Anticipate :: Devo #14

When God Arrives Early
The writer of today’s lesson talks about God arriving “early” in meeting our needs, this as a lead-in to a discussion of prayer. God knows what we need and wants us to be engaged in his work. A big part of this is his desire that we be engaged in conversation with him through prayer. Read Daniel 9:4-23. Here we see a really special answer to prayer ~ the angel Gabriel delivers God’s answer while Daniel is still praying! The point we are directed to see in this lesson is not that we should expect an angel to personally deliver answers to our prayers, but the kind of prayer that makes a difference. Look at Daniel’s prayer. We see that:

- He confessed his own sin and that of the
nation for which he was praying.
- He pleaded for God’s mercy.
- He based his appeal on God’s character,
mercy and glory, not on his own.

The lesson then proceeds to look at things that might hinder our prayer life. Here we have:

- Praying to impress others (Matthew 6:5-8)
- Praying without confidence that God will
hear and respond (James 1:5-8)
- Praying with wrong motives (James 4:3)
- Neglecting prayer altogether (James 4:2)

Finally, the lesson writer issues the following “challenges:”

Prayer
- Take time to talk to God now – no pretense, no fancy
words, no self justification, no personal agenda.
- Take time to listen to God now – he might want to
prompt you in some way… write down any
promptings you sense.
- Don’t be in too big a hurry when you talk and listen to
God. And know that on the trip, we’ll be able to see
And experience him. He is, after all, already at work.

Anticipate :: Devo #13

Good Soil
Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if necessary. There are many ways to share the Gospel message. And even more ways in which the message may be responded to. Read Matthew 13:3-9. The focus is on the soil and seed, not so much on the sower. So what does this mean for us as we prepare to go and sow? Hmm… go sow grow?

It seems to me that the emphasis being on the soil and seed says that important as the farmer is to the process, having the right seed and soil are to be the focus. First, we acknowledge that God’s word is the seed for salvation. Even though we sow, it is not our word that goes out; it is God’s. When others hear the word, it is not our response that counts. It is theirs. While the hearer’s response depends on the quality of the “soil,” we might actually be able to have some affect on this, especially if our actions and words display our trust in God’s plan.

We may not see the results of our sowing, but let’s not let that discourage us. Rather, look at the message in 1Corinthians 3:5-9. Here we see that there are those who plant and those who water, playing roles in God’s ultimately bringing forth the fruit. Having a role in this process is a privilege and a responsibility. Our response should be gratefulness for opportunity and commitment to doing the best we can in carrying out the responsibility, in our actions and, when required, with our words.

Prayer
Pray for opportunities to share the God’s love in word or deed and that we as a team and individuals are ready to meet these in accordance to what we have been given. Pray too for the Spirit to work in the hearts of those whom we will meet during our travels, that their hearts are prepared to accept the seed.

Anticipate :: Devo #12

Salt of the Earth
“Muzungu!” Bill and I heard this often during our mission trip to Uganda. Youngsters would point, laugh and call out to us. So much that I decided when asked my name (by the kids), I would say, “Muzungu.” Muzungu is a general term for “white man,” and comes from the description applied to the British in East Africa to describe how the native peoples saw these European visitors: the word conveys the meaning of a lot of action with no good purpose, like a dog chasing its tail. The British stood out in this foreign land. And earned a special name for it.

In Matthew 5:13, 14 Jesus tells us to be “salt” and “light.” Salt because he wants us to heal, preserve and bring flavor; he doesn’t want us to be bland, flavorless and purposeless, rather we are to be full of life, purposeful and useful to the world through our sharing of God’s love. And he says our light should shine before others so that they may see our good deeds and praise God; he wants us to stand out in the world because of saving knowledge of Christ. Read Acts 3:1-10. What is the reaction to the compassion demonstrated by Peter in his healing of the cripple?

How should being salt and light actually manifest itself in OUR lives? In Colossians 3:12, Paul says, “As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” When we are in the Dominican Republic we will stand out for the color of our skin, the way we dress, our language and our way of doing things. That’s the easy part. Will we also stand out because of our compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience as befitting of the name we carry: Christians?

Prayer
Pray that we might stand out in the sense of Colossians 3:12 and that God be praised with the enthusiasm of the beggar healed by Peter. Pray for the March travel group as the days wind down ~ and the stress of preparation rises ~ and for the June travel group as they continue their preparation.

Anticipate :: Devo #11

Anyone Serving Anyone
“Who is my neighbor?” We are approaching our last month of preparation. One of the things we have to do is to sharpen up our “performance” of the story of the Good Samaritan. Our intent is to provide children the opportunity to see Jesus’ teaching on attitudes of service in terms with which they can identify – our “Samaritan” is a Haitian.

