Fully Surrendered: Missionaries Day 2

We're talking about missionaries this week.  Yesterday we talked about Jim Elliot.  What a terrific story. 

Today you will learn about David Livingstone.  Who's that?

David Livingstone was born in 1813 and lived until 1873.  Growing up in a christian home, David believed that science and the study of God could mix.  He believed that medical study could help advance religious ends.  He got connected to a book written by Karl Gutzlaff that requested the need for medical missionaires to China.  With every intention to leave for China, war broke out which closed to the door in that direction.  While continuing his education, David then met a man from South Africa.  A new fire began to build in David's heart to go to Africa and reach people who have never heard of Jesus, was now his new focus.

Livingstone was not only a missionary, but he was also an explorer.  Soon he found himself discovering Africa.  In his travels, he discovered a water fall that took his breathe away.  It's recorded that he said, " "Scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight."  He called the waterfalls, Victoria Falls after Queen Victoria. 

David took the gospel to a place that was off the beaten path and could cost him his life.  He is remembered saying, "If you have men who will only come if they know there is a good road, I don't want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all."



Are you the kind of person who is a pioneer?  Who loves to make a road instead of finding one? 

Much of this world has been explored but many people in this world still need to hear the gospel.  Will we be the kind of people who are willing to go anywhere for Jesus? 

Be fully surrendered to Jesus. 

As you close: Thank God for missionaries who have gone before us to reach a people group who were unreachable.  Thank God for their example and their dedication to Him.

God bless!

Fully Surrendered: Missionaries Day 1

The week I am going to be high lighting some people who have fully surrendered their lives to Jesus and heard His call to take the gospel overseas.  I hope these stories will inspire you to fully surrender to Jesus too.

The first person is Jim Elliot.  Jim was born in 1927 and died in 1956.  He only lived 28 years, but in those 28 years, countless lives were impacted.  People still talk about his story to this day.

Jim surrendered his life to Jesus Christ and attended Wheaton College in Wheaton Illinois.  There during his junior year he met a girl, Elisabeth Howard and fell in love. They both committed to serving the Lord in Central America, more specifically, the Auca Indians in Ecuador. 

While in Ecuador, Jim and 4 other couples did everything they could to reach the Auca Indians.  First contact was made and relationship had been built.  Until one fateful day, the five missionary men went to be with the Lord when the Auca Indians attacked and killed all five men.  

The wives were back at base camp waiting for word.  They had never heard from them again.  

Picking up the pieces, Elisabeth Elliot returned to the work of reaching the Auca Indians with the gospel and as a result the whole village was turned upside down for Jesus.  Elisabeth had even met the men who had killed her husband and the four other men.  What a moment of reconciliation that must have been.

Today their story is so powerful of men and women fully surrendered to God that they have a movie made. "End of the Spear" tells the story of their journey in reaching the Auca Indians with the gospel.  If you haven't watched it, take some time and do so.  

One famous quote that Jim Elliot wrote in one of his journals said, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."    

As you close:  Thank God for missionaries like Jim Elliot who have fully surrendered their lives to the Kingdom and ask God to help you be a story for Him right here where you live.

God Bless!