Rejection Isn’t Failure
Read: Luke 10:10-12 The kingdom of God has come near. (v. 11) Most people love affirmation and fear rejection. That’s why Facebook and Instagram have a button for “like” but not for “dislike.” Posting on social media involves risk. Others might not like us. Rejection feels personal. It’s also why we might be cautious in sharing […]
The Work of Mission
Read: Luke 10:8-9 Eat what is set before you. (v. 8) Many mission trips focus on work. The participants want to get things done, concentrating on the results: the number of houses built, teeth fixed, cataracts removed, or decisions for Christ. Having only a week for ministry, the teams rush to the healing and preaching of […]
No Ordinary People
Read: Luke 10:5-7 Peace be to this house! (v. 5) I don’t begin most conversations among new people with “peace.” To me, it sounds a bit like humans greeting aliens in a bad sci-fi movie: “We come in peace.” However, peace as a greeting would not be unusual for the disciples, especially entering Samaritan homes that […]
Travel Light
Read: Luke 10:4, Acts 13:3-5 Carry no moneybag, no knapsack . . . (v. 4) On my first mission experience in Uganda, I packed a digital camera but forgot the charging cord. I wasted an entire day canvassing small shops for a replacement. My host eventually asked, “Are you here to take pictures or to share […]
Lamb-like but Not Sheepish
Read: Luke 10:3, Psalm 23 Behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. (v. 3) As a little boy, I loved singing “Onward, Christian Soldiers” in Sunday school. We’d strut around like conquering heroes of a cosmic battle. I think the teachers were happy to have us burn off energy too! […]
The First Activity of Mission
Read: Luke 10:2; Acts 13:1-2 The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. (Luke 10:2) One Tuesday last November, I was setting out with our Ugandan team for a long trip through a remote area. We were already behind schedule when Godfrey, one of the leaders, called us to pray. Titus, another leader, sensed […]
The First Rule of Mission
Read: Luke 10:1; Acts 1:6-8 The Lord appointed seventy-two. (Luke 10:1) The first rule of mission is that it’s Christ’s mission, not ours. Luke 10:1 plainly says “the Lord” appoints and sends. It’s not about us. This runs counter to the mantras at many graduation ceremonies: “Follow your dreams,” “Change the world,” and the like. […]
What (Not) to Expect
Read: Luke 9:57-62 I will follow you wherever you go. (v. 57) Most of us can find ourselves among these would-be followers that Jesus encounters on his way to Jerusalem. The first was eager to follow but had no clue how limited living conditions would be. The second was willing but wanted to finish the obligations […]
July 2023 Prayer Guide
INDIA — Give thanks that our staff team in India was invited to organize a two-day seekers’ meeting at a nearby church. We are overjoyed that 70 people attended the meeting from many surrounding villages. The attendees represented several different ethnic groups as well. Pray for guidance as we work now to expand our ministry […]