Furthering the Gospel
July 2nd, 2010There are two ways to look at every situation: How it will affect you, and how it will affect God’s Kingdom. The apostle Paul was always concerned with how his circumstances might aid the spreading of the Gospel. From being in prison, shipwrecked or in front of an angry mob, Paul’s concern was how he could use the current situation to tell others God’s good news of Salvation (Philippians 1:12).
Often when we encounter a new situation, our fist thoughts are not about God’s Kingdom. When we face a crisis, we can become angry or fearful for our own well-being, rather than looking to see what God intends to do through our circumstances. If we take our eyes off of the Cross, we will miss what God wants to do through all of our experiences – for us and those around us.
Begin praying now and ask God to make you aware of how He can use your circumstances on your mission trip to “bless others”. Someone will need to see the difference Christ’s presence is making in your life. Are you willing for God to use your circumstances to demonstrate His saving power to those around you?
On the trips we take, we may not be “shipwrecked or in prison.” However, I can promise you that God will give you many opportunities to share the love of Jesus Christ…even through something as simple as a basketball!