Refreshing Daily
in God’s Word
Emphasis on
November 2020
Let us see JE
Pray specifically
Give cheerfully
Encourage compassionately
Sent Out Ones
November 1
Bible Reading: Acts 13:1-12
Key Verse: Verse 3 - “And when they had fasted and
prayed, and laid their hands on them, they
sent them away.”
Key Words: sent away
You do not find the words missions or missionary in
the Bible, but you certainly find the teaching of missions. The
word missionary means sent out ones. Missions is the
lifeblood of the church. The church isn’t about great buildings
or fine programs or even athletics. The church has a mission
to send forth men and women into the field, for they are white
unto harvest.
William Carey, the great missionary of India, said to a
body of people, “I will go down if you will hold the ropes.” It’s
a great idea. It’s a great mental picture. “I’ll go into the caves,
I’ll go into the places where you will never go, but you must
hold the ropes. I’ll go down if you’ll hold on. I’ll go if you are
here holding fast, holding tight.” We must send forth but we
must also supply the needs for the missionaries to carry out
their mission.
A famous artist once was asked to paint a picture of a
dying church. It was expected that he would paint a small and
humble congregation in a dilapidated building. Instead, he
painted a stately edifice with a rich pulpit and magnificent
windows – and near the door, an offering box, marked
“Missions,” with the contribution slot blocked by cobwebs.
Need I say more!
What to do:
✞ Get involved with your church missions program.
✞ Pray for our missionaries of the day: Gary and Kathy
Ashley to Puerto Rico; and Franklin and Brenda Booth
to Panama.
No Reservations
No Retreats
No Regrets
November 2
Bible Reading: II Timothy 4:1-8
Key Verse: Verse 7 – “I have fought a good fight, I
have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
Key Words: I have finished my course
In verse seven you find a three-point outline that will
provide: the fight, the finish, the faith...or...life is war, life is
winning, and life has its weapons.
Most of you would agree that the Apostle Paul was one
of the greatest, if not the greatest, missionary of all time.
From the time you begin to read about Paul’s call from God
(Acts 9) to the time of his death, you can see Paul had no
reservations, no retreats, and no regrets.
In 1904 William Borden, heir to the Borden Dairy
Estate, graduated from a Chicago high school a millionaire.
His parents gave him a trip around the world. Traveling
through Asia, the Middle East, and Europe gave Borden a
burden for the world’s hurting people. Writing home, he said,
“I’m going to give my life to prepare for the mission field.”
When he made this decision, he wrote in the back of his Bible
two words: No Reservations. Turning down high paying job
offers after graduation from Yale University, he entered two
more words in his Bible: No Retreats. Completing studies at
Princeton Seminary, Borden sailed for China to work with
Muslims, stopping first at Egypt for some preparation. While
there he was stricken with cerebral meningitis and died within
a month. A waste, you say! Not in God’s plan. In his Bible
underneath the words: No Reservations and No Retreats, he
had written the words: No Regrets.
The key to success in God’s service is No Reservations,
No Retreats; and you’ll serve with No Regrets.
What to do:
✞ Pray for our missionaries of the day: Mel Brown,
Furlough Relief; and Preston and Wendy Cronan to
the United Kingdom.
********************
No Passing Shadow
November 3
Bible Reading: Isaiah 6
Key Verse: Verse 8 “Also I heard the voice of the
Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for
us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”
Key Words: Here am I; send me
Truly we must reach the place in life that we fully
comprehend that only what’s done for Christ will last. This
can only be done as we see and realize that God is Holy, Holy,
Holy.
In his book Facing Loneliness J. Oswald Sanders
writes, “The round of pleasure or the amassing of wealth are
but vain attempts to escape from the persistent ache. The
millionaire is usually a lonely man and the comedian is often
more unhappy than his audience.”
Sanders goes on to emphasize that being successful
often fails to produce satisfaction. Then he refers to Henry
Martyn, a distinguished scholar, as an example of what he is
talking about. Martyn, a Cambridge University student, was
honored at only 20 years of age for his achievements in
mathematics. In fact, he was given the highest recognition
possible in that field. And yet he felt an emptiness inside. He
said that instead of finding fulfillment in his achievements, he
had “only grasped a shadow.”
After evaluating his life’s goals, Martyn sailed to India
as a missionary at the age of 24. When he arrived, he prayed,
“Lord, let me burn out for You.” In the next seven years that
preceded his death, he translated the New Testament into
three difficult Eastern languages. These notable achievements
were certainly not “passing shadows.”
Truly, only what’s done for Christ will be lasting.
Everything else is but a passing shadow.
What to do:
✞ Remember our missionaries of the day: Stephen and
Charlotte Byrd to Ecuador; and Jordan and Celeste
Gazaway to India.
********************
Someone Has To Live
November 4
Bible Reading: Philippians 4:10-23
Key Verse: Verse 15 -“ Now ye Philippians know also,
that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed
from Macedonia, no church communicated with me
as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.”
Key Words: no church communicated with me as
concerning giving and receiving, but ye only
Paul had gone to the mission field. He was doing what
God had called him to do; and evidently, the only church that
was holding up their end of the bargain in supporting Paul
financially was the church at Philippi. What a shame!
Now, we can’t all go to a foreign mission field; but we
all can and should give so others can go.
A young man accepted for the African missionary field
reported at New York for “passage,” but found on further
examination that his wife could not stand the climate. He was
heartbroken, but he prayerfully returned to his home and
determined to make all the money he could to be used in
spreading the Kingdom of God over the world. His father, a
dentist, had started to make, on the side, an unfermented
wine for the communion service. The young man took the
business over and developed it until it assumed vast
proportions...his name was “Welch,” whose family still
manufactures “grape juice.” He has given literally hundreds
of thousands of dollars to the work of missions.
God may not have called you to go but he has called
you to give. So are you fulfilling your call?
