Feeling the sting of betrayal, my heart was in shambles.

Unreciprocated kindness really stinks. And walking away with a broken heart after investing so much in another person really stinks, too.

As I sat with my tears, I wanted to place all the blame on that other person. I wanted to quickly put a wall around my heart and never give again.

But deep down I knew that wasn’t the answer to my hurt.

Investing in others is life-giving. I believe that with all my heart. It gives meaning and purpose to our lives. But that doesn’t make it easy.

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. –Mark 10:45 (NLT)

The word “investment” means there is a personal gain on the other end of action. I believe we often mistake our efforts as actions from which we will have a personal gain. That the transaction of investing and gaining are all about us.

But in reality, in God’s beautifully upside down design, the transaction is all about the other person. The investment for them and the gain in them. An investment that may pass from one to another long into the future.

We simply give out of a heart that longs to please our Father whose offerings never run dry. And we simply love out of His overflowing love.

As a byproduct of the investment, He gifts us with an ever expanding heart. He whittles away our selfishness and replaces it with loving kindness and generosity. And ultimately He peels away the pride that stops us from living free.

Our byproducts are in the moments we see a smile lighting up a face or in the moment someone can turn away and make a change or choice that benefits their quality of life.

Those into which we have invested may forget us, ignore us, or even betray us. But when a seed is planted through our act of kindness, God will bring it full circle. The benefit will be paid out. There is a good chance we may never know when or how that seed takes root. But that is irrelevant to our segment of the story. Where we can rest is in knowing God has it all covered for us.

I know my future holds more seasons of hurt and disappointment. But I also know I will not get stuck there. I won’t build up walls and turn away from love because I’ll have a reminder of God’s design.

I’ll know that counting on God is to count on the only One who can ever remain perfectly consistent in my life. I’ll remember that everything and everyone is unpredictable. But not Him.

He remains the same. Always.
So when your heart hurts and investing feels like too much, remember how to stay SAFE:

Search for a moment as small as a smile and let it have significance in your heart.
Assure yourself of God’s complete covering of the “how’s” and “when’s” of this situation.
Fill the hole in your heart with God’s uniquely perfect and unfailing kindness and love.
Engrave upon your mind and heart the truth of Christ. He is the only One who always remains the same.

As you head into your summer, keep these thoughts tucked somewhere safe but ready to use. Invest in others giving your children a witness to all God can do. Allow them to see and participate in the seed planting. And while you are doing so, talk with them. Help them understand God’s beautifully upside down transaction. One so contrary to society, yet so powerful because of Christ.
Notice the one along your path who needs a smile. An act of kindness or generosity. Notice to who it is God has called you in each moment, whether walking the beach or sitting on a park bench. Wake up wondering whose life you will have the opportunity to make a little better today.

Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Psalm 143:8

Dear Jesus, I thank You for being the One I can rest in because You have promised to remain the same forever. Loving others is an investment that means more than what I’m capable of envisioning from my one perspective in the here and now. But You know how far the investment travels. And You alone will make it have value. Help me to see who and where those investments are needed. Then keep me focused on You instead of myself. And, Lord, when I am faced with unkindness or rejection, I ask you to step in as my mental and emotional strength. Please keep my heart intact and continuing to love others through and onto the other side of hurt. In Your Holy Name I pray. Amen.
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Lori is an encourager at heart. She has spent her life learning of the hope and victory available when we embrace our identity in Christ. Today, when she isn’t busy being a wife and Mom to her three children, she teaches, ministers, coaches, speaks, and writes to share that hope with others. Wherever you find yourself today - walking through the difficult, needing to get unstuck to follow your purpose, or simply experiencing a season of beautiful chaos, Lori’s blog found at www.lorischumaker.com is a place where you can get a virtual hug from someone who truly understands.  You can also connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest

Jetlagged from my sixteen hour flight from China, I get a call that our newest addition is having serious behavior issues. Our home group is scheduled for Saturday, along with basketball, homeschooling work piling up, and this article was due five days ago.

Seasons past weren’t this hectic. In fact, there were days when I would sit quietly in my seeming, invisible bubble of Christianity, reading the Bible for literally five hour at a time.

