Igniting Faith Through Fellowship

Last night we had a special evening at church called, Tea With The Bishop's.  Ron and Christie Bishop who are missionaries around the world were visiting our church.  We brought the desserts and they brought the tea and stories.  Everyone gathered in the Fellowship Hall and then the missionaries started telling their stories for about an hour.

If you ever have doubts about the power of prayer and the love of God, listen to a missionary.  Story after story revealed how God loves and thinks about us, even our children's prayers.  One missionary child prayed for hot dogs and even though it seemed impossible, God provided hot dogs for that little boy.  You may think it insignificant that a little boy wanted hot dogs but to God and him, it was very important.  It not only built the faith of a mother who sat there listening to her child pray for something she had no way of providing but it built the faith of a little boy, knowing that God heard his prayer.

Ron and Christie Bishop spoke for a little over an hour with funny stories, stories of rats in the toilet, elephants eating trees over top of people, an anaconda which now hangs on the wall of a missionary (crazy, yes), stories that move you to tears and ignite a desire to touch the world for Christ.  I am so thankful for last night.  I didn't want the stories to end.

I am thankful for people who are willing to go wherever God tells them to go.  They don't live a life of luxury and they get lost in foreign countries but through the hard times, they trust in the LORD and even if the story doesn't end well here on earth, they will be with their Father in Heaven for eternity.  They have made their life a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is their reasonable service.  Living out their beliefs every day.

It is so important for us to remember not to forsake reaching out to those around us.  When we plan a Friday Night Light once a month or a Youth Day once a month, it is not so we have something to do.  It is to build the Kingdom and make disciples of the young.  FNL is for ages 3 years through the 5th grade.  Our monthly Youth Days are for middle and high school kids.  We are trying to reach all, no matter age, race, social standing, size, pretty, not pretty, secure, insecure, loud, quiet, helpful, disruptive…no matter who, it is for WHOSOEVER.

John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that 
        WHOSOEVER believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

We used to have a sign that hung over the door (going outside), "You are now entering the mission field."  We need to be aware of this every day.  Someone needs a touch from God, it might have to come through your hands.  Reach out, be His hand extended.

Thank you to our Bishop & Pastor for igniting our faith through fellowship last night.  Thank you to Ron and Christie Bishop for the tea and stories.  Last night was a real blessing to me.