What to do:
✞ Pray for your missionaries of the day: Eric and
Stephanie Chapman to Moldova; and Nathan and
Christine Saint to Chile.
********************
Isn’t This What Misisions Is?
November 5
Reading: John 4:5-30
Key Verse: Verse 29 – “Come, see a man, which told me
all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?”
Key Words: Come, see a man
Philip Schaff, the great church historian, wrote an
eight-volume set of books covering the entire sweep of church
history. In referring to the growth of the Kingdom in the post-
apostolic era, this is what he says:
Christianity once established was its own best
missionary. It grew naturally from within. It attracted
people by its very presence. It was a light shining in
darkness and illuminating the darkness. And while there
were no professional missionaries devoting their whole life
to their specific work, every congregation was a missionary
society, and every Christian believer a missionary, inflamed
by the love of Christ to convert his fellow man. The example
had been set at Jerusalem and Antioch, and by those
brethren who, after the martyrdom of Stephen were
scattered abroad and went about preaching the Word.
Justin Martyr was converted by a venerable old man whom
he met walking on the shore of the sea. “Every Christian
laborer,” says Tertullian, “both finds out God and manifests
him... .” Celsus scoffingly remarks that fullers and workers
in wool and leather, rustic and ignorant persons, were the
most zealous propagators of Christianity and brought it first
to women and children. Women and slaves introduced it
into the home circle... . Every Christian told his neighbor, the
laborer to his fellow laborer, the slave to his fellow slave, the
servant to his master and mistress, the story of his
conversion as a mariner tells the story of the rescue from
shipwreck.
Who have we told lately about Jesus? To be more
personal, have you told anyone lately about what Jesus has
done for you in saving your soul?
What to do:
✞ Pray for our missionaries of the day: William and
Terry Sue Craig to Japan; and Robert and Sandy
Frazier to Mexico.
********************
Someone’s Not Listening
November 6
Bible Reading: James 1:1-20
Key Verse: Verse 19 – “Wherefore, my beloved
brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to
speak, slow to wrath.”
Key Words: let every man be swift to hear
D. L. Moody was asked toward the end of his life, “If
you could live life over again, what one thing would you do
differently?” His answer shocked many: “If I could live life
over again, I would do less talking to God and more listening.”
Not bad advice!!
In his book, The Great Omission, Robertson
McQuilkin points out that in the days before William Carey,
the Moravians from Herrnhut considered a support base of
four adequate to keep one missionary at the front. Using that
formula, America’s forty million evangelicals could support
ten million overseas missionaries.
Using a more modern standard it was said that during
World War II fifteen personnel were needed to keep one man
at the front. Using that as a basis, the American fundamental
churches could support a missionary force of 2,666,666.
But fundamental churches of the United States,
perhaps the wealthiest group of Christians in history, now
have about 37,000 career foreign missionaries, about 9,000
of whom are engaged in full-time evangelism.
“The truth is,” says McQuilkin, “less than one percent
of full-time Christian workers are engaged in evangelistic
ministry among the unevangelized of the world. Is this the
way the Commander-in-Chief would assign His troops? Or is
someone not listening?”
Let every man be swift to hear!
What to do:
✞ Pray for our missionaries of the day: James and
Linda Griggers to Austria
********************
No Title
November 7
Bible Reading Matthew 10:34-42
Key Verse: Verse 38 _“And he that taketh not his
cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.”
Key Words: And he that taketh not his cross
Missions isn’t about pleasing me, but glorifying God.
It’s about being faithful disciples.
At the age of 32, Scottish biologist Henry Drummond
went on an exploratory venture into Africa. He visited the
grave of David Livingstone, he saw missionaries laid low with
tropical diseases, and he became ill with a raging fever that
lasted for a month. He returned home with a greater depth of
character, a profound compassion for the lost, and a new
resolve to give himself to the service of his Master. To
Drummond, meditating upon the suffering of Jesus Christ
and seeing firsthand the sacrifice of those devoted servants
helped him become a dedicated disciple.
Now, discipleship to Christ doesn’t call for an unwise
fanaticism that invites persecution or that sees virtue in
suffering. But to follow our Lord, we must have the right
priorities. Our motivation comes when we, like Drummond,
reflect upon the price Christ paid for our redemption and
think about the faithful servants of God who have given
themselves unreservedly to His service.
In sharp contrast to this and to Jesus’ emphasis upon
the high cost of following Him, some preachers assure their
listeners that living for Christ guarantees health, wealth, and
happiness. Then too, thousands who profess faith in Jesus
attend church and live decent lives, but they are so conformed
to this world that they neither impress nor offend anyone.
Think about these questions: If we lived in the first century,
would the ungodly be throwing us to the lions? Burning us at
the stake? Let’s never forget that discipleship is costly.
What to do:
✞ Pray for our missionaries of the day: Coleman and
Belinda Gabbard to New Zealand; and Mike and
Kristen Gali to Chile.
White Unto Harvest
November 8
Bible Reading: John 4:27-30
Key Verse: Verse 35 -“ Say not ye, There are yet four
months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto
you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they
are white already to harvest.”
Key Words: for they are white already to harvest
Did you know the following in regard to the earth?
Area: 197 million square miles; 29.2% land,
70.8% water.
Population: 6 billion in 2000. It was 4.7
billion in 1980. It was 1.6 billion in 1900.
Languages: Over 900 million people speak
Chinese; 400 million speak English; then comes
Hindustani, Russian, Spanish, Arabic, German,
Portuguese, Japanese, French, Italian and numerous
dialects.
Economy: Population growth is rampant in
most third-world nations, such as Africa, Asia, and
South America which is one human cause of a poor
economy in those nations. Third-world nations are
those not aligned with the Western or Eastern blocs –
oil dictates most countries’ economic level.
