Date: 12/10 (Sunday morning)
The Lord downloaded this message to me today while I was deep in His presence in the early watches of the morning in the quiet presence of my room....
I guess there are times when I need to be away from others just to be alone with Him. It is good that Sunday is the day I need not go to church for the 6 am watch otherwise it will be a big rush for me and I will miss listening to His gentle and loving voice....
The Lord said that it is ok for me to do so....and that He wanted me to set aside at least a few days a week to be alone with Him in my personal morning watches.
He had things to share with me, He said....
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH HOLY SPIRIT!
Lessons from Bario
Here are the lessons I received from the Lord from my recent trip to Bario. I went there to learn about their morning watches and I want to thank the Lord for teaching me much more than that....
1. Sending & going
Jesus said to go into all the world to preach the gospel to the nations and to make disciples of them (Matt 28:19).
Before going there has to be the physical act of sending.
There can be no going to the nations without the sending forth by the church under the authority of the Lord Jesus Himself.
Sending out our short term missionaries in a manner worthy of God
In Acts 13:1-3, the apostles in Antioch as a collective group of teachers and prophets, Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen fasted and prayed and received from the Lord to send Barnabas and Saul "for the work I have called them" (the Lord speaking to the apostolic group collectively).
The sender is just as important as the goer as the senders have a part and a share in the ministry/fruits of the goer.
How should we send a person forth into missions whether it be Bario, Manila, India, KKB or China?
- We should send them forth with our heartfelt prayers and the laying on of hands
Acts 13:3 "Then having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them (Barnabas and Saul), they sent them on their way"
- We should send them out in the power of the Holy Spirit desirous to see a great harvest of souls and signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
Acts 13:4 "So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit...."
Acts 14:3 "Therefore they stayed there (Iconium a long time) speaking boldly in the Lord, who is bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands".
- We should send them out "with one accord" as the sending forth is not just an act of the leadership but also of the whole church.
Acts 15:22 "Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas...."
- We should send them forth in peace.
1 Cor 16:11 "Therefore let no one despise him (Timothy) but send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren"
- We should send them forth with the expectation of an encouraging report
Phil 2:19 "But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state"
- We are sending them forth to comfort the hearts of others
Col 4:8 "I am sending Tychicus to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts"
- We should send them forth as though we are going with them in the Spirit
Phil 2:25 "Yet I considered it necessary to send to you, Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow messenger...."
Col 4:7 "Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me"
Paul considered that sending Epaphroditus and Tychichus to the churches in Philippi and Colosse as if he was going there himself because he described them as his "brother, fellow worker, fellow messenger, fellow messenger".
Conclusion
God is pleased when we send out our short term missionaries with the above heart attitude.
3 John 6 "who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well"
In the same way we will be blessed when we receive traveling missionaries with the same heart attitude.
3 John 8 "We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth"
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