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The Ability To Feed One’s “Self” On The Word Of God. By Kevin E. Jesmer 5-26-15

The Ability To Feed One’s “Self” On The Word Of God

 Long Term, Cross Cultural Missionaries Need This Skill Set For Longevity On the Mission Field.

 By Kevin E. Jesmer                                                                                                         5-26-15

 Psalm 1:1-3,Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” (ESV)

feed yourself on Gods word

Part 1: Entering Into Remote Cross Cultural Missions With “Eye’s Wide Open.”

Longevity on the mission field is very important when Christian missionaries engage in cross cultural mission in a remote setting. There are an abundance of short term missions. Missionaries tend to go for a week or two, to some remote places. They end up preaching the gospel and leaving, offering no follow-up or discipleship for any whose hearts were touched. When missionaries go to remote First Nations communities in Northern Canada, short term missions are considered to be ten years in length. The people who live in communities, yearn for long term missionaries. Some have asked visiting missionaries, “Are you going to leave?” or, “When are you coming back?”  People in these communities need ministers of the Gospel who are in it, for the long haul. But it is not easy for missionaries to stay for one, two or three or more decades in the remotes, cross cultural settings.

 

The following is a graph of a cross cultural worker’s timeline. The graph was basically a graph of emotional strength vs. time. In the graph, the initial, emotional “high” of missionary life quickly plummets after the missionaries move to a mission field and face the realities of serving in an isolated, cross cultural setting. Missionaries are well ware of their need for a “home church” support when they are gone. They are aware of the hardships on the kids. They are aware of long winters and being the minority in the community. They know the spiritual hardships that they are entering into. That is why it is imperative to develop the skill set of being able to feed one’s self on the Word of God from the Bible.

cross cultrual workers timeline

From a search on Yahoo images, “serving as senders, graph, cross cultural”

 

Part 2: Four Areas Of Skill Sets Needed By Cross Cultural Missionaries.

 

      Christians on a cross cultural mission need to possess certain skill sets that can help them thrive on the mission field, long term. When we think about skill sets we first think about the skills we have a acquired for a job, interpersonal skills, personal talents, or gifts given to us from God to build up the church. But there is one other, the most important skill set. The skill set that assists in feeding our hearts, minds and spirits with the Word of God from the Bible. Yes, job skills, talents, relational abilities and gifts from God can be used by God on the mission field. But the skill set that is the most valuable for a cross cultural missionary, in a remote setting, is the ability to “self feed” on the word of God. This involves meditating on the Bible and mining the precious gems nestled deep within the sacred text. It means tilling the soil, getting rid of the rocks, thorns and hard surfaces so that the word of God can take deep root, sprout and grow.  (Matt 13:1-23)

 

I agree that people are helpless to feed their souls with the word of God. It is God, by his Spirit, that allows us to accept the word of God, deeply. (Jer 31:31). It is the Gardener that makes the seed sprout and grow and bear abundant fruit. But there are some things that a believer may do to help create an environment in which Jesus can do his life giving work. Preparing our heart soil is one thing. Engaging in spiritual disciplines is another.

 

     This paper will search out the different skill sets that a missionary can possess. They will include the following:

 

First, skills acquired from our jobs.

Second, interpersonal skills.

Third, spiritual skills that God could use to build up the church.

Fourth, the ability to feed one’s self on the word of God.

 

The final skill set, the ability to feed one’s self on the word of God, is the most important skill set to ensure longevity in a remote, cross-cultural mission field. Let’s reflect on what it means to have skill sets that sustain us on the remote mission field.

 

First, skills acquired from our jobs.  The early Christians had many different jobs and skills. Peter and other disciples were fisherman. John ran a fishing business. They could feed themselves and other people. They could manage the new church. Paul was trained as a Pharisee. He was a great speaker. He was highly educated and he knew how to work with his hands. He made tents. Luke was a doctor. Pricilla and Aquila were dealers in textiles.  God worked through the job skills that these people had to build up the church and spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth. But these job skills, did not ensure longevity on the remote mission field.

 

 Second, the early Christian possessed interpersonal skills. Paul was trained to speak. He was able to navigate intellectual and political circles. (Acts 26:2) Believers were blessed with humility born out of their faith. They know that they needed to love their neighbor as themselves (Matt 22:39). They were to lay down their lives for their friends (John 15:13). They were to be humble, gentle and submissive (Eph 4:2) They needed to be ready to wash one another’s feet. That is, bear with one another and forgiving each other endlessly. (John 13:1-17) They knew that they were to be slow to speak and quick to listen. (James 1:19). There were abundant skill sets given to the people of God so that they could strengthen one another and reach out to the unbelieving world. But these do not ensure longevity on the remote mission field either.

 

Third, there were spiritual skills that God could use to build up the church. 1 Corinthians 12:27-28, talk about some of the gifts that people receive from the Lord in order to build up the church. “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. (ESV)  These are skill sets, given by God to build up and expand the church. Each Christian is given unique gifts. These gifts are great to have and use for the glory of God. God uses them to build up his church. But they do not necessarily ensure longevity on the remote, cross cultural mission field.