Politics: Dictatorships are the most rampant
form of politics. This occurs in your Middle Eastern,
African and Asian countries, which has a great impact
on our mission endeavors to take God’s Word into
these areas.
Religion: 1 billion people claim to be secular
atheists. 780 million Muslims. 725 million Catholics.
560 million Hindus. 387 million Protestants. (This
includes Baptists which are not really Protestants.)
331 million Buddhists. 325 million Confucians. 186
million Eastern Orthodox. 66 million Animists. 55
million Shintoists. 18 million Jews.
Surely the fields are white unto harvest.
Will you pray about going? Will you pray about giving
financially so others can go?
What to do:
✞ Pray for our missionaries of the day: Kelly and
Rebekah Gilliam to Australia.
********************
Missions – The Giving of
Yourself
November 9
Bible Reading: II Corinthians 8:1-12
Key Verse: Verse 5 - “And this they did, not as we
hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and
unto us by the will of God.”
Key Words: but first gave their own selves to the
Lord
A pastor in a rural community wanted to see if a
farmer in his church was willing to support the Lord’s work.
As they were walking along one day, the pastor decided to ask
him some direct questions. “If you had two farms,” he said,
“would you be willing to give one to the Lord?” The farmer
didn’t hesitate. “Why, Pastor, you know if I had two farms, I’d
be glad to give one to the Lord.” The pastor asked another
question, “If you had $10,000, would you give $5,000 to the
Lord?” Again, there was no hesitation, “Why, of course, I
would, Pastor. If I had $10,000, half of it would go right to
the Lord.” The pastor had one more question, “If you had two
hogs,” he said, “would you give one to the Lord?” This time
there was a lengthy pause. Finally, the farmer replied, “Aw,
Pastor, you know I’ve got two hogs!”
It was easy for the farmer to talk of giving so
generously as long as it was something out of his reach. But
when it came down to what he really did have, he wasn’t
willing to part with it. He hadn’t learned to be a cheerful
giver. You see, God expects us to give out of the abundance of
what He has blessed us with. According to I Corinthians 16:2,
each of us is to give according as God has prospered us. But
how can we give cheerfully? The key to this is found in II
Corinthians 8:1-5, where Paul commended the churches of
Macedonia for their willingness to give. Verse 5 tells us that,
before they gave financially, they first gave their own selves
to the Lord. If you want to be a cheerful giver, first give
yourself to the Lord, and your giving will be from a heart of
love.
What to do:
✞ Pray for our missionaries of the day: Bob and
Suzanne Hall to Mexico; Elaine Hawkins to Lansing
Kansas.
********************
Missionaries in Peril
November 10
Bible Reading: II Corinthians 11:21-33
Key Verse: Verse 26 –“ In journeyings often, in perils
of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine
own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils
in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the
sea, in perils among false brethren;”
Key Words: in perils
We need to pray daily for missionaries who daily live
in peril so others can come to a saving knowledge of Jesus
Christ.
John G. Paton, a missionary to the South Sea Islands,
often lived in danger as he worked among the hostile
aborigines who had never heard the gospel. At one time three
witch doctors, claiming to have the power to cause death,
publicly declared their intentions to kill Paton with their
sorcery before the next Sunday. To carry out their threat, they
said they needed some food he had partially eaten. Paton
asked for three plums. He took a bite out of each and then
gave them to the men who were plotting his death.
On Sunday, the missionary entered the village with a
smile on his face and a spring in his step. The people looked
at each other in amazement, thinking it couldn’t possibly be
Paton. Their “sacred men” admitted that they had tried by all
their incantations to kill him. When asked why they had
failed, they replied that the missionary was a sacred man like
themselves, but that his God was stronger than theirs. From
then on Paton’s influence grew, and soon he had the joy of
leading some of the villagers to the Lord.
What to do:
✞Pray for our missionaries of the day: Ty and Rebecca
Pepperdine to China.
********************
A Part of the Ministry
November 11
Bible Reading: I Thessalonians 5:14-28
Key Verse: Verse 25 – “Brethren, pray for us.”
Key Words: pray for us
The key to having a heart for missions is totally
throwing yourself into mission work.
A man I met spoke intimately of a certain section of
China; he mentioned specific towns and villages, certain
missionaries in various stations and the names of Chinese
pastors. I asked when he had been in China, and he replied
that he had never been there. Years before, his college
roommate had gone there as a missionary; they had
corresponded regularly, writing once a month, and he had
spent a great deal of time praying for his friend. He marked
on maps the trips his friend described in his letters. He
dotted his map with marks identifying churches and chapels;
he memorized the names of believers about whom the
missionary wrote. He supported the work with his gifts, sent
special sums for special needs, helped to educate some of the
young men of the region and daily lifted his heart to God in
prayer for what had become his ministry as well.
So let me encourage you to make missions a part of
your daily life. Make it a ministry to minister to the
missionaries.
What to do:
✞ Pray for Frank and Joan Jones to Mexico.
********************
Pray for Our Missionaries
November 12
Bible Reading: Romans 12:10-19
Key Verse: Verse 12 – “Rejoicing in hope; patient in
tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”
Key Words: continuing instant in prayer
Just as you are comforted by knowing someone is
praying for you, others are comforted by knowing you are
praying for them. For this purpose we share prayer requests
one with another that we may pray effectively. With this
thought in mind, let us dedicate ourselves to pray for our
missionaries. Let me suggest to you some things you can pray
for and about concerning our missionaries.
Pray for the missionaries’ spiritual well-being and
that the fruit of the Spirit would be evident in their
lives.
As missionaries face new challenges almost daily,
pray that they will have wisdom and knowledge for
each situation.
Pray that the missionaries will be lovingly
courageous and that those who hear the gospel
message will have ears to hear and a heart to
respond.
Pray for steadfastness. Often fruit is slow in
developing in these foreign countries.
Pray for their families as they adjust and adhere to
a new culture.
