“The Lord promises to go before us, to prepare the way for His coming (Eph. 3:4-6). In Devotional 4, we saw how God had prepared the Sawi of Papua New Guinea to receive Jesus through their ‘peace child ritual.’ Similarly, we witnessed how the ancient legend of the ‘buffalo skin’ had prepared the Akeu to better understand and receive the Gospel.”
Read More“In the books of Revelation and Daniel, God is presented with white hair -- a clear reference to His overflowing wisdom deposited among all nations! His wisdom is a hidden mystery that awaits its time of unveiling.”
Read More“From the Garden of Eden, the Great Flood and the Tower of Babel, to the plagues of Egypt and the crucifixion of Christ, God's intervention at significant times in human history have included both His judgment and blessing simultaneously. It's important we remember this when engaging other peoples and considering what God has done and is doing among them.”
Read More“There is a way to keep from missing Jesus. It's through humility. Even if we do miss him, through humility our vision can be restored. When we humble ourselves, our eyes are opened to see from God's perspective.”
Read More“Jesus is at work all around you. Do you see Him? He's ready to be encountered within your context, right where you are. His presence, when encountered, in any location creates a crossroad of decision. There, genuine followers become worshipers of Jesus who cause the glory of God to fill the earth!”
Read More“Jesus still waits to receive the full reward of His suffering, His inheritance among all nations. (Ps 2:8) His table has been prepared, but there are seats that still remain unoccupied. (Matt. 22:9)”
Read More“The Kingdom of God has one King. In that sense, there is really only one leader -- Him. That perspective can help us keep things in order. Any other, and we are living and working out of step and in our own strength. A good follower can make a good leader, but a bad follower cannot.”
Read More“'Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary, use words,' advised St. Francis of Assisi. Truly, there is power in our presence. How we share our presence with others allows the Holy Spirit to come close through our relationships. This is an essential element of the Good News and our testimony.”
Read More“Life is better viewed as a war, not a game. In this spiritual war it is possible to win a battle and yet lose your testimony. Our calling is first to 'be a witness' for Christ. It is our testimony that matters most. (Rev. 12:11) The winning or losing is left in God's hands, as the battle is the Lord's. (I Sam. 17:47)”
Read More“Leaving home and entering another language and culture requires humility. It also requires faith. Faith, to leave family, and faith, to be received by others. It's a vulnerable position, not knowing whether or not you will be received, but there is grace to draw upon through the Spirit of adoption.”
Read More“Apostolic refers to those who are sent for the sake of the Gospel. The apostolic person leaves home and builds a new support system where they are sent through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Leaving one's own family and creating a new one is a key aspect of the apostolic call that can result in adoption.”
Read More“Genesis 8:22 says God has marked the times and seasons. This means calendric celebrations were God's idea and evidence of the Creator will be found there. As God began highlighting this truth to us, we started seeing the 'shadow of Christ' among many different people groups.”
Read More“God has always been near to us. (Acts 17:22-30) This was the revelation spoken by the Apostle Paul that spread among the Greeks. Carrying this foundational truth in our hearts as we go and serve others is a comforting reminder that we are not taking God to the people, but rather joining Him in the work He has already started and is actively doing there.”
Read More“The Apostle Paul said he'd become all things to all people so that by all possible means he might save some. (1 Cor. 9:22) It takes humility and faith to lay down our opinions, our ways, our knowledge, in order to learn from and live like the local people.”
Read More“God's heart is passionate for the least, the last and the lost. His pursuit of them will not be stopped. Those He sends out with the Gospel are apostolic. They share His passion and express His heart in the earth. This is apostolic passion -- the very core of the mission of God.”
Read More“Abram received a promise from God: 'I will be your shield.' A battle was ensuing over the 'promised land,' and Abram needed protection. Until Satan is bound and thrown into the lake of fire, we will engage in spiritual warfare. We are God's warriors, and He is our shield.”
Read More“Symbols, like pictures, are worth a thousand words. When applied carefully and appropriately in a certain context, they can help reveal God, His nature and His plan of redemption.”
Read More“Art stirs our emotions and engages our hearts. It touches our five senses: sight, sound, touch, taste and smell -- all of which are powerful in deepening our relationship with God and others.”
Read More“Many talk about the distance between the head and the heart. This is what distinguished Jesus' approach from the Pharisees'. The Pharisees focused on the law and strict obedience. Jesus stirred hearts. True change comes when hearts are engaged.”
Read More“Each of us are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God, but how did we get here? Our genealogy is a record of when and how our ancestors lived upon the earth. It is our own personal record of our place in the human story. It can also help us find our place within God's story.”
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