Witness Wednesdays

The word "witnessing" has gotten a bad rap in recent years. Let me set a stereotypical picture for you of a person who once "witnessed" to me...
As I walked out of the building, I was bombarded with several people who had small pamphlets in their hands and who were also quite loud. I was in the middle of conversing with someone when we were all kind of split from each other and stared into the eyes of what looked like either an angry or frightened person. He stretched out his hand practically forcing the pamphlet into my hand and looked me square in the eyes and uttered these words: "If you were to die tonight where would you go heaven or hell?" I stood there stunned knowing full well that Jesus and I were extremely close to each other and would spend the rest of eternity getting to know each other. Unfortunately, I was so stunned that nothing came out immediately. Then, from the recesses of my brain I muttered a Sunday school series of explanations. To his first question, I responded with "Heaven". Then he said, "How do you know?" To which I responded, "Because I asked Jesus into my heart. I love Him and He loves me." I then walked away startled by the whole situation.
Now, if I was terrified of this person who was supposedly "witnessing" to me, I can only imagine how someone else might feel. Good grief! He didn't even ask my name! He didn't introduce himself! And he didn't act as a witness of seeing God move in a mighty way. I firmly believe that God uses all sorts of ways to reach people, but do people have to be so dog-gone unnatural and weird about it. There were other people touched that night and praise God for it. But again, I kind of go back to my thinking that I really don't care what you know, until I know that you care.
Similar things have happened seeing guys holding signs up and screaming on the corner about how we are all going to Hell without Jesus. It's absolutely true, but sheesh, calm down and talk with me about it. Or then there is the person that uses all sorts of Christianese language when speaking to me. Someone once asked: Are you saved and sanctified? What, huh? Most Christians can't agree on certain dialects of Christianese language and we've got people using it to people that have never set foot in a church building.
I say all that to say this: A witness is someone who has seen God in a mighty way, specifically through the revelation of Jesus Christ. If I witnessed a car accident and was told to inform the police, I would tell them what I saw and try to be of the best help I could. Maybe we need to witness in ways that are natural. Buy a co-worker lunch at work and find out about where they have come from and how they feel about things. If the conversation moves in such a way that an opportunity to present Christ happens then great! Mostly, we must learn to listen to God's Spirit in those situations. What about taking the opportunity to pray with someone who is having a difficult time, if that's what God's Spirit directs. God's in charge of converting people, not you! Rather be his instrument if He has chosen to use you at that moment. Some of the best "witnessing" jobs I ever did took over several years and required much patience, but those people are a part of Kingdom now so it was worth it. I didn't wear them down with a bunch of high-church talk, rather I loved them and cared for them. Choose this day, how you act as a witness for Christ; listen to His Spirit and love people.

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Teaching Tuesdays

I have sat through many a sermon, including my own, which have made some tremendous points, but failed to hit on how to carry out things practically. Many of us have good intentions regarding fulfilling the objective of the sermon, but if the sermon lacks a practical way of carrying out the teaching, then what does it matter? I try my very best to remember this when I prepare for a message, but sometimes it doesn't come out as clearly. And I would assume that you listen to other Christian teachers and preachers who many times don't give a real concrete way of fulfilling that week's challenge.
Here is my challenge to you, in order to maximize the message preached. Learn how to set a practical goal in front of you after every message regardless of whether the teacher or preacher gave a practical goal. For instance...

Teaching on Forgiveness... Find a practical way to serve someone you have an issue with.
Teaching on Giving... Find an area during the week that you can give toward that you wouldn't normally do. If you are good at giving financially, find a way to give with your time, if you give in both these areas, give your talent, etc...
Teaching on Fear... Determine the place you are most fearful and resolve to fast and pray about that area until the peace of God begins to permeate you.
Teaching on Loving God... picture your relationship with God in light of a marriage. What areas are you good at in and what areas are you weak. If you have difficulty expressing in words your love for God, then set some goals for that week. If you have difficulty spending lots of time with God, set some "date nights" to spend time with the Lord.
Teaching on Addictions... If there is an area you know that your flesh is winning over your spirit, then what can you place in your life to help diminish the craving? Discuss with other people that have overcome addictions to help you out. Overcoming addictions is so very much about practical steps to keep you out of that situation.
Take the opportunity to never let a message slip away because a practical point wasn't given. Instead, make your own practical point.