Pray for protection as our missionaries are on the
spiritual battle front in the heat of the battle.
Pray for their physical needs: finances, food,
housing, health, etc. Our missionaries need good
health and strength to do the work God has called
them to do.
As you pray, ask God to increase your vision and
burden for the lost world. May God call to your remembrance
our missionaries as you daily come before His throne in
prayer.
What to do:
✞ Pray for Kedesh and Stacy Jerome to the French
West Indies
********************
A Family Mission
November 13
Bible Reading: Joshua 24:1-18
Key Verse: Verse 15 – “And if it seem evil unto you to
serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will
serve; whether the gods which your fathers served
that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of
the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and
my house, we will serve the LORD.”
Key Words: But as for me and my house, we will
serve the Lord
Winter is rapidly approaching and thoughts of the
holidays are at the forefront of our minds. This is the season
we think about family. Many of you will pack up your
suitcases and load up your vehicle and head off to see Mom or
Grandmother. But how likely is it that any of us will pack our
suitcases and load up our car and head off, not knowing where
we are going? If you don’t know where you are going, what do
you tell Junior when he asks, “Are we there yet?” Well, it’s
hard to tell since you’re not sure where you are going--which
leads me to the point of this devotion: where is your family
heading? As you travel together on this journey called life,
how do you want your family to travel and where do you want
them to end up? Have you ever considered a “Family Mission
Statement,” something to guide you on this journey called
life? A “Family Mission Statement” should clarify your values,
goals, and principles in life, something to guide you down the
road of life, some standards by which you make your
decisions.
Here are some questions to ask as you think about how
you want to reach your destination.
What do you want your kids to remember about
you as parents (or you as a single parent)?
What do you want others to see in your family?
How does your family communicate, both in
conflict and in peace?
What values do you want your children to have?
How will your children understand God’s character
as seen through your examples?
So go ahead and write out (if you’ve not already done
so) your “Family Mission Statement” as to what you want to
accomplish in your family in this life for the glory of God.
What to do:
✞ Pray for our missionaries: Lisa Kendrick and Keith
and Julia Klaus to Germany.
********************
Missions-Minded People
November 14
Bible Reading: Acts 8:26-35
Key Verse: Verse 30 – “And Philip ran thither to him,
and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said,
Understandest thou what thou readest?”
Key Words: And Philip ran thither to him
As you read the verses in our Scripture reading for
today, we see three things that make up a missions-minded
person.
First, missions-minded people are hearers (verse 26,
“spake unto [him]”). Secondly, missions-minded people are
heeders (verse 27, “And he arose and went”). Thirdly,
missions-minded people are helpers (verses 29 to 31).
When we are hearers, heeders, and helpers, we are
God’s servants assisting in the rescuing of those who are
perishing.
One time Fanny Crosby, the blind hymn writer, visited
the McAuley Mission in New York. She asked if there was a
boy there who had no mother, and “if he would come up and
let her lay her hand on his head.” A motherless fellow came
up, and she put her arms about him and kissed him. She went
from that meeting and wrote: “Rescue the perishing, care for
the dying, snatch them in pity from sin and the grave. Weep
o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen, tell them of Jesus the
mighty to save.”
Some time later, when Mr. Sankey was about to sing
this song in St. Louis, he related the incident. A man sprang
to his feet in the audience and said, “I am the boy she kissed
that night. I was never able to get away from the impression
made by that touching act, I have become a Christian.”
Today someone somewhere needs a missions-minded
person to go tell them of God’s saving grace.
What to do:
✞ Pray for our missionaries: Sean and Stephanie
Lunday to Brazil.
********************
The Joy of Giving
November 15
Bible Reading: Luke 6:27-38
Key Verse: Verse 38 – “Give, and it shall be given
unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken
together, and running over, shall men give into your
bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete
withal it shall be measured to you again.”
Key Words: Give and it shall be given unto you
Stephen Olford relates the following story in his book,
The Grace of Giving. “My father served the Lord for thirty
years in Angola, West Africa. Throughout that whole period
he was never on salary. In fact, he had no guarantee from one
month to another that financial support would be
forthcoming. But, thank God he never lacked! He not only
maintained the overhead costs of a missionary program, but
he also brought up his family which included three boys. In
later years when he returned home, he discovered people all
over who had sacrificed greatly to support his work. In almost
every case, these people had been blessed by his ministry but
had chosen to remain anonymous. If these people had been
weary in well doing, what would have happened to a lonely
missionary and his family in the heart of Africa?”
I believe prayer is us pouring our heart out to God. Giving is
letting God pour out His heart to others through us.
Supposing today were your last on earth,
The last mile of your journey you’ve trod.
After all of your struggles, how much are you worth?
How much could you take home to God?
Don’t count on possessions, your silver and gold,
For tomorrow you leave them behind.
And all that is yours to have and to hold,
Are the blessings you’ve given – Keep that in mind.
Just what have you done on your journey along
That was really and truly worthwhile?
Do you feel you’ve done good and returned it for wrong,
Could you look o’er your life with a smile?
What to do:
✞ Pray for our missionaries: Tony and Kim Ledbetter
to Haiti; and Matt and Sarah Litson to New
Brunswick, French Canada.
********************
Mission Possible
November 16
Bible Reading: Acts 11:22-30
Key Verse: Verse 24 – “For he was a good man, and
full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people
was added unto the Lord.”
Key Words: full of the Holy Ghost
I do believe that prayer and financial giving are
essential to a church missions program being successful. But
before a church can be “successful” at missions, we, as church
members, must be willing to be used by God. For the
missions program of the church to be prosperous, we need to
do three things.
First, have a faith that is obvious (Acts 11:24).
Barnabas was full of the Holy Ghost. And when you are full of
the Holy Ghost, you will have a song in your heart, a thankful
spirit, and a submissive spirit. Then your faith will be
obvious.