 

Fourth, the ability to feed one’s self on the word of God.  This is probably the most valuable skill set to ensure longevity in mission field. A missionary can have two PhD’s, be the friendliest person, be trained in several important jobs, but if they can not remain in Jesus, on a day to day basis, they can not last long on the mission field. Don’t get me wrong… we are forgiven sinners, prone to sin and falling away. We stand because Jesus makes us stand. We stand totally by the grace of God. But on the other side of the coin, there are certain spiritual disciplines that we can practice that help to strengthen our relationship with Jesus. Think of them as acts of righteous. Think of them as a means to seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness. (Matt 6:33) They are acts like prayer, mediation on the word of God in the Bible, writing about Christian things, coming together with other missionaries to study God’s word, share their struggles and to pray.

As we fix our eyes on Jesus, God will make the mediation of the Word of God be like honey to our souls. (Psalm 19:7-10) We can dwell in a vine and branch relationship with Jesus, for He is our life source. (John 15:1-17) The day will dawn and the Morning Star will rise in our hearts. (2 Peter 1:19)

 

When a missionary finds themselves in a remote, cross cultural mission field, can the missionary feed themselves on Word of God? Can missionaries nurture and encourage one another spiritually? Can they be self directed, so when there is no other person around them, can they still move forward with Jesus? Are they able to take the initiative in spiritual matters? Can they find strength from the Lord, when the only other Christians around them may be 100 miles away or a few young believers? If the missionaries have a vine and branch relationship with Jesus, daily, they will survive long term and even thrive in the remote, cross cultural setting. Jesus will help us to keep that relationship alive and will and secure. Jesus will help us to have longevity in the mission.

 

Part 3: The Fruit The Is Born In A Missionary’s Life

 

There are many verses in the Bible that show what it means to have some inner skill sets that will help the missionary feed themselves on the word of God.  Here are a few of them. They are from the ESV of the Bible.

 

John 6:35, “Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”

 

John 4:13-14, Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

 

John 6:55-57, “For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me.”

 

2 Timothy 2:15, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”

 

Daniel 6:10,When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.”

 

Psalm 1:1-3,Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”

 

Psalm 119:9-16,How can a young man keep his way pure?  By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 12 Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! 13 With my lips I declare all the rules[c] of your mouth. 14 In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. 16 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.”

 Psalm 119:97, “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.”

Psalm 119:145 With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord! I will keep your statutes.

146 I call to you; save me, that I may observe your testimonies. 147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words. 148 My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise. 149 Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; O Lord, according to your justice give me life.”

 Psalm 119: 169-174,Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word! 170 Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word. 171 My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes. 172 My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right. 173 Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. 174 I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight.”

 

Missionaries, who possess the skill set to feed themselves with the word of God, will rejoice in their spirit. This is a diary entry of Jim Elliot, as he prepared to go to Ecuador, as a cross cultural missionary in a remote setting. His diary entries testify to his vine and branch relationship with Jesus Christ. His heart is overflowing with praise to the one who suffered, died and rose again. His words reveal the fruit of his spiritual life.

 

This is the excerpt of Jim Elliot’s diary. At 23, he was working as a salesman while preparing for God to take him to Ecuador as a missionary. He was developing radio programs to communicate God’s heart for missions.

 

January 16 (1951). “Feel that I must write something tonight in praise to the God of delights. The day passed slowly with little affairs; two conferences for Hytool sales, contract signing for a radio program, some poor script writing, all with a sense of waiting on God for his time, His H-Hour.  All day the sun dropped hints of spring, and at dusk, returning from the shop I exulted in the distinct wall of purple- the Ozark foothills- closely guarded by the unblinking Venus. The night spread black and blossomed brilliantly with stars. I walked out to the hill just now. It is exalting, delicious. To stand embraced by the shadows of a friendly tree with the wind tugging at your tails and the heavens hailing your heart – to gaze and glory to give oneself again to God, what more can a man ask? Oh the fullness, pleasure, sheer excitement of knowing God on earth. I care not if I ever raise my voice again for Him, if only I may love Him, please Him. Mayhap in mercy He shall give me a host of children that I may lead through the vast star fields, to explore his delicacies, whose finger-ends set them to burning. But if not, if only I may see him, touch his garments, and smile into my lover’s eyes-ah, then, not stars, nor children shall matter – only Himself.”     Elisabeth Elliot.  Shadow of the Almighty, Harper and Row, San Francisco,  p. 142.

 

Like Jim Elliot (of the Ecuador 5), we too can be transformed as we dwell in God’s presence.

 

“God will meet you there with the resources of his Holy Spirit, and his presence will sustain you. Ask to see his face, and God will show you his heart. His name will remind you that you belong to Him, and His compassion will carry you.”

 

  1. 64 Bill Mills & Craig Parro. Finishing Well In Life And Ministry. Leadership Resources International. 1997. Palos Heights Illinois.

 

Part 4: Concluding Remarks

 

We spend our entire lives acquiring skill sets. We want to be able to survive and thrive in this world. Along our journey we acquire skills in at least four areas. First, skills acquired from our jobs; second, interpersonal skills; third, spiritual skills that God could use to build up the church and fourth, the ability to feed one’s self on the word of God. The first three sets of skills do not ensure longevity on the remote, cross cultural mission field. But the ability to feed oneself on the word of God from the Bible, until the words of God are like honey to your soul, is the most valuable skill set to the missionary. It is nothing you can procure on your own. It is a skill set given by God to strengthen his servants. But you apply spiritual disciplines to your life, like Bible study and prayer. God will bless you and one day you can be like the person in Psalm 1 and “…delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”

 




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