Hungry {Day 24}

Posted on November 24, 2012 by Rosalie

One chapter into the book 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess and I can already feel my life changing.

Jen Hatmaker ends the first chapter with a reminder that Jesus launched his ministry, the most world-changing three years in the history of world, not with great (earthly) power, not with politics or plans or a charismatic campaign, but in weakness. He began his ministryhungry.

“And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.” (Matt 4:2)

I have been praying to be filled up. I do need that, sort of desperately. But first, I must empty myself of everything I am using to try to fill me up so that I can be filled with stuff that lasts. So that my longing soul is satisfied.

Tonight, this missionary is praying to be emptied.

We Have An Audience… {Day 20}

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Rosalie

We have an audience, as witnesses for Jesus Christ, but the world is not a stage. Read this passage out of Matthew 6 from The Message. Remember this is Jesus talking; giving us instructions on how to pray. Check yourself! Pray that missionaries would check themselves too. That’s why I titled the post the way I did. Some people {ministers of the Gospel} are in a wonderful position to be ambassadors for Christ for a living. It feels like the spotlight is on them. But these instructions are for all. We are all ambassadors for Christ.

The World Is Not a Stage

6 “Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding.

^2-4“When you do something for someone else, don’t call attention to yourself. You’ve seen them in action, I’m sure—‘playactors’ I call them—treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that’s all they get. When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.

Pray with Simplicity

⁵“And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?

⁶“Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.

^7-13“The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:

Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best—
as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.

^14-15“In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part.

^16-18“When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don’t make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won’t make you a saint. If you ‘go into training’ inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn’t require attention-getting devices. He won’t overlook what you are doing; he’ll reward you well.

Get Kids Involved {Day 19}

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Rosalie

Yesterday we were privileged to teach the first through sixth graders at Eastgate. After sharing a bit about our ministry in Spain, pointing out Spain, Madrid, and Alcalá on a map, and answering questions, we all did a craft together to encourage the kids to pray for us every day.

Prayer Wheel for Spain

Materials

This image, printed to be about 6 inches
2 basic paper plates
1 brad
Scissors
Glue stick (represented by double-sided tape in my picture. That’s all I had.)
Crayons, markers or colored pencils
Stickers and other paper decorative items (not pictured here. If you like glitter, go all out!)

Instructions:

Cut out the wheel and color the images.

Using the wheel as a guide, mark lines on one of the paper plate and cut a slice out of it. (Be sure not to cut all the way to the middle, where the brad will go). You can also decorate this plate however you like.

After the wheel is colored, glue it to the center of the whole plate (try to avoid getting glue right in the middle of the plate, where the hole is)

To poke your hole, layer the cut plate on the bottom, poke a hole in the plates using a dowel, and then put the cut plate back on top. Finally, attach them together with the brad.

Turn the top of the wheel each day to pray for a different person or aspect of church planting in Spain six times a week. You can write some specific requests in the plate’s border.

The Missionary’s Plans {Day 16}

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Rosalie

There’s no way around it: missionaries make plans. Burdened with a calling from God to reach these people, backed by the funds of investors sending us out, and spurred by the power of the Holy Spirit upon us, yet still limited in time, talent and ability, we plan. We envision relationships and conversations and church services to the Glory of God, we work through the logistics with our co-laborers in the field, and then we execute. And sometimes we fall flat. Did we misunderstand a cultural norm? Did we lose sight of the true needs of the people to be reached? Worst of all, were we actually trying to puff ourselves up?

Don’t just pray for a missionary’s plans. Pray for God’s direction in those plans. Hopefully this is helpful because we can pray for plans even though sometimes we don’t know the specifics.

Proverbs 16 has a lot to say about a man’s plan and Who is really in charge. Use it as a guide as you pray for your missionaries and their plans.

Lord, your word says that the plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from you (Proverbs 16:1). Weigh the spirit (2) of the church planters in Spain. Help them to commit their work to you, the only way to see their plans established (3). We know that you have made everything for your purpose, so use even the opposition to carry out your will in their field (4). I pray that their plans would please you, and so draw even their enemies into peace with them, and possibly with you (5). Help them to be righteous before their audience, give them wisdom as they make plans, and rule their spirit (8-32). Humble them (18-19), Lord, so they lean on your word for guidance, so they trust you for approval, for results (20). In Jesus’ sovereign name, Amen.

What I Really Want {Day 15}

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Rosalie

If I were to invite you over for coffee, I’d make it in my stovetop espresso maker. I’d pour a shot of espresso into warmed milk (whole or almond, these days). Hot water for me. Will this American always want an Americano, even when I move to Spain?

If you asked me that coveted question, and I knew you would protect my confidences, leave your judgments behind, and keep your promise to pray, what I share might surprise.

Because yes, I want your prayers for new partners, for 100%, for people to respond when we share the Gospel. Yes, we need your prayers that we would be wise parents, good stewards, faithful students of the Word.

But what I really want?

Deep, abiding love for my savior. Love unhindered by my selfishness, my insecurities, my fear of discomfort. Love that overflows and causes me to be obedient, fully obedient, not only to His call on my life (in Spain, and missions, and sharing the Gospel), but to the Word. To know deep in my soul what it means to act justly, love mercy, walk humbly (Micah 6:8). And to do it. Without hesitation.

What about you? What’s the prayer request you never share with another person?