Secondly, we need to have a spirit that is contagious
(Acts 11:26).
Thirdly, we need to have power with a purpose (Acts
11:23).
Our church missions program can reach more souls
for Christ and send more missionaries around the world if we
would pray, give, but also put our faith into action. Develop a
spirit of missions which is contagious and have a strong,
purposeful heart toward missions.
John W. Gardner, founding chairman of Common
Cause, said it’s a rare and high privilege to help people
understand the difference they can make – not only in their
own lives, but also in the lives of others, simply by giving of
themselves.
Gardner tells of a cheerful old man who asked the
same question of just about every new acquaintance he fell
into conversation with: “What have you done that you believe
in and you are proud of?”
He never asked conventional questions such as, “What
do you do for a living?” It was always, “What have you done
that you believe in and you are proud of?”
So let me close by asking, “What have you done that
you believe in and you are proud of?”
What to do:
✞ Pray for our missionaries: Frank and Jennie Maietta
to Italy; and Travis and Sarah Medeiros to Hawaii.
Religious Oppressors
November 17
Bible Reading: Hebrews 11:32-40
Key Verse: Verse 37 – “They were stoned, they were
sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the
sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and
goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;”
Key Words: afflicted, tormented
The U.S. Commission on International Religious
Freedom (USCIRF) recently released a report which stated
that the Sudan, China, and Russia head the list of nations in
oppressing the religious rights of its people. Russia, according
to the report, is at a crossroads and whatever route it takes
will have a tremendous impact on all European nations.
In Sudan the situation is beyond horrible. More than
two million Christians have been put to death because of their
faith in Jesus Christ. In recent days my heart has been
burdened for the people of Sudan (thus one of the reasons for
this devotion). Since no one is allowed to go in Sudan (that is,
no missionaries) reports are sketchy, to say the least, but we
know the oppression is great.
China in recent times has begun again to persecute
Christians. Many Christians who allow meetings to take place
in their homes have been imprisoned for life. (Churches are
not allowed in China so they meet in homes.)
Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister of Russia, issued a
decree that any group not licensed by the state must be
“liquidated.”
We are certainly living in the last of the last days.
Satan and his demonic forces are busier than ever. We must
get God’s Word out here in our Jerusalem that Jesus saves;
but we must also see that all men, women, boys and girls
around the world have the opportunity to hear the gospel as
well. Will you pray, give, encourage, and even go out in your
community and tell others?
What to do:
✞ Pray for our missionaries: Bob and Iara Nichols to
Brazil; and Marlin and Lisa Peterson to Uganda.
********************
What Others Have Said
November 18
Bible Reading: Romans 15:18-28
Key Verse: Verse 23 – “But now having no more place
in these parts, and having a great desire these many
years to come unto you;”
Key Words: But now
You may think it strange that I use the two words but
now. I use the two words but now as the key words to our
Scripture reading for today. But they are vital and impressive
words. The question is, “But now, today, where do you stand
in the area of missions?”
Below I have listed ten statements that have impacted
my life in the area of missions. I pray they will impact you as
well.
1. Part of the reason we are not praying (for
missions) is that we have no investment there,
either personally or monetarily.
2. Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church –
the glory of God is; but where you find the glory of
God, you will always find missions.
3. Giving to missions is not an obligation, it’s an
opportunity.
4. Missions is important to God. The way we know
that is that Jesus was a foreign missionary.
5. Missions is important to God. We know because
every New Testament book was written by a
missionary or about missionaries.
6. Every believer needs a Biblical world view that
dominates their life decisions.
7. My greatest fear for our church is not failure. It is
that we will learn to succeed in areas that matter
not to God.
8. Parents want the best for their children. This
usually consists in the best that money can buy,
not being in and doing the will of God.
9. So far as the fundamental believing church is
concerned, there is probably no other group our
size and age that is doing less to reach the
unreached world.
10. The reason so few care about missions is that
missions requires that we live, not for self, but for
Christ.
What to do:
✞Pray for our missionaries: Bob and Sandy Piatt to
Japan.
********************
The Missionary Applicant
November 19
Bible Reading: James 4:1-8
Key Verse: Verse 6 –“But he giveth more grace.
Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but
giveth grace unto the humble.
Key Words: But giveth grace unto the humble
There is a story in regard to missionaries I love to tell.
It goes like this.
At three o’clock one wintry morning, a missionary
candidate climbed the steps to the examiner’s house. He was
shown into the study where he waited until eight o’clock for
an interview.
Upon arriving, the old clergyman proceeded to ask
questions. “Can you spell?” “Yes, sir,” was the reply. “All
right – spell baker.” “Baker: b-a-k-e-r.” “Fine. Now do you
know anything about figures?” the examiner inquired. “Yes,
sir – something.” “How much is two times two?” “Four,”
replied the lad.
“That’s splendid,” returned the old man. “I believe you
have passed. I’ll see the board tomorrow.”
At the board meeting the man admitted his account of
the interview. “He has all the qualifications of a missionary,”
he began.
“First, I tested him on self-denial. I told him to be at
my house at three o’clock in the morning. He left a warm bed
and came out in the cold without a word of complaint.
“Second, I tried him out on promptness. He appeared
on time.
“Third, I examined him on patience. I made him wait
five hours to see me after telling him to come at three.
“Fourth, I tested him on temper. He failed to show
any sign of it; he didn’t even question my delay.
“Fifth, I tried his humility. I asked him questions that
a five year-old child could answer, and he showed no
indignation. So you see, I believe this lad meets the
requirements. He will make the missionary we need.”
So he would – but he will still need the financial
support from churches!
What to do:
✞Pray for our missionaries: Tom and Addie Rooney to
England; and Jean and Sherley Rousseau to Canada.
