There are many people in this world who are blinded by Satan and his lies. They have been offered false gods to worship, they are enticed with sin, and they are surrounded by governments and media that proactively diminish, distort, or refute the very existence of God. With no moral or spiritual compass other than their own finite minds, they are easily captured by the enemy.
God’s Word is not just a book. Its verses are not just words. The Bible says in Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” What an amazing concept: the Word of God is alive, and it is powerful! When we travel overseas with mission teams, we are going for the purpose of telling others about Jesus; what He has done for them; His plan of salvation; and how they can be set free from the bondage of sin, death, sickness, and an eternity apart from God. The unreached need to hear the Word of God because they are spiritually dead, and God’s Word is life. They need to hear what some believe are “just words” because they are weak, and His Word is powerful.
I’ve heard people, even Pastors, question the purpose of mission trips, saying that they are a waste of money. When I stand on foreign soil watching our teams interact with indigenous people and share the Gospel, I wish Christians, who think they are somehow exempt from foreign missions, could see the impact and results that I see. If the Bible and our testimonies are just words, let me remind you that God created the universe with “just words.” Lazarus was raised from the dead with “just words.” A stormy sea was made calm with “just words.” Jesus could have come down from the cross using “just words.” Lives are being touched and changed for eternity all over the world because GI’s teams are opening their mouths and allowing the Spirit of God to use them, and their words.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Seeds
It’s the beginning of a new year! What will 2009 bring you? Well, that all depends on the seeds you planted in 2008, or 2007, or in previous years. Sometimes it takes quite a while for seeds to grow. Many people expect God to do completely new things in their life just because the calendar year changed. It is true that God does do new things. He gives good gifts. He loves us unconditionally! However, the Bible repeatedly speaks of the process of planting seeds, and seeing a harvest of what we have planted.
“For the seed shall be prosperous, the vine shall give its fruit, the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew” (Zechariah 8:12a). In this passage, the prophet Zechariah was speaking the word of the Lord to the Jews as they struggled to begin new lives after living in exile for many years. I find it interesting both in this passage, and in real life, that seeds attract a lot of attention. In fact, very little attention is ever given to the farmer or the sower themselves; the seed is the focus. Many people do not realize that every day they are planting seeds. Some are planted unconsciously. Some are planted intentionally. Many people plant seeds just to receive something in return. Others continually sow and water seeds that they do not necessarily want to see grow up in their lives.
There are many places in this world where Global Infusion is planting seeds. Our goal is to reach people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and if possible, make their life on this earth a little bit better than it was when we first met them. You have the opportunity to partner with us in prayer, in giving, and in going to the nations to change lives for eternity. Lives that are untouched, unreached, and totally abandoned by this world. So I ask you now, what seeds for the Kingdom will you plant in 2009?
“For the seed shall be prosperous, the vine shall give its fruit, the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew” (Zechariah 8:12a). In this passage, the prophet Zechariah was speaking the word of the Lord to the Jews as they struggled to begin new lives after living in exile for many years. I find it interesting both in this passage, and in real life, that seeds attract a lot of attention. In fact, very little attention is ever given to the farmer or the sower themselves; the seed is the focus. Many people do not realize that every day they are planting seeds. Some are planted unconsciously. Some are planted intentionally. Many people plant seeds just to receive something in return. Others continually sow and water seeds that they do not necessarily want to see grow up in their lives.
There are many places in this world where Global Infusion is planting seeds. Our goal is to reach people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and if possible, make their life on this earth a little bit better than it was when we first met them. You have the opportunity to partner with us in prayer, in giving, and in going to the nations to change lives for eternity. Lives that are untouched, unreached, and totally abandoned by this world. So I ask you now, what seeds for the Kingdom will you plant in 2009?
Monday, December 1, 2008
The Best Gift
John Dyer, an 18th century English poet once wrote, “A man may go to heaven without health, without riches, without honors, without learning, without friends; but he can never go there without Christ.” As I travel the world, it always breaks my heart to see what I call “two-dimensional” organizations in action. These are groups of people who feed the hungry (like we do in Guatemala), sponsor education (like we do in Ghana), facilitate mobile triage units for the sick (like we do in Egypt), construct and repair homes or other necessary community structures (like we do in Mexico), host camps for underprivileged children (like we do in Ukraine), and so on. These are all wonderful gestures and I am sure are truly appreciated. However, they are two-dimensional acts because they stop at helping people physically and mentally. Handing out a few days worth of food has stopped the bleeding temporarily, but on an eternal scale, virtually no impact has been made.
