Category: Missionary Devotion

Missionary Devotion, Thoughts along the way

Earnestly Involved

A congregation that is not deeply and earnestly involved in the worldwide proclamation of the gospel does not understand the nature of salvation.

-Ted Engstrom

Did this Missionary Devotion sound familiar? It was first published on May, 24th of 2019. Click here to find more great Devotions!

Every congregation Is called to be a world changer. Every Christian is called through the beautiful words of the scripture to be involved in the great mission of Christ. We have all been commissioned into his mission. One of the greatest tragedies for a congregation or for individual Christians is the belief that they have no way to impact the world for Jesus Christ. Such a belief simply is not true. Every Christian has a voice every Christian has a testimony every Christian has a commission to use that voice and that testimony to bring others to Jesus Christ. Every local congregation has the ability to join in on the great commission in some way.

When we understand the gift of salvation that God has bestowed upon us, how can we remain silent when we encounter those who desperately need it? After all, how can one beggar who has found free bread not tell a fellow beggar where to get that free bread? Jesus Christ is the bread of life and all must partake to receive eternal life. So, let us proclaim salvation at every opportunity!

May we spend the time necessary to truly reflect on the nature of our salvation. May we be eager to share the saving words of Jesus Christ with everyone we meet!

Love, B8BE1E92-F232-4D80-A144-845F8A9C78BDThe Downing Family

 

Missionary Devotion, Thoughts along the way

Episode 35: Prayer

Every step in the progress of missions is directly traceable to prayer.

-A.T. Pierson

 

In Acts chapter six the Apostles had to choose Between a very important ministry and the ministry of prayer, they chose prayer along with the ministry of the Word. They realized that even the best ministry should not rob time away from prayer.

We often approach the Divine in prayer and think our prayers will surely change Him. But in reality when we spend time before the Throne Room of Grace our prayers change us.

Every great leap forward on the mission field is due to prayer. God is still active in the lives of his children. Let us not neglect time spent with our Heavenly Father. Approach God in prayer, ask what you will, listen to His leading and obey Him.

May we be a praying people. May our lives display prayer’s indelible mark!

Love, B8BE1E92-F232-4D80-A144-845F8A9C78BDThe Downings

Thank you for joining us each Friday for our Missionary Devotions. Click here for more uplifting Missionary Devotions.

 

Missionary Devotion, Thoughts along the way

Episode 34: Back To The Original Path

There are no closed doors to the gospel – provided that, once you get inside, you don’t care if you ever come out.

-Brother Andrew

 

There are no countries closed to the Gospel of Christ. On its face that sentiment doesn’t seem to reflect reality. Many countries have outlawed Christian belief and witness. Many missionary organizations will not send missionaries into unsafe situations. Some missionaries are willing to “die before they go” but they have difficulty navigating the modern paths into missionary service. 

For those who are called into closed countries what is their best path? Their best path is the original path blazed by Paul the Apostle. They should be called by God, set apart by the Holy Spirit and sent by their local church who knows and loves them.

For all of our modern advancement the best paths are always the paths blazed by the original movement of Christ!

May we follow Christ regardless of the personal consequence. May we not ignore the original path blazed by the Church. 

Love, B8BE1E92-F232-4D80-A144-845F8A9C78BDThe Downings

Missionary Devotion, Thoughts along the way

Episode 33: Entrusted

If it be the duty of all men to believe the Gospel… then it be the duty of those who are entrusted with the Gospel to endeavor to make it known among all nations.

-William Carey

 

Responsibility. You and I have a great responsibility to make the good news the gospel of Jesus Christ known throughout the world. We see this responsibility written large in the scripture. We see the great commission prodding us to go into all the world to evangelize to teach or make disciples and to baptize believers. We see the invitation of Christ to be part of his ministry not in a certain time or a certain place but throughout all time in all places. 

None will enter into the kingdom of God without first believing in Jesus Christ. How then can they believe unless they first hear? How can they hear without someone telling them the good news? How can someone tell unless they are sent? 

May we understand the duty that all people have to believe the gospel. May we more powerfully understand the duty that we have to make it known to the nations.

Love, 1CD38D2B-A6B2-4EFB-AFD7-7812C81D5BCEThe Downings

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Missionary Devotion, Thoughts along the way

Start With Your Neighbor

Hello friends, this week we are revisiting some of our more popular posts from the past. Make sure you tune in next week for fresh new content. In the meantime enjoy these tried and true podcasts.

