Highly Favored

The Great Commission is My Commission

That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Psalm 67:2 (KJV)

Send us around the world with the news of your saving power and your eternal plan for all mankind. Psalm 67:2 (LB)

What steps can I take to prepare to go on a short-term missions experience in the next year?
I can start by setting aside at least $50 every time I get paid. I’ll call it my “secret mission-trip fund” (shhh…). Although I’m not sure where I’ll be working after the summer, I’ll keep this commitment going as long as I have a job. I’ll research some missions agencies and get a quote for about how much I’m going to need and I’ll just keep saving until I get there. I don’t know if I’ll have enough saved in a year, but I won’t stop trying to gather the funds. Honestly, when we put our minds to something we’d be surprised how quickly we can generate the money.

I’m not going to make a big announcement to my family or friends, some of them won’t understand and may unwittingly try to talk me out of it. But I am making a personal commitment to doing this – and you are my witness. Would you be interested in joining me in these efforts? If you already know a lot about this can you shoot some info my way? I’ve never left the country and don’t even own a passport – to be honest I haven’t been any farther west than Chicago. Are you getting the picture? I’m going to need some help with this. But I know God will provide.

“[W]orld-class Christians know they were saved to serve and make for a mission. They are eager to receive a personal assignment and excited about the privilege of being used by God. World-class Christian are the only fully alive people on the planet. Their joy, confidence, and enthusiasm are contagious because they know they’re making a difference.” (Warren, 298)

“The great barriers [for world-wide missions] are no longer distance, cost, or transportation. The only barrier is the way we think. To be a world-class Christian we must make some mental shifts. Your perspective and attitudes must change.” (Warren, 299)

“Shift from self-centered thinking to other-centered thinking…Of course, this is a difficult mental shift because we’re naturally self-absorbed and almost all advertising encourages us to think of ourselves. The only way we can make this paradigm switch is by a moment-by-moment dependence on God. Fortunately he doesn’t leave us to struggle on our own.” (Warren, 299)

“Begin asking the Holy Spririt to help you think of the spiritual need of unbelievers whenever you talk to them. With practice you can develop the habit of praying silent “breath prayers” for those you encounter. Say, ‘Father, help me to understand what is keeping this person from knowing you.’ Your goal is to figure out where others are in their spiritual journey and then do whatever will bring them a step closer to knowing Christ.” (Warren, 299)

“Shift from local thinking to global thinking…The first way to start thinking globally is to begin praying for specific countries.” (Warren, 300)

“Prayer is the most important tool for your mission in the world. People may refuse our love or reject our message, but they are defenseless against our prayers.” (Warren, 300)

“What should you pray for? The Bible tells us to pray for opportunities to witness, for courage to speak up, for those who will believe, for the rapid spread of the message, and for more workers. Prayer makes you a partner with others around the world. You should also pray for missionaries and everyone else involved in the global harvest.” (Warren, 301)

“The best way to switch to global thikning is to get up and go on a short-term mission project to another country! There’s simply no substitute for hands-on, real life experience in another culture. Quit studying and discussing your mission and just do it!” (Warren, 301)

“Shift from ‘here and now’ thinking to eternal thinking…So much of what we waste our energy on will not matter even a year from now, much less for eternity. Don’t trade your life for temporary things.” (Warren, 302)

“Shift from thinking of excuses to thinking of creative ways to fulfill your commission.” (Warren, 303)

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