buildingbodies4christ

building on the foundation of Jesus Christ

Archive for the tag “On Mission”

18 Jun 2014

Restless

Have you ever been restless – wanting more out of life than you currently have? There’s got to be more than this, right? More than the mundane day to day stuff; more than living life for the weekends. I mean really! God tells us He made us for a purpose. Scripture tells us in Ephesians 2:10 that He designed us for good works which He prepared beforehand (my paraphrase). All throughout Scripture, God uses people in amazing ways. He took average, ordinary people and used them for His glory! Did it all stop in biblical times? Or is God still using people in amazing ways today?

The prophets were called in the midst of the ordinary tasks to go and do what God called them to. We find David tending sheep. We find Samuel sleeping. Gideon was threshing wheat. Moses was wandering around in the desert when a burning bush stopped him in his tracks. Peter, Andrew, James and John were fishing. Paul was on his way to Damascus – albeit he was going to persecute the Christians when he arrived. But in the midst of the ordinary, God used the people who He placed in different times for different reasons. God knew the times and the places. He knew the people He would use for great things. Could today be any different? Scripture tells me God never changes. He is still at work; working toward the day of Jesus’ return. He still wants to use people to do His work to get the place and people ready for the predestined time. He is the only one who knows the time that is set.

Just like Esther, we are all born for such a time as this. We all have our place, our work that God sets before us. We may not know the work yet. We maybe in the preparation phase. Joseph had a dream. Between the dream and the fulfillment was his preparation time. He had no clue where God was going to take him to fulfill the dream. The pit, the slavery, the prison, the removal of all the things he knew brought about a greater purpose than he could have ever imagined. God may leave us in a difficult place so that He can use that difficulty for something greater. The trouble with difficulty is that we want to get out of it quickly. Joseph endured and apparently without complaining about his circumstances – at least it’s not recorded for us.

All the people God used were in a place of openness to Him and willingness to be used. They were humbled in His presence. I suppose that’s what He is looking for today. If we are not seeing God working through us (okay me), then we need to look into our hearts and find the reason why we are not useful yet. Could it be pride and arrogance? Could there be wrong motivations? If God intends to use us in this time and place, then we need to submit to His purpose; let Him reveal in His time and in His way. God is into the details; we just have to keep our heads in the game! Are you restless where God has you too? Seek first God. Wait for His timing and His ways– God is going to do some amazing things and if He is willing, He will make us able to do whatever it is for His glory and not ours! He’s done it in the past; why not now? Why not us?

O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
where there is no water.
I have seen you in your sanctuary
and gazed upon your power and glory.
Your unfailing love is better than life itself;
how I praise you!
Psalm 63:1-3 (NLT)

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11 Jun 2014

Why?

I got a call from a friend having a crisis of belief. I understood where she was coming from since I have had the same kind of questioning not too long ago. She was questioning why she is trying to help someone when they didn’t seem to care about changing. Some people want to be helped and some don’t. Some have gotten to the point in their lives that they need to change their habits in order to feel better. Others will just pop a pill and deal with the consequences later. It’s hard to know when to give helpful advice and when to keep the mouth shut. The words will just fall on deaf ears if they are not ready to hear. My friend was very frustrated. I understood that frustration and hopefully I was able to give her the encouragement she needed to keep the faith!

The last couple of days, I have been plagued with the crisis of belief as well. I have been in a discipleship class for the last seven months. I have been wondering “why am I doing this?” The group was told Monday night that we need to have a heart for those who are lost and without hope. We are not to judge those around us, but to love those around us. There is only one judge, and we were not appointed to that role. God loved us so much even when we were in the midst of our sins, He sent Jesus to us. Jesus came to give us life. Sin leads to death, but Jesus changes death to life if we believe in Him. I am learning how to share, but I have yet to put it into practice on a daily basis. God wants to use us where we are, but we have to be ready to share what we know with those who are ready to hear.

