Jesus said to them again, "…As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." —John 20:21
“A missionary is someone sent by Jesus Christ just as He was sent by God. The great controlling factor is not the needs of people, but the command of Jesus. In missionary work the great danger is that God’s call will be replaced by the needs of the people, to the point that human sympathy for those needs will absolutely overwhelm the meaning of being sent by Jesus. The needs are so enormous, and the conditions so difficult, that every power of the mind falters and fails. We tend to forget that the one great reason underneath all missionary work is not primarily the elevation of the people, their education, nor their needs, but is first and foremost the command of Jesus Christ— “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” (Matthew 28:19). We give credit to human wisdom when we should give credit to the divine guidance of God being exhibited through childlike people who were “foolish” enough to trust God’s wisdom and His supernatural equipment.” - My Utmost For His Highest
"Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:26-31)
We should not for an instant think that we can do anything for God without God. Anything we do for God is by the Spirit of God, by our new nature, not by our old nature and its works. Even our salvation is a gift from God through Jesus and by the Spirit and not of works so no one can take credit for what God has done. The only way we can please God is by giving our whole heart to Him.
What God asks of us often times seems foolish to the world. In our experience, God has always given us what we needed when we needed it. (not necessarily what we wanted) He has called us to very difficult places. He has asked us to defy human reasoning ... even in favor of what many Christians would consider “reasonable” life choices. We have abandoned the “comfortable” life for the physically uncomfortable. The life of relative financial abundance for a life of hardship and little comfort. And for what? For His glory and the good of others. Would that be good enough for you? I am not asking you to compare yourself to us. God may not call you to our life and service. But are you willing to lay your life down, for God, no matter what that means?
What we have actually given up to serve is unknown to most people and I will not elaborate here, lest I boast in our sacrifice. My point is, God may ask you to give up everything. In the fact of the matter, He already has.
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” - 1 John 2:15-17
And if you don’t love it, you won’t mind leaving it. When you consider God’s calling on your life do you think about what saying “yes” would cost you financially? Friend, I hate to say it, but you have heart trouble! Where is your faith? Don’t you think that God could restore what you gave up, if He chose to? Examine your heart. What I am sharing with you applies even if you stay in your job, stay in your house, live your life without disruption. Live your life with a whole heart for God and be ready at any moment to give it up, if the Lord says so. Don’t be like Lot’s wife or the rich young ruler. Follow Jesus with empty hands and a heart full of love for God.
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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