SUNDAY SCRIPTURE (PSALMS 51)

Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your steadfast love;

according to your abundant mercy

blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

and cleanse me from my sin!

For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is ever before me.

Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight,

so that you may be justified in your words

and blameless in your judgment.

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,

and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,

and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!

(Best if read in an old-timey newspaper voice.)

This just in... Life exists for another day. Currently billions of people populate planet Earth. The atmosphere continues to provide the oxygen needed for survival. Clean sources of water flow from springs, streams and rivers. As you read this column, somewhere clouds are releasing their storehouses of liquid feeding the dry soil. Crops are still yielding their fruit as time moves forward. Plant and animal life give the necessary nourishment that men need to sustain them. What's more, everyday women are giving birth to more and more children.

"How can this be?" you might ask... It defies all logic. It stupefies the wisest of us all. It is the puzzle to top them all. While billions of creatures created in the image of God have decided to rebel against their Creator, God still allows it all to continue. One might say that God is crazy or that He isn't too bright. One might say that this Ruler of all just doesn't have the power to do anything about it. If you ask this reporter, I'd tell you to thank your lucky stars you're still around and pray that you can read a similar front page headline tomorrow.

(Psalms 103:8)

SUNDAY SCRIPTURE (LUKE 12:13-21)

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Luke 12:13-21 (ESV)

SEEING THROUGH THE LENS OF YOUR OWN WORLDVIEW

Going viral is the measure of success these days. Recently, TrueMove, a communications company in Thailand, put out an advertisement that has been shared by many all over different networking sites. As far as commercials go, this one is stunningly well produced. It has tugged at the heartstrings of many people, so much so, that they have begun to see a greater meaning behind the video. You can watch the video for yourself to see what I mean.

Feel free to wipe away the tears before you read further... Okay, now that I have your attention again, let us continue. 

MONDAY SCRIPTURE (MATTHEW 19:13-30)

Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away.

And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

BE A BLESSING, NOT A BURDEN

Recently I was involved in a facebook discussion about a short-term mission team coming to Thailand that had a small food budget.  The missionary responsible for them was stressing out over how to feed them.  This stress is pretty real and it isn't pleasant.  I have been in similar situations and have come away wondering whether hosting the team was worth it.

Short-term mission teams can either be a blessing or a burden.  I have experienced my fair share of both during my six years in Thailand.  What I've noticed, is this; the teams that prepare usually offer a blessing and the ones that don't become a burden on the missionaries and ministries they are trying to help.  How can a team be well prepared before embarking on their journey?  Below are three things to focus on before you get on the plane.

A SELF-PROMOTING POST

The Verge Network is having a contest for top Christian blogs and websites that their readers recommend.  In the hopes of drawing more attention to Reformation Missions, I have nominated my own blog.  Yes, I know this is self-promoting, but... No I can't think of any buts.  This is self-promoting.

Anyways, if you enjoy reading Reformation Missions and would like to expand its audience, then click on the link below, scroll down until you see "Reformation Missions" and then vote it up ^. If you don't enjoy reading this blog, but would rather vote other blogs and websites ahead of mine, then you can click the same link. 

Click here to vote!

SUNDAY SCRIPTURE (HEBREWS 4:14-16)

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:14-16 (ESV)

THE SLOWNESS OF MISSIONS

After waiting for two and a half years to get to the mission field and then being on the mission field for almost six years, I now know that ministry abroad has its own pace.  It is the pace of a snail.

My mission agency in particular is very careful before they send anyone overseas.  They have a tight screening process, psychiatric evaluations, pre-field counseling, fund raising and missionary training courses that you need to go through before they will send you.  At the time, I thought of these things as obstacles in my way, but I know better now.  I've seen way too many missionaries leave the field because they were ill prepared.  I know not every mission agency does it this way, but I'm thankful mine does.

SUNDAY SCRIPTURE (MATTHEW 13:18-23)

“Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

Matthew 13:18-23 (ESV)