffering for, worth crucifying self and sacrificing every idol for. The far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory will outweigh every earthly treasure and eclipse every earthly attraction. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." Will we let Him in? He would not have us stand at this time, amid the perils of the last days, in our own finite strength...It is our privilege to walk in the sunshine of His presence, and weave into the characters we are forming the golden threads of cheerfulness, gratitude, forbearance, and love. We may thus show the power of divine grace, and reflect light from Heaven amid all the frets and irritations that come to us day by day. Then why do we go stumbling along without light?" ~ Our High Calling pg. 351,352

The Mission-Minded Family

In an age where the world is in a chaotic state, a time when wars and disasters are on every side, when families live in fear, and hope for the better grows vague, at this time when our shrines of self-sufficiency come crumbling down “…I [hear] the voice of the Lord, saying, whom shall I send, and who will go for us?...”

Can you vividly remember those early years in the classroom when teachers would ask us what we wanted to be when we grew up? Certainly, from that point on the expectation was set, that of making a ‘success’ of life. From the world around us, we learnt that in order to be successful, we needed to attain wealth or fame, and upon this and many other ideas our young minds imbibed.

The rat race began - - in pursuit of happiness (wealth) and it only later dawns in most minds that success does not constitute material wealth alone, for even Solomon in all his wealth and wisdom could not but utter that “all is vanity.” Success is having the will to surrender your future plans to the hands of the One who knows the end from the beginning.

Mission-minded families are the answer to societal ills. A mission-minded family is one that realizes that there is life beyond the house, work and play, one that is focused on serving God and humanity. A family unit that has a passion for the lost, widowed, orphaned and homeless is a great model, a home where both parents and children work together to make God known by precept and example.

Mission-minded parents encourage and bring up their children to use their vigour of youth, talent, and courage to serve. Indeed our families may be of worth to society, for “even so have I also sent them into the world" says the Lord. The call has been made, the God of Heaven and Earth has heard the cries of His people; not that He has been deaf, He sees the sufferings of humanity, not that He has been blind, but that we had strayed from the Almighty, from our purpose.

The Saviour is even now asking, who will be willing to represent my love on earth? Who will be an instrument of hope and mercy on earth? “Then said I, Here am I; send me.”

Are YOU a Missionary?

When we were growing up, despite our different upbringings and backgrounds, most of us were told stories about missionaries - - those extraordinary people who sacrificed their lives for the good of others, yea for the love of gospel service to their fellow man in foreign countries, they suffered privation, pain and some even death, and this, in order to make known to others the love of God, the grace of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.

For many of us, a vivid picture in our minds was painted, one which readily stirred our hearts as we listened. Missionaries - - such people still exist today, however; our perceptions of missions and missionaries is still rather bleak. So what is a missionary? a missionary is said to be "a  person sent on a religious mission, especially one sent to promote Christianity in a foreign country."

The definition is definitely saturated with meaning, but is that the only definition of what a missionary is? To serve in a foreign land is a great adventure, however; only a few are afforded that opportunity. When the great commission was first given to the disciples in the twenty eighth chapter of Matthew, Jesus assures and commands them saying: 

“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

From the words of Jesus Christ himself, we get an indication that there is a part for all to play. ‘Go ye’ shouldn't that mean me? ‘teach all nations’ But we can’t all go to foreign lands or can we? ‘whatsoever I have commanded you.’ The mandate comes from God, the method comes from God, the vessel? that’s you and me.

Hudson Taylor once stated that "the Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed."

We may not all be able to travel to foreign lands to do missions, but we have all been called to serve; now how may I serve? One may ask? Have you ever wondered how many people in your family, your neighborhood, your community, your College, University, your workplace and your areas of influence actually know about God? Have you ever thought how the power of living an exemplary, godly Christian life can show the practicality of true Christianity? Let your sphere of influence become your mission field!  

One of the most expressive writers of all time Ellen White, writes “Every son and daughter of God is called to be a missionary; we are called to the service of God and our fellow men; and to fit us for this service should be the object of our education.”

Are YOU a missionary?