Sing to the Lord a new song.
Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord. Praise his name.
Announce every day how he delivers.
Tell the nations about his splendor.
Tell all the nations about his amazing deeds.

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Friends, this post was first published in September of 2020.

The Great Commission of Christ begins with the assurance of His authority and ends with the assurance of His presence. It should be noted that His presence is not simply a comforting thought. His presence carries with it His power and His authority. What is done through the Great Commission is done in the power and authority of Christ. 

“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Goye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

It is important to understand that this assurance belongs only to those who engage in the biblical pattern of the Great Commission. We cannot expect New Testament power if we do not hold to the New Testament pattern. How can we pray and ask for the Holy Spirit and His power without also adopting the call of Christ? If we, individually and corporately, are not honoring His Commission should we be surprised if He is not with us? 

The Downing Family

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 I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage—I have conquered the world.”

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Who is the foundation of the Church? Does it matter? Well yes it does! Click play below and find out why!

https://ourmissionpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/who-is-the-foundation-of-the-church-.m4a

“Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.” Isa. 28:16.

“For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?” Psa. 18:31.

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 3:11.

“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord.” Eph. 2:20-21.

In the last text we see that the apostles were foundation stones. If we were required to interpret the “rock” in Matt. 16:18 as applying to Peter, there is yet nothing in such an application of the text that conflicts with the scriptures. The apostles all being foundations, of course Peter was one of them. Jesus would not have singled Peter out here because he had any pre-eminence over the rest, but because in conversing with him, his name, Cephas (a stone), called out the assertion. For evidence that all twelve were foundations, see Rev. 21:14.

Yet, Christ is the all-underlying foundation. The apostles, being first chosen and inspired to give us the New Testament, were foundation stones occupying a connecting position between Christ, the Rock, and the rest of the building. Christ is then the only Rock. “Other foundation can no man lay.” Only one structure can stand on one foundation. Christ built His church on Himself. All later organizations are without Christ as their foundation, and must perish.

-D.S. Warner

With much love, The Downings

Mango ceviche

We love mangos!  This simple mango ceviche recipe has brought us a fair amount of joy.  Seven out of seven Downings from youngest to oldest love this ceviche. To hear the recipe click the play button below. 

Ingredients

Instructions

First.  Peel and dice the firm mangoes

Then.  Soak the mangoes with ½ of the lime juice, ketchup, sugar and hot pepper slices for two of hours.

Then.  Pickle the onions by soaking them in warm water and 1 tbs of salt for 10 minutes, rinse and drain.

Then.  Mix the sliced onions and remaining lime juice, let marinate for two hours.

Then.  Remove the pulp from the three soft mangoes and blend with ½ cup of cold water to make a puree.

Then.  Add the sunflower oil to the marinated onions.

Then.  Combine the diced mangoes, the mango puree, ½ of the pickled onions and the chopped cilantro in a large bowl. Stir well and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Then.  Serve with the remaining pickled onions on the side or a spoonful on top of each individual bowl.

Enjoy! Serve in chilled bowls.

Click here for more great Ecuadorian recipes!

With love, The Downings

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Nothing pleases Christ more than for us to share with Him His burden for the world and its people. Nothing so weds us to the heart of Christ as our tears shed as we intercede for lost ones with Him. Then truly we become people after God’s own heart. Then we  begin to know what it is to be Christ’s prayer partners.

Throughout the corridors of history Christians have sought to see the world as Christ saw the world. When we can see people as Christ saw people we develop a burden for our lost and dying world. When our hearts and passions align with the heart and passion of Jesus we truly enter into His mission. 

Jesus once lifted his eyes and looked at a gathering crowd. He told his disciples “behold the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few! Pray, therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out workers into His feild.”

Jesus not only calls us into His mission, He invites us to be His prayer partners!

May we see the world like Christ sees it! May we shed the same tears He sheds! 

Love, The Downing Family

Click here for more Missionary Devotions!

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Have you ever thought about going on a short term mission trip? Wanda and John hadn’t until they were invited to Perú in 1984. That invitation combined with their willingness to go changed their lives. Listen to this interview with Wanda then read on for an invitation of your very own!

https://ourmissionpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/wanda-cox.m4a

We invite you to begin planing a trip or to get connected with a trip planed by someone else. Click here to take your first step toward Ecuador!

Love, The Downing Family

Friends, this post was first published in August of 2020.

Part of disciple-ing others is helping them connect with Christ’s death and resurrection. This is precisely what happened with Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8:26-40. As Philip was going, he met a man with questions about the Bible. He responded to those questions with Christ-centered answers, and then lead the man into the waters of baptism forthwith. Philip was “going” and he “discipled” by “baptizing.” He helped the man to comprehend Jesus and then baptized him as the affirming act of his new-found faith. 

“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Goye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

The waters of baptism are not magic but they are meaningful. Through baptism, a believer in Christ acknowledges death to their past sins, lifestyle, and motivations. They also acknowledge the newness of life through the resurrection of Christ. It is a testimony that the believer is focused on the glorious Person and all-consuming mission of Jesus Christ. 

Here is the audio version of Disciple! Newness of Life.

Baptizing in the “name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” signifies the disciple is encompassed in the total Person and total plan of God. Nothing in the believer’s life is kept for their own purposes, everything is given to God.

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”

Here is the video version of Disciple! Newness of Life.

Friend, if you would like to have a copy of the Disciple! book you can purchase it here.

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The Downing Family

In many cultures bull fighting is popular. Here is our cultural insight about this event in Ecuador.

With Love, The Downings

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