I appeared holy on the outside, but inside I knew I was missing something. I never helped anybody, and only filled my mind with knowledge, instead of making my hands his instruments in some real, tangibly way.

The Good Samaritan stares up at me, this morning, Jesus parable about how to live our lives, ministering and loving other people. (Luke 10:30-37) A man goes from Jerusalem to Jericho, falls among robbers who strip him from his belongings and start beating him.

But then, by coincidence, a priest and Levite, both separately, pass this man lying half-dead on the side of the road. When they notice him, both pass by on the other side, never stopping, never doing anything.

But then, along comes the Good Samaritan, who did a few specific things;

• He SAW – The other men looked, but clearly they never truly saw the need. (v. 32)
• He FELT – It says the Samaritan had pity and sympathy on this man. (v. 33)
• He TOUCHED – The Samaritan then dressed his wounds, poured oil and wine on him. (v. 34)
• He SACRIFICED – He then lifted and placed this man on his very own beast, taking him to an inn. (v. 34)
• He SPENT – The Samaritan then gave the innkeeper two denarii, [two day’s wages] to care for the man. (v. 35)
• He INVESTED – And lastly, the Samaritan offered to pay, when he returned, any additional costs needed for the innkeeper to care for the man, until he was fully healed. (v. 35)

And I am reminded how easy it is to live in a bubble as a Christian. We can judge the priest and the Levite, but truth be told, wouldn’t it be easier to live like them, never seeing the pain, never stopping for anybody hurting along the way?

I mean, how many of us have walked past a need, pretended not to see a situation, we knew God was presenting to us? How many have made excuses, blamed time or business, or simply wanted to keep our own agendas, so we failed to cultivate an open, willing, Samaritan-like heart, stopping for the one He called us to minister to?

I used to be the queen of control and rigidity. I used to love my day structured, plan out every detail, keeping under my thumb some kind of resemblance of power and control. But in reality, more times than not, God calls us outside our comfort zones, He asks us to step outside the camp, to meet some need that we, in and of ourselves might find it impossible to take care of.

A few passages early, Jesus preaches, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27)
The Samaritan gives us excellent examples of how to love well, our neighbor as ourselves. He refused to live his faith in a bubble:

• He SAW the hard things, regardless of how easy it might have been to ignore it.
• He FELT with his whole heart, the pain and reality of those around him.
• He TOUCHED the needy, instead of ignoring or keeping them at arms length.
• He SACRIFICED his own comfort and was willing to be inconvenienced.
• He not only SPENT, but INVESTED in the long-term health of this stranger that needed him.

Loving people isn’t always easy or convenient, especially when there can be jetlag, dead lines, and behavior issues, but doesn’t all great things always often cost us something?

​Let’s pop the bubble of safe Christianity; seeing, feeling, touching, sacrificing, spending, and investing in other people, because that when healing comes…

And the church begins to live the gospel, just like Jesus intended.

Though born, raised, and still living only miles from where she grew up, Jen's heart lies in the nations. Jen loves the beautiful tapestry found in the wide diversity of people, different cultures, and all nations.  Jen and her husband have been married twenty years, and have parented fifteen kids and counting; twelve foster, one adopted, and two bios.  Her multi-racial family reflects her passion for unity, desire for faith without walls, and missional mindset to share both the gospel and the power of redemption to a world desperately needing the hope found in Jesus Christ. Jen and her husband have led in a variety of ministries; including prayer, small groups, children's, and women’s.  Jen advocates for the orphan as a board member for the non-profit, A New Song; and loves doing missions work internationally, along with her family.  You can find Jen writing about faith, while challenging her readers at her blog, Rich Faith Rising, as well as at tweeting faith-filled messages @Jen_Avellaneda .  Jen is also on facebook.  ​
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​Kaylee is raising support to be on staff with Master Plan Ministries in Denver, Co with her wonderful husband, Patrick. She loves starring life with her only daughter, Shiloh. She enjoys photography, movies, frisbee golf and anything that has to do with people! If you would like to learn more about Kaylee and her husband's journey into full time ministry read about it right here.

