It's time to get involved with this chapter in the story of how God is accomplishing His global purpose among this generation ...
Abandoned Times
SVM2 is a cross-organizational, cross-denominational movement calling a new generation of message bearers to a life of abandoned devotion to Christ and the urgent global evangelization of the world.
Overcoming Inadequacy
"Is anything too hard for ME?" In Jeremiah 32:26-27, we find the Lord asking the prophet this poignant and searching question in the middle of an impossible situation. Jeremiah was responding to God's command to buy a field in Jerusalem after he had just prophesied that it would be destroyed at the hands of the Babylonians. God responded that He would indeed punish the people, but would also one day faithfully bring them back into Jerusalem. Jeremiah's purchase of the field was to be a symbolic act, meant to demonstrate that God would again restore, resettle, and bring hope to His people in that city. In the midst of something that seemed so impossible, God would make good on His promise.
If asked the same question, most of us would quickly answer "NO - there’s nothing too hard for you Lord", but our lives sometimes reveal a very different response. Let’s spin the question a little bit and ask it this way, "Is there anything too hard for God to do through you?" Sure, we believe in theory that God can do anything, but when we personalize it - bringing it home to what we believe about God’s ability to work through us - we tend to back down. This question gets to the heart of the sense of inadequacy, fear and self-condemnation so common in our generation . We believe that God is supremely great, and yet behave as though He couldn't use us to fulfill His purposes in our world. For many of us, thoughts like "God could never use me in a significant way" or, "My past is so full of junk, I’m just happy that He has saved me," go round and round in our minds.
Yes, it's a wonderful thing that He has saved us, but let's remember that He has done so for a purpose greater than the enjoyment of heaven with Him one day. He's called each one of us to live a life entirely sold out, as a vessel of honor for Him, an intercessor who will stand in the gap for an entire generation. We are called to be His voice to the forgotten, people who will never hear the glorious truth unless we go to them. We value the eternal over the temporal rewards of this earth.
"Lord, I see that the way that I look at myself is so far out of line with your thoughts toward me and the way that your Word declares that you see me. I ask your forgiveness as I recognize that this is sin. I ask that as I study your Word, you would wash over me with living water and heal my poor self image. You have called me to live by great faith, and one of the ways to do this is to believe that you are able to use my life for your kingdom purposes. I believe this, and ask that you would continue to change my heart that I can walk in it wholeheartedly. I choose to daily take captive those negative and self defeating thoughts that come into mind so easily, and receive of your boundless grace to live victoriously, with a positive view of what you desire to do through me. I give you my life and my inadequacies. Have your way in me!"
Scriptures to hold on to in times of discouragement ...
Psalm 40:1&5 Psalm 139:17-18 1 Peter 2:4-10 1 John 3:1 Jeremiah 31:3 Ephesians 2:4
Deuteronomy 7:7-9, 33:12 Job 7:17-18 Isaiah 43:1-7 Isaiah 54:10 Jeremiah 29:11 Hosea 2:19
Abandoned Devotion Prayer Gatherings this Fall
The express purpose of the Abandoned Devotion prayer gatherings is to seek the face of God for an outpouring of missionary vision on today’s generation of young adults. This is accomplished by gathering young people together from various streams in the body of Christ, and seeking God on behalf of this generation all over the world. Regional prayer gatherings are being organized for Dallas, Atlanta, and Los Angeles with tentative gatherings scheduled for Boston, Denver and Chicago this Fall. Watch for more information on how you can participate in these events.
Prayer Focus
Pray for the gathering of local groups of Message Bearers (those committed to the vision of SVM2) on campuses and in churches nationwide through which a radical vision for the nations is communicated to others.
Pray that the vision of a united movement toward long term global commitment in the young adult world would be declared far and wide around North America.
Ask God to tear down any greed that might be in your own heart. Ask Him to build in this generation a greater capacity to fully trust Him when it comes to material possessions.
Pray for the hundreds of thousands of street children around the world with no family, education, or shelter.
Ask God what you can practically do this week to give generously toward the global purpose of God in our generation. Don’t look at your bank account, just be obedient to what the Holy Spirit might whisper to you as you wait upon Him.
Testimonies
"Jesus calls us not only to be willing to die for him, but to give our lives away. SVM2 and their call to abandoned devotion is just this - a passionate call to live daily for Jesus, to follow Jesus to the ends of the earth, and to give your life away in missionary service." – Paula Harris, Senior Associate Director, Urbana Leadership Team, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship
"I went to the Atlanta GO Conference and sensed God's call to 2 year commitment. I was very afraid, but God has literally thrown into my lap a opportunity to serve in South Korea. I continue to pray as Paul has said about "be anxious for nothing but take everything in prayer to God.' ..Thank you for lifting me up concerning my 2 year service in S. Korea, well, I have been accepted!" -- GO Conference attendee
"We read each of your communiques with joy and understanding. We too are encouraging a student movement in world missions among Pentecostal Bible students in Romania. Let us always remember that great missions movements require much prayer and time. Often they fulminate in unexpected ways, because God is sovereign." -- Mission President serving in Romania
Recommended Books for Message Bearers Prisoners of Hope by Heather Mercer and Dayna Curry. This book is the story of two women who responded to a calling to serve the poorest of the poor, which took them to Afghanistan. It is the inspiring journey of two extraordinary missionaries - from their imprisonment by the Taliban, to their rescue by U.S. Special Forces. (Available online at www.amazon.com)
The Calling by Brother Andrew and Verne Becker, and Terry Madison. The Calling contains testimonies from Christians who are passionately living their lives for Christ in spite of intense persecution. Their courageous stories will encourage young readers to walk the narrow road with renewed joy and purpose. (Available online at www.amazon.com)
Intimate Friendship with God by Joy Dawson. In the fascinating adventure of pursuing intimate friendship with the only One who can totally fulfill us, the author uses personal and practical experiences of everyday living to explain from Scriptures the holiness of God. (Available online at www.amazon.com)
If you have further questions, or if you would like to see a prayer group on your campus or in your area focused on God's global purpose in our generation (a Message Bearer Band) please feel free to contact us at svm2@hotmail.com
For This Generation,
The SVM2 team
Jennifer Bloch (SVM2)
Bill Corbin (Cypress Bible Church)
Heather Miller (Caleb Project)
Donnie Scearce (PIONEERS Canada)
Ryan Shaw (SVM2)
Paul Van Der Werf (Adventures in Missions)
SVM2 Team
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