Journey of Faith - Our Preparations for Missions

These are a collection of blog posts from our blog when we were seeking the Lord's leadership about returning to Taiwan. The original blog is gone, and we made these posts into a book.

 
The book is available on Amazon Kindle.

Trusting Our Big God for Big Things

2008 APRIL 11

The last few months have been exciting as we have sought the Lord about our return to Taiwan. As we prayed, God reminded us of all the ways He has caused us to live by faith and trust Him. Over the last seven years, we have witnessed God’s provision in ways that could only be explained as God’s provision.

On several occasions, God provided large sums of money that we needed, and we received them at just the right time. One time, God provided US$12,000 to help us pay for our kids’ education. It came from people we did not know or didn’t know well. 

On another occasion, we needed around US$10,000 for Terrie and three of our children to go to the US to complete her Masters degree in education. One day, there was an envelope at the office waiting for us containing a money order in the amount of US$10,000. His provision has been with us every step of the way.

We are now finding ourselves in a similar position, but this time the need is much greater. We believe that God brings these opportunities to believe big when He is about to do something really big. Over the last few months, we have felt strongly that God is leading us back to Taiwan this summer. Because of that, instead of believing God to supply US$10,000 or $12,000, we are finding ourselves needing around US$150,000 by this summer. 

My first thought was, “This is impossible.” But then God reminded me that when He provided the $10,000 and $12,000, it seemed impossible to us then as well.  We have prayed and said, “God, if you want us to stay another year, we are willing,” but we felt God telling us that was nice, but we are going to Taiwan this summer. 

I am extremely excited to see how God is going to provide and bring glory to His name. In preparation, we are planning to share the vision God has given us with as many churches as we can until the time we leave. We are building prayer teams and a donation team. This vision and need is beyond anything we can do; but it is not beyond God. The God who reconciled sinful man to Himself, who created the universe, and who is daily with each one of us can certainly do this if it is according to His will. Our desire is to obey and to see God glorify Himself.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 (NLT)
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and bring you home again to your own land.”

Matthew 6:31-34 (NLT)
“So don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. “So, don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
 

2 Cor. 9:8 (NIV)
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Cattle Ranch or Ground Beef

2008 APRIL 12

We just had to share something the Lord put on our hearts. Terrie grew up with people saying, “The Lord owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and the hills, and the taters in the hills.” (As you know, they all have a “slight” Southern accent! lol). Anyway, we were thinking about that actual verse:

Psalm 50:10 (NIV)
for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.

It is true that God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, but He has entrusted them to us, His people. And whether He’s put us in charge of a thousand head of cattle or a couple pounds of frozen hamburger meat, we must be submissive to the Lord with it. If we forget that He owns them, then how can He do what He wants with what we have in our possession? How can He bless us by using us in His plans?

This year has taught me a lot about stewardship in many ways, and as we’ve been giving to this ministry what little we can, God has reminded me that it is all His…we just need to be obedient.

Someone once asked why we always say “God provided” for our needs when the money came from other people. Well, for two reasons…1) It’s true! Because God usually chooses to work through His people. When we give to help others, God is working through us, and He is providing for that person or ministry through us, and 2) Because we never want to embarrass someone by mentioning that they gave a certain amount of money. People don’t usually give so they can see their name in lights, or in a blog, as the case may be. They give out of obedience to our Heavenly Father, and they don’t want it to be broadcast to everyone. It is a personal sacrifice of obedience between them and God and us.

This is a challenge to all of us to walk in obedience in every area of our lives, in how we spend and give and how we use the possessions, gifts, talents, and time God has given us.

1 Peter 4:10, (NLT)

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.