It has been my experience that a good way to learn a lesson is to be responsible for teaching it. What are we learning about Jesus’ message as we prepare? Read Luke 10:25-37. We see in verse 29 that the “teacher of the law” has asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” The response is the story of the Good Samaritan. In his response, Jesus teaches that one must be ready to serve without regard to social, political or economic considerations.

We practice the skit so that the story is presented in a way that will capture the children’s attention and deliver the message of a servant attitude. Our Spanish should be passable and the actions carried out to deliver the lesson. This is effective teaching, one of many ways in which we can serve during our week in the Dominican Republic. But through all of this, what are we learning? Will we allow Jesus’ teaching to have an impact on our view of service?

Prayer
Pray that our understanding of the servant heart grow as we prepare to enter a world much different than the one we live in every day. Pray that we not be distracted by these differences, but will see the opportunities for service afforded us. And, it is OK to pray that our preparation for the skit results in it being effective in delivering the message to the students!

Anticipate :: Devo #10

Whatever
“Whatever.” Today, a word indicating indifference or scorn for something. I’m not listening; I don’t care; whatever. But there is more to this whatever. It is also a big, all inclusive word. Look at Colossians 3:17. What are the things that we should take care to do well, in the name of Jesus, giving thanks all the while? Whatever. Not the contemporary whatever, the “everything, all the time” whatever. No exceptions.

The writer of the lesson this week says, “I challenge you to do whatever is set before you and to do whatever is asked of you.” We may think we know what these things will be. We are, after all, making plans, getting ready for travel, work, programs, devotions. Whatever. But even now we see the uncertainty that is the reality. A tropical storm damaging the camp building, William moving to Puerto Plata, requests for special projects that are just now coming in.

It matters less what we do than that we do whatever in accordance with the admonition to do it “in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Then, with the satisfaction of providing this service, whatever this service is, remembering to give thanks to God. Thanks for being able to do what are able, “whether in word or deed,” thanks that His work is being done and thanks that His name is lifted up.

Prayer
Pray for David as he finishes up work in Costa Rica, travels to Mississippi for a brief respite then moves on for the busy team visit season in the Dominican Republic. And pray that we all may embrace the “whatever” with the an attitude that is just the opposite of the contemporary expression of indifference, rather with concern, enthusiasm and desire to bring thanks to God.

Anticipate :: Devo #9

Made Whole
The meditation leader for this lesson based her study on the story of Hannah. Read 1Samuel 1:1-28 and 1Samuel 2:1-11, 18-21. Hannah experienced distress – things were “broken” in her life. We see that she put her situation before God. The result, she left the temple where she had prayed and been counseled by the priest Eli with a face that was “no longer downcast” (v18). Nothing had “happened” yet, but her confidence in the Lord had already lifted her up.

I’ll always remember arriving in Santiago 24 hours late after our “vacation” in Miami. When we stepped out of the terminal building into the warm night air, Dan, Sharayah, Cassie and Mara were there to greet us. And Dan observed, “We are whole again!”

It had been a long, difficult day, traveling all the way to Miami only to miss the only flight of the day to Santiago. This resulted in a long wait at the ticket counter to get re-booked and a long discussion with the airline before we were given vouchers for our overnight stay. Then, another wait at the curb for our transportation to the hotel, provided by a driver who asked US where the hotel was. Were we thankful for what was happening? Were we looking for the message that God had for us? Did we see opportunities to serve as short term missionaries, even though we had not “arrived” in the field yet? YES. What a team! The day that we were made whole again, as Dan described it, started with a trip to a park on the edge of Biscayne Bay where we held an impromptu worship service, thanking God for his provision in this special way. And, of course, we made it to Santiago.

While we might see certain situations as our plans being “broken,” God simply asks us to see anything that happens as an opportunity. And we can express our thanks to God throughout, knowing that what we may see as broken at the moment will eventually be seen as a part of the wholeness of God’s plan.

Prayer
Thank God for what he has done so far in building up our team and for revealing to us already some of the opportunities we will have during our visit. And let’s pray this week that we have the confidence in God’s plan to be excited from beginning to end regardless of what happens at the moment. Pray again for the each member of the Team as we continue to prepare our hearts and attitudes for the trip.

Anticipate :: Devo #8

Master Plan
Do you know what the plan is? We have travel plans. Plans to visit the Haitian church, Pontezuela, the mountain camp, Puerto Plata. We are planning lessons and meals. Why do we make these plans? As we have noted, our diverse group carries with it a diversity of gifts and talents, driven by a common desire to serve the missionaries and the people in the Dominican Republic. Our plans are made in order that we be available – available to exercise these in our chosen ministry.

