MEATY: A Timeless Passion for SOULS

It was over one hundred years ago, when a man earnestly poured out his heart to the Lord, in a prayer and a song, asking for more of God’s perspective and passion for the lost.

It’s really quite remarkable. Through one man, Herbert G. Tovey, and his prayers way-back in 1888, a fervency for the lost can actually penetrate into our thoughts and prayers TODAY (right now in 2010), to impact our focus.

Do you know how this can happen?
It’s because God’s perspective is timeless; and His passion is eternal.

Don’t you long for more of God’s eternal perspective about the Lord, and LIFE, and the lost . . . for more of God’s heart for people, and for more of His view of those who need His salvation? We need that eternal-God-perspective-for-souls to reach beyond our self-centerdness. We need God’s love to penetrate deeply into the hearts of others (both to people who need Jesus, and to Christians who need to share). The Lord wants people to know that He loves them and that He’s already provided for their salvation through His ultimate passion on the cross. The Lord cares so much. And we care too; but we we need to care more.

Hudson Taylor once said, “I feel I cannot go on living unless I do something for China.” Taylor knew that his life-purpose on earth reached far beyond his own desires. He was focused on eternity with God’s passion.

And that’s what we want.

A PASSION FOR SOULS

A missions poem and hymn – By Herbert G. Tovey, 1888

Give me a passion for souls, dear Lord,

A passion to save the lost;

O that Thy love were by all adored,

And welcomed at any cost.

Jesus I long, I long to be winning

Men who are lost, and constantly sinning;

O may this hour become of beginning

The story of pardon to tell . . .

How shall this passion for souls be mine?

Lord, make Thou the answer clear;

Help me to throw out the old life line

To those who are struggling near.

Three Precious Girls

Three girls, Josephine, Mariam, and Amooti (from Harvest Ministry’s Osanidde Village Orphanage), were in need of sponsorship, and God provided!

Josephine, Mariam, & Amooti

Here is the need we shared . . . and be sure to read the comments, because God provided!

For several years, the monthly sponsorship for these three Ugandan girls has come from a wonderful missionary family currently living and serving the Lord in Asia. This mission-minded family continues to have a huge heart for these three orphan children. However, because of a (temporary – in Jesus’ Name!!!) economic challenge in this missionary family’s ministry and personal finances, they had to let us know, with much regret, that they are unable to continue their sponsorship at this time (although they hope to resume their commitment as soon as their financial situation permits).

We’re all a family in this together, and like the early church in the book of Acts, we can all share to help meet this need.  After praying for this situation, I (Ann) felt to simply write on-line about this specific need and prayer request.  I’m believing for God to abundantly provide, as He always does.  I’m curious if anyone would be willing to take on one, or two, or all three of these awesome girls (at $1/day – or $30/month each) for this interim time while this missionary family is unable to do so. If you’re interested in helping to meet this need, just let us know!

Prayer & Response: Please pray specifically for God’s provision for this missionary family, as well as for these three orphan children. God is our provider, God is the provider for this family, and God is the provider for these kids!!! And He’s so GOOD!!!!

If anyone feels led to help, please send us an email from our “contact us” page.

To learn more about Osanidde Village – click here.

The Challenge: DAY 38 – God’s MISSION! #3

His LOVE

Welcome to DAY 38 of the 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE!

Our focus today is God’s personal LOVE for us. To live joyfully as a mission-minded believers, we should not focus on merely “doing” mission-minded things for God; rather, our focus should be “knowing” God and growing deeper in our personal relationship with Him.

C’mon . . . Take the Challenge!

• Recommended Mission Resources: Planet WORD Bible
• Today’s Mission Quote: “Lord, I give up all my plans and purposes, all my own desires and hopes, and accept Thy will for my life…” – Betty Scott Stam
• Geography Quiz at lizardpoint.com: SOUTH AMERICA,
• Memory Verse – Luke 10:20
• Today’s online video

MISSION to LWAKHAKHA!

August 2009 – Harvest Ministry conducted a city-wide missions outreach in LWAKHAHA, Uganda. This Uganda/Kenya border town has been rampant with prostitution and AIDS. People there have been desperately in need of Jesus. Jon Dunagan preached together with N.E.T.S. minister, Drake Kanaabo, and also met together with all of the African N.E.T.S. ministers.

PLEASE PRAY!

