Miracles Along The Way
Stepping Into Your God-Given Assignment: Lessons from the Mission Field
When Jesus entered the synagogue in Luke 4, He boldly declared His assignment by reading from Isaiah: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
After reading this powerful declaration, Jesus rolled up the scroll, sat down, and with all eyes fixed on Him, simply stated: "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." In that moment, Jesus wasn't just revealing His identity—He was establishing His assignment.
What Happens When We Step Into Our Assignment?
God's church continues to expand worldwide because it's His mission. When we step into our God-given assignments, miracles happen. This truth has been demonstrated repeatedly on the mission field.
In Zanzibar, an island that's 99% Muslim, missionaries established an English center as a platform to share the Gospel. When their landlord decided to sell the building, they needed $190,000 to secure a new location—a seemingly impossible amount to raise quickly.
The new building's owner, a Muslim man, had kept it vacant for seven years, waiting for "the right person" to use it as a school or hospital to help the community. Despite having no money initially, the missionaries moved in with a small down payment and an agreement to pay in four installments.
When the first payment came due, they had nothing to give. The owner was furious, but they asked him to have faith that God would work it out. By the second quarter, not only could they catch up on payments, but they paid the entire $190,000 at once—a miracle that demonstrated God's power even to a Muslim man.
How Does God Use Ordinary People in His Mission?
Sometimes, it's not the long-term missionaries who see the breakthrough. A short-term team from Arkansas shared the Gospel with a man called Nick, who said, "If what you say about Jesus is true, if Jesus reveals himself to me, I will leave Islam and follow him the rest of my days."
Nick did encounter Jesus and left everything to follow Him. Despite losing his job, his house, and being rejected by his family, Nick remained faithful. Now he's discipling other young men, starting a church planting movement in a Muslim area.
When Nick's family threatened to stone him to death if he wouldn't renounce Jesus, he prayed in the Spirit. Miraculously, when he opened his eyes, everyone had disappeared. On another occasion, two new believers were taken out to sea to be drowned if they wouldn't renounce Christianity. A swarm of bees appeared from nowhere, forcing their persecutors to return to shore and release them.
Why Do Our Prayers and Giving Matter?
In Malawi, a local missionary named Mulolo goes door-to-door in Muslim villages without a budget or vehicle. He started with a small Bible study in his living room, which grew to a backyard gathering, and now has 150 people—a vibrant church planted among an unreached people group.
These miracles and church plants happen because people pray and give to missions. Your participation makes waves in the spiritual realm. The prayers of believers can provide divine protection for missionaries, as demonstrated when the Holy Spirit prompted a missionary not to travel to a village on a day when people had been stirred up against them.
Are We Overcomplicating the Gospel?
In 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Paul says: "When I came to you, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom... I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."
We often overcomplicate the gospel message and underestimate our role in sharing it. We disqualify ourselves, saying we're not qualified, educated, bold, or gifted enough. But God says if you step into your assignment, He will qualify and equip you there.
Paul kept the gospel simple, and God met him with "a demonstration of the Spirit and of power." We don't need another sign, encounter, or book to read. Jesus has already commissioned us to go and make disciples.
Life Application
When Jesus declared His assignment in the synagogue, "the eyes of all were fixed on him." When you step into your God-given assignment, you will get people's attention. They will notice something different about you and your church.
This week, consider these questions:
What assignment has God been calling you to that you've been hesitating to accept?
How have you been overcomplicating your role in sharing the Gospel?
Where in your community could you start making a difference today?
What specific step can you take this week to engage with God's mission?
Don't wait for a burning bush experience. God has already said, "Go and make disciples." Whether it's starting a Bible study, mentoring young people, volunteering at church, or simply sharing your testimony with coworkers—your participation matters.
The challenge is to engage God's assignment like never before. The time is short before Jesus returns, and the church will have to answer for what we did and did not do. Step into what God is calling you to do, keep the message simple, and watch how God meets you there with His power.