​Over the last 5 years or so, our family has faced a great deal of adversity.  We’ve cared for sick loved ones.  We’ve battled unexpected health issues.  We’ve lost a baby. 

Sometimes life is hard.  During seasons of adversity, it’s wise to hunker down at home and slow down the pace of life.  You can’t serve the body well if your home front is bleeding and bruised. 

However, that doesn’t mean that your calling to tell the world about Jesus is on hold.  It just means that your battleground has changed.  Instead of going out into the world to reach the lost, your home becomes a display case for God’s glory to shine.  How you respond to adversity may speak the Truth louder than a Gospel tract or sermon. 
The world is watching.  How will you use your valley season to spread the Good News?  As you press into Jesus as a family, there will be several opportunities to share. 

How to Be a Missionary without Leaving Your House

1. Start a Blog: In 2010, after we lost our baby, I discovered the world of blogging.  Reading the authentic stories of other women helped me to heal and find hope during a very difficult time.  Later that year, in hopes of encouraging others, I hit the publish button on my blog for the very first time.  Since then, thousands of people I do not know from all around the world have visited my little home on the web.  As I work daily to keep the faith and share the lessons that God is teaching me, the Good News is proclaimed. 
2. Pick up the Phone: Our tendency during difficult times is to say that we are “fine,” but opening up with vulnerability may create an atmosphere for the Holy Spirit to chip away at the stony hearts in your family.  So, when your lost loved one calls to ask how you are doing, share honestly about your struggles and explain how God is helping you work through your day.  If your neighbor is facing the same trial that you are, pick up the phone and call to let them know that you are praying for them and that you understand.  One phone call might just change a life forever.
3. Write a Letter:  You may be too young to remember this, but back in the day, we used to write letters.  We’d get out a piece of pretty stationary and grab our favorite pen and sit down to communicate in writing.  It’s a lost art, but one that is personal and packed with emotional currency. You can write out your story and share a few lessons that God is teaching you as you wait and pray during a difficult time.  Those who read your words may open their hearts to the God who is your Anchor.
4. Extend an Invitation:  You may be going through a difficult time, but you still have to eat.  Why not invite a neighbor over for dessert and conversation?   Brew a pot of coffee and pray for God to help you share His story in an inviting way.
5. Enjoy your Yard: Put your lawn chairs out in your driveway and watch the kids play in the front yard, instead of the back yard.  As folks walk down the street, make sure to wave hello.  You never know when someone may stop to chat about the weather, and the conversation may just turn to current events or another topic that could provide an opening for the Gospel.

Even if you are hunkered down at home, you can be a missionary.  Get creative.  Share your story and watch God move in unexpected ways as you live out the Gospel.  
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​Lyli Dunbar loves teaching.  For 17 years, she mentored teenagers in the Christian school setting, and now she has serves as Associate Director of Curriculum at Trinity International University Florida. Lyli married her Prince Charming in her 40’s and has a heart for encouraging young couples and singles in God’s waiting room.  She enjoys road trips with her husband, connecting with women through Bible study, and reading way too many books. Lyli writes about life lessons and faith on her personal blog. You may also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.



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 The New Year is in full swing, and I am still trying to take down my Christmas decorations.  Last year seemed to end in the blink of an eye, and I realize that I need to be more intentional about making wise choices that help me to redeem the time for His Kingdom purposes. 

In order to do this, I decided to do some goal setting for 2016.  I established a work out schedule, and I picked a reading plan to make sure that I read through my Bible.  I also re-examined my budget, set aside time for fellowship on my calendar, and jotted down a list of books I want to read. 

Just this week, I realized that I failed to do one thing as I was planning out my year.  I forgot what my most important role is as a Daughter of the King.  I neglected to create a master plan for mission-minded activity. 

You see, right before the Resurrected Christ ascended to heaven, He gave His disciples marching orders.  He declared what our primary goal should be as we live out our lives here on earth in His name: 

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

How am I going to share the Good News in 2016?  What time am I going to set aside for discipleship and helping to equip others who desire to make Him known?  If I don’t plan now, this year is going to slip by, and I will miss precious opportunities to make an eternal difference in the lives of others.

