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Women’s Missionary Auxiliary Blog
How Many is Enough?
We all know the great commission from Matthew 28:18-20, because we have heard many messages and lessons taught from this passage throughout our lives. But did Jesus say how many is enough?
There are so many ways that we each can go and tell but I want to zero in today on just one—one that is near and dear to my heart. Vacation Bible School. I have always loved it, both as a kid and as an adult organizing or working in VBS. I love the music, the decorations, the excitement of the children coming through the doors.
We just completed our VBS last Thursday here in McNeil, Arkansas. We ended our week with a water balloon fight. In the past, we have had a contest between the boys and the girls, with the winner getting the right to throw a pie into the face of the adult teachers. This year we chose water balloons instead. We had 400 water balloons and the girls won so they got to throw them at the men teachers first then the ladies. Then the boys and girls got to throw them at each other. This year our missions project is the Zambia missions team going August 23-September 2 to complete a ladies’ conference as well as teaching/training the men who have surrendered to the ministry there. What a fun night it was, but when all was said and done, we had not had any children saved during our VBS. I always tell myself, we did what we knew to do. We taught them about Jesus and His great love for them. We taught them new songs and let them have a marvelous time. We planted the seed.
Have you ever heard that saying (normally at Easter), “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming?” Well, Sunday morning one young man came forward and told us he had been saved on Friday and wants to be baptized into the church! Praise the Lord!
Is one enough? Oh, I think so! I am reminded of a story about how Billy Graham came to know the Lord. I borrowed this article but wanted to share it and let you know that sometimes the “one” is someone God is going to use in a mighty way. Read on to see what I mean.
As of 2008, Billy Graham’s estimated lifetime audience, including radio and television broadcasts, topped 2.2 billion. That means that approximately 2.2 billion people have heard the gospel from Billy Graham’s mouth. That’s hard to wrap your mind around.
Billy Graham has shared the gospel with more people than anyone else in history, but do you know who shared the gospel with him?
It actually is a series of events that has been traced over the years and starts out with one volunteer Sunday school teacher.
“You can count the apples on the tree, but who can count the apples in a seed?” goes the old aphorism.
So it is with the influence of a single person.
Take Edward Kimball, for an example. Never heard of him? Rest assured – most people have never heard of him.
Kimball was a Sunday school teacher who not only prayed for the hyper boys in his class but also sought to win each one to the Lord personally. He decided he would be intentional with every single last one of them. Surely he thought about throwing in the towel. If you have ever taught the Bible to young boys, you know that the experience can often be like herding cats.
One young man, in particular, didn’t seem to understand what the gospel was about so Kimball went to the shoe store where he was stocking shelves and confronted him in the stock room with the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That young man was Dwight L. Moody. In the stockroom on that Saturday, he believed the gospel and received Jesus Christ as his Savior. In his lifetime, Moody touched two continents for God, with thousands professing Christ through his ministry.
But the story doesn’t end there. Actually that’s where it begins. Under Moody, another man’s heart was touched for God, Wilbur Chapman. Chapman became the evangelist who preached to thousands. One day, a professional ball player had a day off and attended one of Chapman’s meetings, and thus, Billy Sunday was converted.
Sunday quit baseball and became part of Chapman’s team. Then, Chapman accepted the pastorate of a large church and Billy Sunday began his own evangelistic crusades.
Another young man was converted whose name was Mordecai Ham. He was a scholarly, dignified gentleman who wasn’t above renting a hearse and parading it through the streets advertising his meetings.
When Ham came to Charlotte, North Carolina, a sandy-haired, lanky young man, then in high school, vowed that he wouldn’t go hear him preach, but Billy Frank, as he was called by his family, did eventually go. Ham announced that he knew for a fact that a house of ill repute was located across the street from the local high school and that male students were skipping lunch to visit the house across the street. When students decided to go to interrupt the meetings of Mordecai Ham, Billy Frank decided to go see what would happen.
