The Mission

Angels Unaware

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Heb 13:2

One thing that I am learning is that God loves to reward us in the here and now for obeying His word even when we do not know that is what we are doing. Some years ago God began to do a work in my heart for International Students who come to the US for their education. One of the greatest pleasures I have had is opening my heart to these young people. Most of them miss home, their families and the comfort of security that comes from being around places and people who are familiar with them. When they come here, they are on their own, in a foreign country, and find themselves where the culture is totally different from home. The food is different, relationships are different, interdependence is replaced by independence and everything is unsettling. Is it any wonder that they are open to someone who will extend a loving hand to include them into their lives? There isn’t an easier way to show the love of our Lord Jesus and to share His wonderful plan for all people to know Him then through inviting one of these lonely kids into your life.

In the last year my wife and I have been blessed with getting to know two girls from India, a boy from India, and a young man from China to mention just a few. As we have made ourselves available and extended ourselves towards these dear young people and have developed a relationship with them, we have discovered great joy and satisfaction that abundantly exceeds what money can buy. We feel like we have many adopted college kids who have become a part of our family. I only wish that others could experience the incredible blessing associated with obeying God’s word in Deut. 10:19 that says “show your love for the alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt”. The point is that God wants us to love all of His people on the earth no matter what nation, culture, language or people group is involved. After all the word tells us that we are also aliens and sojourner with the Lord and are called to love as He loved.

Want an incredible glimpse of His glory? Reach out to one of the hundreds of International Students that reside in your community. You will never be the same. Why not call the local University, look for them in your churches – they are the mission field that has come to us. God will honor you in incredible ways for your warm and loving hospitality.

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on January 27, 2005 at 9:48 pm Comments (1)

Blessed for a Purpose

Psalms 67 begins “God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us – “Isn’t it interesting that most of us never get beyond these words? Our faith in the Lord Jesus is a wonderful self centered blessing – He is always there, He will provide for my every need, He will protect me, He will make me a success, He is the answer to make my life smoother. I am not saying that these things are necessarily wrong but they certainly stop too soon because verse 2 tells us why God blesses us and makes His face shine upon us. It is not for our comfort but “That Your way may be known on the earth, Your salvation among all nations”. We are blest for one purpose – to bless others that His name might be worshipped by more and more of His growing kingdom family around the world. The amazing thing about this is that we only think we are blest when we focus on the benefits He brings to us. Actually, we are truly blest only when we give up our life and all rights thereto to be a slave of the one who purchased us with His own blood and bought us at the price of His death on the cross. It took me many years to know just a little of what Luke 9:23,24 tells us “Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.” I am learning that God never reveals more of Himself to me until I take the first step of obedience to follow hard after Him. For me that meant giving up what I thought was extremely important to me, my retirement, and surrendering to serve unconditionally the needs of the His body no matter what. This has been an incredible experience to see His glory revealed to me through the love of His family. No wonder scripture tells us in John 13:35 “This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples — when they see the love you have for each other.” We are called to serve and be a blessing to others which brings Him more glory and brings us true blessings of joy unspeakable.

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on January 13, 2005 at 2:40 pm Comments (1)

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Angels Unaware

Blessed for a Purpose

Schindler\'s List