Trade Up
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. (Col 3:23-24)
Passionate About What You Are Doing?
Regardless of the brokenness and brilliance of the past, experience the thrill of realizing that it is possible “for even me” to make a significant impact for God.
Elijah and Our Story
According to James, Elijah was a man with a nature like ours. He prayed earnestly and God responded.
Why is There Suffering in the World?
Things that are difficult for you and me have not snuck by God. He wasn’t distracted or sleeping and missed something.
Get Out of Hell Free?
Is it possible that the Lord provides a second chance after death to gain Heaven? Not so. It is our assignment from on high to be engaged in making disciples of the nations. We must each consider, what will be my grade on that assignment?
Your Passion
Find out assignments short-term, long-term, home and abroad that might use your strengths. So that when you wake up in the morning you look forward to the day. To find that opportunity …
What Does the Lord Require?
Will God be sufficiently pleased with religious activity, such as going to church, serving others when it is convenient, or giving now and again, or even tithing?
Step Out of Your Shoes!
It is not “God has a wonderful plan for your life.” It is “God has a wonderful plan,” and you are part of it. God stepping into your shoes constitutes a majority.
Going Fishing
Each of us is unique as each leaf on a tree is unique. You are made special for this time and this place. The Lord trusted you enough to put you on the earth at this time.
Only Our Best
We have been forgiven much. The expectation of the Lord is for us to be overflowing with a grateful spirit. We are bought with a price. Therefore, our time and our skills are His, but He is only interested in us if we willingly give back.
The God of Small Beginnings
But you say, “the problems of the world, home and abroad, are too great. What can one person do?” Notice how every effective Bible character started with small steps. We have permission to think big.
The Cost of No Decision
We know in business and other areas of life, the greater the risk, the greater the reward. While on earth we are to lay up our time, talent and treasure for Him for our eternity with Him. It is a big risk to avoid risk.
It Pays to Pay Attention
The hints for effective living are already within us. God’s will for us, his direction for us, is generally more to do with what gives us life, what energizes us and what gives us delight. It pays to pay attention.
Assisted to Assist
The account of Jesus healing Peter’s Mother-in-Law is recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke. Why is it so important that this single solitary healing early in His ministry would receive so much press?
Life events are not in our immediate control
We hang on to our first or current career, because we cannot imagine that the Lord will direct our paths to make a difference for eternity in full-time service for Him.
The Miracle of New Life and a Surrendered Life
Spiritual life is a miracle of God birthing new life in those that receive Him. It is not too much of a stretch for us to see the miracle of awareness that we are not our own, but fullness of life comes living with a fullness of life in the Lord, that is with His agenda.
On Track or Side Tracked?
Oh, so you have built a tower have you? What will you think of next? According to some commentators, that is the sense of the voice found in Genesis 11 when God comments sarcastically on the little efforts of men and women to make themselves big and...
Fruitfulness His Highest Value
The Lord’s highest value for us is righteousness and fruitfulness. We have to ask ourselves where we are on the spectrum of Kingdom fruitfulness? What are others saying about you? More importantly, what will Jesus say about you?
But I am with you
Moses was challenged by God to take on a new assignment by a big God. Moses objected, “Who am I that should go …” The Lord’s response was simple, “But I shall be with you.” That was supposed to be enough for Moses and is intended to be enough for you and me.
Sticky Stories
The rich young leader was given challenged to abandon that which was dear—his control, his riches. Jesus judged his status as incomplete …
Quiet Time and Missionary Life
“When I arrive on the mission field, I’ll be more consistent with my quiet times.” Have you ever thought that? I did before entering the field. We would agree that if Jesus spent time in prayer and communion with His Father, sometimes all night, we are to do the same. Christians, whether they are missionaries or not, frequently confess, however, that finding the minutes for a consistent quite time can be challenging.
Surprised by Jesus
However, the paradox is that you and I do not work for God to be accepted by Him. That is religion. Rather it is, I am accepted by God, therefore …
A Difficult Spot
Jeremiah 47:10 never made it into a memory verse packet. It reads, “Accursed is the man that is slack in doing the Lord’s work.” Another translation is “Cursed is the man that is lax in doing the Lord’s work.” We don’t want to be there …
Opening Doors – The Secret of Matt 7:7-8
Many people seem to freeze at the notion of serving in ministry because there is no sense the Lord is calling them—because doors do not seem open.
Lord of Loose Ends
The Lord asks us to do something that we cannot do without the power of the Holy Spirit by faith. For without faith, without risking something for God, it is impossible to please Him. It is a risky business not to risk something for God.
Evaluating Our Readiness to Minister to Others
How do we determine readiness to minister to others? As a starting point on this multifaceted question, let’s consider two topics; spiritual readiness and emotional readiness.
Whose Plans?
Notice Jeremiah 29:11 it is not “For I know the plans you have for you.” It is not our plans, but His plans for us that He promises to prosper in and through us. Jesus helps us out with what those plans are …
Appointed
Among His last words before leaving the earth, Jesus applied no qualifier as to who should be involved in training the people of the nations. Choose to be a part of this great plan …
Wait! One More Thing
After Jesus had completed the plan of salvation by ushering in the New Covenant, He made a number of post-resurrection appearances. At the last breakfast, He did not come back to make small talk or chit-chat about old times. It is as fit he appears to say, “One more thing.”
Finding your Service Match
If you’re considering God’s call to foreign missions, you’re probably wondering how to choose an area of work. To start, consider your experiences and avocations.
Raising Support for Your Mission Trip
Raising support for a mission trip is often met with reluctance and fear. However, as we began to delve into the topic, we realize that we needed to learn God’s perspective and promises.
Finding Your Fit in Ministry
I feel God prompting me to go into mission service, yet how can I know if I am even a fit for ministering in a mission agency at home or overseas? How has the Lord created me to do ministry? What Spiritual gifts do I have?
