The Ends of the Earth
The Ends
of the Earth
Recently, we had the joy of hosting a missionary couple from Ecuador who were passing through Rome. It was so much fun catching up on everything happening in their ministry way over there in Ecuador. Some of my early missionary calling stems from time spent with Rick going to the city park and evangelizing. His son and I would play music and 'uncle' Rick would share the gospel with those who would gather. It was always a joy when people would give their lives to Christ and be introduced to the local church. They recently returned to their ministry and he sent me the snapshot above of his ride into the Amazon to share the gospel with one of the indigenous tribes
Beautiful, right? A little different environment than ours here in Rome.
It's been said that it's often easier to tell people about Jesus across an ocean than across your street. Do you find that to be true? One of the greatest challenges with living across an ocean can be that we forget we were chosen and sent there by God. And that the people of that nation, however "backward" they may seem, are not enemies, but sinners like us in need of the message of Jesus.
The gospel is the power needed to share the gospel. It doesn't come from somewhere else. One of the greatest examples of this is found in Isaiah 41:8-10. I've highlighted a few points:
“8 But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend; 9 you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”; 10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
That's good news! God is in our "Here" and "Now". Guess what? He is also the reason your neighbor is next to you. Your coworker sits in your office by God's design. The post office desk clerk is there by God's design. Your children are in your home by God's design. How happy they would be to know that God is behind all their coming and going and his presence can be known by faith in Jesus!
As the Lord strengthens you, I pray that each of us would become glad sharers of the good news for all people.
Together for the Kingdom,
Loren