Please be interceding with us for God’s Holy Spirit to be moving and stirring in the hearts of the people in Lwakhakha. We’re believing for many people to come face-to-face with the reality of God, and to be moved to repentance from their sin. May God be glorified in

Specific prayer needs:

• Pray for the local pastors and Christian leaders as they are preparing for the outreach
• Pray for God’s provision for Jon’s airfare & traveling expenses to Uganda
• Pray for effective outreach advertising (flyers, word of mouth, and promotion)
• Pray for effective advance work (led by N.E.T.S. minister, Paul Kintu – coordinating prayer, ushers, follow-up – and Geoffry – coordinating local music and worship)
• Pray for safe transportation of the ministry equipment and team to Lwakhakha
• Pray for provision for food and lodging for the whole team throughout the outreach
• Pray for support and wisdom for the technician team, as they take care of details

Jon Dunagan and Drake Kanaabo will also be ministering at Harvest Ministry’s Osanidde Village orphanage, and they look forward to the time together with our wonderful extended “family” on Bussi Island. Please be praying with us for this entire mission outreach, for all of these people, and for these needs!

The Challenge: DAY 15 – Prayer #5

Families who PRAY!

Welcome to DAY 15 of the 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE!

Today’s video will challenge you to pray together as a family – real and honest before God – relying on His righteousness and grace, not your own works.

C’mon . . . Take the Challenge!

• Recommended Mission Resource: Brokenness, Surrender, Holiness
• Missionary Quote by Nancy Leigh DeMoss – of Revive our Hearts and Martin Luther
• Geography Quiz at lizardpoint.com: AFRICA and joshuaproject.net
• Memory Verse: James 5:16, II Cor. 5:21, Isaiah 64:6
• Today’s 5 minute video

A question for feedback:What are your thoughts about praying together as a family? Has this been a challenge for you, or has it been easy? Have you found any keys – or answers – that could help or encourage other families to pray together?

COMING NEXT WEEK: The BEATITUDES – with a Mission-Minded Focus!

The Challenge: DAY 14 – Prayer #4

Kids who PRAY!

Welcome to DAY 14 of the 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE!

Today’s 5-minute focus will encourage you to motivate your children in prayer. Parents usually have no problem motivating their kids in sports or school, yet sometimes don’t want to “push” their kids spiritually. As mission-minded families we especially need to encourage our kids in disciplines that matter for eternity.

C’mon . . . Take the Challenge!

• Recommended Mission Resource: Window on the World
• Missionary Quote by Henry Martyn
• Geography Quiz at lizardpoint.com: AFRICA
• Memory Verse: John 3:16
• Today’s 5 minute video

A question for feedback:
Do you encourage your kids in their personal prayer life?
How are you doing this, specifically? And how are your kids growing in the Lord right now?

The Challenge: DAY 13 – Prayer #3

Parents who PRAY!

Welcome to DAY 13 of the 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE! Today’s challenge focuses on parents being an example to your kids, by PRAYING consistently.

Feel free to leave comments and feedback. Let’s encourage one another to become more mission-minded.

C’mon . . . Take the Challenge!

• Recommended Mission Resource: C.T. Studd – No Retreat – from YWAM’s Christian Heroes Then & Now Series and also The Mission-Minded Family.
• Missionary Quote by C.T. Studd
• Geography Quiz at lizardpoint.com: Africa
• Memory Verses: Psalm 127:1,Matthew 4:19, I Cor. 11:1

FREE Book – The Mission-Minded Child – Giveaway!!!

For fun at the end of this week (and to encourage more comments and interactions!!!) we are going to give away a FREE copy – with FREE shipping too! – of The Mission-Minded Child – Raising a New Generation to Fulfill God’s Purpose. To enter the drawing, simply make a comment on one of this week’s (Day 11 to Day 15) 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE posts. For each comment you make (up to one per day), you will receive one entry — and if you also post a link to this 40-Day CHALLENGE on your blog or website, you’ll get an extra entry. This Friday afternoon, June 26th, we will announce the winner!

The Challenge: DAY 12 – Prayer #2

A Place to PRAY!

Welcome to DAY 12 of the 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE! Today’s challenge focuses on establishing a specific PLACE for your personal devotion time and quoting a prayer by missionary martyr, Betty Scott Stam, the importance of surrendering everything to the Lord.

Feel free to leave comments and feedback. Let’s encourage one another to become more mission-minded.

