Barnabas Task

As we follow the Lord, there are certain messages that seem to be constant in our spirits. One for me has been the prayer for workers for/in the harvest.  It  seems to be constant.  

Thus, with a humble heart, I submit to you  one of the themes of a life message that is mine.

Compassion for the lost that is authentic and genuine for me  is articulated through prayer and the training of others to both do and teach what Jesus did.  He taught us.

While in Paris, France, the Lord spoke to me about winning the lost, sharing my faith and mobilizing others to the same.  I believe as I  recall He said, “For the rest of your life you will lead less people to Christ but you will train more people to do so who in turn will lead more people to Christ.”  And that has happened and is happening.  I remember this as if it were yesterday.  Part of this emphasis has been the training of others however, not excluding myself from “doing the stuff “as well.  

Getting back to the prayer emphasis, there is a fresh touch of perspective on this that has been made known to me.  Howbeit that  I feel I have this “life message” (and I say that humbly, not for any glory to myself; but for reasons of clarity in my thoughts)  the Lord has captured me recently with an emphasis of intimacy with Him.  

I am wrestling with the two tensions of intimacy with the Father and what I feel is a cry of His that workers be sent forth. God has placed on my heart to pray the ”harvest prayer”  but also to agressively gain/grow in intimacy with Him.  One of my favorite/and conflicting verses has been Psalm 27:4:

“One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.”

How did David have this desire?  Was it a gift?  Was it cultivated?  What about me/us?  Surprise for both Nancy and I.  He has recently  touched us in a very powerful way and caused us to reflect on these thoughts intensely.  So imperfect we are, so undeserving, but ever so grateful!  So we yearn to be in the presence of God. Please don’t misunderstand me.  Our present journey is not one of higher spirituality nor superiority.  It is something that we are walking in humbly and simply ask for your prayers because we have not arrived yet.

When I was growing up, my father’s favorite verse was  from Psalm 91.  I remember him standing in church quoting it in the King James version.

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God; in him will I trust.  Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust…”  

A few days ago, the verse became quite vivid for me as I was worshipping the Lord.  I pondered the truth that we are made to worship our God.   I tried to focus on Him and remember that all our troubles in this life will pass away.  They mean nothing in light of what we will experience in heaven someday.  I just want to be in His presence!

Paul and Silas were in prison for casting out demons and worshipped the Lord.  They didn’t know that they would be released.  It didn’t matter to them. They were just that radical.  As they worshipped things happened, but that’s not why they worshipped.  They just wanted to be in His presence.   Paul talks about being changed daily by what he saw, “from glory to glory” (II Cor. 3:18).  I know that being in His presence is the key.

As we were worshipping  the Lord at a conference, I saw the verse from Psalm 91 in a word picture.  We have a wonderful Bichon dog named Maggie.  She loves us unconditionally.  She is content just to be in our presence.  When she jumps up to be with me, she lets me know she is there by pushing her face into my armpit a little (under my wings).  She wags her tail in utter pleasure because she is with me.  She is not getting any treats or any special privileges. She finds a place to lie and snuggles close to me.  She rests quietly and only moves away if I move. Maggie is totally at peace just to be with me!   That is the secret for us spiritually.  Our Father wants us to be content to be with Him.  When we wait there, we find that He is our refuge.  We gain strength.  Our worship becomes as incense to God, a sweet smell that pleases Him. God loves on us letting us know that we are protected and loved, just as I pet my dog and let her know that I appreciate her love for me.  II Cor. 3: 17 and 18 states that where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (freedom from bondage) and that we are changed as we behold (as in a mirror) the glory of the Lord.

Maggie reminds me of what our relationship with God should be like.  I depend on Him for my shelter, food, and companionship.  I need to be content with just being in His presence and from that, everything else (my worries and fears) become dim in the light of His glory.  

This was the picture that God gave me.

(When Nancy said,  ”God showed me a picture,” I listened intently.  She does not see/give word pictures too often.  I respect and admire her.  We literally walked in on a conference of pastors and church leaders.  Surprise!  The Lord showed up in a big way for us. We were encouraged.  God did something deep within us. We will follow with another report in a few days.)  

