10/29/2024
I have been thinking, and writing, a great deal recently about two subjects; prayer, and missions. This morning I was reading E. M. Bounds, and his devotional today was titled "Born in the Divine Mind". It dealt with these very same subjects, and as I read the words of Pastor Bounds I was captured by his thought as he ended his message in this way: "Both prayer and missions were born in the Divine Mind. Prayer creates and makes missions successful, while the success of missions lean heavily on prayer." - E. M. Bounds
“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 his harvest.”
Luke 10:2 ESV
When I was growing up we called missionary work "spreading the good news", or "sharing the gospel". In saying this the implication was that missionaries were expected to go half way around the world with the message of salvation, and yet, most of us found that we were just going next door, or witnessing to someone at school, or where we worked. It took a while, but I came to understand that a lost soul is a desperate one, whether it lives next door or far away in Zimbabwe, you see, a soul saved is a glorious thing and the reward for saving it is great.
“My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”
James 5:19-20 ESV
Who knows, perhaps that fellow we witnessed to at work may find his calling in China and bring thousands to the Lord there... Or maybe he will deliver the message to his family, and they to their friends, and... Well you get the picture. But none of that happens without our own personal missionary effort. My bible verse today is Luke 24:49 and it tells us how we will be empowered to do this work.
“And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."”
Luke 24:49 ESV
Interesting thing about the Apostles... They didn't just sit idly around waiting for this "power from on high", they went to the temple and prayed every day. Prayer is integral to our faith and our ability to receive the things God has in store for us. So let’s pray that the Holy Spirit comes upon us, just as the apostles did, and once it has, that we will take that power into the world where we are called. Let’s pray that once there we will deliver the Good News... become a missionary, and do so in whatever harvest field we find ourselves. If we will do this our reward will be one of great joy. Are we willing? Are we prepared to sow the seed?
“He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”
Psalm 126:6 ESV
Prayer:
Thank you Father for your Holy Spirit, and the power you give us when you breathe him upon us. Father, let your Spirit hover over each and every one of us, and impart to us the same power that you bestowed on the Apostles of Jesus those many years ago. Lord, let us feel this joy, and quickening, as we come to understand that your Spirit is not given simply to uplift our own, but to instill in us the power we will need to go into the world as your emissaries. Abba, as we come to you each day in prayer, inspire us to use this power you have implanted within us, and not let it languish idly. Thrill our souls as we bring others to you... let your glorious will be realized in our meager efforts, and our praise rise up to you through our unceasing prayers. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who calls some of us to spend 40 years wandering the world as we deliver the gospel, and others of us to a lifetime speaking of Jesus in a single small village. But, Holy are you who uses us in these many ways to bring hope to the world’s lost souls wherever they are found, or to give hope to that one lost lamb in our own hometown. Whatever our calling, we pray that you will strengthen us in our faith, give us wisdom, and help us to find the courage to speak of Jesus to others as you lead us in delivering your Word, and His gospel to those who know Him not. Hear our prayers wherever we are, and have mercy on those we kneel with as they ask you for forgiveness, salvation, and grace. Help us to clearly, and concisely speak of Jesus Christ, and how He was born, lived, suffered, died, and was resurrected that we would be redeemed and delivered from death. Help us to give hope to the lost as we speak to them of our own personal relationship with your Son, and how, through Him, we came to be your adopted child… a child of God, an heir and joint heir with Jesus. Let this seed of faith we have sown fall on fertile ground Father, and give us amazing joy as we celebrate that moment of sweet redemption with one who, like the prodigal son, was lost but is now found, and who was dead but is now alive.
Amen
“For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.”
Luke 15:24
“And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”
Daniel 12:3 ESV
Rich Forbes