In Psalm One, the tree’s fruit and leaves symbolize faith and its visible evidence. Though the tree experiences seasons of trial, it continues to bear fruit through divine preservation. The tree represents the regenerate life—rooted, nourished, and sustained by the grace of God through his Word and Spirit. Ultimately, this tree points to Christ himself—the true “Blessed Man.”
Read MoreSiddhartha was right: our desires and attachments get away from us. The answer is not to try harder, to think and act the right way, to earn enough merit, and to reach Nirvana after one failed lifetime after another. The answer is to admit we cannot reach perfection, and to repent of our sins, and to believe that Jesus died for our sins.
Read MoreDon’t let perfection or the stress of perfection keep you from welcoming neighbors or internationals into your life. Welcome them into the imperfection. Welcome them into the need of grace.
Read MoreOur family returned from Thailand just one month ago. If I had to choose a single word to describe our trip, that word would be confirming. God has graciously given us one certainty we need most at this moment: Thailand is indeed the place where he is calling us to serve. That single certainty outweighs every uncertainty.
Read MoreBetween work, chores, pets, church life, soccer practice, school, toddlers, you name it—distractions are everywhere. Adding another thing to think about to the never-ending list can seem overwhelming. So how do you include missions in your everyday life?
Read MoreThe Lord has a purpose for us, even as kids! He doesn’t just put kids on the mission field because their parents are there working with the church, but because he wants them specifically to be there.
Read MoreHello! My name is Jonah. I'm a missionary in South Sudan. I’m 12 years old and turning 13 this year. Feel more than welcome to come and visit. We would all appreciate it very much.
Read MoreBeing a missionary’s kid meant not only hearing A LOT about missions, but also getting to see the behind-the-scenes work that goes into training and preparing for missions.
Read MorePeople often ask me what it is like growing up on the mission field, and frequently I don’t know how to put it into words. It was the greatest blessing in life. A life growing up on the mission field is one that I would never trade, even when it comes with pain.
Read MoreThe whole point of David Gibson’s book is a call to stop playing pretend and to understand that we are all going to die. . .at least one day. So how should we live in that light?
Read MoreI myself am not a missionary living in a foreign land engaged in cross-cultural gospel work. Chances are you aren’t either. Are we disobeying God in the Great Commission simply because we’re “here,” not “there?”
Read MoreAs we look at the life of Jesus, we can only expect that the lives of his disciples will exhibit a cruciform shape. Jesus taught his disciples to anticipate the same kinds of suffering he did as they follow in his footsteps.
Read MoreThere was no way it was good timing for me. I had a desire to become a foreign missionary, but after some discouraging years with my health and my work life I was just worn out. However, God had other plans. A missionary reached out to my elders to put me in contact with NeXtSteps. That was exactly what I needed. I needed that push. I needed that reassurance that God is the one directing my steps, that I’m not the one in control.
Read MoreA few years back, RPGM was approached by a group of Reformed Christians in Paraguay who were looking for help in planting a Reformed church in their city. We made the trek south, and we shared each evening on topics such as “What is a Reformed Presbyterian?” and “The Regulative Principle.” We also spent a lot of time answering questions that were raised by the group.
Read MoreWhen self-improvement schemes or resolutions are motivated by fear of failure, or by a desire to impress one another, or (secretly) to try to impress the Lord, then self improvement is hollow at best and idolatrous at worst.
Read MoreKeeping both of these emphases in balance will ensure that a church is not a mile wide and an inch deep. . . or one that is deep but has been unfaithful in proclaiming the gospel to the whole creation.
Read MoreOver and over and over again, the Psalms emphasize that God is calling to himself worshippers from all the families of the earth. These Psalms should compel us to go and send into the nations, singing these songs of the kingdom to the peoples desperately in need of the message proclaimed through them.
Read MorePray for the Cush4Christ team as they work together to fill God's purpose in serving the Reformed Presbyterian Church of South Sudan (RPCSS). The goal is to see the RPCSS established as a self-governing, self-sustaining, and self-propagating denomination.
Read MoreOnly the true, fundamental motivations of love, compassion, urgency, and gratitude will sustain us in service to God for his glory.
Read MoreWhether you’re new to missiology or have been on the field for years, there are interesting and challenging questions to grapple with in a group setting during the Explore course. Come dip your toes in the huge, magnificent ocean of Christ’s kingdom work and see how (not if) God would use you.
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