Press on to win the prize...

Am I on a mission every day?

I ask this question from time to time of myself. Even though I am "officially" on a mission planting, I don't see much difference between being in an established church or starting a new one. Both are only alive when there is a mission at hand.

Francine and I have been a part of several different churches, in different cities, and different cultures. Each time there has been the same seeds to plant, the same soils to plant them in, the same hearts and problems, as well as our own sin at hand. Whether 2000 disciples or 12 (our number), it should be similar in most ways. Living and active, or stale and dying...

Here in Tri Cities we struggle from day to day reaching out and touching lives. We wake up in the morning and wipe the sleepies from our eyes and try and focus them on God; His will, his plan, his people. It's the same as anywhere else.

If someone is reading this, you could venture to ask yourself - Do I live the same right now as I would on a church planting? The answer should be yes!

Acts 8:1
On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

I would venture to say that you will either be "scattered" at some point by God himself, or you will choose to be scattered on your own accord. When this happens, will the result be God being preached and spread to the nations, or will this generation end with you?

I have agonized over my own pride, selfish desires, and worthiness is God's sight almost daily since getting to Tri Cities. My life is a mirror of every other child of God. Everywhere, all the time, we share in this life and calling.

This past Sunday we too looked at the empty seats next to us. We see the work to be done and have two responses. Some will see the miracles God is going to do, and some see discouragement and defeat. I have done both. Yet...

Philippians 3:13-15
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.

Amen.