October 21

Luke 19:10

For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.

Mission Impossible—he couldn’t lift a bridge or fly around the world. But his mission was to save the world. Christ’s mission was to destroy the devil and his works (1 Jn. 3:8), to fulfill all righteousness (Mat. 3:15; Mat. 5:17), and make propitiation for sins (1 Jn. 4:10), to make salvation possible, to change heart of stones (2 Cor. 3:3; cf. Ezek. 11:19), to make a people who would be a kingdom of priests and lights for the world zealous to do good works  (1 Pet. 2:9; Mat. 5:14-15; Titus 2:11-14).

In spite of the kingdom of darkness.

In spite of the power of Rome and this world.

In spite of the enslaving power of sin and hard hearts.

In spite of a world that robbed God of his glory.

In spite of a world that cursed him and rebelled against him.

But God…. Amazing grace, but God sent his Son. God sent his Son not only for each individual soul but also to establish a new kingdom for the glory of God. A cataclysmic, cosmic change of lordship and glory. Christ was sent to right all that was wrong under the evil usurper, to restore creation to its rightful order under the King. He went to the cross for the joy set before, with the vision of throng from every nation, people, language, and tribe giving the King of Creation the glory due his name (Heb. 12:1-3; Rev. 7:9-10; Ps. 29:2).

Touching the lepers, healing the sick, releasing the demon oppressed, preaching and teaching, all these components of Jesus’ ministry were wrapped up in building a kingdom for his glory and the Father’s glory. Our God deserves the glory from every tongue and that every knee bow before him (Phil. 2:10-11). Our God deserves that the mountains shake and quake before him, that the trees clap for praise, that the rocks cry out (Isa. 55:12; Isa. 64:3).Christ’s victory was nothing less than a cosmic restoration of glory.

Missionaries long for God’s glory, strive for that, work for that. The same passion of the Son is now beating in our hearts as we have been raised with him. May our Lord not be robbed of any ounce of glory due his name! May he be enthroned as the rightful King! May his glory fill the earth as the waters cover the sea! Missionaries not only strive for that, but they confidently march forward assured of victory.  Christ has won! His kingdom is already—but not yet. God’s glory in Christ is the beginning and end of mission. His incarnation as a man to be a substitute, his deity so as to be a perfect Lamb, his resurrection giving all new life, his earthly ministry, his power and Spirit, his example, his love, his compassion, his authority, his lordship form the reason and motivation, the means, and the goal. Christ alone. And thus his glory alone. From all the earth. Oh Lord! Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name all the earth! (Ps. 96:7-8)

Your Mission

·         Pray for our missionaries to be able to keep their eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our faith and Victor of the mission. Pray that the Spirit helps them work with bold confidence in Christ’s victory despite the impossibilities in their ministry.

·         How big is your vision of Christ’s salvation and victory? How passionate are you for his glory and for his kingdom to come?

Mission Impossible Made Possible—Field Notes

Kevin and Christine Lehr

A year ago this month our family resolved before God that we would trust Him and take a step towards the most impossible dream.  After spending time with Makarios in July of 2014 we could definitely sense God’s tug towards this works but there were two insurmountable obstacles that stood in our way.  The first was the idea of raising support for us was very foreign to us.  It was very normal and right to look for ways to be generous towards others and participate in what God was doing in their lives, but it was (still is if I’m honest with myself) and huge hurdle in our thinking and in our faith.  The second, and this for me (Kevin) was the most impossible obstacle, learning a new language.  My heart language is English and the idea of learning a new language at 41 was overwhelming to me. 

As Christine and I prayed through this life changing decision I knew those two things where keeping us for obeying God and trusting His plan.  One day in August as Christine and I were talking and tearfully praying it was clear that my stubbornness in these areas revealed a lack of faith and a willingness to submit.  That day we made the scariest, must humbling decision which has lead us down the path of selling virtually everything that we thought was necessary or important, presenting our need and the direction that God is leading us to others, and began the process revealing those hidden and dark places in our lives and praying through some of these familiar passages in the Psalms.  Psalms 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.”  Psalms 16:11”You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”  Psalm 25:4-5 “Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths.  Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation.…”

I would like to say that because we are here in language school and that we are moving towards transitioning to our work in the DR in a relatively short amount of time that somehow all the fears have gone and that it has been an “easy” road once we submitted to God’s call.  But that is not the case.  God has taught us so many things along the way and learning to find joy each morning, trusting the “next step” and recognizing His true provision in this whole process continues to unfold each day in our lives and we are far from where we would like to be, but far closer than where we were.  God in His faithfulness has become, and is becoming more and more each day our provider, our guide, our strength, our hope, and our joy in this journey.  This is a Mission Impossible, that has been made Possible through the mighty hand of a gracious and kind God.

Blessings as God deepens your faith and teaches and leads you through the impossible that only He can make possible!