05 09 08 A DIFFERENT KIND OF PAYCHECK

“Without faith it isn't possible to please God. Those who come to God must believe that he exists. And they must believe that he rewards those who look to him.” (Hebrews 11:6 NIrV)

Biblical faith (Greek pistis) lends the understanding of persuasion, assurance, belief, and conviction based upon hearing. This word is used thirty-two times in Hebrews, and twenty-four times in Hebrews 11 alone! Faith is the confident conviction of, reliance upon, and promise in the character, work, and Word of God. Faith includes firm certainty in acknowledging God’s truth, personal surrender to Him, the conduct inspired by such surrender, and it pleases God.

Faith equips believers to obey God, to take risks, to face mountains of despair, and to endure affliction within difficult circumstances despite unknown consequences. Faith gains God’s endorsement and will be rewarded. “Faith obeys God, pleases God, and will be rewarded!” (Vickie Kraft, Footsteps of Faith; Following the Call, 2006, Biblical Studies Press; reprinted with permission from www.bible.org)

Life as a full-time local / part-time travelling missionary:FAITH!

People still ask us how we do it…why we do it…how long we have been doing it… will we stop doing it….and what is it we really do…what are your hours…do you get paid? Sometimes, to be honest with you, I ask the same things.

Here are my answers:

How? by God’s grace…Why? because He called us… How long? since 1999 (but seems like a lifetime) Will we stop? never, it’s a lifetime call…What do we do? Bring children from at-risk to at-home, by His Word and with His grace…Hours? we are on-call, the hours vary daily and do include weekends!…Paid? Well, it’s A DIFFERENT KIND OF PAYCHECK to say the least! There is no better job and no better benefits!

As I finish another season of seminars, conferences, and studies, I am so pleased with how the Lord has rewarded us for sticking by Him. No matter how busy we might be in His work, no matter how tiresome, and at times, challenging the work is, simply reflecting upon His grace is rewarding and restful. There is definitely a peace in knowing we’re working for the Lord and His purposes. There are many challenges we face every day, but the relationship I am gaining with DADDY and His family of believers is worth the sacrifice. Knowing others have been exposed to Gospel simply by my being available to God is mind-boggling. I am blown away every day by His desire to forgive me, save me, and then to use me. It’s all for Him and because of Him. I truly can do nothing without His provisions to do it!

“Work at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord, not for human masters. Work because you know that you will finally receive as a reward what the Lord wants you to have. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
(Colossians 3:23-24 NIrV)