Missionaries in Our Daily Lives

What a joy it has been to work with the Global Mission Team (GMT) at SFB.  This team has such a great heart for the furtherance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They believe that the Living God is a missionary God. They have the great privilege of taking your hard earned dollars and allocating those funds toward fulfilling the great commission. Our desire is that all of our missionaries will bring people into a life changing relationship with God and each other. Did you know that our church helps support 30 missionaries in our city and around the world?  Do you know any of these missionaries’ names?  How about their children’s names? Do you know where they serve and what they do? More importantly do you pray for them?  Would you like to know them better, contact them once in awhile and be a prayer partner with them? If so, please contact us. Let me share a few things that I am learning from our missionaries that I believe we could incorporate in our daily lives: ·         They have a purpose and a longing in their hearts to be a friend to the Lord God, to become a co-worker with Him and live for a purpose larger than themselves.  The way we can live with significance is to devote ourselves to a purpose that is larger than our life.  ·         They have a passion in their hearts that is both seized and satisfied with the ambition for Jesus to be ardently worshiped.  Is our heart set free to pursue that which is truly worthy?  ·         Our missionaries pursue a God-given vision and plan. They no longer dream about what could happen. They become convinced that certain things must happen. Are we willing to give our utmost for God’s purposes? ·         Our missionaries have a strategy for winning people to Christ, not hesitating nor hurrying, but persistently continuing to do whatever it takes to finish the task God has given them.  What task has God given you? ·         They dutifully perform what is required and so they are sometimes overwhelmed in the face of sacrifice. Despite the high cost, our missionaries are faithful and dedicated to Jesus.  Are we faithful when God asks us to sacrifice? Why do they do what they do? They believe the Word of God.  Jesus said GO and they are GOING daily to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ trusting Him to transform lives. Do you truly believe that what you believe is really true?  If so, are you an ambassador for Christ in your daily lives? Serving together, Leon and the GMT

Christ-Follower

Leon Chriestenson joined our staff a few months ago focusing on leading our men into a transformational journey with Jesus.  We welcome this gifted brother to our team.

 

I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior as a late teenager. I desired to follow Christ and do what He wanted me to do, so I gave my attention to studying the message of Jesus. I was all about learning to love God and loving others --at least the easy ones to love. I knew the right words to say. I could quote the essential Bible verses and knew where to find the good stories in the Bible. This method of following Jesus did not help me overcome my attitude of “it’s all about me.”  “Me” was my idol. Something was missing.

So I said to myself—Self, you need to add the methods of Jesus to your repertoire. So I was trying to concentrate on following Jesus’ methods and message. The methods of Jesus taught me the correct behavior.  I served as a youth worker, Sunday School teacher, deacon, mission chairman, elder and any other ministry I could work into my schedule. Man-- I was working for the Lord! But it seemed like I was just going through the motions of following Him. As important as the message and the method of Jesus are, I felt like becoming like Jesus was based on my works.

About 3 or 4 years ago I had a mentor challenge me not to spend all my time concentrating on the message and the method of Jesus, but to model Jesus. I thought that by my works I had been modeling Jesus. But I started concentrating on I John 2:6 “whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked”. Studying the Gospels I see how Jesus walked and I notice the following actions that I am now trying to incorporate into my life as I model Him. These are the things that I want to equip our men to model.

Jesus was a man of prayer. How often did He slip away to have conversations with His Father? He started His ministry in prayer and fasting. At the end of His ministry Luke 22:39 says “as was His custom He went to the Mount of Olives…..to pray”   Let us become men of prayer. What would our homes, neighborhoods, businesses, and community look like if our men became men of prayer? 

Jesus allowed the Holy Spirit to lead and empower Him. He was a man of the Word of God. How often Jesus said “it is written” or “have you not read”. “He explained the words of Moses and the prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” Luke 24:27.  Yes, it is very important for us to know the Word of God. It is a matter of life and death. Jesus was obedient to His Father’s will. Can I (we) say --not my will but your will be done? Am I willing to sign on a blank form that I will do whatever, whenever and wherever for Jesus? 

Jesus also exalted His Father. And-- He was about building intentional relationships.

My goal is to equip men to become men of prayer, men of the Word, trusting the Holy Spirit to lead, obeying and exalting our King. We will then be effectively building relationships with those who need the Gospel message. As I walk as Jesus walked, I find it easier to love God and love others. I also find it easier to live a life on mission looking for opportunities to build someone up in their faith, equip them for works of service and send them out as work place ministers. Men --come join me on this journey.

                                                                    - Leon Chriestenson

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