Day 18-20 Live Dead Journal Challenge: Apostolic Function, Proclamation and Suffering

I have fallen behind in the posting of my journal time, but the past couple days have been days of good rest, much needed.

My response to apostolic function was not what I would expect it to be, partly because my understanding of it was deepened through reading this devotional. The response of "Here I am, send me Lord" is apostolic function, willingness to take the responsibility of the good news to our place of assignment. If we wait until we feel apostolic, we will never go and as it is, sadly, the vast majority of mission effort (some estimate up to 97%) is misguidedly done among those that have greatest access to the good news already. I spent some time at www.joshuaproject.net and am learning and praying more and more for the unreached peoples of the world, specifically, I feel led to the nation of Ethiopia.

My response to proclamation was that first of all, it took me some time to process because for years we were involved in missions that was very evangelistic and full of proclaiming the gospel in the streets through drama, etc. I know that there is much value to that but in the past couple years my focus has swung to the side of serving quietly through physical and social ways. We have felt to support the local ministries and churches and do what we can to support their methods of proclamation. I know that there is a balance and I'm looking for it...but I think the only way is to be open and sensitive to the Holy Spirit. I want my words and actions to proclaim, "Turn to Jesus!"

Suffering. A subject none of us really want to discuss, much less experience. Reading and learning more about the unreached also brings light to those who are persecuted for the name of Jesus. Beyond that, we all at some point in life will experience various degrees of suffering and the challenge in it all is simply: will we still believe that He is good and still obey Him in all things? I would love to think that I would, but the only way that can be ensured is if I continually abide in the Word and in prayer...

Prayer for Unreached People Groups: Antaisaka, Antankarana and Somali
I also have been praying additional with burden for the persecuted church