That night Billy Frank went and was intrigued by what he heard. Returning another night, he responded to the invitation and was converted. Billy Frank eventually became known as Billy Graham, the evangelist who preached to more people than any other person who ever lived, including the Apostle Paul.
You could continue following this trail and see where Graham and all of us started with the ministry of Jesus. Think about how far-reaching Christ’s message has gone.
This fascinating chain of events was triggered by a Sunday school teacher’s concern for his boys.
If you are like most people, you have served in some capacity and wondered at times if you were making a real difference or not. Maybe you’ve thought about quitting because you didn’t think you were making any difference.
Next time you are tempted to give up, please remember Edward Kimball, whose persistence and faithfulness was tremendously honored by the Lord. The story would have looked very differently if Edward Kimball did not take his Saturday to seek out young Dwight Moody.
You can count the apples on a tree, but only God knows how many apples are in a single seed.
A final note from me, I heard Billy Graham preach in 1965 in the Astrodome in Houston, Texas, and that was the first time I understood that I was a sinner and in need of a Savior. I was with my mother and younger sister who had gone to sleep during the message so I was not allowed to go down to the front. Because of me not telling the church we belonged to that I was convicted but rather that I had been saved, I was dunked in the water and made a member of the church. But something was not right in my heart. At the age of 19, through some circumstances in my husband’s family and his own story of running from God’s call, I finally admitted that I had never prayed a prayer of repentance and was saved and baptized. I’ve never doubted my salvation since that day. God is so good to have given me a second chance. Billy Graham influenced my life all thanks to one Sunday school teacher.
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Living It Out
By Cindy Allen
I have a confession to make…I LOVE TO READ. And my favorite genre is historical Christian romance. Growing up I loved Laura Ingalls Wilder and Janette Oke. I have all their books and I have reread them LOTS of times. Recently, I reread The Calling of Emily Evans by Oke. It is about a young girl living in the early 1900s in Canada who feels called to do mission work. She is sent to a small community to plant a church. Needless to say, some of the people are not welcoming of her religious ideas. Interestingly enough, she does not use that as an excuse to not visit those people. They know where she stands, they know she is a deaconess, but when she visits them, she talks of the weather and the garden and regular things. As the story unfolds, you see several of these people turning to religion, not because she was a “Bible thumper” but because she was their friend. She showed the kindness of God, she offered a cool drink to a needy person and that caused these people to warm up to her and to their Heavenly Father.
I got to thinking after reading the book about the subtle ways she influenced these people’s lives. One of her Bible college friends had 28 people in church the first Sunday. Emily had one mom and her kids her first Sunday, and many Sundays after that. But when a man passed away and she prepared the body, his wife came seeking salvation. The grocer in town was very surly and unreceptive but by the end of the book he had warmed up to her. He was also the one that got in to religious conversations with her, asking hard questions. In response, she dug into her Bible and found answers that strengthened her faith and hopefully swayed him.
She didn’t do anything that we cannot do. She loved people. She pointed out early that she was a follower of Jesus, then she just lived out her life in a way that showed that relationship was her guiding factor. She didn’t judge people; she didn’t mark them off her list because they weren’t open to coming to church. She just loved them. And it wasn’t easy. And she didn’t do it perfectly. One time she had to apologize to the grocer for losing her cool. She told him her God would not approve of her behavior.
This is what our world needs, us to love them. Hopefully if they are around us very long, people will see we are followers of Christ. And as the saying goes, “Actions speak louder than words.” When we love them, they will hopefully tie it back to our love for Jesus. If you look at Jesus’ life, he didn’t get in most people’s faces, he just quietly lived a good life (a perfect life) and people responded. And people will respond to us to when we show the love of Jesus.
