A missionary is someone sent by Jesus Christ just as He was sent by God. The great controlling factor is not the needs of people, but the command of Jesus. The source of our inspiration in our service for God is behind us, not ahead of us. The tendency today is to put the inspiration out in front— to sweep everything together in front of us and make it conform to our definition of success. But in the New Testament the inspiration is put behind us, and is the Lord Jesus Himself. The goal is to be true to Him— to carry out His plans.

Personal attachment to the Lord Jesus and to His perspective is the one thing that must not be overlooked. In missionary work the great danger is that God’s call will be replaced by the needs of the people, to the point that human sympathy for those needs will absolutely overwhelm the meaning of being sent by Jesus. The needs are so enormous, and the conditions so difficult, that every power of the mind falters and fails. We tend to forget that the one great reason underneath all missionary work is not primarily the elevation of the people, their education, nor their needs, but is first and foremost the command of Jesus Christ— “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” (Matthew 28:19).

When looking back on the lives of men and women of God, the tendency is to say, “What wonderfully keen and intelligent wisdom they had, and how perfectly they understood all that God wanted!” But the keen and intelligent mind behind them was the mind of God, not human wisdom at all. We give credit to human wisdom when we should give credit to the divine guidance of God being exhibited through childlike people who were “foolish” enough to trust God’s wisdom and His supernatural equipment.

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October 26 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Good morning Lord. This devotional reminds me that the main thing is still the main thing; our relationship with Jesus Christ. Chambers says…”Personal attachment to the Lord Jesus and to His perspective is the one thing that must not be overlooked”.  This reminds me that we may have our own ideas about what our work and service “looks like” but we have no business lending our perspective to spiritual initiatives. And that even in what we would call “non-spiritual” matters, we are to allow Jesus to provide His perspective. In all we do and seek to do, it is the perspective of Jesus that holds real meaning for us and those we engage with our service.

And God says…”That is exactly right. Seek first the Kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and His righteousness, and I will provide everything else you need. Acknowledge Me in all your ways, not just the ones that “look spiritual”, and I will make your paths straight. Delight yourself in the Lord, immerse yourself in His presence, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

“Our relationship is found in living out of your daily surrender, connection, curiosity, and obedience, in all you think, say and act upon; in ALL you do. Just come to Me surrendered, and I will provide everything else you require for a life as a missionary, a father, mother, husband, wife, employee, entrepreneur, pastor, or however else you might see yourself, and the roles of your life. When you live surrendered and connected, you can be certain that MY perspective from the Holy Spirit will guide, direct and create the “Jesus” perspective for your living. And when you fail to live surrendered and connected? When you take your own yoke, and your own ideas about your life and service? My grace is sufficient for you, and you can be certain that I will work out all things for the good of those that love the Lord.”