I need to be ready to help those who are ready to be helped. The crisis of belief doesn’t end the journey; sometimes it just realigns the belief to the truth of the mission. Scripture tells me not everyone will be saved. For the ones that the Holy Spirit is working in, we are to speak to those people. We can’t save the masses, but we can speak to the ones ready to be saved. As the little boy who picks up one starfish at a time and tosses it back into the ocean, he couldn’t save every one of the starfish on the beach, but he could help one. This is the mission that we are called to; one at a time. Why? There are people who are seeking; we have to be ready to go.

I cleaned up my diet and my health. I didn’t understand why I was doing it at the time, except I felt bad and wanted to feel good again. God has shown me recently that I am only able to do the things I do today because He helped me to be well for His purpose. He has a plan for the world to hear, but He needs people who are fit and ready to go. Satan wants us to stay sick and tired. Satan wants to destroy us so that we will not be effective witnesses. Jesus said He came to give us life. That’s why I do the things I do – because of Jesus; He is the right way to life. The crisis of belief shifts the direction of my mind; from my perspective to God’s. When I have the right perspective, everything changes.

Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?”

That’s exactly what Jesus did. He didn’t make it easy for himself by avoiding people’s troubles, but waded right in and helped out. Romans 15:1-3 (The Message)

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07 May 2014

Good News

I love to listen to different preachers each week. They all bring a different message with different insights and different perspectives. One of my favorite speakers is Andy Stanley. He just talks very plainly. When I was growing up, my preacher used fancy words that went over my head, and it’s a wonder I ever came to understand the Gospel message! But I did. But what I didn’t understand was the relationship and how we are to pass the Good News of Jesus to others. It’s a wonder how the church movement ever continued throughout the generations. How a small bunch of men and women had enough fire in them to spread the Good News. Andy Stanley pointed out in his Easter message that it wasn’t about Jesus’ teachings or His claims that kept the movement going.

After the death of Jesus, the movement died. Everybody scattered. No one believed the Son of God could die. No one believed the Messiah could die. But Jesus was both of these things, and He died anyway. The disciples didn’t get it. When Mary Magdalene came back from the tomb, the disciples didn’t say “oh, Jesus has risen!” They weren’t camping out at the graveside waiting with anticipation. Even though, Jesus had told them a couple of times, He was going to die and be resurrected on the third day. They weren’t there for it. They didn’t believe the women when they returned that Jesus wasn’t there. Peter and John ran to the tomb and found it empty. Scriptures says “then John believed.”

It was the witness of His resurrection that changed things. Jesus appeared to them several times after His resurrection. They started speaking not of Jesus’ teachings – although they were good. They started speaking about Jesus’ Good News. He died and came back to life; the Son of God came to earth to save us from our sins by His death and resurrection. He is the Resurrection and the Life. The Good News is Jesus! The Bible from beginning to end is centered on Jesus. Whoever believes in Him will have eternal life. Yes, we want to live as He did. Yes, we want to follow His examples that He set when He lived on this earth. But that’s not the reason the movement caught fire. The reason was the people saw Jesus after His resurrection. It changed everything. Then the men wrote about their time with Jesus. The ones who were eyewitnesses recorded the events so that we might also believe.

Jesus in one of His final prayers prayed for us – here, right now, in this time and place – for us to be unified with Him as He was one with the Father. Through the message that was spoken through the centuries, we have been a part of the movement. It’s in our hands to continue the movement by speaking of the Good News so that others will be unified in this same message. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” I am the light of the world.” Jesus said “I am the gate for the sheep.” “I am the good shepherd.” Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” “I am the way, and the truth and the life.” “I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener.” The soldiers came looking for Jesus on that last night. He asked them, “Who is it you want?” They replied, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said, “I AM” (in the original language). (See the Gospel of John.)

Jesus. The name above all names. The one who died and rose again. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father full of grace and truth. This is the Good News. This message is for all to believe. In the book Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warrens, the first line is: “It’s not about you.” This is not about me at all. If it is, then it will be of no value to anyone. The right perspective is: God’s glory through His Son by His grace and His mercy! And then He wants a relationship with us! Isn’t that Good News?