So, I jotted down some ideas of how I can be purposeful this year.   I hope they will encourage you as you pray about doing the same:

Five Missional-Minded Goals:
I’d love to see a friend or coworker come to know Christ this year.  Setting missional-minded goals could help set a captive free and transform a life.  Let’s purpose to stay on mission in 2016. 

1. Volunteer to serve your community and get involved in meeting the needs of your neighbors.Is there a local homeless shelter or food pantry in your community that needs help?As you rub shoulders with other volunteers and pray, you might just have an opportunity to share the Gospel with someone who needs to hear the story of the hope that is within you.
   
2. Have lunch with your coworkers and invest time in listening to their stories.Ask questions and pray for the opportunity to share your God story with them.
3. Invest time and energy into the life of a person in your circle of influence who does not know Christ. Invite them out for coffee.Bake cookies and ring a doorbell with treats in hand.Mow a neighbor’s lawn.Host a neighborhood picnic.Consider how you might create room in your life for someone who is not a church goer, but will respond to friendship.
4. Make a habit of going for a walk around your block in the early evening.Smile at passersby and be a “regular” chatty neighbor who is willing to stop and listen.As you walk, you can pray for your neighbors to come to know the Truth that will set them free.
5. Pray daily for God to give you eyes to see the needs in your community, for boldness and wisdom to share Christ, and for His Holy Spirit to empower you when the opportunity to share presents itself.

I’d love to see a friend or coworker come to know Christ this year.  Setting missional-minded goals could help set a captive free and transform a life.  Let’s purpose to stay on mission in 2016.

Lyli Dunbar loves teaching.  For 17 years, she mentored teenagers in the Christian school setting, and now she has serves as Associate Director of Curriculum at Trinity International University Florida. Lyli married her Prince Charming in her 40’s and has a heart for encouraging young couples and singles in God’s waiting room.  She enjoys road trips with her husband, connecting with women through Bible study, and reading way too many books. Lyli writes about life lessons and faith on her personal blog. You may also connect with her on Facebook,Twitter, and Pinterest.

This post is the second in a series called: Making Women’s Ministry Missional. View the first post, Conquering Apathy here.
 
How many new disciples did your women's ministry produce this year? It's a fair question, but not a common one, partly because we don't like the answer. 
 
Too often, women's ministries center around events designed to meet the felt-needs of women: giving them a break, helping them feel accepted, reducing loneliness. These needs are important, but if women in the body of Christ are to become fully-formed followers of Christ then we must do more than meet needs. We must adopt proactive discipleship strategies that cut to the root of a woman’s most foundational need – Christ himself.
 
A discipleship-based women’s ministry helps women know Christ and equips them to make him known to others.
 
If you're striving to transition a women's ministry toward missional living, you must first establish a discipleship vision. Here are a few steps to get you started:
 
1). Teach the big picture of Scripture 
Many women's ministries aren't missional simply because the women they serve don't understand what it means to live “on mission.” They might know Christ, but they are ill-equipped to make him known to others (and don’t know why that’s important!)
 
Casting a discipleship vision means educating your ladies about the significance of discipleship in their everyday walk, rejecting the view that discipleship is an “elective” or continuing education course to church attendance. Walking a woman through God's redemptive story from Genesis through Revelation is one way to open her eyes to her role in God's story for the world. Although time-intensive, teaching the big picture of Scripture provides a firm foundation on which to build a discipling culture in your women. 
 
2) Talk about it all the time
You must talk about the discipleship vision all the time. Then after you’ve talked about it, talk about it some more. Don't ever assume everyone knows the vision of your women's ministry until they can articulate it themselves. Then keep the vision in front of them as often as you can utilizing key influencers in your group whom you can task with sharing the vision. Spread the word on social media, insert it into every event you host or announcement you give focusing on why it's needed and the end goal. (LINK TO POST: CONQUERING APATHY).
 
3) Turn down temptation to get off track
Determining the exact vision of your women's ministry is the easy part of transitioning to a discipleship-based women's ministry, but keeping discipleship as the focus so you don't derail your gospel effectiveness is much harder. 
 
