How many of us have been to a great church service in the last few weeks? You know, good worship, strong preaching, catching up with some of our friends. We love to go to church, don’t we? How about reading our Bible and praying? Well, I’m sure we can each improve in those areas. What about believing everything we read in the Bible, or hear preached about in sermons? Do we actually believe, or live what Jesus says?
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matt. 28:19-20
I know what you’re thinking: I’m sure Jesus wasn’t talking to everybody. Isn’t there some interpretation of this scripture that says we don’t have to intentionally go to other countries? Are there not Christians already in these places that are supposed to reach their own people? I’ve got my own family to take care of! I thought I only needed to be a “missionary” where I live and work?
“How can they hear without a preacher?” Rom. 10:14
“Look after orphans and widows.” James 1:27
“I was hungry...I was thirsty...I was a stranger…
I was naked…I was sick…I was in prison…. You did not do it to the least of these.” Matt. 25:33-40
We can spend the rest of our lives trying to “interpret” Scripture so we can alleviate ourselves from the burden of dealing with the less fortunate and focus on making sure our bills are paid. Or we can find ways to obey the mandate on our lives to reach our world as Christ would. Supporting Global Infusion by joining us on a missions trip, or donating to this ministry, allows us to bring Jesus to a very hurting world. We need you. They need you.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Be a light where it is dark
Just a few hours ago, the GI team was at the airport, watching one of our Global Interns board a plane bound for Thailand. Summer Barbely will be stationed in Bangkok for the next 6 months with one of our Thai contacts. She has prepared, trained, and prayed for this moment. It was not bittersweet for us in the least. Of course we will miss her, but our happiness superceded any sense of loss. We know that God has called her for such a time as this.
I often wish everyone could understand what it takes to do something like what she is doing, or our past interns and staff have done, by living overseas long-term. I wish everyone could see how hard our teams work to raise funds, pray, and get ready to reach the lost with the Gospel. This life you and I are living is not a game. It is not a cosmic joke, or an experiment. We live in a real world, full of real sin, full of real people who need a Savior or they will die eternally. The simple fact is this: if we do not go, they will not hear. If you cannot go, send someone else.
It is very important to be a light wherever you are, but it is also important for us as Christians to intentionally go places where the light of God is very dim; places that do not have a church on every block, a downtown rescue mission, or hundreds of assistance programs to potentially lean on.
What goes through your mind when you read verses such as Luke 14:26-27? “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” Apparently Jesus is quite serious about following Him and building His Kingdom. I encourage you to partner with Global Infusion, as we continually reach hundreds and thousands of lives with the Gospel. We can change the world, together.
I often wish everyone could understand what it takes to do something like what she is doing, or our past interns and staff have done, by living overseas long-term. I wish everyone could see how hard our teams work to raise funds, pray, and get ready to reach the lost with the Gospel. This life you and I are living is not a game. It is not a cosmic joke, or an experiment. We live in a real world, full of real sin, full of real people who need a Savior or they will die eternally. The simple fact is this: if we do not go, they will not hear. If you cannot go, send someone else.
It is very important to be a light wherever you are, but it is also important for us as Christians to intentionally go places where the light of God is very dim; places that do not have a church on every block, a downtown rescue mission, or hundreds of assistance programs to potentially lean on.
What goes through your mind when you read verses such as Luke 14:26-27? “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” Apparently Jesus is quite serious about following Him and building His Kingdom. I encourage you to partner with Global Infusion, as we continually reach hundreds and thousands of lives with the Gospel. We can change the world, together.
Monday, March 1, 2010
God's economy
I believe that when we get to Heaven, our eyes will be opened. We will have a greater understanding of God’s love for us, and the love He has for the entire world. I believe that besides the great men and women of the Bible, there will be little known heroes of Christianity who will be brought to our attention. We will see and meet Pastors and believers from nations such as China, India, Thailand, and Egypt. We will finally understand the sacrifice they made throughout life, simply to call themselves a Christian.
If we could only stop our busy lives to understand how God’s economy operates, I believe we would live our lives quite differently. The commodity of Heaven is souls. The commodity of Earth is time. The cost for obtaining either is extremely high.
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:17). God, the Father, would not waste the life of His only Son on something He did not view to be priceless. In order for us to have “time” to do something, it
often requires great sacrifice.