“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” Then Jesus told them “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 17:25-26; 20:29

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02 Oct 2013
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All In

The pastor asked the question “Now what?” I have been asking that particular question for the last two plus years. I have been searching high and low for the answer, but it just wasn’t coming to me. However, God was working hard to prepare me to hear the answer. It was like a “duh” moment when the answer came. Jesus said as you are going about your daily life, make disciples of Jesus. Put time into the lives that are in your circle of influence. Yeah, I understand that concept. I get it but how does that relate to my calling? Yeah, that is my calling.

Jesus left the earth with the commission to the disciples to go out and do what He did. And they did; all the way until their death. And the ones they invested in invested in others. And on and on. Until the Gospel message reached through the centuries, through the nations until it reached my ears. Jesus didn’t have a “Plan B.” In the game of tag, we’re it. As the preacher spoke the next Sunday, he made the comment the church in America has quit producing disciples. We have turned to the consumer Gospel. It’s the Good News too good to share. So we don’t. I am guilty of that. I listen to numerous sermons week after week. I am studying the Bible hard for my benefit. But what about others?

How is the Good News supposed to live past this generation unless we share it? But how do I put the things I am learning into practice? The blog is one thing but am I really helping others follow Christ through my blog? Am I helping to disciple any one? Is there anyone following Jesus because of me? No, I would say not. It’s not too late for me to use the remaining time of my life to do just that, to put things into practice. God has given me a voice. I am to use it for His purpose to help others follow Jesus.

We should be modeling the first body of believers found in the Book of Acts. I get it. I understand what we are experiencing here in America is not really what this message is all about. I should be serving Jesus where Jesus wants me, doing the things Jesus taught and loving others as well as I love myself. His message to the disciples was “follow me.” And they did. And that’s the message of today. Either I am all in or not. It’s my decision, no matter where, no matter what, no matter how. Jesus said to follow Him. Yeah, I get it. I’m all in. Lead on!

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:14-18a

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10 Jul 2013

The Little Things

The last day in the village in Honduras, one of the young men told me it was a blessing for women of the village to see the women on our team working alongside the men – doing the same work. I didn’t understand the significance of this when he told me this, but I understand better now. Jobs were handed out by gender, and women do not cross the gender line. I don’t know how this will impact the village, but this young man said it was a very good thing to see. What I considered normal, the village took notice.

I wasn’t sure why I was going on this mission trip. To tell you the truth, I have never done any evangelizing. I was hoping I could just go and serve other people. It ended up, that’s what the mission was all about. We helped to build a church, we painted a building for another church, and we ministered to several of the missionaries there. Did we win souls to the Kingdom? I didn’t see anything happening on the outside of our work. But we were examples of Jesus’ love because we did what we were called to do. The women and the men pitched in together and did the work that needed to be done. I don’t know the impact, but God does.

As I consider the mission trip, there is one thing that has stood out to me. God calls us to the little tasks. We are to go and do the things to help others. God asks us to do the little things as He works in it to bring about something good. Through the good works, we show the love of Jesus. We are being more like Jesus when we see the needs and fulfill them. One gender maybe able to do something better because of the strength needed for the job, but everybody can do their part to get the job done. And that’s what the team did, small task after small task.

One of the first tasks we did was pick up trash around the church. Was that significant? No, but several in the village noticed what we were doing and started picking up as well. We put it all into a pile and it was burned. At other times while the roof was being built, kids had their toe nails polished by one of the team members. Our main job was to show love toward the ones we came in contact with. No matter where we were, in the village or in the city, whoever crossed our path we wanted them to see Jesus.

If all I did was offer a smile to someone who was having a bad day, then it was worth it to go. If all I did was pick up trash or mix concrete so that the women of the village saw something new, then it was worth it. I don’t know how God will use the things that were done that week for His kingdom purpose but I am sure of this: He will do something through my smallest efforts. He is that good!

