Good Ground

What is the Kingdom of God really worth to you?  The answer to this questions does not come through words, but through actions.  Do you ever find it a challenge to pursue God’s will for your life?  Do you feel like you need to have all the major issues in your life solved before you can focus on doing something for the Kingdom?

In Luke 8, Jesus tells the parable of the sower.  I don’t believe this parable is exclusive to the seed representing salvation.  In verse 11, Jesus says, “The seed is the Word of God.”  The Word of God regularly goes forth into the eyes and ears of Christians.  Weekly services, small groups, books, conferences, concerts, radio, television, and on, and on the list goes.  Yet what do we do with this treasured seed from God Himself?  Well, it depends on what type of soil you are.

The wayside.  Jesus goes on to say that for some people, “the devil comes and takes the word out of their heart” (v. 12). 

The rocks.  Some hear the commissions and mandates going forth, “receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away” (v. 13).

The thorns.  There are those who are taught that the Kingdom can only expand when Christians are mobilized into this world, but “when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity” (v. 14).

The good ground.  Simply, “are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience” (v. 15).

It is a daily fight to receive God’s Word with joy, and not fall into sin when temptation comes.  It is also a daily battle to act on the thousands of hours of spiritual instruction you have received over the course of your spiritual journey, without being choked by the cares of life.

Recently, there has been a lottery drawing for untold millions of dollars.  Many Americans have participated in this lottery, and many more have probably been daydreaming of what their life would be like if they actually won.  However, Proverbs 18:22 says, “The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them.”

Be eager to invest in the Kingdom of God.  Don’t be stingy with your resources:  your time, your money, your abilities.  Use whatever resources you have been given to see people reached with the Gospel - this is a great way to make sure you are considered “good ground.”

Eyes on Heaven

The more I travel around the world, the more I have the opportunity to meet truly amazing men and women of God.  I am regularly stunned at the high level of commitment to Jesus Christ which I witness first-hand in the lives of our Christian brothers and sisters in other countries.  Some have virtually no regard for the quality of life they experience here on earth.  Men and women who are well-educated, healthy, and raising a family often turn down great secular vocational opportunities in order to pursue their God-given vision.  Somehow, they have adopted an outlook on life that minimizes their earthly existence, and maximizes their future in eternity.  In order to reach the unreached of their nation, they endure a lack of food, and sometimes water.  They deal with limited access to quality medical care.  They live in “homes” that would barely qualify as adequate shelter for animals here in the West.  Beyond all of these degraded physical amenities, some deal with literal persecution on top of everything else.

However, I believe I have discovered their secret.  It is found in Mark 8:34-38 (NKJV):

34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

Those who have given up everything for the sake of the Gospel realize that keeping their eyes on Heaven makes what they live through here on earth, a small sacrifice in comparison.  It seems that we, here in the West, have become easily distracted.  Our lives our consumed with just living, and not exactly living for Christ.  We understand that the kingdom of Heaven is real, but how does that fit into our real, daily lives?  We read verses like these in Mark 8, and translate it for our culture.  Throwing an extra twenty-dollar bill in the offering, or joining a life group, or helping on the annual church Thanksgiving outreach - these are all ways to lose our life for His sake, right?  Well, it depends who you ask.

This is not a reprimand, or an attempt to stereotype Western Christians - for I have also met people on this side of the world who have given up everything to reach the unreached.  Rather, let this be a challenge.  Pray and ask God what you must do to truly go after Him, deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him.  Global Infusion is dedicated to reaching the unreached.  Your support helps us help others keep their eyes on Heaven.

Christianity-Lite

I write these words from a remote village in Tanzania named Songambele, which literally means “moving forward.”  If Songambele is indeed moving forward at all, it is at a very, very slow pace.  In every direction, there are hundreds and hundreds of children who may only have one meal today, if they are fortunate.  There is a limited water supply, which comes from a well.  Those who want water must walk, or ride an old bike for miles to obtain it.  After they have let down a small pail on a rope several times into the well, the villagers predominantly use old plastic gas containers to fill and then transport their water.

The children you would see in the village are only a fraction of the youth population.  Some are fortunate enough to have parents afford a few dollars so they can go to school.  If they cannot afford the mandatory fees that schools charge, they help work in the fields.  The rest of the children simply have no other place to go, and nobody watching them.

