Remember Rosie the Riveter and Victory Gardens?

So yeah, here we are. Same day, another blog post. This is something else I'm thinking about. I'm finally working on my last Perspectives lesson and it's talking about being a World Christian-someone who “has Christ's global cause as their integrating, overriding priority.” I pray that is what God is turning me into. This kind of Christian lives an intentional life and take initiative to find/start/participate in various ways to spread the Gospel. Everything is done for one purpose: Jesus. Ralph Winter (Mr. Perspectives-missiology guru of our day) wrote an article about living a “wartime” lifestyle. Most of us who are younger than him don't know exactly what that's like, but think about World War II movies, books (Molly the American Girl!), other forms of media and what older people have taught us about life during the war. Everyone was focused on the cause, willing to make sacrifices, pinched every penny and did everything they could to contribute.

What if all the Christians in the world did that regarding the support of our missionaries? We are at war against the devil. We know that Christ will not come again until His Gospel is preached to all nations (read people groups) (Mat 24.14). The world is wrought by wars, disasters and Yankee fans. What are we waiting for? The good news of Jesus Christ is TOO GOOD to keep to ourselves! Think outside the box what could you do to change your lifestyle in order to further promote the Kingdom of God? What about cutting your budget and living more simply? That's a really important question, but this is about going beyond the essentials of money and prayer!! What about stopping to help someone on the side of the street? What about smiling and treating the cashier at the grocery store like a human the Jesus loves and died for? What about using your professional, technological, people, kinesthetic or whatever skills you have to bless a missionary or educate others about the needs of the world? What about using your design projects to better a rural community in Rwanda? What about befriending the people in your community or workplace who are “from away” (from another state or country)? What about joining a Bible study in order to deepen your relationship with God and your understanding of the Bible and the Gospel? What about joining your church's missions committee or using your vacation time to go and encourage a missionary you know? What about selling Cards from Africa? Turn on your thinking cap and think about what you and your spouse, family, coworkers, roommates/housemates, neighbors, church can do to proclaim and glorify our King Jesus? You don't have to just pray, send or go.

God wants to use you in His plan to bring those who don't know Him to Him! Does it require time and sacrifice? You bet! But, this isn't about self-denial and forcing ourselves to do these things though. God isn't interested in us showing off and making sacrifices. It's not about “being holy” or a “good Christian.” this World Christian lifestyle should flow naturally out of our love for God. They should be the fruit of our response to Him. He is God and He is worthy or all worship and praise. It is ALL about Him. We say our lives are His. Why don't we submit to Him then and let His have His way in us and give us His heart? God wants everyone to come to Him. He is all about love and grace, holiness and justice, reconciliation and redemption. Shouldn't we be about that too, then?

This Thursday is the (Inter?)National Day of Prayer. The President of the Latin America Mission, Steve Johnson is asking us to pray and fast that day and keep the LAM especially in prayer. The LAM, along with many other missions organizations is in financial straits and needs divine provision. Please join us in prayer. Think how much support a missionary needs to raise a month. It seems like a lot. But think again about how much YOU receive each month. Think about how much you actually NEED each month. Think about it... Thanks for your prayers and support! And Thank You God for the work You are doing in me and those who read this!