A Month Of Thankfulness - Day 6 - God's Plan For Missions

I know that everyone has a story of how they came to know God; how they became aware of His existence, His love, what it took to follow after Him.

My story is a little more extreme than most others, but no better or important than each of yours. It took a little longer for me to become aware of His love. I was a little more stubborn to believe in Him, to be willing to allow Him to change my heart, my life. I was pretty selfish, and lied a lot, so I thought everyone else lied too; it took me a while to trust in His truth. 

Because of all my issues, it took God bringing me to the "depths of despair" before I called out to Him; yet He met me when I needed Him most. He was there for me. It still took a while for me to realize I needed to make lifestyle changes as a follower of His, but the closer I drew to Him, the more he freed me from my unhealthy dependencies. 

Praise God it was His plan from the beginning to draw us to Him. He is a missional God!

Often I long for heaven. I know it to be a place of peace, and no more pain or suffering - so who wouldn't want it to come!! I'm not so excited about the mansions and streets of gold - I'm more excited at the thought of worshipping Him day and night, day after day, for eternity! (and my knees, hips, arms, and back won't hurt!! YAY!!) 

Our dear pastor at Crossroads Christian Church, Ken Idleman, poignantly phrased the scenario in church one day: 

If we thought of all the fun things we enjoy on earth, and knew that they would be in heaven, but Jesus wasn't going to be there, would we want to still go? And consequently, if we knew that Jesus WAS there, but that there would be no "fun stuff", would we want to be there still?

I would only want, and need, Jesus! I can't wait to be in God's glory, bowing before Him, singing, 

 "Holy! Holy! Holy! Is the Lord God Almighty! Who was, and is, and is to come!"

When will that day come, I don't know. But I DO know that BEFORE He can come, the Good News of Jesus has to be shared throughout the whole world! God's plan for missions again! Jesus clearly stated in Matthew 24; 

"And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14, NLT)

His delay of time is also explained, in 2 Peter 3:15; 

“Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation.”

He is waiting for every tribe, tongue and nation to have the opportunity to know about Jesus. Which is why WE need to be missional. He is waiting for every church, every follower of Him, to become missional, so we can GO.

Thank You God, for sharing so clearly, Your plan to restore us to You. Thank You for being a missional God, who desires us to know You. Father, continue to draw people unto You, and equip Your body, the church, to go where it's never gone before, to carry Your Word unto them. 

Thank You God, for being missional!

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Want to join us in being missional?? You can do something as simple as pray! Check out the options at Joshua Project and join us in praying for Unreached People Groups (still around 6,700 in the world today, that are unreached and unengaged).  

Are you interested in going?? Jesus directs us to GO "here, near, and far away" - contact me for information on missions sending organizations. 

Is God leading you to send?? I know a lot of missionaries that would love to have you on their team, praying and/or supporting them financially. I'd be happy to put you in touch with them!

God bless you!!