What then, is the mark of an effective outreach? When does it become three-dimensional, or whole-person oriented? Only when the Gospel is communicated, does any interaction with another human being become eternally significant and truly life-changing. This month, billions of dollars will be spent on merchandise that most people do not need. This will be happening while billions of people go without hearing the message of Jesus Christ. While we often have a humanitarian aid component in our trips, our primary purpose for traveling to all parts of the world is to tell others how they can know the Savior, and be discipled to reach their own nation for Him. What greater gift to give someone, than introducing them to the One who died temporarily, so they might live eternally.
What then, is the mark of an effective outreach? When does it become three-dimensional, or whole-person oriented? Only when the Gospel is communicated, does any interaction with another human being become eternally significant and truly life-changing. This month, billions of dollars will be spent on merchandise that most people do not need. This will be happening while billions of people go without hearing the message of Jesus Christ. While we often have a humanitarian aid component in our trips, our primary purpose for traveling to all parts of the world is to tell others how they can know the Savior, and be discipled to reach their own nation for Him. What greater gift to give someone, than introducing them to the One who died temporarily, so they might live eternally.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Two Kingdoms
The battle for the Presidency of America has concluded, at least for a few years. Whether or not the candidate you were hoping to see occupy the White House was elected, one thing is for sure: God is in control. If we as Christians think for one second that government is the answer to any of our problems, we are sadly mistaken. Regardless of what party is in power, we must pray for our leaders and seek the Lord for ourselves. There are no country borders in the spiritual realm. There are no political parties or elections. There are, however, two kingdoms that exist. And it doesn’t matter where you stand on the planet, you belong to one of the two. Citizenship is gained into one of them by repentance and a confession of faith. If this profession has not been made, then by default, you are a citizen of the other kingdom.
In the kingdom of darkness, people serve a leader that seeks to kill them, steal from them, and destroy them. His plan for their lives involves separating each person from their Creator for eternity, making them sick, distraught, sad, angry, hateful, and poor. In the Kingdom where Jesus Christ is Lord, the citizens receive good and perfect gifts, and He seeks to bring His people abundant life. This King gave His very life, so everyone might have the opportunity to share in eternity with God Himself.
2 Cor. 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” Real change does not occur in government, but in the hearts of men and women. As a Christian, you must realize that the whole world needs changing. Billions are without Christ, and they will not hear about Him unless some of us go. Global Infusion is a Kingdom tool to reach people all over the world who exist in the kingdom of darkness, and need a Savior.
In the kingdom of darkness, people serve a leader that seeks to kill them, steal from them, and destroy them. His plan for their lives involves separating each person from their Creator for eternity, making them sick, distraught, sad, angry, hateful, and poor. In the Kingdom where Jesus Christ is Lord, the citizens receive good and perfect gifts, and He seeks to bring His people abundant life. This King gave His very life, so everyone might have the opportunity to share in eternity with God Himself.
2 Cor. 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” Real change does not occur in government, but in the hearts of men and women. As a Christian, you must realize that the whole world needs changing. Billions are without Christ, and they will not hear about Him unless some of us go. Global Infusion is a Kingdom tool to reach people all over the world who exist in the kingdom of darkness, and need a Savior.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Greater Love
A few weeks ago, I was talking with a Pastor in Guatemala who survived massive flooding in his area. He said that the rain came so quickly, he only had time to fill a suitcase with clothes for his children and escape with his family before the mountain turned into a giant mudslide. But then his story became even more remarkable. After ensuring that his family was safe, he purposely went back into the area of danger to rescue anyone else he could find who needed help.
So here is a summary of the situation: a man and his family avoid possible death; their home and everything they own is potentially destroyed; and there is no immediate help to receive food, shelter, clothing, medicine, or other supplies. In the face of these circumstances, this young Pastor decides his highest priority is to return to the disaster area with no resources of his own, and risk his life to save others.
In John 15:12-13, Jesus says, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” America is obviously in a stage of economic crisis. Whether we feel the impact today, or months from now, times are indeed tough. However, has God called us to wait until everything in our lives is perfect before we act? What about giving our lives to people who are not necessarily our friends? This young Guatemalan Pastor was not looking for his friends. He was looking for anyone who needed help. The mission field is full of people who are in desperate need of Jesus, and for most of them, having a local church or government agency help them is totally unheard of. What will you do to reach the lost?
