Whew! What a week! Last Monday, 19 of us left for Heartland Baptist Bible College in Oklahoma City for their annual Church Planting Conference. If you were expecting a writeup of the results and a summary of the week… sorry! We hate to disappoint, but you will have to wait until tonight for that. We will enjoy testimonies from those who went, a church planter from the area (whose first service is next week!), and a quick update with pictures and video from the conference.
Meanwhile, praise the Lord for your prayers and giving. This whole month is about missions, which can be summarized in those two words: pray and give (that is, if you’re not going). Perhaps a better all-in-one word might be this: surrender.
Missions is not about giving. It’s not about money. It’s not about financial support. It’s not about missionaries coming through and asking for handouts. That’s not it at all!
Missions is about surrendering to the Lord. Missions is about someone who has said, “My life is a living sacrifice. I am letting God have my life to do whatever He wills with it.” Whether that is giving or going is up to God, but ALL of us should at the very least be surrendered.
Have you surrendered? Are you surrendered?
Surrendered people give. Giving is an outflow of surrender. Giving is NOT a requirement… it’s a response.
Surrendered people pray. Are you faithful to pray for missions?
First, surrender. Once you do that, the rest just falls into place. Come tonight to see some great examples of what God accomplishes through surrendered servants.
-Bro. Ryan
MATHENY FAMILY – Next week. Missionaries to Romania. Be sure to greet them and thank them for coming.
MISSIONS COMMITMENT SUNDAY – Next week. Seriously pray about what God would have YOU give this year. “But I’m only 13!” So? Does that mean the Bible doesn’t apply to you yet? Step out in faith and promise to give to missions this year.
Wonderful Chorus (song 32)
Isn’t He wonderful, wonderful, wonderful,
Isn’t Jesus, my Lord, wonderful!
Eyes have seen, ears have heard, It’s recorded in God’s Word,
Isn’t Jesus, my Lord, wonderful!
Wonderful, wonderful, Jesus is to me,
Counselor, Prince of Peace, Mighty God is He;
Saving me, keeping me from all sin and shame.
Wonderful is my Redeemer praise His name!
I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord (song 36)
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,
I will sing, (I will sing,) I will sing, (I will sing)
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.
With my mouth (my mouth) will I make known (make known)
Thy faithfulness, Thy faithfulness,
With my mouth, (my mouth,) will I make known (make known)
Thy faithfulness to all generations.