The staff, interns, and volunteers of Global Infusion have traded getting a “regular” job, for serving God daily in vocational ministry — because of this trade, we are entirely dependent on the financial support of donors. We do not profit from our mission trips, nor sell any product.
We have more mission trips this year than ever before. We will literally reach thousands, if not, tens of thousands of people with the Gospel. We will also feed the starving, provide medicine to the sick, care for the orphaned and widowed, bless the poor, make disciples in many nations, and reach the unreached. A soldier is not sent into battle with the burden of fending for his or herself. Each one is properly trained, prepared, and sent to accomplish a mission with all the necessary resources.
I am compelled to carry out this vision which God has given me for the rest of my life. I understand that God is our source, and that as a ministry, we are dependant entirely on God for our
financial support — but I also know that God uses people. People like you. For those who have been faithful givers to Global Infusion, I gratefully thank you. The world is in a desperate place. They need a Savior. The field is ready for harvest, and we need more people, like yourself, to join us in prayer, mission trips, and giving. Together, we can infuse the world with God’s love, the message of Salvation, and see His kingdom grow.
If we could only stop our busy lives to understand how God’s economy operates, I believe we would live our lives quite differently. The commodity of Heaven is souls. The commodity of Earth is time. The cost for obtaining either is extremely high.
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:17). God, the Father, would not waste the life of His only Son on something He did not view to be priceless. In order for us to have “time” to do something, it
often requires great sacrifice.
The staff, interns, and volunteers of Global Infusion have traded getting a “regular” job, for serving God daily in vocational ministry — because of this trade, we are entirely dependent on the financial support of donors. We do not profit from our mission trips, nor sell any product.
We have more mission trips this year than ever before. We will literally reach thousands, if not, tens of thousands of people with the Gospel. We will also feed the starving, provide medicine to the sick, care for the orphaned and widowed, bless the poor, make disciples in many nations, and reach the unreached. A soldier is not sent into battle with the burden of fending for his or herself. Each one is properly trained, prepared, and sent to accomplish a mission with all the necessary resources.
I am compelled to carry out this vision which God has given me for the rest of my life. I understand that God is our source, and that as a ministry, we are dependant entirely on God for our
financial support — but I also know that God uses people. People like you. For those who have been faithful givers to Global Infusion, I gratefully thank you. The world is in a desperate place. They need a Savior. The field is ready for harvest, and we need more people, like yourself, to join us in prayer, mission trips, and giving. Together, we can infuse the world with God’s love, the message of Salvation, and see His kingdom grow.
Monday, February 1, 2010
A Cost Worth Counting
In Matthew 16, Jesus says, 24 If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
There must be a few months of sermon material in those verses alone. I have just returned from China with a Global Infusion missions team. I met people there who have seriously counted the cost of becoming a Christian — and I even had the privilege of interacting with several Chinese who are considering becoming a Christian. You see, becoming a Christian in a country like China is not a flippant decision one makes. It radically changes many aspects of one’s life.
The Cross of Christ is not given to us; we must go after it, and take it up willingly. We must reject what the world has to offer so our soul is saved. Every day, the news reminds us that there are plenty of people who exchange their soul for temporary earthly pleasures.
While I have heard these verses in Matthew 16 quoted many times, verse twenty-seven is often left out. Jesus tells us that He will one day reward us according to our works. This is an entirely separate event from the judgment which determines our entrance in to Heaven. What “works” did you accomplish for Christ in 2009? What are you planning to do for Him in 2010? Don’t let the year pass you by. Life will always be full of challenges, and I believe God meets the needs of the righteous — so make a conscious decision to do something for Him today.
There must be a few months of sermon material in those verses alone. I have just returned from China with a Global Infusion missions team. I met people there who have seriously counted the cost of becoming a Christian — and I even had the privilege of interacting with several Chinese who are considering becoming a Christian. You see, becoming a Christian in a country like China is not a flippant decision one makes. It radically changes many aspects of one’s life.
The Cross of Christ is not given to us; we must go after it, and take it up willingly. We must reject what the world has to offer so our soul is saved. Every day, the news reminds us that there are plenty of people who exchange their soul for temporary earthly pleasures.
