8 Jun, 2007
Who are you going to serve?
I recently went on a missions trip with 25 students from my youth group. I was one of the 10 adult leaders. Two months before the trip, my left knee was injured while I was dancing and jumping during a time of worship at our youth winter retreat.
For almost two months, I tried to take care of my knee, by icing it, wrapping it, and elevating it. Every time it felt better I went back to normal activities---climbing stairs and walking for exercise. Immediately my knee would swell up like a balloon. The doctor prescribed medicine to reduce the swelling.
When I asked people to pray for our missions team and for the Lord to heal my knee, my close friends said, “Is your knee is bothering you? This always happens to you when you’re going on a missions trip. The enemy always attacks you in your legs before you go on a missions trip. You should have asked for prayer way before this.” They were right.
Two days before the trip my knee was really swollen. I could hardly walk. While I was praying, I told the Lord that as long as I can walk, I will go on this trip. At the airport I needed to use a wheelchair because it was a long distance to the gate. I wanted to save my knee for walking for when we arrived at the camp. There were many flights of stairs between the buildings where we ate and met at each day? So I just took one step at a time.
God did many awesome things in through our team while we served the people in that community. Some found new life in Christ. Some were healed. Some were set free from destructive habits and behavior. Some had a fresh experience with the Holy Spirit. Some were fed physically and some spiritually. The Enemy tried to destroy the work God was doing through us; but God is still the victor!
photo courtesy images.google.com & DAILYBIDE courtesy
Donna Carlino,
Lessons from a Missions Trip
John 10:10-11
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (ESV)
What does today’s God's Story scripture teach us?
Jesus doesn’t sugar-coat the battle we are in with our enemy:
- Satan is a thief and a robber who wants to kill you.
- He also wants to take what God has for you and ruin it.
- He wants you to be afraid to obey and follow God.
But Jesus wants what is best for us:
- Jesus loved you enough to die for you so you can live.
- Jesus not only gives you eternal life; but freedom to live for Him here and now.
- Jesus wants you to know that He is good and loves you even when things don’t seem to be going right.
So, who are you going to serve? Will it be the one who hates you or the One who loves you?
How can you connect today’s God’s Story scripture to your life?
Remember...
- Satan tried to discourage me from going on this missions trip and tried to rob me of the joy of seeing God work on this trip.
- Jesus was faithful to allow me to participate in His work even though I couldn’t walk normally. I used my time to encourage our team mates and pray for them. I also prayed for the people God sent us to.
- God sometimes allows hindrances and discomfort in our lives so we will focus more on him.
- God always blesses obedience. That doesn’t mean that life is going to be easy or without trouble. It does mean that he is always with us and uses us when we do what we know he wants us to do. His love is real and people respond to real love.
How can you connect today’s God’s Story and your story to others?
When you start connecting God’s Story to others expect opposition and discouragement. Be prepared for struggles the enemy wants to use to stop you.
Ask God for wisdom and strength to keep going when the battles are tough.
Get involved in a missions trip with your church or youth group and learn by experience how God will use your service to others to tell his story to them.
If possible get some of your unbelieving friends to come on a service activity or a missions trip with you so they can see God at work in a group of young people. They will see it isn’t as weird as they thought, but it is more full of real life than anything they have ever experienced.
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