C’mon . . . Take the Challenge!

• Recommended Mission Resource: Tracking Your Walk – YWAM Kid’s Prayer Journal
• Missionary Quote by Betty Scott Stam
• Geography Quiz at lizardpoint.com: Africa
• Memory Verses: Mark 1:35

FREE Book – The Mission-Minded Child – Giveaway!!!

For fun at the end of this week (and to encourage more comments and interactions!!!) we are going to give away a FREE copy – with FREE shipping too! – of The Mission-Minded Child – Raising a New Generation to Fulfill God’s Purpose. To enter the drawing, simply make a comment on one of this week’s (Day 11 to Day 15) 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE posts. For each comment you make (up to one per day), you will receive one entry — and if you also post a link to this 40-Day CHALLENGE on your blog or website, you’ll get an extra entry. This Friday afternoon, June 26th, we will announce the winner!

(By the way, rather saying Jesus was “so busy” during His time on earth, I prefer to say that He had such a vast eternal purpose to fulfill in such a short 3-year period. One remarkable aspect about the life of Jesus is that He was never “stressed” or overly “busy-busy” like we often are.)

The Challenge: DAY 11 – Prayer #1

A Time to PRAY!

Welcome to DAY 11 of the 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE!

Today’s challenge focuses on establishing a specific TIME for prayer. Learn Hudson Taylor’s “spiritual secret” for effective ministry: TIME ALONE WITH GOD.

Feel free to leave comments and feedback. Let’s encourage one another to become more mission-minded.

C’mon . . . Take the Challenge!

• Recommended Mission Resource: Hero Tales – Volume I
• Missionary Quote by Hudson Taylor
• Geography Quiz at lizardpoint.com: Africa
• Memory Verses: Psalm 37:4-5

FREE Book – The Mission-Minded Child – Giveaway!!!

For fun at the end of this week (and to encourage more comments and interactions!!!) we are going to give away a FREE copy – with FREE shipping too! – of The Mission-Minded Child – Raising a New Generation to Fulfill God’s Purpose. To enter the drawing, simply make a comment on one of this week’s (Day 11 to Day 15) 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE  posts. For each comment you make (up to one per day), you will receive one entry — and if you also post a link to this 40-Day CHALLENGE on your blog or website, you’ll get an extra entry. This Friday afternoon,  June 26th, we will announce the winner!

Good Friday – His Passion for Harvest

On the cross, Jesus Christ displayed His deepest passion, and there He fulfilled His ultimate destiny–to provide the ONLY way for us, and all people, to be saved from our sins and reconciled to God.

In Hebrews 12:2, the Bible tells us to look unto Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith, Who for the JOY that was set before Him endured the cross.”

How could there be any joy in such a brutal cross? How can we refer to that day as “Good” Friday?

It’s because we know how the story ends!  Through Christ’s atoning cross (meaning, His death “atoned” or “paid for” the penalty of our sins) and His glorious resurrection, our Lord destroyed the power-hold of sin and death in our lives, and He opened the door for us to receive God’s salvation.

It’s because He died, that we can live!

As Christians, we need to be challenged and “moved” by the cross. We need to remember all that Jesus endured, and continually remind ourselves of the purpose for His willing obedience.

Your Passion for Harvest

A Song of Prayer, by Ann Dunagan

Your passion for harvest, O Lord Your love for the lost

For the JOY set before You, O Lord You took Your cross

Now Your love compels me, for You died to save me

May I live only for You, and . . .

Your passion for harvest, I need Your love for the lost

For the JOY set before me, O Lord, I’ll take my cross

For Your love compels me, for You died to save me

May I live only for You, for You.

Jesus Christ willingly surrendered everything, and took up His cross; but it wasn’t only for us.

Our Lord’s precious blood was shed for the entire world. Yet even now, 2,000 years later, over 1.6 BILLION people have still never heard of Him. As Christians, we must be willing to surrender . . . everything . . . to take up our cross (God’s desire and will for our lives). We need to pray. We need to give. And we need to open our mouth and share our faith with others. We need God’s love and His passion for the harvest.

“I have been crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ that lives in me, and the life that I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galations 2:20).

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” (I Corinthians 1:18).

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 NKJV).

This year, as we remember our Lord Jesus’ death and resurrection, may we all be filled with more of His purpose and more of His tremendous love.

In His Harvest,
Jon & Ann

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