To ensure you don't get off track, measure any new potential projects in terms of discipleship fruit. Ask the following: 
--"How does this project help us accomplish our discipleship vision?" 
--"What kind of investment would this project/program require of each woman?"
--“Does this event/program take away time already allotted for discipleship?”
--"Does this event/program measure success in terms of attendance only?"
--"How does this program help us grow long-term fruit in the lives of our women?"
 
These questions might encourage you to evaluate existing projects and phase out or repurpose them to include a missions and evangelism focus. 
 
4) Trumpet Christ's horn
Celebrating fruit is a crucial part of the vision-casting and vision-catching process. By asking a woman to share the story of God’s work in her life, you are encouraging her continued faithfulness as Christ's disciple and affirming her role in God's work in the world. But praising Jesus for his work also has a practical benefit - it fans the flame of discipleship in the hearts of others who are listening. A Christ-honoring discipleship vision is catching!
 
To make the most of this step in the vision-casting process, be intentional to calendar specific days when you celebrate the fruit of Christ’s ministry in your church. Include a testimony at each event or even a Q&A with a disciple. Assign quarterly testimony times in corporate worship services. And most importantly, ask your pastor/pastoral staff to comment from the pulpit on the discipleship fruit he sees in the women among you.
 
What is Christ doing among the women in your church? What creative and fun ideas do you have for celebrating Christ’s work?

This essay is known as Keith Green's final message as it was written just days before he died at the age 28 in a plane crash in 1982 and reprinted in Ignition Magazine by the Traveling Team. Keith Green was a musician whose life was a bright flash of authenticity, truth and conviction that came out in his music and his call to others to give their lives to Jesus and the world.

The following objections are just a few of the many that Christian groups and missionary societies constantly hear from prospective recruits for the mission field. Although many may merely be excuses, we have heard them spoken so many times as serious statements from well-meaning Christians in response to the question, “Why don’t you get trained to go into full-time Christian service in a foreign country?”

1. “But I’m not called.” You don’t know how many people I’ve met who have said to me, I agree that more people need to go to the mission field, but I’ve never heard God tell me to go.” Well, the truth is that God has already told you to go in His Word. In fact, He commands you to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) That’s right - YOU ARE CALLED! In fact, if you don’t go, you need a specific calling from God to stay home. Has God definitely told you not to “go” somewhere outside your country to preach the Gospel? If He hasn’t, then you’d better start praying WHERE to go, instead of if you should go-for again, you’re already called.

2. “But God needs people to stay here to be a witness to those lost in America. There’s enough need right here!” It is true that God has called some people to stay right where they are to be witnesses for Jesus in their daily lives and professions. But again, God is merciful and just. Since America has only about 5% of the world’s population, then only about 5% of the believers would really be called to stay in this country as a witness (that’s only about l out of 20) while the rest of us should go into the parts of the world where there are almost 0% believers. (In Albania, for instance, there are only “a handful” of known believers in the whole country of 2.7 million people - less than 1/2 of 1/1000th percent!!)

3. “But God needs people to stay home and financially support those ministries and missionaries who are already all over the world. In fact, my church is already supporting some missionaries with my tithes and offerings.” You should never have to worry about there not being enough Christians staying home to support missionaries. There will always be enough people around who will not answer the call to go - who will stay home and gladly just send a check (instead of themselves) to reach the lost. After all, nothing is easier to give than money (except nothing). This does not mean that everyone who stays home is selfish and disobedient. As I’ve already said, there are some who know they are definitely called to stay, and they are doing exactly what God would have them do here, while they greatly support other ministries. I’m just saying that there will always be plenty of people around to financially support the pitifully few who answer the call and obey God.