 

Love, 3CE1F13A-A92A-4FEF-8B0C-F66055BED84BThe Downings

Missionary Devotion, Thoughts along the way

Concentric Waves

Hello friends, this week we are revisiting some of our more popular posts from the past. Make sure you tune in next week for fresh new content. In the meantime enjoy these tried and true podcasts.

 

Love, 3CE1F13A-A92A-4FEF-8B0C-F66055BED84BThe Downings

Missionary Devotion, Thoughts along the way

Smelting

Hello friends, this week we are revisiting some of our more popular posts from the past. Make sure you tune in next week for fresh new content. In the meantime enjoy these tried and true podcasts.

 

With love,3CE1F13A-A92A-4FEF-8B0C-F66055BED84B.jpeg The Downings

Missionary Devotion, Thoughts along the way

Episode 32: Earnestly Involved

A congregation that is not deeply and earnestly involved in the worldwide proclamation of the gospel does not understand the nature of salvation.

-Ted Engstrom

 

Every congregation Is called to be a world changer. Every Christian is called through the beautiful words of the scripture to be involved in the great mission of Christ. We have all been commissioned into his mission. One of the greatest tragedies for a congregation or for individual Christians is the belief that they have no way to impact the world for Jesus Christ. Such a belief simply is not true. Every Christian has a voice every Christian has a testimony every Christian has a commission to use that voice and that testimony to bring others to Jesus Christ. Every local congregation has the ability to join in on the great commission in some way. 

When we understand the gift of salvation that God has bestowed upon us, how can we remain silent when we encounter those who desperately need it? After all, how can one beggar who has found free bread not tell a fellow beggar where to get that free bread? Jesus Christ is the bread of life and all must partake to receive eternal life. So, let us proclaim salvation at every opportunity!

May we spend the time necessary to truly reflect on the nature of our salvation. May we be eager to share the saving words of Jesus Christ with everyone we meet!

With love, 1CD38D2B-A6B2-4EFB-AFD7-7812C81D5BCEThe Downings

Missionary Devotion, Thoughts along the way

Episode 31: Blessings

God did not shower such great blessing on this nation for the Christians to live in extravagance, in self-indulgence, and in spiritual weakness.

-K.P. Yohannan, Revolution in World Missions

 

God Blesses his people in various ways. He blesses each believer with spiritual gifts which empowers every member of the Body of Christ to serve in an important and unique way. He blesses each further with talents and experiences that help build the comunity of believers. He blesses some with poverty and a strong dependence upon him which is chronicled by the many daily miracles experienced by the poor. To those who are blessed with poverty “give us this day our daily bread” is not simply a wonderful prayer, it is a necessary dependence. God blesses others with wealth. He blesses them with wealth not so that they may live in opulence while others starve but so that they can be a conduit of his blessing to others. It is not bad to be blessed with wealth. But any blessing not shared tends to hinder the work of God and harm the one who is blessed. 

Every blessing of God can be miss used. For those of us who have been blessed with so much it should be unthinkable to live in extravagance, Self indulgence and worse yet spiritual weakness.

May we be the people who use the blessings that God has bestowed on us for His glory. May we pour out our blessings as a drink offering to our Lord and Savior.

With much love, 9A5BC3BC-7686-46D4-856A-4B7C6AB368BFThe Downings

Missionary Devotion, Thoughts along the way

Episode 30: Those Who Need Him Most

When the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, that the Lord has made known to us.” So they hurried off and located Mary and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger. When they saw him, they related what they had been told about this child, and all who heard it were astonished at what the shepherds said.
~Shepherds, Luke 2:15-18

 

Scum of the earth! The people who worked as shepherds in the fields around Bethlehem during the time of the first Christmas were considered to be the lowest of the low. They had a reputation for being dishonest and crude. They were the sort of people who should be avoided. Yet, when the Holy God of all creation announced the birth of His Son it was to these reprobates that He sent His Angels.

The ears who heard the first Gospel message belonged to the people who most needed a Savior. This is the loving nature of God! He is quick to seek out those who need Him most. He brings the improbable into His family.

Our hope for you today is that you will see others through the eyes of God. No one is too far away from God to be saved.

With love, 1CD38D2B-A6B2-4EFB-AFD7-7812C81D5BCEThe Downings

Did this devotion sound familiar? Okay, you caught us! This is a repost of one of our Christmas Devotions. If you would like to hear more Christmas Devotions click here.