But our plans are only a part of God’s master plan, our role being defined when Jesus said "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;” (Matthew 28:19-20). Do we understand God’s plan? How our plans mesh with his? His plan isn’t always understood, you know. Look at Acts 1:6. Jesus came to be the path to salvation for all mankind, but the question here is about his plan for restoring Israel’s earthly kingdom. Saul was one who did not understand Jesus and how he was the fulfillment of God’s master plan. He set out on a journey according to his own plan. But along the way, he learned about God’s. And what a difference that made in the outcome!

Think about the commission we have, the charge to go, make disciples, baptize, and teach. Understand that plan and strive to make everything you do in preparation and during the trip conform.

Prayer
Thank God for his plan of salvation; tell him what that means to you. Ask him to help keep your focus on the master plan in whatever it is we choose or are called unexpectedly to do. And pray this week for the pastors and congregations of the new churches in the Puerto Plata area and for William as he continues his ministry of church building in that part of the Dominican Republic.

Anticipate :: Devo #7

Free Gifts
The writer of this week’s meditation tells us that his “favorite theme in the Bible is that people are blessed so that they will become blessings to others.” My work provided the opportunity to make several visits to Rochdale, England. Just behind the small hotel on a hill above the town stood a monument to authors who wrote to preserve the local dialects of the area, well known once for it’s cotton and woolen mills. A short thought by Margaret Rebecca Lehee appears on one of the four faces of the monument:

When we lay deun life’s shuttle an ston before th greyt judge, he’ll wont to know what soart of a piece we’en woven, an how many floats there’s in it. He winnot care abeawt eawr hee seaundin names an worldly possessions. He’ll ax us how we geet em and what we did wi’ em.

Read 1Peter 4:10. We see that we are given gifts (abilities to use in our ministries) for the purpose of “faithfully administering God’s grace…” It isn’t a question of how many gifts we have. Nor of what these gifts are. It’s “what we did wi’ em” that counts. What will we do with our gifts in this ministry to the people in the Dominican Republic?

Prayer
Pray for the other members of the missions team as we prepare for the March and June visits. Thank God for the diversity of the groups and that this collection of gifts be given freely and effectively in our part of in “administering God’s grace.”

Anticipate :: Devo #6

Driven to Serve
THE question. You hear it all of the time. “Why do you go to the Dominican Republic? Last year, Jerry shared that he went because he had too. The writer of this week’s devotion, asked himself the question, “Why do I serve?” He wondered was because it made him look good? Because he would feel guilty if he didn’t? He then shared that one person told him God’s Spirit was compelling him to serve. Like Jerry. Compelled.

And then there is the example of service we have in Jesus. Read John 13:1-17. How does this example of service speak to you about your service on the mission trip? Are we compelled to follow this example? The writer asks us to consider the kind of tasks we might be asked to perform during the trip. Picking up trash around the camp. Cleaning up the bathrooms in the mission house. Little things. Not really what the trip is about. Or is it?

Prayer
Pray for a spirit of servanthood. Pray that God prepare you to first see then act on whatever opportunities there are. Also, be in prayer this week for all of those people in the Dominican Republic whose lives have been so disrupted by the devastating storms in November ad December. Pray for David, William, Alberto and Jean Paulite as they minister to the churches and families there.

Anticipate :: Devo #5

The God of Peace
When you anticipate the trip to the Dominican Republic in March, would you say feel a peace about your decision to go? Your preparation? Do you have any anxieties about what might happen on the trip itself? Experience has certainly shown us that a mission trip will not be without its challenges. I can tell you that there have been difficult times for me in the last two trips.

Read Philippians 4:6, 7. Verse 6 suggests that we talk to God. Perhaps we bring to him things we are anxious about. Or perhaps we talk to him so that we will not become anxious about upcoming challenges. 1Peter 5:7 puts it this way, “Cast your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” As a result, we are told in verse 7 that “The God of peace will guard your hearts and your minds.”

What will God do with our anxieties? He might let us know that he is in control, giving us a peace during a time of tension, that “peace that passes all understanding.” But he may also send a teammate to counsel or comfort us, so be ready! Some memorable “anxious” times that I have experienced provided others to step up and shoulder some of the burdens I felt at the time.

Let’s prepare our hearts now for the ways that God will use us to spread his peace during our time in the Dominican Republic.

Prayer
Offer Hebrews 13:20, 21 as a prayer for yourself.

