#nelife – Tattoo It On Your Heart

“Let’s quit fiddling with religion and do something to bring the world to Christ.” – Billy Sunday

Rachael_M_Colby_Tattoo_It_On_Your_Heart_Not_Fiddling_with_Religion The preaching of the gospel and salvation of souls is the primary focus and call of the Gospel. It is biblical that all else done in the name of the Church, as representatives of Jesus, should be done with this ultimate purpose in mind.

The Great Commission:

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15 (NKJV)

Many organizations start out with this focus, but lose it as they get overwhelmed by attempting to meet the the endless physical needs of the people they are serving with their humanitarian work. This is something to be mindful of, so as to stay balanced and faithful to Jesus’ mandate.

The Bible Says:

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Mark 8:36 (NKJV)

But the Gospel is not a buffet. We don’t get to pick and choose what we like in the Bible and ignore the rest. It’s all or nothing; we must ingest the whole thing.

Look:

“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27 (NKJV)

“..and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?” James 2:16 (NKJV)

37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” Matthew 25:34-44

Pray, Send, Plant, Establish, Support, Nurture:

Neither our home church, nor Adventures in Missions are organizations with a “drop a bag of rice and run” mentality. But rather, both believe and are are invested in planting, helping establish, supporting, and nurturing ministries that are dedicated to planting themselves in the nations among the people they are serving. We must seek to serve both the spiritual and physical needs where we are called, with a hand up, not just a hand out.

We each have different callings and how we fulfill them will play out differently for each of us. It is Biblical to serve first in our home churches and communities, but there are different seasons in which some are called to go; some to stay and send. But even those who stay and send get to go, as the sender is linked by their investment of prayer, finances, and encouragement to every impact the missionary makes for Jesus in the lives of other people.

In July my 18 year old daughter, Abigail, leaves on a month long mission trip for Nepal with Adventures in Missions. In spite of turning 18 and wanting a car, she has chosen to forego a month of pay from her summer job to go and work unpaid serving the Nepali people. I love her heart and her boldness. Abby’s team will need prayer support for their endeavor. As of today, Abigail also still needs to raise another $1,861 for her mission trip.

You can visit her website to learn more, and, if you feel led, there is also a link to donate here: https://abbysmission.wordpress.com/

Or you may go directly to her donations page on The Adventures in Missions website here: https://www.adventures.org/give/donate.asp?giveto=partFund&selected=Passport&desc=Abigail%20Colby&appeal_id=COLBYABBY

We must each ask, “What would you have me to do Lord, to be your hands and feet and voice, to demonstrate your love and reach others with the Gospel?”

Tattoo it on your heart. Walk it out in your skin.

*Adventures in Missions is a 501 (3) (c) non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible for US residents.

**The following two pieces were originally posted on https://abbysmission.wordpress.com/

Why?

by Abigail Colby

“Why?” is a question I hear way too often.

“Why do you want to go on a mission trip so badly?”

“Why do you care?”

I never understand their whys. As a Christian we are commanded to care for people and share God’s love with as many as possible. If I work hard enough I know I can raise enough money to go on a mission trip. Even those out of town outreaches on Saturdays- I don’t have anything to do a lot of Saturdays, so, of course I’m going to go. “Why not?” I find myself saying so often. The opportunity is there, and it makes no sense not to take it.

No, I don’t think I’m too young. There is no such thing as too young to serve in the best way possible and do God’s will for your life.

“Do these things when you’re old enough to appreciate it,” they say.

I know I’m capable of appreciating it now. God has put an overwhelming love in my heart for people now, so why not put it to use now? If I waited until I was older, what would I do now? I’m not waiting until I’m older because I’m capable of making a difference now.

I’m not doing this to have a good experience, or to better myself, but to better other people. Until I have ministered God’s word to people who can give me nothing in return, I have not lived.

“God, please use me now. My life is yours; do as you please with it.”

A Letter from Abby’s Mom

by Rachael M Colby

People ask me, “How can you send your children away?”

“Why do allow your children to go to these far away and dangerous places?”

“Aren’t you afraid? Won’t you miss them?”

Here’s my answer. Yes. But I would Rather give my children to the cause of Christ than have the world steal them away.

There is really nowhere safe in the world anymore. Our older daughter Anna went on a three month mission trip to Kenya in 2013. Her team of thirteen girls was sent to serve in one of the most unattractive and unsafe towns in the country. The terrorist attack took place while they were there- but it took place in one of the nicest and seemingly safest areas.

When Abby went to visit and help out family who are missionaries in Lithuania, we didn’t book her on the lesser known airline which had a day layover in an unstable country. She did reach her destination unharmed. But a few weeks later, it was that same reputable airline that she had traveled on, Lufthansa, that was intentionally crashed by the copilot into the alps, thus killing all on board. My heart breaks for the people impacted by these tragedies.

So, where is safe? The only safe place is in Christ. We really just have to be ready. Safe is in the hands and will of Jesus. Safe is a right heart with God.

Which heart should I feed? She is young. She was only 16 when she went to Swaziland and will just have turned 18 when she leaves for Nepal. I am her mom, and I see the pull of the world and our culture. I also see that little bit of edginess and that youthful lust for a little risk, a little adventure. I see her heart for people and for God, that thirst to know God more and to do something that matters. It needs expression somewhere. So let that expression be found in the cause of Christ.

I challenged her and asked her in 2015, “Why Swaziland? Why not somewhere closer, cheaper, and safer?”

Her response was, “It seems to be the area of greatest need. And I don’t want to go somewhere easy.”

She could spend the month of July lining her pockets with silver from a summer job and shopping at the mall with friends, or relaxing on the beach… And that would be okay. But instead, in 2015 she chose to go and serve the Gospel of Jesus Christ and a hand up to a destitute, disease stricken people in the tiny African nation of Swaziland. How could I say no to that?

This Summer, in July 2017, her desire is to go on another month long mission trip. This time it is to Nepal.

I know there are plenty of people that need the Gospel preached to them and their needs met, right here on the home front- and Abby does outreach locally. But who am I to tell Abby, or anyone else, where God is telling them to “Go ye,” if God has laid somewhere on their heart? I held her back for a year the first time.

Here’s to the little girl with the little bit of an edge to her. The little girl with the gumption to reach for a dream and follow her heart for Jesus. I love you Abby.

So, if God speaks to your heart and leads you, go ahead and hit: DONATE

God bless you, and thanks for stopping by.

Abby’s Mom / Rachael