4. “But my family and friends would frown upon me going.” “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me (Matt. 10:57) God is very clear about whose approval we should seek. It’s shocking to me how even Christian parents react when their children say that they’d like to go for training as a full-time Christian worker. “A missionary! Are you crazy?” It’s as if they’ve announced they’d like to be a thief or a prostitute. It is true that God wants us to honor our parents and love our friends, but He has also made it clear in His Word that this honor and love must not exceed our love and obedience to Him and His calling on our lives. We should always try our best to explain God’s call to our families, lovingly and patiently, but the bottom line must be that we will obey Christ no matter what the cost. We should always try to get our family’s understanding and blessing when God makes our ministry clear to us, but we must also always be ready to leave “houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms” for His sake “and for the Gospel’s sake.” - (Mark 10:29)

5. “But I need to stay here and lead my relative to the Lord first. If I go somewhere else, how can they get saved?” There once was a man who wanted to follow and obey Jesus, but he said to Him, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.” Jesus’ answer to him was, “follow me; and allow the dead to bury their own dead.” - (Matt 8:21-22) This may sound cruel of Jesus not to allow the man to have a funeral for his dead father-but most likely, the man’s father had not died yet. The phrase “wait until I bury my father” was sometimes used to say wait until my father has died.” What he was really saying was, “I’d like to follow You now, but You see, my parents wouldn’t understand. Please wait until after they’ve died, and then I’ll be more than glad to follow You” Jesus’ answer was appropriate “allow the dead to bury their own dead.” In other words allow the unbelievers to take care of themselves, and follow Me!” Jesus doesn’t want us to throw our usefulness away because our relatives are not yet saved. The greatest witness they can see is you fully obeying the call of God on your life. Jesus didn’t want this man’s father to be buried-He wanted the young man to follow Him, and then maybe even the man’s father would come to know Him too. Obedience is truly greater than sacrifice (I Samuel 15:22)-when we obey God, He takes care of all our other obligations. (Matt 6:33)

6. “But I need to get an education first.” I don’t believe that God wants every Christian to go to college just because, “Well everyone goes to college now, unless they’re too dumb!” You shouldn’t go to college unless God has definitely called you to go. Just like everything else in our Christian lives, He’s the Master, we’re the servants. He’s the General, we’re the soldiers. If you’re really a Christian, you’re at the beck and command of the King. If you’re not at His command, then you’re really not a Christian. Yes, God does call some people to go to college. Sometimes it’s to get training for a ministry calling He’s made clear to them. For instance, if you know what country you’re called to, perhaps God would lead you to learn the language and culture somewhat before you go (although the very best place to learn is within the country itself-it’s a definite “crash course”!). Of course, another reason God might lead you to college is to minister to people right there on the campus-as well as to mature emotionally and spiritually. But be careful! Make sure you’re there in direct obedience to God, or else you’re wasting your time-and His.

7. “But I need to get married first, and then maybe my mate will want to serve God full-time on the field, rather than me going alone.” Nothing could be a more foolish reason for putting off obeying God now. God does not want you to look for a husband or wife, He wants you to be married to Him, and trust Him for any mate He may bring into your life. I know of many single Christians serving Jesus overseas who are trusting Him for everything. And some of the most beautiful stories of God’s grace I’ve ever heard are told by couples who went to the mission field single, and then God led them to marry another whose heart was also fully devoted to serving Him there. Remember, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” (Matt. 6:8) Trust Him!

8. “But I have a family to support. God doesn’t want me to neglect them, does He?” The Word of God says, “Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. “(Matt. 6:33) If you can trust God for your needs, you can certainly trust Him for your family’s needs. You would never be foolishly “neglecting” your family’s needs by obeying God’s call to go. God will show you the way. I know of so many families-some with many children-who are on the field right now, trusting God for their needs while they minister in His name. I have never heard of ONE occurrence where God didn’t meet the needs of one of His servants and their families. As King David said… “I have been young, and now I am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, or his descendants begging bread. All day long he is gracious and lends; and his descendants are a blessing.” (Psalm 37:2~26)

9. But the mission field is dangerous. God would not have me put myself or my family in danger of disease or native hostilities, would He?” “Why is the Lord bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become plunder; would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” (Numbers 14:3) It is all a matter of our priorities-do we look at the temporary or the eternal in making our choices? It’s true that you will probably be in more physical danger on the mission field than you would be in the suburbs of America, but that is part of the cost that we need to count when it comes to serving God. The question should not be, “Will I be kept safe wherever I go?” but rather, “What is on the Lord’s heart for me to do?” If Jesus decided to go the way of least pain, He would have never gone to the cross. There is no place of greater blessing for you than in the center of God’s will. You must stop to count the cost, but remember one thing - the privilege of serving God always outweighs the price. “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel’s shall save it.” (Mark 8:34-35)