Prayer: God, I think you for my salvation. As I live my life, please help me to share your love with others in my words and deeds. Help me to be mindful that the world around me desperately needs you and I have people in my life everyday that need me to show you to them. Help me not to fail and forgive me when I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Scripture Reading: Romans 12, Philippians 2:1-18
Response: As you go through your daily life, look for people who need the love of Jesus. They may not want to listen to your words, but many people are softened by our actions. God’s love changed your life, show that to those you meet.
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Plant and Pick
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Stay Tuned
By Jackie Ricks
How do you know when to speak up and when to keep quiet? How do you know which people to witness to? How do you know exactly what to say? Stay tuned to the “right channel” and the Holy Spirit will lead you to say and do what needs to be said and done with the proper recipients. It doesn’t matter if you’re part of an organized visitation or witnessing program with your church or simply taking opportunities as they come in daily life, you should be praying for the Holy Spirit to lead you to the right people and to help you say the right things at the right time.
Timing is important. Just as an organized program would not want to go out on visits during a normal meal time or a children’s bath/bedtime, you wouldn’t want to catch a person during his work break or as he is rushing out the door. However, you do need to be aware of the Spirit’s leading. Once I had a perfect opportunity to open up a conversation about the gospel and I let the moment slip through my fingers. As my friend drove off, I realized I’d missed God’s nudge to discuss it. As it turns out, I moved away not long after that. I did finally write her a letter and witness in that, but I never heard back.
Prayer is one of the most important parts of the witnessing process. Pray for God to lead you to the right individual, whether it’s someone you already know or perhaps even a complete stranger. Pray for the Holy Spirit to prepare the people in advance. Pray or God to steer the conversation in the right direction and then to nudge you to realize when it’s time to discuss theGospel. Pray for the proper words and timing. Pray for someone else to keep Satan busy while you are visiting with the person. Pray that God uses you however He needs to: plant the seed, water it, or perhaps get to see God give the increase. Just remember that it is always GOD who saves. We just happen to be blessed to get to be a small part of the process at times.
I know that some people think you can ask anyone at any time if they know the Lord. However, in my experience, you need a relationship with the person first—at least a conversation that has naturally come around to the subject. When I was a teen, my dad had been getting to know a certain man in town who was lost. He felt as though he was getting close to being able to talk to him about his relationship with the Lord. Many had tried before and failed. However, we had an evangelist come to town for revival services. The first time that evangelist saw the man, he bluntly asked him if he knew the Lord and began badgering him about being saved before my dad could say anything. All the prep work my dad had done went down the drain. The lost man assumed dad had put the evangelist up to talking to him. Dad never got another chance with the man; in fact, the man avoided my father any time he saw him after that.
We must be ready to witness when the Lord sends us someone, but the only way we can do that is if we stay tuned in to what God has planned. Praying for God’s guidance in where we find people, whom we see, when we speak, and what we say is very important.
SCRIPTURE: Luke 12:12; John 14:26; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:9-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:17
PRAYER: “Thank You, Lord, for giving us the Holy Spirit to help us. Please let me be more aware when He is trying to tell me something and help me to follow His leading. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
RESPONSE: Be continually in prayer for the Holy Spirit to lead you: in the right direction, to the exact person who needs to hear the gospel, at the correct time, and with the words that need to be said for the best understanding. But remember that God is the One who saves, not us.
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What are You Waiting For?
by Judy Wallace
This was my conundrum as I prepared for this one. I thought, and stewed, and prayed, and thought some more. Then the day before I sat down to write, I slid into my car after running errands, turned on The Message XM station, and started to drive. The very next song played had the above title, “What Are You Waiting For?” I knew immediately that God had spoken to me with this question and I thought He might to you as well.
How would you answer this question when it comes to going and telling about Jesus? When it has to do with evangelism? When it deals with sowing seeds of truth? When it addresses building relationships etc? No matter your answer, it will be an excuse unless you are already following His direction to go and tell.
When I got home, I looked up the lyrics to the song. There was one phrase that really caught my attention. “What if we could be the light that no one could ignore? What are we waiting for?”