That’s What Missions Is
November 20
Bible Reading: Acts 19:1-12
Key Verse: Verse 2 –“He said unto them, Have ye
received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they
said unto him, We have not so much as heard
whether there be any Holy Ghost.”
Key Words: We have not so much as heard
At the seminary there was a custom that the President
could call on any student on any day for the morning chapel
sermon. One young man was petrified, and each day he
dreaded going to chapel for fear he would be called upon.
Sure enough, one day the President rose, looked over the
audience, pointed directly at him, and said, “Young man, you
are to preach our sermon today.”
The student rose, but as he ascended to the platform,
he was a nervous wreck. Looking over the congregation, he
couldn’t speak. His mouth was dry, his knees were knocking,
his hands were sweaty, his mind was reeling, and he felt he
had a biscuit stuck in his throat. Finally he stammered, “How
many of you know what I’m going to say today?” Nobody
raised a hand. “Then neither do I,” he said, and sat down.
The next day as the students filed into chapel, the
President again pointed to the young man, giving him a
second chance. But again, the young man was gripped with
fear. His hands and knees shaking, with a trembling voice he
said, “How many of you know what I’m going to say today?”
This time they all raised their hands. “Then,” he said, “if you
already know, I don’t need to tell you;” and he went and
promptly sat down.
The President of the seminary was angry, but he
decided to give the young man one last chance. The next day,
he again called on the student, and this time the student was
more nervous than ever before. His mouth was thick and dry,
and he felt as though he was going to faint. At last he
muttered, “How many of you know what I’m going to say
today?” This time half raised their hands and the other half
did not. “Then,” he said, “those of you who know, please tell
those who don’t know.”
And that’s what missions is – those who know telling
those who don’t! So be a missionary and go tell those who
don’t know about Jesus.
What to do:
✞Pray for our missionaries: Dan and Jennifer Post to
New Brunswick, French Canada; and Scottie and
Darlene Rackley to Madagascar.
********************
His Last Request
November 21
Bible Reading: Mark 16:9-18
Key Verse: Verse 15 – “And he said unto them, Go ye
Into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature.”
Key Words: Go ye into all the world, and preach
the gospel to every creature
A minister who had recently been called to a
prosperous church was met by a prominent woman of the
church who said to him, “Doctor, I do not believe in foreign
missions.” The minister was grieved, but said nothing. A few
weeks later, when the congregation was gathered about the
Communion table, he took occasion to read the Master’s final
words to the disciples. “The last words of our friends,” said
the pastor, “are always precious. It affects us to know what
chiefly weighs on their hearts as they are about to leave us.
Any message or commission they give us then, we would
rather do anything than to fail to heed or execute. It has
always impressed me that the thing which weighed most on
our Saviour’s heart as He was taking His departure, was the
world of sinners for which He had died; and the very last
request He made of His friends was that they should ‘go into
all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.’”
Shortly after the close of the service, the same lady
approached the pastor, and with tears in her eyes she said,
“Doctor, I do believe in foreign missions.”
Since missions was the very heartbeat of Jesus,
shouldn’t missions be our heartbeat as well?
What to do:
✞ Pray for our missionaries to Mexico: Charles and
Jurldeen Strong, and Nick and Patty Sutmaier.
********************
What If
November 22
Bible Reading: Proverbs 11:24-31
Key Verse: Verse 30 – “The fruit of the righteous is a
tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”
Key Words: he that winneth souls is wise
Would you not agree with me that being a witness for
Jesus is not just of supreme importance but it is the most
important thing that we as believers can do?
The elementary students often sing a little song called
“Be A Missionary.” The words go like this, “Be a missionary
everyday. Tell the world that Jesus is the Way. The Lord is
soon returning, there is no time to lose; so be a missionary,
God’s own emissary, be a missionary today.”
I read the following story which certainly illustrates
the importance of being a witness.
Bill Faye, an evangelist who was a guest speaker at a
church on Sunday, September 9, 2001, returned to his home
in Denver on Monday, September 10. On his American airline
flight he saw a stewardess breaking up ice with a wine bottle.
He got up from his seat and asked her if there wasn’t another
way she could more safely do it. He said he was afraid she
would hurt herself. She was moved that he was so concerned.
He then gave her a gospel tract to read when she had a spare
moment. A short time later she found Bill and told him that
this was the sixth gospel tract she had received from someone.
“What does God want from me?” she asked. Bill responded,
“Your life.” A few minutes later he was praying with her to
accept Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. After the
terrible attack on America on September 11, Bill looked up the
names of those on American Airlines Flight 11, the first plane
that crashed into the World Trade Center. The stewardess’s
name was listed. On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, she
entered into the eternal presence of her Lord and Savior!
What if Bill Faye had not witnessed to the stewardess?
What if we never witness? What if!
What to do:
✞Pray for our missionaries: Julio and Andrea
Velasquez to Spain; and Kevin and Beth White to
Bolivia.
********************
How Long Since Jesus Died?
November 23
Bible Reading: John 3:1-16
Key Verse: Verse 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.”
Key Words: that he gave his only begotten Son
Familiarity breeds contempt!! We are so familiar with
John 3:16 that we tend to ignore the great truth that Jesus
came so men and women, boys and girls of every nation and
nationality could be saved.
Which raises the questions...if the gospel is as valuable
as we say it is, why have we failed to both give and send “into
all the world?”
An aged Mohammedan woman in Bengal asked: “How
long is it since Jesus died for sinful people? Look at me; I am
old; I have prayed, given alms, gone to the holy shrines,
become as dust from fasting, and all this is useless. Where
have you been all this time?”
The same cry was echoed from the icy shores of the
farthest Northwest Territory. An old Eskimo said to the
Bishop of Selkirk, “You have been many moons in this land.
Did you know this good news then? Since you were a boy?
And your father knew? Then why did you not come sooner?”
Again, in the snowy heights of the Andes, a Peruvian
asked, “How is it that during all the years of my life I have
never heard that Jesus spoke those precious words?”
