The Virtual Mission Field
By Chaz Oswald, Michigan
The Internet has been woven into the fabric of daily life. The modern man conducts a host of activities online—from information seeking to information sharing; from Internet gaming to online shopping; from making new friends to sharing of videos, photographs, and thoughts. The World Wide Web could be accessed virtually anywhere via computers, blackberries, and iPods. It is a unique playground that can be utilized as a colossal waste of time or can be employed to advance the Kingdom of God.
With the ubiquitous nature of the Internet, we live in a distinct time that embraces constant communication. Beyond the traditional snail mail, we have our instant email, YouTube, Facebook, blog, Flicker, and Twitter accounts to connect us with family and friends. Communicating with friends from around the globe is now inexpensive and immediate.
As a result of the worldwide reach made possible by the plethora of social networks, Jesus’ command to “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15, ESV) has never been more feasible than in this day and age.
So how can we take our Lord Jesus’ words to heart and put our faith into practice on a daily basis? Well first, it needs to be understood that accepting the biblical mandate does not mean all will be called and sent to a distant and reclusive land to reach natives who have not heard of Christ’s sacrifice. More likely than not, the mission field for most of us will be the family and friends around us.
Such a calling, which is Christ-honoring, is not to be understated but rather gleefully embraced! It is thrilling to realize that the God of the universe desires to use us to expand His Kingdom to loved ones for His glory. And the times we live in offers a unique and engaging opportunity to build relationships with friends and family on a daily basis via our technology and Internet.
We can use social networking websites to help us invest in relationships. We need to come alongside non-believers who have been introduce to the Christian faith and gently encourage them to find out more and eventually to make a decision of faith. For just as it is unusual for most individuals to accept Christ as their Savior by reading a tract on their own, the subsequent decision is commonly forged with the companionship of Christians.
In summary, Christ’s vital commandment to go out and preach the gospel is not one to be disregarded but rather is a responsibility every Christian must embrace. The online community presents itself to you, giving you the capability of having worldwide reach at your fingertips. Now go out and let God use you through your Christ-like acceptance of being salt and light to turn the world upside down for Him!
(7 votes, average: 4.29 out of 5)
Loading ...Heaven
By Chaz Oswald, Michigan
Have you ever contemplated what Heaven is like? I did a brief Internet search and discovered many confused souls trying to describe Heaven. Some describe it as “sitting on clouds all day long, playing a harp”; others say it is a place of one “eternal [and boring] church service.” A few believe that it is a lustful state of “no marriages, just multiple girlfriends”, while others say: “Heaven is what you believe it to be.” There are also those who deny the existence of Heaven altogether, equating it to a mere fantasy or fairytale.
(Image from www.paulabecker.com/blog)
As Christians, we know Heaven is more than just a fantasy. It is a genuine, tangible, and physical place—our everlasting residence. Revelations 21 and 22 describe, with colorful details, the incommunicable beauty that abounds in Heaven.
Unfortunately, many Christians, while believing wholeheartedly in Heaven, lack a true biblical understanding of what Heaven is like. Many are, sadly, not even excited about making it to their final destination, which Jesus Himself referred to as Paradise (Luke 23:43).
Let’s consider: if you were moving to another city or town for some reason (maybe a job promotion or to be nearer to your extended family), wouldn’t you do research about that city or town and seek to find as much information about that place as possible? Maybe you would do an Internet search to find out how clean the town is, what the recreational facilities nearby are, and what activities or social gatherings typically take place there. You may also try to search for any information that will address any concerns you may have about moving.
As Christians, the most important move we will be making is from our provisional dwelling (Earth) to our permanent dwelling (Heaven or “the New Earth”). So in the same regard, we should be studying what Heaven is like. Just as it would be silly moving to a city you know nothing about; it would be ridiculous to show up in Heaven, knowing nothing about it.
Now let me ask, are you prepared for your big move? Thankfully, this move doesn’t include the frenzies and stress of packed boxes and moving trucks; but one does need a prepared heart. Romans 10:9 says, “Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Amplified Bible).
The Bible is full of marvelous and fascinating promises from God about our future in Heaven, where we will literally and physically be with Him. So, let’s read it to unlock the mystery and discover more about our eternal Home!