Pray for Gracesqui and Ramona. These servants radiate God’s peace as they minister to the people in the mountain community. They have little in the way of material goods, but never stop giving. Pray that their example continues to make a difference to the people they shepherd.

Anticipate :: Devo #4

Reverence
Read 1 Peter 1:17. What does it mean to live in “reverent fear” of God and in reverence for the mission of his kingdom? Can an attitude of reverence make a difference in our work for the mission in the Dominican Republic?

The lesson this week suggests this for understanding and practicing reverence: Be still and listen. Find a time when you can be alone with the word and read Psalm 23. This beautiful chapter tells us in several ways that God is in control in all circumstances. Prepare now for quiet times on the trip. Bring a devotional, develop a scripture reading plan, make a prayer list. Whatever will help you maintain that feeling of reverence.

Prayer
Ask God to prepare our hearts for times on the trip when we will be still and wait and for those times that we will sit and listen to those who have something to teach us.

Pray for Karen and Sandi as they prepare the December 20 meeting. And pray for the March group as we listen and learn from their leading.

Anticipate :: Devo #3

Be Strong in the Lord
Does our trip coming up in March seem like a daunting task? Is getting ready for it a challenge? Read the first chapter of Joshua. How many times is Joshua told to be strong? Joshua was being prepared to fight some pretty big battles. Can you imagine him saying to God, “You want me to do WHAT?”

Now, look back at Joshua 1:6-9. What does this say about being strong in the Lord? The answer: be grounded in the truth of his word. It doesn’t matter that we anticipate what specific obstacles we might encounter in our preparation or our trip. What matters is that we prepared, rigidly flexible if needs be.

The lesson writer for this devotion reminds us that being strong requires that we be well-dressed as described in Ephesians 6:10-18. Read these verses; what is the only offensive weapon in the outfit? What does it represent? How will this help us be strong during our trip.

Prayer
Ask God to clothe us in his strength for the work ahead.

Pray for William and Jackeline and their work in Puerto Plata. Churches are being planted in communities where there had been none. William has stepped out in faith to use the experience he has gained through working with David. Pray that he continues to find strength in the Lord for building churches while he also fills the roll as preacher and mentor to the young congregations and pastors. This all while taking care of his family in their new home as well.

Anticipate :: Devo #2

Submission to God
The lesson writer for this devotion described submit as one of the “dirtiest words in the English language.” He says “It has been known to offend, incite and anger.” Later, he tells of a question on an application for a short term mission team where people providing references for the applicant were asked about submissiveness. The response on one form was, “Your term submissive is misleading and inappropriate for a functional, capable individual.” What do you think of when you hear the word submit?

Read James 4:7-10, Hebrews 13:7, Romans 13:1-5 and Ephesians 5:21. What do these say about submission? Write down a list of ways in which we can DEMONSTRATE the various aspects of submission while we are preparing for the trip, while we are in the Dominican Republic and after we return.

Prayer
Pray that we can be more like Jesus, who demonstrated submission. Pray that in difficult situations we would say “not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). And pray that we understand and accept our roles on the team as we support the work of the missionaries and pastors whom we will visit.

Pray for Juan de Leon and the Cienfuegos church. This is one of the strong local churches in Santiago and Juan and his sons have been instrumental in establishing other churches in the area.

Anticipate :: Devo #1

Introduction
Can you feel the anticipation? The March group is leaving in just 16 weeks. There are only three more meetings between now and our departure date. Are we ready? Not packed-ready, but mentally, emotionally and spiritually ready? Just as it takes time and effort to prepare logistically, we need to invest in ourselves individually and as a team to be ready for our time in the mission field.

This is the first of 15 weekly studies based loosely on a series in a booklet I found at the National Missionary Convention. I will email each study and post it the DR Team Blog. The purpose of these studies is to provide spiritual focus and to heighten our sense of anticipation for the work ahead.

#1 Solid Foundation
Most of us in the March group are veterans of short term trips. We know what to expect because we have been before. We have that foundation to build on. If you have gone several times, you might see that you have looked at each trip differently and that is probably a good thing.

Read Matthew 7:24-27. What is the rock? What are we to do?

With respect to our mission, God has called us to go, to serve and to grow. As he already has, he will continue to open doors, expose us to opportunities. We will not be able to plan specifically for many of these. We need to have a solid foundation so that when the time comes we do the right thing in whatever circumstance we find ourselves.

Prayer
Pray about God’s plans for you on this trip and ask him to help you put into practice the things he is teaching you.

This week, pray for David and Virginia. Their long service in the Dominican Republic has built a foundation for churches there and provided us a place to serve.