The
Uttermost Parts Of The Earth
A
commitment to missions is always preceded by a clear understanding of God’s
heart to reach lost people of all races, creeds, and languages. Without the belief that our Lord values each
soul, that He died for each one, and without the belief that He passionately
pursues the salvaging of each one (Luke 15:1-7), our desire to participate in
His pursuit will be fleeting at the best and non-existent at the worst.
We
often disqualify ourselves from His plan simply because we capitulate to the
false assumption that our contribution of time, talent and gifts mean
little. Furthermore, missions and
ministry, in our minds, are reserved for people and places beyond our reach.
In
the early 1050’s, Tommy Hicks was an unknown and inept in his own estimation,
lacking any charismatic flair as a speaker.
Yet he heard God’s voice say, “Go to Argentina.” Unable to identify
Argentina on a map, he made his way to the airport with hardly any money to his
name; certainly not enough to buy a plane ticket. But God had sovereignly spoken to a man who
was told to meet Tommy Hicks at the airport and buy him a one-way ticket to
Argentina. During the flight to this
South American country, the name Perrone kept coming to Hick’s mind, and he
asked the flight attendant if she had ever heard that name. She said that he was the President of
Argentina, and God confirmed in Tommy Hick’s heart that his destination was the
capitol building.
In
his attempt to gain an audience with the President, he was turned away and told
to go to the Minister of Religion. At
the Minister of Religion’s office, he again was told that there was not time
for him, but at that moment, the Minister came out of his office to go see a
doctor because his leg had been impaired and infected. Hicks seized the opportunity as a time of
ministry and asked if he could pray for the leg. The Minister of Religion agreed. Hicks went to his knees to lay hands on him
and to pray, and the Lord miraculously healed the man. Immediately, President Perrone was contacted
and he sent for Hicks. When the
President then asked the humble preacher what he needed, Hicks explained that
he wanted to have a crusade and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. The press, radio, and local stadium were made
accessible to him, and over the next few weeks, countless people were touched
by the power of God. The crowds grew
larger each night until during the last half of the meetings, 200,000 people
flooded the stadium. To that date, those
were the largest crowds ever to gather for a crusade. Lives were changed and people were saved,
healed, baptized, and filled with the Holy Spirit simply because this preacher
said yes to God’s heart.
God
delights in taking the little or much we have to offer and making it something
of eternal value. Offer Him your:
Prayers
(Ephesians 6: 10-12) to invoke God’s power to change lives.
Resources
(Philippians 4:16-19) to advance the work of the Gospel.
Life
(Romans 12:1) to invite His leading in your life.
But
as one author clearly stated, “We need missionaries in the marketplace as well
as in Pango-Pango.” Our mission field
begins in our own hearts, then extends to our families, friends, co-workers,
neighbors, then wherever else the Lord may lead, to the uttermost ends of the
earth.
Terry
Risser
Consider reading the Word today:
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