Be the light that no one could ignore.
BE means to show the characteristics of someone or something.
When I think of the characteristic of Jesus Christ, I think of Philippians 2. In this passage, we see His humility and obedience. Paul begins with several rhetorical ‘ifs’. He is basically asking, “Aren’t you encouraged by belonging to Christ? Don’t you feel comforted by His love? Is there not any fellowship between you and the Holy Spirit? Is your heart not more tender and compassionate because you belong to Him?” He then states that if these things are true then they shouldn’t be doing things out of selfishness or conceit but instead put others first and look to the interest of others instead of their own. Same goes for us and those things can’t be ignored so ‘what are you waiting for?’
LIGHT is the spiritual symbol of God’s presence and truth.
Jesus called Himself ‘The Light of the World.’ Then at another time He said, ”Ye are the light of the world.” How are both possible? He answered that in John 8:12 when He said, “He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life.” Paul concurred in Ephesian 5:8 when he said, “But now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.” We are the light because we are in Him and He is in us. That can’t be ignored by a very dark world so ‘what are you waiting for?’
IGNORE means to pay no attention or refuse to notice.
It is impossible to ignore kindness, compassion, joy, friendliness. It is impossible to ignore a smiling face and pleasant attitude. It is impossible to ignore helpfulness and a servant heart. All of these open the door to going and telling.
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
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The Mission Hasn’t Changed—Just the Methods
Does it strike fear in your heart when your church talks about going door-to-door to visit strangers to tell them about Jesus? It certainly does in mine! Growing up I remember my dad going on Thursday nights with other men to visit homes of people he did not know. Times have certainly changed, haven’t they? Some may still do visitation weekly like that but with the culture today most people won’t answer the door to someone they don’t know.
That doesn’t change our mission though, does it? Jesus said, “Go and Tell.” He didn’t give us specifics about how and when (certainly he didn’t say Thursday nights at 7:00 pm). However, Jesus was very clear our mission is to tell others about God.
In 1993, my husband, Ken, and I along with our three children moved to Algonquin, Illinois, as interstate missionaries. The method of beginning used for our mission was a program called, “The phone’s for you.” Ken and some volunteers from churches in that area made over 14,000 phone calls to invite people to receive further information about a new church that would soon be started. That method would not work today either because we don’t answer the phone unless we know the person calling. On opening Sunday in March of 1994, we had about 85 people in attendance, so I guess that program was successful at that time.
I’ve thought many times about how church planters are greatly challenged in our day to introduce themselves to a new community in order to build the relationships needed to introduce Christ into their lives. The very best method is still to build relationships with people. To go into the community and be genuine and loving like Christ is how I’ve seen church planters be successful. One method used in Illinois was that of handing out water bottles (with the church logo on the side) filled with ice and water at the festivals in the community. No charge, just free water. People were shown how we loved them before we ever introduced ourselves to them.
When working in an office in the suburbs of Chicago, I worked with a lady who was not a believer. After a few months of working closely together, she told me she had not met many “Christians” who were the same in the office as they would be in church. She went on to give me a great compliment. She said I believe you are the same all the time. Wow, I was blown away but it gave me a perfect opportunity to share Jesus with her. She did not immediately accept Christ that day, but I pray she did eventually believe and accept the gift of salvation that only comes through Christ.
1 Peter 3:15 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” That verse is basically saying that when people notice the difference in you from others around them, they will ask you about it. Be ready to give your answer of what God has done for you in your life. As you are “going” about your daily routine at school or at work, be genuine. Be kind, be loving to everyone so that they give you the opportunity to “Tell” them about Jesus.
Prayer: Father, please help me as I’m going about my life to let Jesus shine through me, through my words and my actions. Please help me to be bold to speak your name to all those around me, sharing what You have done for me at every opportunity.