It was repeated in the white streets of Casablanca,
North Africa. Said a Moor to a Bible seller, “Why have you not
run everywhere with this Book? Why do so many of my
people not know of the Jesus Whom it proclaims? Why have
you hoarded it to yourselves? Shame on you!”
A missionary in Egypt was telling a woman the story of
the love of Jesus, and at the close the woman said, “It is a
wonderful story. Do the women in your country believe it?”
“Yes!” said the missionary. After a moment’s reflection came
the reply, “I don’t think they can believe it, or they would not
have been so long in coming to tell us.”
Good question! The answer is two-fold: 1) a lack of
people willing to go; and 2) a lack of people willing to pay the
price financially for others to go!! What a shame!
What to do:
✞ Pray for our missionaries: Frankie and Sandra
Sheridan to the Chippewa Indians; and Ben and Katie
Shore to Scotland.
Going, But Not Knowing
November 24
Bible Reading: Acts 20:17-31
Key Verse: Verse 22 – “And now, behold, I go bound
in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things
that shall befall me there:”
Key Words: not knowing the things that shall
befall me there
Paul, standing on an Asian beach, is saying goodbye to
his friends. Several of them weep freely and openly, realizing
they would never see him again (at least not on this earth).
The apostle looked from man to man, then looking out to sea,
utters the following words: And now, behold I go bound in
the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall
befall me there: Acts 20:22.
What an honest confession! I am going, yet I do not
know what will happen to me. Now, isn’t that what the
Christian life is all about? Going, yet not knowing: not
necessarily logical, not explainable, but very clear, at least to
us. There isn’t a Christian reading this devotion who hasn’t
walked down that path before! Abraham certainly had faced
this thing of going and not knowing. By faith Abraham when
he was called to go out into a place which he should after
receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not
knowing whither he went.
Some years back while in Washington, D.C., I talked
with a Christian school teacher who was making $20,000 a
year. Just the year before he had made $100,000, but he said,
“God called and I followed, not knowing how my family would
make it.” Are you on the verge of such a decision? Whether it
be a missionary, a pastor, or even a Christian school teacher,
let me suggest the following.
1. Be sure your decision doesn’t contradict
Scripture.
2. Be sure your decision is unselfish in its motive.
3. Be sure it is the Lord speaking.
What to do:
✞ Pray for our missionaries:
Ron White to Japan and
around the world; and Maurice and Sherry Young to
Taiwan.
********************
Others Desire the Word
November 25
Bible Reading: I Peter 2:1-10
Key Verse: Verse 2 - “As newborn babes, desire the
sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”
Key Words: desire the...word
In some places of the world missionaries face a
shortage of Bibles and gospel tracts. There are ministries
such as First Bible and The Gospel Tract Association which
provide these for the missionaries, but the cost to have such a
ministry can be overwhelming. But again, the need is great.
Robert Moffat, the great missionary to Africa, once
told this story. “A woman came to me after having walked
fifteen miles, and said that she wished for a New Testament.
I said to her: ‘My good woman, there is not a copy to
be had.’
‘What! Must I return empty-handed?’
‘I fear you must.’
‘Oh,’ she said, ‘I borrowed a copy once, but the owner
came and took it away, and now I sit with my family sorrowful
because we have no Book to talk to us. Now we are far from
anyone else. We are living at a cattle outpost with no one to
teach us but the Book. Oh, go try to find a Book! Oh, my
brother, do go and try to find a Book for me! Surely there is
one to be found. Do not let me go back empty!’
“I felt deeply sorry for her, for she spoke so earnestly,
and I said: ‘Wait a little, and I will see what I can do.’ I
searched here and there and at last found a copy and brought
it to the good woman. Oh, if you could have seen how her eyes
brightened, how she clasped my hands and kissed them over
and over again. Away she went with the Book, rejoicing with a
heart overflowing with gratitude.”
The need is great. The answer is God using you to
meet the need.
What to do:
✞ Pray for our missionaries: David and Joy Speights to
Thailand; and Stephen and Lynn Spore to Vanuatu.
********************
Be A Witness
November 26
Bible Reading: Luke 24:36-49
Key Verse: Verse 48 – “And ye are witnesses of these
things.”
Key Words: And ye are witnesses of these things
Did you witness to anyone last week? Do you
understand the supreme importance of being a witness for the
Lord?
Mark J. Goodger made it a weekly practice to hand out
tracts from door to door. One day in South Carolina he
stopped at a house and rang the bell. Because he heard
sounds inside, he knew someone was home; so he kept
ringing, even though no one came. Finally a man appeared,
took the tract he offered, and rudely slammed the door in his
face. A week later, Goodger returned to the same house. This
time the man answered almost immediately. Inviting him in,
he asked him to come to the attic. There he saw a sturdy rope
dangling from the rafters with a box below it. The man said,
“Friend, when you rang my bell last week, my head was in that
noose. I was ready to jump! But you were so persistent that I
decided to go down and see who it was. After receiving your
tract, I read it because its title interested me, and through it
God spoke to me. Instead of jumping off that box, I knelt
beside it and gave my heart to the Lord.” How thankful
Goodger was that he had been diligent in his witnessing!
Without that leaflet the man would have gone into eternity
unsaved.
Everyday souls are literally at stake. Beginning today,
dedicate yourself to being a missionary for God. Witness
daily!!
What to do:
✞Pray for our missionaries: Matthew and Sachiyo
Starin to Japan.
********************
The Unknown God
November 27
Bible Reading: Acts 17:16-31
Key Verse: Verse 23 – “For as I passed by, and beheld
your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription,
TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye
ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.”
Key Words: to the UNKNOWN GOD
I have had the opportunity to visit countries in Asia,
South America, and the Middle East; and the thing that
stands out the most in my mind is their desire to please the
unknown God.