(5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...Mission Honduras
By Chaz Oswald, 21 years old, Michigan
Recently, you may have heard reports of the political crisis in Honduras—the removal of their former president and their ongoing constitutional crisis. But you may not have heard of their spiritual crisis.
While the majority of the Honduran population associate themselves with the Roman Catholic Church; sadly, few attend church regularly. That being said, due to their high regard of the Catholic religion and traditions, their hearts are overwhelmingly open and receptive to the Gospel.
In July 2008, together with a team associated with Word of Life, I left for Honduras.
Once we arrived in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, the work began. For the first few days, we worked with local church organizations with either the entire congregation or just the youths. Typically, we would lead them in worship, present a prepared drama, share our testimonies, and conclude with the Truth from God’s Word.
Later in the trip, we moved on to street evangelism where we used the same format.
Personally, the days spent on street evangelism were the most challenging for me. Our team of thirty trotted onto the campus of Honduras National University where 60,000 students would pass by every day. We first found an area most populated with students; then set up a small, yet portable, speaker system. We would then introduce our ministry and start to share the Gospel. As we begin, students would stop to listen to God’s Word. The response was overwhelming. After we concluded the message, we would approached the captivated audience to further explain the Gospel message, pray with struggling students, and begin connecting individuals with nearby, Bible-believing churches. 
I was stretched and overwhelmed but God used that experience to strengthen my relationship with Him—deepening my faith as I learn to depend solely on Him.
The remaining part of our ministry involved serving in a newly opened Word of Life camp in a small town called Zambrano (just outside of Tegucigalpa). I worked as a co-counselor at the camp with roughly one hundred campers—students between the ages of twelve and fifteen. Each day was filled with activities from go-karts, to extreme games, to paintball, to getting our fill in the Word of God.
Nearly all of our campers had already accepted Christ as their Savior but at the Thursday night bonfire—through the power of God—many dedicated their lives to serve Jesus as their Lord. The passionate commitment of these 12 to 15 years old students burning for Christ, was overpowering. Seeing their emotions and tears, I too, was in tears and on my knees—thanking God for His indescribable awesomeness.
Following the intense and God-filled experience, we headed to a celebratory dinner. It was our last night with a few missionaries. Together, we recapped God’s work in the beautiful country, Honduras. We felt specifically blessed to have been used by God to lead about thirty five natives to the Lord.
Reminiscing the trip, I cannot help but look in awe at God’s amazing plan for our team. God gathered a group of thirty people from different backgrounds, cities, and churches and He brought us to Honduras. We did not know what we would be doing or where we would be doing His work. But God knew. He was in complete control; and we just had to trust and follow Him.
Our spiritually renewing journey to Honduras has ended. However, God’s impact on the people there is—through the work of other area missionaries, pastors, and believers—continuing today!
(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...Your Created Purpose
By Chaz Oswald, Michigan
Baseball is a popular pastime in America. In this sport, a baseball bat (a long, thin, fairly light but tough object) is designed for the specific purpose of hitting a baseball. The greatest potential for a baseball bat is realized when it is used to hit a homerun—when all players can make it safely to home base and score.
Though the specific purpose of the bat is to advance one team’s victory over another, it may be misused. For example, a baseball bat may be used (instead of a golf club) to hit a golf ball; or used (instead of a hammer) to nail tent stakes into the ground by a camper.
A baseball bat can also be ill used to cause harm—to hurt or intimate someone. In the extreme, it can even be used in a despicable act of vandalism—to vandalize an automobile or an old warehouse.
In these cases, the baseball bat was not used for its intended created purpose—that is, to hit a baseball. And best of all, to hit a homerun.
In a sense, we are like a baseball bat. Our Creator made each of us with a specific purpose. Our lives were intended for something good—not bad, not merely good—but great!
“For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)
Along life’s journey, there are many exits, pit stops, and off ramps which may seem good and enticing. When we veered off down a lesser road—away from what God intends for us—we would not be living to our fullest potential. When we are seduced into living a life that is just “good enough” or settled into the comfortable or become lazy, we would be guilty of misusing this precious gift—life.
We must remember that the good is truly the enemy of the best. To reach our God-given potential—to hit life’s “homerun”, we must not become complacent and settle for an easy life. Instead, we must strive for the purpose God intended for us so that we may glorify His name.
Let us live the purpose-filled life God has planned for us so that we will be able to say, just as Paul: “I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7, The Amplified Bible).
(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
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