The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. John 1:41-42
Some years ago in America Mordecai Hamm agreed to be the speaker at a crusade. After three weeks he left town, discouraged because there had been just one convert, who was only 12 years old … his name was Billy Graham. Time can give us a different perspective on success!
In the Gospels, we hear more about Peter (Simon) than we do about Andrew. Paul said, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose … for we are God’s fellow workers” (1 Corinthians 3:6-9).
When we focus on the results of our ministry we are being short-sighted. Instead, we focus on being obedient to God’s calling on our lives and commit to doing it as effectively as we can. Isaiah may have been tempted to focus on the results after God called him to preach to his people (Isaiah 6:9-13). However, God had told him in advance that people would not listen, and the cities would lay in ruins because of their disobedience. Still, it was important in the larger scheme of God’s purposes that these people were given an opportunity to repent. God chose Isaiah and he completed the task God gave him to do, even though he wasn’t successful in bringing God’s people to repentance.
We too, need to complete the tasks God has for us and leave the results to God.
Hi Sue, this is Wendy using my blog name. There is truth to what you say. I am reading a missionary’s book right now called, “On duty in Bangladesh”. I have met the author, though, and this makes a world of difference to me. I heard her speak at a breakfast and was taken with her loving, down to earth and genuine spirit and wanted to know more about her life and the things that the Lord has seen her through. Do you remember the civil war in Bangladesh and the need there. George Harrison did a concert for Bangladesh in the 70’s. It’s the first time I heard Ravi Shankar perform.
This is another reason I wanted to read her account because she was there … and there was little coverage until the musicians brought it to our attention.
I also read “The Heavenly Man”, because I met, at a quite intimate meeting a doctor, who knows of this man in China, … she said “if I hadn’t been there myself I wouldn’t have believed the things written in that book.” So in part I understand our need to have a ‘connection’ to the reality of the story and ‘be’ part. Making real missionaries more visible to us and having better contact with them would do us all a world of good.
I must say I take hope in the way the Lord takes care of those who serve in this way … they have many examples of this in their accounts. We have our own accounts of His blessings as well … not often quite so exciting though… but I am an advocate of peace and quiet … lol …not ‘looking’ for any trouble here.
Congratulations with your new family additions and weddings … much joy and blessings to your kids as they enter into marriage and parenthood.
Hi Sue, this is Wendy using my blog name. There is truth to what you say. I am reading a missionary’s book right now called, “On duty in Bangladesh”. I have met the author, though, and this makes a world of difference to me. I heard her speak at a breakfast and was taken with her loving, down to earth and genuine spirit and wanted to know more about her life and the things that the Lord has seen her through. Do you remember the civil war in Bangladesh and the need there. George Harrison did a concert for Bangladesh in the 70’s. It’s the first time I heard Ravi Shankar perform.
This is another reason I wanted to read her account because she was there … and there was little coverage until the musicians brought it to our attention.
I also read “The Heavenly Man”, because I met, at a quite intimate meeting a doctor, who knows of this man in China, … she said “if I hadn’t been there myself I wouldn’t have believed the things written in that book.” So in part I understand our need to have a ‘connection’ to the reality of the story and ‘be’ part. Making real missionaries more visible to us and having better contact with them would do us all a world of good.
I must say I take hope in the way the Lord takes care of those who serve in this way … they have many examples of this in their accounts. We have our own accounts of His blessings as well … not often quite so exciting though… but I am an advocate of peace and quiet … lol …not ‘looking’ for any trouble here.
Congratulations with your new family additions and weddings … much joy and blessings to your kids as they enter into marriage and parenthood.
oooops this was supposed to go on the last blog entry LOL
oooops this was supposed to go on the last blog entry LOL