In the hills of Burma among the Palaung tribes are
scores of little homes in which a corner is set apart as a shrine
for the “coming God.” The Rev. A. H. Henderson, M. D.,
describes how these places are swept clean, and no one is
allowed to go into them. At night a light is placed on each
little shrine. Whenever one of the Palaungs, who live in these
hills, is asked why this is done, the answer is always the same,
“It is for the coming God.” Who this God is or where he may
be found they know not, but they live in the hope that some
day he will appear. As on that long-ago day in Athens it was
Paul’s privilege to declare unto the people the one true God,
so it is the privilege of the Christian missionary today to carry
to these dwellers in the hills of Burma the message of Christ.
We must all be missionaries or missionary-helpers.
We must either go or give financially so others can go and tell
all the people of the world who this unknown God truly is.
What to do:
✞Pray for our missionaries: Jon and Katie Stanzak,
Aviator Evangelists Reaching Others.
********************
Where Is Your Treasure?
November 28
Bible Reading: Matthew 6:19-34
Key Verse: Verse 21 – “For where your treasure is,
there will your heart be also”.
Key Words: For where your treasure is, there
will your heart be also
Many years ago a secretary of the British Missionary
Society called upon a Calcutta merchant for an offering to
missions. The merchant wrote out a check for $250 and gave
it to the secretary. But before the secretary left, a cablegram
was given to the merchant. As he read it, a troubled look
clouded his face. He said, “This cablegram informs me that
one of my ships, with its cargo, has gone down at sea. This
loss makes a difference in my affairs. I shall have to write you
another check!”
The secretary said, “I understand,” as he returned the
check for $250.
The merchant, with checkbook still open on his desk,
wrote another check and gave it to the secretary. He was
amazed when he saw it was for $1,000.
“Haven’t you made a mistake?” the secretary asked.
“No,” replied the merchant with tears in his eyes.
“That cablegram was a message from my heavenly Father
which read, ‘Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon
earth...But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...For
where your treasure is, there will your heart be also’(Matthew
6:10-21).”
So where is your treasure? You will know that by
where and how you spend your money.
What to do:
✞ Give and pray for our missionaries: Ron and Loretta
Jones to India; and David and Beth Gates to Egypt.
********************
The Well-Diggers
November 29
Bible Reading: John 4:7-26
Key Verse: Verse 14 – “But whosoever drinketh of the
water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the
water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of
water springing up into everlasting life.”
Key Words: shall be in him a well of water
springing up into everlasting life
John G. Paton was the hero missionary of the New
Hebrides islands in the South Seas. The people were savages,
wore little clothing, and lived in a terrible state of sin. Mr.
Paton had a time at first in getting the people to believe that
he had a message from God.
Finally the water supply ran out on the island because
of a lack of rain. The natives had never seen a well. Paton
proceeded to dig one, and the digging of this well was really
the beginning of the conversion of the people. On beginning
the well, Paton told the chief that he believed God would give
them rain from the hole in the ground. The only fresh water
the natives had was that caught when it rained.
When Paton made this statement, great excitement
prevailed. The chief and others declared that if Paton could
bring rain from the hole in the ground, his must be the true
God.
Finally the missionary, by digging to some depth,
found a spring of living water. The effect upon the people was
wonderful. The old chief asked the privilege of preaching a
sermon at the Sunday services upon the well. This he did,
emphasizing his earnest appeal by excitedly swinging his
tomahawk. In the midst of his sermon he cried, “People of
Aniwa, the world has turned upside down since the Word of
Jehovah has come to this land. Who ever expected to see rain
come up through the earth? From this day I must worship
Him Who has opened up for us this well, and Who fills it with
rain from below.”
During the week following this remarkable sermon
great heaps of idols were burned in front of Paton’s house.
The Christian teaching grew apace, and before many years
there was not a heathen left on the island.
Today, you can do two things: first, you can be a well-
digger by giving out the Word of God; and secondly, you can
send forth well-diggers through your church missions
program. So today, I challenge you – be a well-digger!
What to do:
✞ Pray for our missionaries: John and Janet Pinnix to
the backlands of Alaska.
Hold The Ropes
November 30
Bible Reading: Hebrew 13:1-18
Key Verse: Verse 18 –“Pray for us: for we trust we
have a good conscience, in all things willing to live
honestly.
Key Words: Pray for us
The following story was told by a missionary as he and
his wife were leaving for a part of Africa known as “the white
man’s grave.”
“’My wife and I have a strange dread about going. We
feel much as if we are going down into a pit. We are willing to
take the risk and go if you, our home circle, will promise to
hold the ropes.’ One and all promised. Less than two years
passed when the wife and the little one God had given them
succumbed to the dreaded fever. Soon the husband realized
his days, too, were numbered. Not waiting to send word
home of his coming, he started back home at once and arrived
at the hour of the Wednesday prayer meeting. He slipped in
unnoticed, taking a back seat. At the close of the meeting he
went forward. An awe came over the people, for death was
written on his face. He said, ‘I am your missionary. My wife
and child are buried in Africa and I have come home to die.
This evening I listened anxiously as you prayed for some
mention of your missionary to see if you were keeping your
promise, but in vain! You prayed for everything connected
with yourselves and your home church, but forgot your
missionary. I see now why I am a failure as a missionary. It is
because you have failed to hold the ropes.’”
What to do:
✞ Hold the ropes! Pray for our missionaries: Simon
and Elizabeth Jacobs to Pakistan; and Bruce and
Jeanne Rice to the Philippines.
I deeply appreciate the help of
Mary Parsons
Glenda Myrick
And my lovely wife, Linda
Without God using these
people to help, this devotional
would not have been possible.
Dr. Mike Rouse
is a ministry of
5568 Chalkville Mountain Road
Birmingham, AL. 35235
(205) 854-2741
www.mountainviewbaptist.org