10. “Although in the past most countries freely allowed foreign missionaries to come, most people in other lands now resent them. Why should I go where I’m not welcomed?” Did you welcome the Gospel before you were saved? The Word says that we should save some, “snatching them out of the fire.” (Jude 23) Some people just don’t want to be saved! That’s exactly why we need to go to them. The more unwelcomed, the better. If they resent Americans, then you have an opportunity to show them that Christian Americans can be humble with the love of Jesus in their hearts. For the Word says, “He who is wise wins souls. (Proverbs 11:30)

11. “But I could not afford to get the training, and raise the necessary finances to place myself (or my family) on the field.” Don’t worry, God will help raise the money you need. Wherever God guides, He supplies-even if it means helping you get a job! Problems and worries about finances are usually only a surface excuse when it comes to obeying God to go. In your heart you know He’ll make a way for you!

12. “But I don’t have any special talents or abilities that would qualify me to be a missionary.” Then you’re just the person God is looking for! Sure God can use nurses, teachers, accountants, and mechanics on the field, but it always blesses God to greatly use the one who seemingly has nothing to offer. It is this person who has the opportunity of purely representing Jesus in the endless “common” tasks that are part of the daily life of a missionary. “When I am weak, then I am strong.” (II Cor 12:10; also see I Cor 1:26-31)

13. “But how could I commit myself for years and years to go to the field without having a chance to see what it would be like?” It is true that in past generations a foreign missionary had to make almost a lifetime commitment before he could go to the field. Then in most cases, he had to go to college for at least four years, and then seminary for two to four years before he could even begin his missions training and service. But today there are missionary organizations that have short-term programs for people who want to receive training and find out what serving God in other countries is like. These programs last from a few weeks to a few years in length. So now there is an opportunity to “take a bow” before making a much longer commitment.

14. “But God wants me to stay in this country and prosper. The reason the rest of the world is so poor and unconverted is because their heathen religions and idolatry have caused them to live in ignorance and poverty, without God’s blessing.” This has to be THE most selfish reasoning I’ve ever heard for not going-and I’ve heard it! Of course they live in ignorance and poverty, that’s just the very reason you should go-to bring the enlightenment that comes from knowing the truth about Jesus, and to bring them the true riches of knowing Christ. If you don’t believe that the reason God has blessed you with abundance in this country is so you can be a blessing to others-then you have never understood the Gospel of Jesus Christ! “Freely you received, freely give. (Matt 10:8)

15. “I’m just not ready to make that kind of a sacrifice and commitment.” Ah! That’s just the point. That’s probably the underlying reason for almost every one of the above objections. In fact, you might just as well have said, “I’m not willing.” You need to decide whether or not you are a disciple of Jesus-that is the question. If you are His disciple, then you are not your own…you have been bought with a price.” (I Cor 6:19-20) And if you truly love Him, then you will not feel bondage, you will feel incredible excitement at being chosen to represent Him in the world! To be a servant of Jesus Christ, an ambassador, a missionary, is the highest calling a man or woman can attain to!

Now what are you waiting for?

Laura, the founder of Missional Women is married and has five kids, two of whom are adopted. Laura and her husband have been missionaries to college students for 13 years serving with Master Plan Ministries where she is the Women's Development Coordinator. Laura has authored 5 books, including an award winning 12 week Bible Study on First Samuel, Beholding Him, Becoming Missional, Reach; How to Use Your Social Media Influence for the Glory of God, and A Devotional Journey through Judges, a devotional to accompany the free online Bible study at TheBookofJudges.com. You can find her on facebook,twitter, pinterest, youtube, instagram and her author site.

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Joy is Florida girl currently living in Houston, TX, with her husband, Jason, and drool covered Bassett Hound, Sam. She has a degree in Church Leadership and a passion for church planting born from years of experience. She teaches women how to intersect their faith and life through intentional missional living at joybrudolph.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

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