Christian Living

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21 Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace be unto you: as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
John 20:21 (ASV)

19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:
Matt 28:19 (ASV)

I am scheduled to go to India November 27th, 2006. I have been asked by my pastor to be the speaker for the International Bible Society on this mission trip. In preparation for the trip I have been trying to decide on topics for the several talks I will give. This has proven to be particularly difficult because only 2.5% of the population of India is Christian. If I were speaking to Americans I would know what to say.

As I pondered this dilemma, I came across Oswald Chambers’ devotional that I read daily. This particular two days, October 26th and 27th are titled, What Is A Missionary and The Method of Missions respectively.

Here is a quote from the October 26th devotional.

“A missionary is one sent by Jesus Christ as He was sent by God. The great dominant note is not the needs of men, but the command of Jesus. The source of our inspiration in work for God is behind, not before. The tendency today is to put the inspiration ahead, to sweep everything in front of us and bring it all out to our conception for success. In the New Testament the inspiration is put behind us, the Lord Jesus. The ideal is to be true to Him, to carry out His enterprises.”

Here is a quote from the October 27th devotional.

“Jesus Christ did not say-Go and save souls (the salvation of souls is the supernatural work of God), but-“Go and teach,” i.e., disciple, “all nations,” and you cannot make disciples unless you are a disciple yourself. When the disciples came back from their first mission they were filled with joy because the devils were subject to them, and Jesus said-Don’t rejoice in successful service; the great secret of joy is that you are rightly related to Me. The great essential of the missionary is that he remains true to the call of God, and realizes that his one purpose is to disciple men and w\omen to Jesus. There is a passion for souls that does not spring from God, but from the desire to make converts to our point of view.”

I have been on many mission trips and each time I and all those with me became so involved with feeding and fixing broken houses and cars that we had little time for actual telling of the word. We did of course teach the word but it was not the main focus. And, how many times have you heard someone say, “We lead several people to the Lord?”
We may tell them about Him, but it is God that leads.

My thought process about this trip to India has been, how basic do I speak to these people and how much of the word do they know? My focus has been on the end result. How will what I say affect them and how much of what I say will they spread to others in their country? My focus has been on what I do and say.

After reading the two daily devotionals by Mr. Chambers I now realize that all I have to do is GO. God will do the rest. Of course I will study and prepare but not with an intended message or end desire of results. This is particularly difficult because I have never prepared this way before and I have to put myself aside and just let God.

This excites me, because it takes all the pressure off of me and puts it on God. This is exactly how each of us should feel each time we witness to others. Do not worry about what is going to happen, just tell them what you know and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit; He will guide you.

11 Now when they take you [to court] and put you under arrest, do not be anxious beforehand about what you are to say nor [even ] meditate about it; but say whatever is given you in that hour and at [8]the moment, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
Mark 13:11 (AMP)

I take the above scripture to apply to every situation where we are called to speak Gods’ word. Notice, I said, “called to speak Gods’ word.” We fail many times because we go to do things we think God has called us to but it is really our desire to do that thing. I know I am called to go to India because I had nothing to do with it. The man that was suppose to do all the speaking too and baptizing of some Hindi villages felt impressed by God to not go and that God wanted me to go instead. After much prayer and talks with him and other men of God I too feel that this is what God has been preparing me for, for several years.

I would appreciate those of you that are reading this to pray for me and put me on your church prayer list. I specifically am asking God to speak through me everything that He wants said to these people. He is the only one that really knows what they need to hear and experience. Also, I am asking God to give me a boldness and a special anointing in the area of laying on of hands and healing.

Thank you,

DeWayne C. Bricker
October 27, 2006

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