While I have heard these verses in Matthew 16 quoted many times, verse twenty-seven is often left out. Jesus tells us that He will one day reward us according to our works. This is an entirely separate event from the judgment which determines our entrance in to Heaven. What “works” did you accomplish for Christ in 2009? What are you planning to do for Him in 2010? Don’t let the year pass you by. Life will always be full of challenges, and I believe God meets the needs of the righteous — so make a conscious decision to do something for Him today.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Life is a Garden
In Genesis 2:8, the Bible says, “Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there He put the man he had formed.” Imagine God Himself planting a garden, and He did it for Adam! After Genesis 1 outlines the mind-blowing magnificence of Creation, Genesis 2 shows us how much God cares about us, and how important details are to Him. One phrase I like to tell our mission teams during training is, “Details make the difference.”
Our lives are like a garden. What we put into the ground as seed will determine what will grow up in the future. How we invest our time, money and energy determines the path of our lives. It always seems like things will be taken away from us if we make bad decisions with time and money. If a person unwisely spends more than they make, they could have their house taken away from them by the bank, their electricity cut off, their car repossessed, or late charges assessed (more money being taken from us) when bills are not paid in a timely manner. Look at Jesus’ parable of the talents. The servant who buried his talent had it taken away from him.
On the other hand, if we invest our time and money wisely, there are many blessings to reap. Spending time in prayer instead of watching television. Reading the Bible instead of the newspaper. Attending church regularly, getting more education, and spending less that we make (sticking to a budget), dedicating quality time to spend with family, are all good seeds for your life garden.
In Matthew 13:38, Jesus says, “The field is the world.” In 2009, Global Infusion reached thousands and thousands of people with the Gospel, and met many physical needs. When you invest in Global Infusion, you are planting seeds for the Kingdom. Be careful where you put your time and money in 2010. Pray, and let God help you plant your garden.
Our lives are like a garden. What we put into the ground as seed will determine what will grow up in the future. How we invest our time, money and energy determines the path of our lives. It always seems like things will be taken away from us if we make bad decisions with time and money. If a person unwisely spends more than they make, they could have their house taken away from them by the bank, their electricity cut off, their car repossessed, or late charges assessed (more money being taken from us) when bills are not paid in a timely manner. Look at Jesus’ parable of the talents. The servant who buried his talent had it taken away from him.
On the other hand, if we invest our time and money wisely, there are many blessings to reap. Spending time in prayer instead of watching television. Reading the Bible instead of the newspaper. Attending church regularly, getting more education, and spending less that we make (sticking to a budget), dedicating quality time to spend with family, are all good seeds for your life garden.
In Matthew 13:38, Jesus says, “The field is the world.” In 2009, Global Infusion reached thousands and thousands of people with the Gospel, and met many physical needs. When you invest in Global Infusion, you are planting seeds for the Kingdom. Be careful where you put your time and money in 2010. Pray, and let God help you plant your garden.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
It's a Meaningful Life
After being in both Thailand and India last month, I was reminded, once again, how much of the world lives in extreme poverty. Not only are there people who lack the basic necessities of life (food, water, medicine, clothing), but they live in environments clouded by spiritual darkness. In Bangkok, I saw (again) countless individuals, many of whom have been trafficked, selling themselves for a meager fee.
Next, I am in an Indian village dominated by Hinduism, with a 40-foot Hindu idol standing at the entrance to the village. It is here our team ministers to people who have had little to no exposure to the Gospel. We pray for a young widow whose husband died eighteen days earlier — her ribs are still broken because of his drunken assaults on her, and she is emotionally torn between being free from abuse, yet feeling destitute because she is left without a partner to provide for the home and help raise the children. By contrast, I return to the USA to watch a large percentage of our country stop to give thanks for all they have (many even thank God), eat enormous amounts of food, and then whip into a frenzy during days that have names such as “Black Friday,” and “Cyber Monday.”
As time goes on, I feel I am understanding Ecclesiastes 1:1-4 better: “‘Meaningless! Meaningless!’ says the Teacher. ‘Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.’ What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun? Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.” We take nothing in this life with us into the life to come. Very little of what we sacrifice to buy here even lasts in this lifetime.
Flash back in time with me to first-century Israel. Jesus was essentially born into poverty. Much of His ministry was devoted to reaching the lost, and helping the poor and the sick. In the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” there is a scene where Jimmy Stewart’s guardian angel (Clarence) says to him: “Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?” Jesus touched so many lives, even during His three short years of ministry while on the earth. When He left the earth, I’m sure the Disciples felt a void. But that void was soon filled with the Holy Spirit. For those of us who have found Christ, we truly have a wonderful life. But it should never stop there. We should do everything we can to live a meaningful life. There are too many people in our generation right now who need our Savior.