Adjusting to Serving in a New Culture
Mission work requires flexibility. Going to serve in a new culture or country means adjusting to new norms and customs. Some you may be prepared for, and others may completely throw you off guard. Here are a few topics to consider, and resources to help.
Your Family and Missions
While starting a new direction in missions may be important to you, I’m sure keeping your family protected, provided for, and intact in a world that tries to tear apart family values is at the top of your list of priorities. When God nudged me to consider missions, we were a very dysfunctional family.
Your Work and the Mission Field
If you’re considering God’s call to foreign missions, you’re probably wondering how to choose an area of work. To start, consider your experiences and avocations.
3 Fears Everyone Has About Becoming a Missionary
Fears about joining the mission field are universal. While everyone’s missions journey looks different, many of their concerns or misconceptions are the same.
Becoming a Long-term Missionary
Becoming a long-term missionary is fraught with change. Rise to the challenge and meet each of these head on, with these tips and tricks.
What About My Physical Health on the Mission Field?
If you’re serving overseas, there are many potential diseases and dangers for your physical health on the mission field. It’s easy for fear to set it.
Send Me! Missions Overseas or At Home?
Searching for a way to travel, experience the world, and witness the beauty of other cultures all while sharing Jesus? Going on a missions trip abroad maybe something to consider. But it’s not the only way to serve.
Find the Mission Agency That’s Right for You
How do you find a mission agency that is similar in scope to your abilities, passion, location preference and interests? It is important to research any agency you might be considering. While every agency often has a specific focus, their actual ministry footprint can be very large.
How I Became a Missionary
I was afraid that I did not know enough about Jesus, that I did not know His word and that I would turn people away rather than draw them to Him. How could I talk to people about a love that I was just learning about and allowing to change and shape my world?
Why Are You and I Needed in Missions?
John Piper famously said, “Missions exists because worship doesn’t.” I would hazard that you and I are needed in missions, then, as an outpouring of our own worship.
An Honest Reason to Become a Missionary
Looking back at a career in missions asked myself: Why did I really become a missionary? Was it because of business downsizing, or because I wanted to look holy to my friends? Was it because I wanted to work for God?
Should I Go on a Short-Term Mission Trip?
When thinking of missionaries, many people think only of Christians who have taken up residence in some foreign country where the inhabitants most likely are unfamiliar with the Christian faith. However, every year thousands of Christians travel all over the world for periods of one week to six months to share the good news of the Gospel.
Advice for Picking a Mission Agency
You believe that God is calling you to serve in missions, but you need to find an agency to affiliate with. Where do you begin? As you begin searching, you find there are a myriad of different mission agencies to choose from. How can you decide?
Me, a Missionary?
Get real. I am not a doctor, linguist, pilot, or even a pastor. Why would God call me to be a missionary? But what does God say about going to all the nations?
How Do I Know God is Calling Me to Ministry?
You feel God is calling you to something, you just wish you knew what that something is. How do you know if a role in ministry or missions is part of His plan for your life?
Advice for Serving in Missions from the Christmas Story
As Christians, we are called to spread this Good News. Perhaps to you this call means becoming involved with missions. Here’s some advice from that historic night in Bethlehem to help you on your way.
Another Way to Think About Careers
I don’t feel like going to my usual Sunday school class, I said to myself as I entered church, so I think I’ll watch the video another class is showing. God used my unusual decision to direct our lives in ways we had never dreamed.
A Thanksgiving Reflection
What is it about holidays that brings Charlie Brown movies out of the woodwork? Everywhere we turn, it’s time for another Peanuts episode!
Let’s Get the Workers to the Harvest Today!
The Lord says in his word that “the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few” (Mathew 9:37 NIV). Today, the World more than ever is in desperate need of workers to go out into every nation to reach the lost and the broken.
5 Things to Do After Graduation
College graduation is both exciting and nerve-wracking. Now what? Rush into the workforce? Freelance? Take a gap year?
Rachel’s Story: Discover Your Way to Serve
Her name was Maria. God sent me across the ocean to pray for her—a girl who was sixteen just like me, but lived in a completely different world.
Finding Your Place to Serve in Missions
When it comes to deciding how to serve in missions, the choices are practically endless. Where do you begin to find the right place with so many options?
A New Chapter for MissionNext
Quite a few things have changed since we started in 1998. By God’s grace, we’re entering a whole new chapter for connecting you with mission opportunities.
Use Your Career for Missions
Reality check: there are abundant ways to serve for mission agencies and organizations, all over the globe.
An Agency’s Perspective: Partnering with MissionNext
MissionNext would like to work with your organization to find the workers you’re looking for.
A Life-Altering Event
Meet Tom and Vicky Hall from Florida. Their story may be similar to what you’re going through.
In the Classroom: Teaching in Panama
What’s it like half-way around the world to teach for an Christian school, in the midst of diverse students and cultures?
How do I find teaching jobs overseas?
When I was finishing my teaching program and starting the process of looking for teaching jobs I knew God was moving in my heart to teach oversees, but I had no idea where.
A Change in Plans
Comfortable – that’s what you would call my career in the banking field, but God had other plans for me with that two letter command.
Provide a Way, Lord
Watching and sending is one way of serving Christ. And then, there are times when being the supportive hands and feet becomes a God-guided reality.
God at Work: Here
MissionNext partners with over 100 mission agencies and Christian schools, all with diverse needs. Be encouraged with two stories of God-ordained connections.
The Reason You’re Needed
They’re out there. Searching for the right messenger–perhaps someone like you–whose skill and passion match their unique ministry needs.
When God Moves Mountains
By the end of this year, I’ll be serving overseas—all because God moved mountains to get me into missions.