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Harness the Power
By Cindy Allen
As I think about the theme of Go and Tell, it kind of makes my chest get tight. I am more of a “Come, and I Will Tell You” girl. Come to Sunday School, I teach that. Come to Ladies Bible Study, I can lead a session. Come to Kids Bible Club, I will be there too. But Go and Tell…does that really mean me?
As I have read the other blogs, I sense that this phrase strikes a chord with others too. But yes, it is for all of us. As Jackie pointed out, the great commission isn’t just for the pastor, or deacons, or missionaries. It is for the Christians, and guess what? I am one of them.
I think one reason the Great Commission causes me to shutter is that I feel like I am the one doing it. I have to step out of my comfort zone. I have to face my friend or family member. I might be rejected or ridiculed. I might be asked a hard question.
However, if we read the Great Commission at the end of Matthew, we see something amazing. It is bookended with Jesus. In 28:18, Jesus says “all authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.” Matthew 28 ends with Jesus saying, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” In the middle of these two verses, he tells us to “go and make disciples.” I do need to be going and telling but Jesus is with me every step of the way. It is by his power I can talk to someone, I can mention his faithfulness, his salvation.
If you read Acts, you will see the power of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit on display. After receiving the Holy Spirit, Peter preached a sermon and 3000 were saved. Peter, remember him? Peter who often opened his mouth when he should have just listened. Peter who said he would die for Jesus, then denied him when the going got tough. Peter who cut off a man’s ear. THAT PETER harnessed the power of OUR JESUS and spoke before a huge crowd, and JESUS’ POWER caused lives to be changed. If we feel fear, when we feel fear, we need to harness the power of Jesus. It is readily available.
Just how do we harness this power? Keep reading in Acts and you will find out. Chapter 2 ends with a description of the early church. Here are some key phrases I have underlined in my Bible.
- They devoted themselves to teaching
- Everyone was filled with awe over what the apostles did
- Every day they devoted themselves to meeting in the temple
- They had joyful and sincere hearts
- They praised God
The 2nd chapter ends with these words, “Every day the Lord added to their number, those who were being saved.”
That is what our world needs, our community, our neighborhood, our families. They need to be saved, to be added to our number. And that requires us to be busy about God’s work, just like the early church was. These people tapped into the power source and changed the world.
If you listen to contemporary Christian music, you have probably heard Jeremy Camp sing “The Same Power”. If you have not, you should find it and give it a listen. “The same power that rose Jesus from the grave, lives in us.” It is readily available; we just have to harness it.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank you for saving my soul. Not only did you rescue me from hell, but you daily pour into my life; giving wisdom, encouragement, and peace. Lord help me to be bold and share my story with others. As you place people in my path, help me to share my story and in doing so may you add precious souls to your kingdom.
SCRIPTURE: Acts 2; Acts 4
RESPONSE: Go and Tell in Jesus’ power
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First One Step, and Then Two
by Robin Tyler
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Who Me?
By Jackie Ricks
“The pastor mentioned an outreach program, but who’s he talking to? We don’t even have any other preachers in this church that I know of. Seriously, he ought to change his subject if he wants the members to pay attention. Jesus was talking to the apostles in Matthew 28:18-20. That wouldn’t include the ordinary church member, just pastors. Right?”
Have thoughts like this run through your mind before? Many people feel this way, even if they never actually think these specific thoughts. The general consensus too many times is that spreading the gospel is for preachers, missionaries, pastors, maybe even deacons, but certainly not the average person and definitely never women! However, Jesus gave the great commission of Matthew 28:18-20 to his apostles.
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Today…Go and Tell
By Judy Wallace
“Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” This wise saying, attributed to Benjamin Franklin, is one I have always taken to heart. Given an assignment, I always jumped right in and finished it early. On the other hand, my entire family prefers Mark Twain’s version which says, “Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do day after tomorrow!” The emphasis of this proverb is to avoid procrastination. Don’t delay in doing what needs to be done. Do it today! That’s what the Lord expects.
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