In this village of over twenty thousand people, there is but one church—”Neno La Uzima” as it is called in Swahili (“Word of Life”).  The people are highly dependent on good seeds mixed with hard work and favorable weather to reap a harvest that will sustain them.  If there is a breakdown in these areas, the quality of life plummets from its already low level.

Malnutrition and starvation.  Dehydration and unclean water.  One (terribly inadequate) medical facility.  Children wanting to learn, but lacking the funds to attend school.  Not enough work for the adults.  Fourteen-year-old girls having babies.  Prevalent HIV.  One singular family trying to operate a church, and meet the needs of thousands, yet, we have people in North America wondering what they should do with their life.

I am afraid that many Christians are praying the wrong prayers.  Instead of asking God what our purpose on earth is, we should ask where we should serve.  It almost seems that Christianity-lite is running rampant in the West - we say we want to do the will of the Father, and see His Kingdom come, yet we do not truly want the Holy Spirit to take control of our lives and direct our paths.  Why?  Because our calling and “purpose” in life will be uncomfortable.  He will ask us to put aside our personal goals and focus on living by faith to reach the unreached.  Pray right now and ask the Holy Spirit to prepare your heart for Him to lead you.  How can you help see the Father’s will be done on earth, as it is in heaven?  Your support of Global Infusion allows us to reach people in villages like Songambele, which is just one of our many sites around the world where we strive to bring the Gospel, and meet the physical needs of the people.  Pray and ask the Lord how He wants to use you today to be a part of reaching our generation.  You can give.  You can go.  You can help change the world.

Where Are We?

The final issue of Time magazine in 2011 named their selection for the Person of the Year as “The Protester.”  From Egypt, to Libya, to the main streets of the United States, people are rallying together to demonstrate that they are unhappy with their present circumstances, and desire change.  Of course, there are many on the fringe who mindlessly jump in simply because they seek attention or feel more self-worth being a part of something larger than themselves.  However, there are some people sold-out to their cause that are showing great tenacity.  While I may not necessarily agree with the change these groups of people are wanting, or their methods of protesting, I have to admire the passion of those who are legitimately trying to take a stand for something they believe in.

My question is, when did we as Christians lose this kind of fire and determination?  We are the recipients of eternal salvation, yet we concern ourselves with the feeble distractions of this world.  Hear the words of Jesus in Matthew 10:34-39 (NKJV):

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.  For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’   He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.  And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.  He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.”

If you are looking for a charming article on how to make and keep New Years’ resolutions, look somewhere else.  Our world is in desperate need of a Savior, and the only way they will be reached with the Gospel is if somebody goes and tells them about Jesus Christ.  Our world is hopelessly oppressed by a relentless enemy and needs Christians to stand up for what they believe in, open their mouth and proclaim the saving, healing, transforming name of Jesus.  What they do not need, is a group of people who have every excuse imaginable for not obeying the Word of God and living a solid biblical life.  They do not need people who waver in compromise when the easy way out is more convenient, or when confronted by the mocking words of their friends, family and co-workers.

Global Infusion is set for a record-breaking year.  In 2012, we will send out more mission teams than ever before into all the world, preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that many people will be confronted with His redeeming love and plan of salvation.  Pray for us.  Support us.  Go with us.  We can change this world for Him, forever.

Next GI mission team:  TANZANIA (January 24 - February 5, 2012)

Goals:  Evangelism, Feeding Children

Support:  Donate    (select:  Tanzania: Outreach)

More Than Enough

Watch Jonathan's Video Update about this trip (from Nepal)

I have returned from the country of Nepal with our latest Global Infusion mission team.  It never ceases to amaze me how the majority of churches operate in second and third-world environments.  First of all, it seems they have more of a grasp on the fact that “church” is a body of believers and not a building.  I know this, because the places they typically meet would be equivalent to an over-sized tool shed in America.  Second, having “church” is focused on spending time together as a family of believers, which is why their services last for two, three or even four hours.  Third, I always smile during times of praise and worship when I am overseas. 

Apparently, villagers are under the impression that all you need for worship is one drum, or tambourine of sorts, and those in the audience are supposed to sing as loud as they can to God.  Of course I am being slightly facetious, and until you experience what I am talking about first-hand, you are completely missing out.  Last, the sacrifice involved in being a part of a “church” in places like Southeast Asia, China, or the Middle East is enormous.  It includes everything from walking miles upon miles to fellowship with other Christians, to enduring literal persecution for one’s faith.  This persecution may include assault, jail time, rejection from family and friends, loss of job, being shunned by their local community, and in some cases, death.