So here is a summary of the situation: a man and his family avoid possible death; their home and everything they own is potentially destroyed; and there is no immediate help to receive food, shelter, clothing, medicine, or other supplies. In the face of these circumstances, this young Pastor decides his highest priority is to return to the disaster area with no resources of his own, and risk his life to save others.
In John 15:12-13, Jesus says, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” America is obviously in a stage of economic crisis. Whether we feel the impact today, or months from now, times are indeed tough. However, has God called us to wait until everything in our lives is perfect before we act? What about giving our lives to people who are not necessarily our friends? This young Guatemalan Pastor was not looking for his friends. He was looking for anyone who needed help. The mission field is full of people who are in desperate need of Jesus, and for most of them, having a local church or government agency help them is totally unheard of. What will you do to reach the lost?
Monday, September 1, 2008
His Hands, His Feet, His Love
This past week, our church in Knoxville hosted 200 evacuees from New Orleans in anticipation of a potential disaster caused by Hurricane Gustav. It was amazing to see and hear how they were flown from Louisiana in such a humane way, then given a clean and relatively comfortable place to sleep that was not crowded, and three wholesome meals a day. They even had EMT’s, nurses, and doctors present for any medical needs they may have had. Our church also provided services for the adults, and an instant VBS for the kids. I cannot imagine how difficult it would be to leave my life and home, go to another state to live with people I do not know, and wonder if I would even have a place to go back to once it is all over. However, given the circumstances, many of them were very appreciative of their accommodations.
I think of the site in Guatemala where we have been working. 15,000 people were displaced from their homes due to a mudslide that collapsed portions of the surrounding mountains. There was no Red Cross, FEMA, or any other agency to help them. Many of them literally ran for their lives. There are 12-15 overly-crowded shelters where they are now stationed. Most have no bed to sleep on, very little food to eat, and virtually no access to medical treatment. Some went back to the mountain regions, only to pull dead bodies from the mud. Our last team there brought thousands of pounds of food, soap, clothing, and even mattresses to sleep on. We held services, and prayed with many people. There are people in this world that cannot help themselves, and they have little hope for the future. Someone needs to be the hands and feet of Jesus. They need His love. This is why Global Infusion exists.
I think of the site in Guatemala where we have been working. 15,000 people were displaced from their homes due to a mudslide that collapsed portions of the surrounding mountains. There was no Red Cross, FEMA, or any other agency to help them. Many of them literally ran for their lives. There are 12-15 overly-crowded shelters where they are now stationed. Most have no bed to sleep on, very little food to eat, and virtually no access to medical treatment. Some went back to the mountain regions, only to pull dead bodies from the mud. Our last team there brought thousands of pounds of food, soap, clothing, and even mattresses to sleep on. We held services, and prayed with many people. There are people in this world that cannot help themselves, and they have little hope for the future. Someone needs to be the hands and feet of Jesus. They need His love. This is why Global Infusion exists.
Friday, August 1, 2008
All things
Last month, we sent four Infusion Adventure mission teams to Mexico alone. Many of the team members had never been outside of the country before, or even on a short-term missions trip.
Our trips are designed for those traveling with us to have the ultimate missions experience. We do not stay in some hotel far from those we are ministering to, travel in high-end vehicles to get to them, or eat in restaurants so we can have “better” food. Rather, we live, work, eat, and worship with the local people from morning to night. In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Paul explains the reason for becoming all things to all people: “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.”
Winning the world for Jesus takes more than just talking about the Great Commission. It takes more than putting a few dollars in the offering on missions Sunday. In fact, it takes more than prayer alone. It requires all of these, but it also takes action. If we are to see people in this world reached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we must go. We must become all things to all people so they might be saved.
That is why we go.
Our trips are designed for those traveling with us to have the ultimate missions experience. We do not stay in some hotel far from those we are ministering to, travel in high-end vehicles to get to them, or eat in restaurants so we can have “better” food. Rather, we live, work, eat, and worship with the local people from morning to night. In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Paul explains the reason for becoming all things to all people: “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.”
Winning the world for Jesus takes more than just talking about the Great Commission. It takes more than putting a few dollars in the offering on missions Sunday. In fact, it takes more than prayer alone. It requires all of these, but it also takes action. If we are to see people in this world reached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we must go. We must become all things to all people so they might be saved.
That is why we go.
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