The Bible begins with God creating a world that He claimed to be good. God created the land, seas, light, dark, animals, and plants, and He saw that something was missing. Then He created man and woman, giving them the responsibility to care for His creation (Gen 1:27-31). In Genesis 3, the Bible tells of a massive rebellion by a small number of people that affected billions for generations to follow. Since the day that Adam and Eve ate of the fruit from the tree of the knowledge and good and evil, God has been seeking after a right relationship with His people. Gailyn Van Rheenen writes, “Mission does not originate with human sources, for ultimately it is not a human enterprise.” God’s plan has been a mission of redemption for His people since the man and woman disobeyed. Andreas J. Kostenberger and Peter T. O’Brien state, “From the first glimmer of the gospel in Genesis 3:15 to the end of this age, however, mission is necessitated by humanity’s fall into sin and need for a Savior, and is made possible only by the saving initiative of God in Christ.” God has been active in His mission to seek after His people; He went looking for man and woman in the garden (Gen 3:9). This same pattern is evident throughout the Bible. In both the Old and New Testaments, God commands His people to seek after others who will become His people.
God has been passionate about saving people from their sin and shame since the time of Adam and Eve. From the moment Eve believed the lie of the serpent in Genesis 3:6 and disobeyed God’s command, until today, God has been reconciling sinful man unto Himself for the purpose of reclaiming the glory that belongs rightfully to Him (Isa 42:8). Jeff Lewis writes, “God’s passion for his name and his glory is the supreme reason for his actions in the world.” The actions of God are purposeful. Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”2 Peter is quoted in Acts 13:36, “For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers. . . .” Scripture makes clear that God is purposeful in His actions. In The Biblical Basis of Missions, Avery Willis states that God is on mission. “By mission,” Willis writes, “I mean the total redemptive purpose of God to establish his kingdom.” Since the day of rebellion in the Garden of Eden by Adam and Eve, God has been seeking actively to reestablish His kingdom here on earth. The activity and purpose of God continue today in the work of the local church. Since God is on mission, His church should be about the same activity that the heavenly Father is committed to seeing advanced.
What is the activity of God in the world today?
What are some of the evidences of God’s activity in the world today?
There is a great organization that my family is affiliated with called His Commission. They are committed to helping missionaries, pastors and church leaders spread the gospel to all nations. His Commission was started by Byron Britain as a way to utilize his business gifting (selling vehicles) for the cause of Christ around the world. He owns Britain Chevrolet in Greenville, TX. I know Mr. Britain and have done business with him and can attest to his integrity and his love for the Lord and the church. Through His Commission Mr. Britain is committed to giving the commission on any vehicle sale to the missionary that recommends people to his business. That means, if you purchase a vehicle from them Mr. Britain will pass along his commission on the sale to the missionary and the sending agency who sent them. This is huge for those who have to raise their support.
With the advent of the web and the popularity of vehicle websites someone can purchase a car from anywhere in the United States and have it delivered to their doorstep. I have observed how people purchase vehicles online with complete confidence they are getting a fair and honest deal. Through His Commission purchasing a vehicle of any make or model is possible, not just a Chevrolet. For those who are skeptical of purchasing a vehicle online Byron will put your fears to rest. You will deal directly with Mr. Britain, the owner of the dealership.
Here is an opportunity for you to be involved in partnering with the Goen’s as we move to Belgium. If you are looking for a new or used vehicle call, email, visit their website or go and see Byron Britain at Britain Chevrolet. Please tell them that Kyle Goen recommended you purchase with Byron Britain through His Commission and you want the Goen’s to receive the commission.
Thanks Byron for your heart for the Lord and the nations. Thank you friends for helping out from anywhere and everywhere in the United States.
On each mission trip I lead someone always asks, “What should I pack?” I also hear “how much should I take with me” in our pre-meeting trips. These are great questions to be asking as one prepares to leave on an international trip. In todays world with travel fees and limited luggage space we need to ask ourselves what are the most important things to have with us.
I have utilized a packing list for many years. I do not always take each item with me, but I list everything on one sheet of paper so I can decide what I will take based on the trip and the needs. I hate forgetting things or realizing later that a particular item was not listed on my travel list. Therefore, my list is updated often with new “potential” packing items. Again, just because it is on the list doesn’t mean I pack it for each trip. I like having the option to decide for each trip if certain items are necessary.
A few weeks ago I asked you to send me any women’s issues books from a Christian perspective. LifePoint Church partners with a local ministry in our church that ministers weekly in a women’s prison in Nashville. This ministry is faithful each week to go in and be the hands and feet of Christ. They have been in need of books that address the Christian life for women and there specific needs.
You have responded in great ways. I personally received around 100 books that have been given to the director of the ministry. She is in the process of sorting the books and getting them into the library at the prison and into the hands of the ladies she knows. There have been others of you who have given books to the director personally, thank you. I recently received a phone call from my sister in Texas telling me she had a box of books that her church had collected for this outreach. Thank you so much for getting involved. It’s not too late if you still want to jump in on the good things happening.
I have been reading about a couple of topics lately that not many people in the United States and the western world do not like to discuss. In fact, I couldn’t even type the words. I think my computer is having problems and wouldn’t allow the letters to be put together to spell the words.
Several months ago the I began to sense the Lord leading me to learn more about what it means to “share in the suffering of Christ”. Here are a few of the books I have been walking through as a read and try to digest. I haven’t completed all of them but I am in process.
LifePoint is working hard to follow God on His mission to reach the nations. This is not just a call to cross the ocean but to also cross the street to your neighbor. Hope you enjoy the latest video about The Sending Church. Check out the information concerning the Belgium team.
I would love to help you reduce clutter on your bookshelves, in your closets and on your desk.
I have a way to help you reuse some books that are specifically targeted towards women issues.
I want to ask you to recycle the books you have already read.
I am looking for used (and new) books by Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, Kay Arthur, Sheila Walsh, Elizabeth George, Nancy Leigh DeMoss and others.
There is a ministry that our church is involved with that works in the women’s prison in middle Tennessee and they are in need of books that help women address issues form a biblical perspective. We can help make a difference by putting the books we have used back into circulation.
If you can help please bring your used books to the church office at LifePoint Church. If you live in another city or state mail your book to LifePoint Church, attn. Kyle Goen, 506 Legacy Dr., Smyrna, TN, 37167.
The Upstream Collective recently published two articles on LifePoint and the Belgium Church Planting team. I am linking those articles here for you to read.
This is a good picture of the types of things LifePoint has been involved with in West Africa. We had a team return recently and we wanted to share a little of the journey with you.
