Gina and I were blessed to participate in a conference/annual meeting of Emmanuel Ministries from March 3-11, 2016 in Canyon Lake, Texas which was less than an hours drive from San Antonio. This was an intimate group of believers that support mission work along with grass root efforts of church planting. Their major initial efforts were in struggling areas of Mexico. Recently they have graciously and lovingly brought our tiny ministry effort into their fold. They are able as a Religious 501c3 to accept donations to our ministry and route them to be used by us in Panama where we have been serving the past two years.

I was asked to share with their ministry just what we have been up to in Panama and what we plan to do going forward this year. It was a great experience sharing our children’s ministry and other outreach activities we have been involved in with those who were open and eager to hear about our first hand experiences. Some listening were very experienced in ministry and outreach beyond our limited experiences and others were just getting a taste of what this type of service part time or full time could be like. As part of my sharing I was offered a chance to share a gospel message as well. Below is my message lacking the interactive dialogue that occurred during the message that I cannot properly recount. Since we were sharing our missions work it seemed appropriate to speak on missionary encouragement.

Missionaries – Sharing the Love of Christ in Action and Truth

If we are to have an impact as Christ Followers, as His hands and Feet, as missionaries… We need to be intentional in sharing the “Love”,  “Agape Love” that the Lord has so intentionally shared with us.

The love of Christ for us in his dying was as conscious as his suffering was intentional. We are fortunate today to have a broad view of the Lord’s mission… We can read the scriptures and see the beginning and end of his ministry and further read of how this impacted all of God’s children. The disciples had only the pieces they lived and messages in parables… although they did have His actual presence!!!

We are familiar with these verses:

(1 John 3:16) “This is how we know what love is: Jesus lad down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”                                                                  and

(1 John 3:18) “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth…

I would say “generally at least” within their dedicated service, their intentional life to serve God by loving His children, that missionaries are not anticipating or in expectation that it will culminate in their need to lay down their life or physically die for others. However, we do know that it has happened to others and that in some locations being a Christian is dangerous and the potential of mortal danger exists. But i do believe that in their faithful intentional service and sharing His love; it is in a small way death to self. We understand and accept that there is going to be some level of sacrifice. It may be hate speech from non-believers, even struggles of every day life, health issues, lack of access to our basic needs or favorite things, ‘creature comforts’.

I heard this said and I believe it has merit: “Love is not an inclination but and action” It becomes intentional in our daily walk to impart love to others; and if done in the Spirit it is the true “agape love” from God.

A couple additional favorite passages:

(Matthew 5:16) “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”                                                                             and

(Acts 3:6) Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you…   (In the name if Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk”) He gave from what God gave him…

Again, generally speaking missionaries do not have wealth, an abundance of silver and gold; but we do have access through the Holy Spirit within us, wealth beyond measure, the Love of God, the knowledge of Jesus Christ live, ministry, death, and resurrection that we can share intentionally with our neighbors.

How do we do this? In the way we live our daily lives, treat on another, and in sharing the word of God that they may have access to this abundant wealth – Eternal Life with Him.

It is cliche to tell you to “walk the talk”, “practice what you preach”, etc, but again these statements have merit!

Because they:
1) Back up or prove what’s said with action                                         2) We represent words with action                                                         3) they show us being intentional in letting our light shine

Does your light shine before others? Are our words, actions, and deeds, uplifting and edifying?

Are you sharing your spiritual wealth and gifts with your neighbors? Or are we glorifying ourselves?

We have chosen or been chosen for a life of service to our God: so my belief is that the answer is definitely YES, you strive to “walk the talk” and “practice what you preach” by sharing your spiritual wealth and gifts to edifying of your neighbors and to the Glory of God!

I pray that this scripture will be our guide and a reminder of the life we have chosen and for which He has chosen us!:

(Luke 10:27) He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”

It is a blessed calling and an amazing life to seek the Lord’s guidance through the Holy Spirit and see the wonders He can perform in our ordinary lives and the lives of those we Love in His name…

The name above all names, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Amen

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During our visit there were other inspirational messages and wonderful praise music and singing. During one worship session, Gina had been led to be prepared to wash the feet of one or more of the attendees… She rose and went to one dear new friend and began taking off her shoes, the Spirit was overwhelming during these moments for her, me and others who were aware it was happening. I went and embraced her briefly sharing how much God love her with tears running down my face. She was clearly moved and blessed by this outreach. I prayed over her as I am sure Gina did as well during her humble act of service and love.

Near the end of our visit it was offered and we accepted as a couple to be ordained to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This was for us very humbling and meant to us simply further confirmation of the calling to share the Word and Love that is Jesus Christ our Lord. Our friend Kimberly was also so blessed and we all thank God for this blessing to bless others.

We also enjoyed wonderful meals together in our rooms as well as time out at local eateries was a special treat. This time for us was a special time of fellowship and making new friends.