I got a bird’s eye view of what Kingdom Living is all about during my 10-Day Mission Tour with MKMI in Mindanao, Philippines. In that short time, I got a glimpse of what it’s like to really live for Christ and to serve Him wholeheartedly. I have served Him in the past, but not consecutively for 10 days in a row while serving alongside others at this intensity and capacity. The difference is that I get to go home after 10 days, while these servants continue the work; day in and day out, ministering in the front lines facing a plethora of challenges while caring for the needs of these hurting people. This reality is life changing and empowering. I can no longer be flaky or make excuses when it comes to serving God, knowing that my brothers and sisters are in the trenches daily furthering God’s Kingdom. I can no longer sit on my laurels or feel sorry for myself because the Holy Spirit will bring to my remembrance the miracles, the needs, and the faces of my brethren and the people who God loves so dearly.
Now that I am back home, I have the opportunity to share God’s greatness and the work that is happening on the other side of the world with all of you. It is my duty and privilege to testify of the miraculous wonders that I witnessed and lived through. I am currently editing a video of the trip and will post it on my blog in the next few weeks. Please visit my blog to view the video of my Mission Trip coming soon.
Acts 28:8
And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him.
Our crusades included singing Praise and Worship, sharing testimonies, a salvation message, and a healing message. Many of the people who stood in line for healing were battling diseases and chronic sicknesses. The most common were chronic headaches, coughs, digestive issues, etc. These are symptoms we take over the counter medications for here in America. Even if these people had access to these over the counter medications, they may not be effective since their living conditions are what cause and exacerbate these ailments in the first place. It was a humbling experience for me to pray for healing for these ailments when I myself don’t bother to ask for healing since I can easily take medication for it. This was a Kingdom Perspective that I never really thought about until this trip.
During one of the healing prayer sessions, I was laying hands on a thin weak man suffering from a chronic cough. My interpreter told me that he was very poor and his family lost their home during the heavy rains. As I prayed for his healing, the Holy Spirit decided to heal me as well. I felt a surge of power flow through my body in the form of comfort, compassion, and conviction. I was overcome with emotion as tears flowed down my face as I prayed fervently for this man. I could feel his suffering and anguish as I prayed for God’s healing and restoration in his life. Afterwards, I felt the heaviness lifted from both of us. I would call this a Dual Healing or a Reverse Healing, where God does a work on both the minister and the recipient at the same time. An inner peace and joy emanated through me the rest of the day.
Isaiah 6:8
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
What to expect on a Mission Trip
1 – Expect to be stretched spiritually, physically, and emotionally
2 – Expect to live outside of your comfort zone, especially if you’re a woman
3 – Expect God to move on your behalf and bless you beyond your imagination
4 – Expect to Bring Your Best for God, working harder than you imagine, pouring yourself into the mission from morning until night. The work is physically and emotionally tiring, but worth the effort!
5 – Expect the enemy to stop you from going and doing everything to discourage you. Don’t let this hinder you, this is a clear sign to push even harder.
6 – Expect to make some deep and lasting friendships
7 – Expect to pray and fast more than ever before. If you don’t prior to the trip, you’re going to wish you had! Your prayer life will move up 10 notches regardless.
8 – Expect to be amazed, thrilled, and excited to see God’s miracles and power all around you throughout the trip
9 – Expect to be encouraged and inspired bringing you into a deeper relationship with God
10 – Expect to be forever changed by the experience that will have an eternal impact on you and those around you.
James 4:14
For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
Always remember, our true citizenship is in heaven, not here on earth. Our life on this earth is a “Limited time offer” according to Pastor Mike Keyes. “It is but a puff of smoke that vanishes...” How we spend it and where we lay our treasures and talents makes a difference to God. It will not only determine how we will be rewarded in Heaven, but we will also be accountable for what we didn’t do during our limited time for His Kingdom.
Benefits of Sowing Into God’s Kingdom
1 – All the time, effort, and money spent will be deposited into the Kingdom and count for eternity; regardless of the result
2 – We please God with every act of obedience and generosity
3 – It is an act of worship and service
4 – God’s power and love will flow through us in a mighty way
5 – Our blessings and the chances of us getting what we desire is greatly increased
6 – We take part in Christ’s work and suffering
7 – We take down strongholds and evil as the Holy Spirit empowers us
8 – The kingdom of darkness loses its foothold
9 – An immeasurable feeling of joy and peace washes over you
10 - Our rewards in heaven are far beyond what we imagine or think
If you are reading this, it is no coincidence that God is nudging you to act and do something for His Kingdom. We can no longer sit back and watch the news and watch others helping others. We must do something about it. If you read one of my first articles, "Don't Leave Your Post: A Call To Action!" This Mission Trip was the fruit from that article. I made a promise to take action outside myself and I made good on that promise. Have you done the same? What is God urging you to take action on that you haven’t moved an inch? Next year, I will be writing a follow up article on my Mission Trip in 2013. Will you be firmly planted just as you are now or will you be well on your way to Kingdom Living and investing? The choice is yours. I am only here to bring it to your attention.
After this experience, I will no longer squander my time, talents, and resources. I am glad that God provided an amazing opportunity for me to make a deposit into His Kingdom. I hope that this article inspires you to look outside your circumstance and start sowing today!
Again, please prayerfully consider the following:
1 – Partnering with them by supporting them financially every month.
2 – Send a one time monetary gift
3 – Join the Mission Field in 2013. There will be a Mission Trip in June 18-28 and July 16-26. The compound can only accommodate up to 35 Americans at one time, so make your reservations soon.
4 – Join me in praying for their needs: 1) for strength, protection, and wisdom to follow up and minister to the thousands of people who received salvation; 2) to receive financial blessings to buy necessary tools to do their work, i.e. new computer equipment, updated audio equipment, vehicles, and other miscellaneous needs.
Investing in God’s Kingdom will bless you immeasurably!
Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.
Please visit www.MKMI.org to sow into God’s Kingdom.
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