The believers I interact with overseas have concluded that Jesus is all they need.  In John 14:6, Jesus declares, “I am the way, the truth and the life…”  What more do we need than to know the path we are taking in life, or being able to discern right from wrong, or living abundantly?  He is  El Shaddai.  The God that is more than enough. 

Why then, does Global Infusion continually send teams to reach people in places like Nepal?  There are two main reasons:  they have the greatest need, and we see the greatest return.

The abject poverty we encounter is unmatched in the West, which is why we facilitated a medical clinic a few weeks ago in Nepal that treated over 400 patients.  It is why we fed hundreds more.  In the midst of our medical work, we evangelized the area as devout Hindus were coming from miles around for treatment, but stayed to hear the Word of God.  We spent time with believers, praying with them, discipling them, and encouraging them.

Think of it as the two hands of the Gospel reaching out to the world.  Meeting tangible needs, but not leaving them without the hope of a Savior.  

That is why we go.

Thankless, or Thankful?

Here in the West, the focus in the month of November (October in Canada) often drives towards the Thanksgiving holiday.  It is that time of year, when people gather to celebrate all they are thankful for - or do we?  Has Thanksgiving merely turned into a springboard to Christmas?  Or Black Friday/Cyber Monday?  Is it just time off of school and work?  Why do we reserve just a few minutes around a table once a year to reflect on what we are thankful for?

Here is a great, and true demonstration of thankfulness (Luke 17:11-19, NKJV):

11 Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. 13 And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

14 So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.  15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.  17 So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”

Let’s review.  First, leprosy is a terrible, contagious, skin disease that can spread from one person to another.  Lepers had strict rules to abide by, including living in a banishment camp away from healthy people.  The physical pain, and mental duress this disease brings is unfathomable.  Second, the men who were sick recognized Jesus, and recognized He had the authority to heal them.

Third, nine unthankful men (Jews, most likely) were healed on their way to the priests; one thankful man (a hated Samaritan, most likely) was healed at the feet of Jesus.

We have a lot to be thankful for as Christians - especially those of us who live in the West.  We face some adversity, but it does not compare to what many of our brothers and sisters in other countries face.  Let’s review this passage through the eyes of missions and evangelism:

First, sin is a terrible disease that has been known to spread from one person to another through acts of enticement, malicious intent, and retaliation.  Second, those who are bound up in sin may only know the saving power of Jesus Christ if they are told about Him - many, like the lepers, live in remote villages of the world.  Third, the impact of Jesus’ grace and love on most “foreigners” is humble thankfulness - they, in turn, feel compelled to share what He has done for them.

Be thankful every day, and go into all the world.

The Field

I have returned from the country of Nicaragua where our latest Global Infusion team of 37 optometrists (doctors), students and GI personnel treated 1,853 patients in less than a week. We were in both villages and small cities – we even had a door of opportunity open for us to treat over 200 local police officers and their families. We converted their main headquarters into a medical facility – we even invited their family members.

At one point, when the line had slowed down in the police station, I saw in the distance, a large cage attached to a building, and there were about 50 men in it.  I found out, it was a jail, and the cage was the common area the prisoners would be deposited when their family members came for visitation.  I walked over to the jail, and saw many women outside in line – mothers, sisters, wives, and girlfriends of the inmates.  There were even some children.  I saw their faces were greatly strained as the men in their lives have now been incarcerated and no longer able to provide for their family, or help at home.  So I got an idea.  When the women walked out of the jail, I stood there, and invited them over to our clinic – a free eye exam for them and their kids.  While some of the cops whined about being in line so long, these women and children’s faces lit up, and they gladly followed me over to the clinic.

As I was walking the women over to the make-shift clinic, the only thing in my mind was the Parable of the Great Supper in Luke 14 – where there is a man providing a great feast, and the invitees give every excuse in the book as to why they cannot come.  However, when he goes to find the least of these, they gladly come.  I’ve done a lot of missions work, but I couldn’t help but smile (and cry) as I led this group of women and children from the jail to the clinic, and I would turn around periodically to see if they were still with me – and not only were they with me, they were beaming with smiles, talking, laughing, and excited.

There is a field ready to be harvested, but it's not always where you think it is.