It has been said that the motivating factor for a missionary who goes to some place in the world to do God’s bidding that the call of God is a difference maker.  To stay or not to stay on the field is many times processed through the call.  He who calls us in light will be there when we are in a dark, tough, confusing  place in our lives.  The “call” to reach the lost is such an overwhelming thought.  I have several thoughts on this subject.

We do have unfinished business.  There is a world that needs to be reached. We must do what we can while it is day to reach the lost.  While everyone should get a passport and be ready for whatever God has, there is also a need for being aware  where you are at.  Who can we  effect?  What can we do with what we have right in front of us?  Need, disaster, conflict,the lost,  compassion for…….all become relevant in the context of where we are at.  

Whatever the response that is ours, relationships is a key for what we are doing.  I remember meeting with my friend Roberto Ruz in Chile.  We had a passion to reach the lost, a true desire to do something for the Lord, to complete the task that was ours.  Where did we start? We sat at a table with a cup of coffee. We did it again and we did it again.  This coffee and table time is the standard for everything I have a accomplished  with people in my life.   Out of relationship ministry flows.  There is a lot said today about a changing culture that won’t listen.  In the fast lane we are.  My take on this is that investment in time with someone still works.  A table and a cup of coffee.  

An intimate relationship with Father is a key factor as it relates to the Unfinished Task.  I have wrestled with the call of God  and I responded.  I  have prayed to the point that my heart has ached for the lost of the world.  I have experienced groaning in the Spirit as I have interceded for those still have not heard  the loving message of God the Father.  I submit to you that I have miserably failed in so many areas of my life.  One of those areas is the failure to understand the intimacy that God desires from me.   I am being courted by the Holy Spirit.   To do or attempt anything without attempting to gain such a secure, loving, caring intimacy with the God the Father is fearful  thought.  But I have done this.  

I am at the beginning again.  I understand who I am.  I feel called of God.  We must do all we can to reach the lost.  It is in me and I can’t ignore it.  I know relationships are a key to everything I do in ministry.  I also know that knowledge of “how to” does not replace this desire  to simply rest and sit at the feet of God and learn, basking in His presence.  I guess I am a fool for this.  I have fallen in love.  Whose fool are  you?

A Faith Promise Missions Pledge by itself does not seem significant – one pledge, one financial commitment from a church or an individual. Multiply that times 100 pledges or more though, and you can quickly surmise that one pledge is part of a loving commitment from many people so that the missionary can do what he/she is “sent” to do. Your “Missions” pledge, then, is a significant connection to worldwide evangelism.

• Connection to the vision and commitment of your local church. The best way to touch your world is through the local church.
• Connection to pray and fast for missionaries. The pledge goes beyond the financial emphasis. What is needed is committed intercessors for missionaries. You are needed.
• Connection to the heart of Jesus. It was Jesus who said, “The harvest is great, the workers are few, pray that the Lord of the Harvest would send forth workers.” (Matt. 9:35) In the middle of great revival and wonderful things happening, Jesus was concerned for others.

Your pledge is one. One commitment. It joins others who voice the same so that the Kingdom of God can be advanced and our Lord glorified. All across the world there are missionaries, many in harm’s way, who candidly share how grateful they are to you for sending them, supporting them. You are making a difference because you have made a faith promise to Missions.

“The only safe rule is to give more than we can spare.”
C.S. Lewis said it well

Dominican Republic Health Care team from tom hinton on Vimeo.

We lost everything we had entered, a major blow to what we are trying to communicate. It was painful beyond words to see an empty website. However, God’s wisdom and grace prevailed.  It will take some time but we will be back in no time.  Thanks for your patience.  

Nancy and I feel more than ever that God has orchestrated a plan for our lives.  We declare  that plan and do so not only with fear and trembling;  but with a Holy Spirit directed boldness.

Hey Everybody!

Barnabastask.org has been down for maintainance these past few days. But we’re back up! So stay tuned for more. God’s doing some amazing things!