In 2009, Global Infusion sent out mission teams all over the world, reaching literally thousands of people with the Gospel message. Not only have we seen lives turn to Christ, but our teams have been able to meet hundreds of physical needs through food and clothing distribution, medical outreaches, construction projects, and much more.
Next, I am in an Indian village dominated by Hinduism, with a 40-foot Hindu idol standing at the entrance to the village. It is here our team ministers to people who have had little to no exposure to the Gospel. We pray for a young widow whose husband died eighteen days earlier — her ribs are still broken because of his drunken assaults on her, and she is emotionally torn between being free from abuse, yet feeling destitute because she is left without a partner to provide for the home and help raise the children. By contrast, I return to the USA to watch a large percentage of our country stop to give thanks for all they have (many even thank God), eat enormous amounts of food, and then whip into a frenzy during days that have names such as “Black Friday,” and “Cyber Monday.”
As time goes on, I feel I am understanding Ecclesiastes 1:1-4 better: “‘Meaningless! Meaningless!’ says the Teacher. ‘Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.’ What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun? Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.” We take nothing in this life with us into the life to come. Very little of what we sacrifice to buy here even lasts in this lifetime.
Flash back in time with me to first-century Israel. Jesus was essentially born into poverty. Much of His ministry was devoted to reaching the lost, and helping the poor and the sick. In the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” there is a scene where Jimmy Stewart’s guardian angel (Clarence) says to him: “Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?” Jesus touched so many lives, even during His three short years of ministry while on the earth. When He left the earth, I’m sure the Disciples felt a void. But that void was soon filled with the Holy Spirit. For those of us who have found Christ, we truly have a wonderful life. But it should never stop there. We should do everything we can to live a meaningful life. There are too many people in our generation right now who need our Savior.
In 2009, Global Infusion sent out mission teams all over the world, reaching literally thousands of people with the Gospel message. Not only have we seen lives turn to Christ, but our teams have been able to meet hundreds of physical needs through food and clothing distribution, medical outreaches, construction projects, and much more.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
This Generation
I strongly believe that this generation is responsible for the souls of this generation. We cannot do anything about the past, and if we die before Jesus returns, we certainly cannot do anything about the future. We can, however, do something about building God’s Kingdom right now.
During Paul’s first missionary journey, he stops in a Roman colony called Pisidian Antioch (which is now West-central Turkey). This was a city of mixed ethnicity, including Jew, Phrygian, Greek, and Roman. He finds his way to a local synagogue, gains the right to speak a word of exhortation, then addresses both Jews and Gentiles. He highlights the redemptive history of Israel, especially the role David played in the unfolding events. Then Paul makes a statement that should resound to us today:
“For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep” (Acts 13:36).
This one verse could be a sermon series in itself. Essentially, we learn that David had a mission to complete if he stayed in the will of God. He was also to accomplish this mission out of a position of servanthood (though he was a king); and he was to serve those in his own generation (the people within his sphere of influence.)
If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Savior, you have a mandate from Heaven to reach the lost souls of this generation. Without us praying, supporting, sending, or going to the foreign mission field, this generation will be lost.
Decide today that one day, you will indeed cast your crowns at the feet of Jesus rather than your excuses for not have the time, finances, or energy to build His Kingdom. Your generation needs you, and they need you now.
During Paul’s first missionary journey, he stops in a Roman colony called Pisidian Antioch (which is now West-central Turkey). This was a city of mixed ethnicity, including Jew, Phrygian, Greek, and Roman. He finds his way to a local synagogue, gains the right to speak a word of exhortation, then addresses both Jews and Gentiles. He highlights the redemptive history of Israel, especially the role David played in the unfolding events. Then Paul makes a statement that should resound to us today:
“For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep” (Acts 13:36).
This one verse could be a sermon series in itself. Essentially, we learn that David had a mission to complete if he stayed in the will of God. He was also to accomplish this mission out of a position of servanthood (though he was a king); and he was to serve those in his own generation (the people within his sphere of influence.)
If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Savior, you have a mandate from Heaven to reach the lost souls of this generation. Without us praying, supporting, sending, or going to the foreign mission field, this generation will be lost.
Decide today that one day, you will indeed cast your crowns at the feet of Jesus rather than your excuses for not have the time, finances, or energy to build His Kingdom. Your generation needs you, and they need you now.
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