MISSIONARY WORK!
Matthew 5:11-12
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Joyce and I have had the blessing of knowing many servants of the Lord who have served as foreign missionaries. As they have shared some of their experiences I could detect a thrill as they shared great hardship in reaching lost souls with the gospel of Christ. I have to confess that I have never felt the Lord calling me in that field of ministry.
Many years ago I recall a missionary who had just returned after ministering four years in Swaziland, Africa. He had a full schedule of speaking engagements during the year of furlough while he was home. His schedule was interrupted by an intense pain in his side. He was rushed to the hospital where the doctor discovered that his appendix had ruptured.
He was silently questioning God about this interruption of his schedule when the Lord seemed to speak to him about a need in the bed next to him. The Lord helped him to see that he now had a new mission field and it was in the bed next to him.
His roommate was not a Christian and like it or not, he was now exposed to the reality of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He overheard the prayers and testimonies between the missionary and his visitors. In just a few days he prayed to receive Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. God had used this faithful missionary to touch a man who otherwise may never have come to faith.
As I recall this incident from so long ago, I am reminded that both of these men have died. I can just imagine them rejoicing in paradise over the rupture of an appendix to bring new life!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
360-570-0074
PastorCecil@Daily-E-Votional.com
P.S. – You can find previous E-Votionals covering a variety of Scriptures and topics to help you in your walk with the Lord at www.Daily-E-Votional.com.
P.P.S. – I have completed my first book, 100 of Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations. The cost is $12.95 plus shipping. You can now order it online by going to https://dailyevotional.com/prior2020/book-by-pastor-cecil . . . You may want to consider this book as a thoughtful gift idea for those who do not have Internet access or as helpful sermon illustrations for your Pastor.
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