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Missional Mondays

Many times when people picture a "missionary", a person in the depths of an African Jungle preaching to a group of Natives comes to mind. However, missions is much greater than just this picture word. Paul was considered one of the first missionaries because he traveled from place to place, culture to culture preaching the Good news.
The United States has been a hotbed for sending missionaries to foreign countries. We have the resources, the desire, and the ability. I believe we should continue to send missionaries, but thankfully many other countries are sending out missionaries including the ones that directly benefited from major missionary efforts in the past. Unfortunately, many Americans when hearing the term missions only thinks of foreign lands. There are many mission fields at home that we can participate in a major way. In many cases, foreign missions affords me the opportunity to give financially and pray. Home missions, affords me the opportunity to get right in there in the midst of the battle.
Even greater than that, is that I don't necessarily have to volunteer with local mission organizations either. (Although I highly recommend that you do). God has placed each of us in our own little corner of the world. For example in my life... I consistently run, bicyle, and walk through my neighborhood in Southport. I go to the YMCA frequently. I spend time at the church building which brings all sorts of people to me. I occassionally work part time at a tent company. All of these places give me the opportunity to be a missionary to the people around me.
A missionary is expected to learn and love the people that he/she is to reach. So, we must take the opportunity to learn more about the people around us so that we can better reach them with the Good News. Don't just think missions work is for those overseas, rather understand that you were called to be a missionary right where you are at now.

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Theological Thursdays

Theology is the study of God. God has been revealed to us fully through Jesus Christ. As a Christian deepens in relationship with Jesus, naturally one's theology will shift. This is a good thing. Within the pages of Scripture, we see a phenomenon of progressive revelation take place. What this means is that little by little God reveals more of Himself. For instance, we see a limited view of God in Genesis, but that view is much more developed in Acts.
Quick note must be made however, as God reveals himself more and more to us, it will not violate previous revelations. For instance, Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament, He did not get rid of it. He was the fuller revelation. It's important to understand this point, because other religious groups like the Mormons consistently violate previous, supposed revelations for new ones. We do not do that! Truth is truth, it cannot be thrown out for a "new" truth.
Why do I say all this today? We need to be on the lookout for God in our everyday life so that we can appreciate a much fuller picture of Him. A very practical way of seeing this is in the positive relationships we have with others. I have experienced being a son who has a mother and father. I have experienced being a student to a teacher. I have experienced being a teacher to a student. I have experienced having a best friend. I have experienced having a wife. All of these relationships reveal something about God to me. We have the opportunity to see God as a Father, a Nurturer, a Teacher, a Friend. However, I am not a father, so that area of relationship has not been revealed to me yet.
Choose this day to seek a more full revelation of God. And everything you see about God should be evident in Jesus Christ.

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Worship Wednesdays

What works for you during a musical worship service? We have already established that worship is so much more than just the music portion of a church service. However, practically every congregation takes a few minutes to sing and expects people to worship during this time. I always had difficulty "pressing into worship" like the pastor was pushing us to do. Thoughts went through my mind: Press into what? What should I think about right now? Am I not worshipping right if I am not extremely emotional. I would look around and see some people that looked so spiritual and into it, and I just tended not to be. I honestly just wanted the music to stop so I could get to the sermon.
Then I discovered something, it was my responsiblity to determine the way in which I worshipped best and sieze the moment. I found my worship "release" in violence. Let me explain before we go too far down a rabbit hole. Some people sieze moments of worship with their voices, or with dancing, or with shouting, or with kneeling, or with playing an instrument or with a variety of other things. I needed to hit things. I found my release in beating a drum, or the back of pew, or my legs, or whatever was there. I just found it easier to consentrate on my Lord and savior when I could hit things. That doesn't mean that this is the exclusive way in which I worship during music, but it is the way that keeps me focused on my Savior.
The problem with so many people is that we get distracted from the object of our worship. And maybe some of us get distracted because we haven't found what gets us going. My wife can just sing and sway for such a long time, I cannot, but both of us must learn to focus in. Don't stay inside the box about the way to adore the Lord, rather be willing to step up. Find your unique way of worshipping the Lord.

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TaNaK Tuesdays

I would encourage you to find a passage of Scripture in the Old Testament that you are not very familiar with. Maybe one of the Minor Prophets or something. It is always fun to read something that you are not really familiar with. Go ahead, right now, go to the index in your Bible and scan down and look to a book you have no idea about. Maybe stick with a shorter book. Find one that catches your eye and then read it! Try to find out some background on it. Perhaps you have some study helps in your Bible or you can look online. Read over the book and then determine the answers to these two broad questions: What does this book tell me about God? What does this book tell me about God's people?
I eagerly await your responses on what you discovered.

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Money Mondays

"Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
This Scripture found in the Sermon on the Mount should speak volumes to us right now. Every newspaper, news show, and media outlet is attempting to guess what will happen in the economic future. My advice to you, is not to worry a thing about it. Control what you can today. Do you have a job? Do it your very best this day. Have you lost your job? Keep looking, today may be the day you find it. Whatever happens, God has your back when you seek His Kingdom first.

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