And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17 (Amplified Bible)

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03 Jul 2013

Pondering the Experience

I was on my mission trip to Honduras last week (the reason I didn’t post anything last week). I am still contemplating all that I experienced on the trip. I don’t know exactly how to describe what I am feeling about it all. Mostly, I felt uncomfortable. I was totally outside of my comfort zone. I think God likes for us to be outside our comfort zone. We are just too comfortable in our everyday lives that it’s hard for God to work there. When we are comfortable, we don’t need God.

I love the passage from Acts 10 concerning Peter’s vision. Peter needed a new perspective in order for God to work through him to grow the church in a new direction. Peter needed to go to a Gentile’s house in order to tell him about Jesus which was a definite no-no for a Jewish man. The vision showed Peter that God had prepared a new thing that will be outside of Peter’s comfort zone. This passage was previously used in my life to move me to my current city. I believe God is going to show me something new through my experience in Honduras. I don’t have the revelation yet. Like Peter, I am pondering what the vision (experience) means.

Our mission team put a roof on a church and mixed concrete for the floor. The church was in a small village. The people of the village walked to another village every week to worship. The people wanted a church building of their own so that the old and the young could worship together in their own village. I feel happy that I was able to help meet that need. It was hard work. Concrete is mixed by pure muscle strength – sand, concrete mix and water – stirred shovel full after shovel full. We put much effort into building, but God will bless that effort with filling it with His presence year after year as the people come to worship and praise Him. What an honor it was to be a part of that process!

This was a total village project. The children were so excited to see our van pull into their village every day. Able bodied men came out to help with the work. The women prepared the lunch feast. It was a pretty simple meal compared to US standards but for them, they served us their best. I had to get out of my comfort zone in order to be a part of God’s work. I met people I would have never met unless I traveled to see them. I asked one of the local missionaries what the locals thought of us coming on these mission trips. He said, “They couldn’t believe we would leave paradise to come help them.” Do I think of my country as paradise? Nope but in their world, we live in such abundance – even the poor in this country have so much more than they do.

I am still wondering why God has blessed me as He has. Why am I so fortunate to live in paradise when others suffer so much? What is the new thing God is going to show me next? I will ponder until the revelation comes. What a wonderful God I serve!

And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?”  Acts 10:19-21 (ESV)

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12 Jun 2013

Defining Moment

We all have defining moments in our lives when we have to give in to the fear or trust God in faith. I had one of those defining moments recently. For several days I wrestled with fear. I have been on the road to a healthy lifestyle for the last seven years. With God’s provision, I have recovered my health so that I am more fit and healthy today. I am able to go and do as never before. Even so much so, I have taken on the challenge of going on the mission field for a week in Honduras. It’s only through the grace and mercy of God that I am able to do these things.

But it comes with a challenge to my health issues. I surrendered to the fact I needed shots to do this mission trip. As I was in the nurse’s office listening to all the dos and don’ts, I had a bit of anxiety come over me. It has only grown in my mind since. I have been wrestling with the fear of losing my health once again. With God’s help, I have changed many things to bring about my health. It’s been a long seven years of change. But I feel so good right now that the thought of suffering again brings about the fear. I realize this is spiritual warfare going on. This fear only comes from Satan. God doesn’t give us a spirit of fear but power, love and discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).

In my quiet time, two things were put before me. The first was from Philippians 2:12b-13: “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Through this passage, I found I need to trust God completely. I need to trust that He will work all things for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). If God allows something to happen to my health, then He will work it out for His glory. Charles Stanley commented on this passage in his devotional “we must realize whatever we experience is under the authority of a kind, loving Father. God never allows anything to touch us that He will not turn to our benefit and the good of His kingdom.” Satan is only allowed so much leeway. Satan has no authority but only that which God has granted him for a time.

The second thing that came into my focus was from Matthew 5:13-16. We are to be the salt and light for the glory of God. I can do nothing without Him. If He chooses for me to suffer a little while, then I need to be ready to suffer for His name with no complaints. Jesus suffered far more than I will ever have to endure. This is my defining moment to trust God completely in all things. I surrender Lord! I am your servant – let it be as you say. Amen.

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8

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