Monday, May 10, 2010

Missions through Prayer

Chapter 2 Highlights

  • Prayer gives us the significance of frontline forces working on our behalf and gives God the glory as our limitless Provider
  • Prayer secures the supremacy of God in missions while connecting us with His endless grace for our every need
  • "Life is war because the maintenance of our faith and the laying hold on eternal life is a constant fight"
  • Most times we turn prayer into a domestic intercom where we ask God to increase our comforts in life
  • When we turn prayer into that intercom for our conveniences, our faith begins to falter and prayer stops working
  • The doctrine of election does NOT make missions unnecessary; it makes missions hopeful
  • God does not place His Gospel and us, His people, in this world and leave us to fend for ourselves and wage this spiritual war on our own
  • The purpose of prayer is that the Father be glorified and our joy may be full
  • Prayer is the open admission that without Jesus Christ we can do nothing
  • "Prayer humbles us as needy and exalts God as all-sufficient"
  • "When missions moves forward by prayer, it magnifies the power of God. When it moves by human management, it magnifies man."
  • Give yourself to prayer if you know for sure you are asking for things which are for His Glory
  • The Gospel will push forth and triumph through prevailing prayer so that in all things God will be glorified through Jesus Christ

Lord-
May I pray with a heart and mind to glorify You
May I NOT use prayer as requests for increasing my comforts
May I lift up the Great Commission and all those on the mission field
May I continue to lean on You for my heart's desires and needs
May I rest in Your promises
May You use me to advance your Kingdom
May You mold me to keep up that genuine faith and passion for Your people

Ephesians 6:19-20
"Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Missions through Worship

Currently reading "Let the Nations be Glad!" by John Piper

Highlights from Chapter 1
  • Missions begins and ends with worship
  • Reality is God equals overwhelming greatness
  • It's possible to be distracted from God when trying to serve God
  • Love for God's glory and mercy for the nations must be kept together
  • We need to renounce self-reliance and wait for Him
  • Delight in God so as to reflect His glory
  • When a missionary leaves family, friends, and possessions behind it should be for the sake of the name of Jesus; for the sake of His reputation
  • Missions exists because God's name is not being hallowed
  • We should long for Jesus to receive the honor due His name
  • The glory of God needs to saturate every aspect of our lives
God -
May I have a heart for Your name to be glorified
May I show Your grace and mercy to the nations
May I serve in order to point others to Your greatness
May I hallow Your name
May I not be wrapped up in trivial matters, but instead pour myself into worshipping You

Acts 17:25-28
"And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself GIVES all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would SEEK him and perhaps REACH OUT for him and FIND him, though he is not far from each eon of us. 'For in him we LIVE and MOVE and HAVE our being'. As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring'."

Saturday, May 8, 2010

No place like HOME

I love me some US of A :)

I've now been home for almost a month. It was definitely culture shock at first getting used to air-conditioning everywhere, hot water showers, and crazy Florida drivers. Since living in the laid back Fijian lifestyle it has definitely been hard to jump back into the "Go, go go!" lifestyle here in the States. I kept thinking, "Where am I right now??" haha

I have been so incredibly blessed by the time I've spent with family and friends catching up. Fellowship and quality time with loved ones is something I definitely missed. And of course going to my favorite South Florida eateries such as Cheesecake Factory, Cracker Barrel, Wings n' Things, Vito's, & Laspadas has brought me happiness :)

I praise God for being able to see and talk to most of you who have blessed me with prayers and financial support! I have truly enjoyed being able to share with you all through the internet, phone, or face-to-face about what God has been doing in, around, and through me being an EE missionary in Fiji. And thank you so much for your encouragement. It affirms why I do what I do. All of you should have received from me an update letter, business/prayer card, and support information in the mail. If you did not, please let me know at your earliest convenience to make sure that gets to you.

CHECK OUT http://crpc.org/fiji if you have not already seen it. The slideshow is pictures of my ministry with Fijian Gospel music in the background, and there is also an article I wrote. Please Enjoy!

Since being home God has given me many different opportunities to share about Fiji missions in the community. I have spoken in a few church services and in elementary, middle, and high school classes at Calvary Christian Academy and Westminster Academy. I was also be part of Missions Night at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church where I had a Fiji booth. I love being able to give people insight into missions in the South Pacific and challenge them in their faith. I have also been busy putting time and energy into my support raising to return to Fiji for another year. God has truly been pouring His blessings and faithfulness upon my efforts.

My annual budget goal is $18,000 which breaks down to $1,500 per month. As of right now, I am halfway to that goal!!! Amen! I am so moved and encouraged by those of you who are recommitting. I believe God has such great and mighty things planned for this next year!

As a result, I am now praying for individuals, families, or churches to partner with this ministry to help me reach that other half. That other half breaks down to 30 people committing to support $25 per month OR 15 people to support $50 per month. I hope that you will be praying for me as I prepare to go back to Fiji and to pray about how you can continue to see lives transformed in Fiji through supporting financially.

Support can be given online at www.eeworks.org
Click on "Ways to Support"
Then "Online Giving"
Type "Sarah Abadines 6124" in the box and follow instructions

"For I am not seeking my good but the good of many, so that they may be saved."
-----I Corinthians 10:33

If you all have any prayer requests or questions about this ministry, please feel free to contact me by email sabadines23@bellsouth.net

Kalougata! (God bless in Fijian)
Sarah Abadines