Now, Go and tell!

Mark 6:7-9 (MSG)  Jesus called the Twelve to him, and sent them out in pairs. He gave them authority and power to deal with the evil opposition.  He sent them off with these instructions: "Don't think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment. No special appeals for funds. Keep it simple.  

Jesus sent his followers out in pairs. He knew they would need the support and encouragement a partner could provide.  While singly the disciples could cover more territory, as pairs they could give prayer cover while the other was dealing with a situation.  When one stumbled or despaired, the other could provide support or wisdom when faced with new problems. Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work (Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NIV)

Keep it simple.  What a great way to approach ministry.  Keep it simple; how much more could be accomplished if we did this, if we kept things simple so our work could be easily duplicated. There is wisdom in these verses. It is simple to talk to a neighbor, to invite them over for a meal or to help with a chore. It is simple to ask if you could pray for them.

The relationship that is being formed will eventually allow you to take the next step and share your faith story. Keep it simple. Make friends, enjoy each other, develop trust and share your life. This is how we share the Good News, by sharing our lives, by opening our homes and keeping it simple.

It is good to remember too, when we feel inadequate and so very unprepared for what lies ahead, He (Jesus) gave them (and us) authority and power to deal with evil opposition," so we can know that we have truly been equipped. WE ARE CALLED! YOU ARE CALLED!

Mark 6:7-13

Growing up and going out

A friend (I’ll call him Mark) once relayed a brief exchange of refreshing candor.  Getting his attention in perhaps the most effective way he could, a plain-spoken friend of his shared this observation: “You know, Mark, you’re really into yourself.  And most days, you don’t come out.”  It was helpful truth spoken in love ... and a teaspoon of humor to make the medicine go down.  (Obviously, he spoke also from a healthy storehouse of relational equity!) 

Growing into Christian maturity includes focusing less on ourselves and directing our attention toward others.  The twelfth century French monk, Bernard of Clairvaux, wrote of four ascending degrees of love.  We begin with loving ourselves for our own sake.  Then growth occurs as we love God for our sake ... then love God for God’s sake ... and, finally, loving ourselves [and presumably others] for God’s sake.  None of this is our own doing; all of it is the result of his divine work in us. 

Of course, our spiritual development also evidences itself in knowledge, obedience, faith and grace.  And as we increase in all of these, we bear progressively more fruit for the Kingdom of God.  For people speak when they are heard.  People listen to one who cares.  People trust those who love them.  And people know “real” when they see it. 

So all of our Bible studies, all of our favorite sermons, all of our worship, all of our prayer – they’re not just for our own good.  Rather, God uses these to equip us for work among the people of his affection, the vast “fields” that are “ripe for harvest.” 

So let us look beyond ourselves and go out as we grow up. 

Lord, may all the nourishment you have given to us grow us up in maturity of faith and obedience.  As you have built us up, use us to bear fruit for you, today.  Amen. 

“From [Christ], the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”  Ephesians 4:16

[Click here to see the daily reading in Ephesians 4:14-24.]

Discipleship Process

 "I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” (Genesis 28:15)

We are all family, but we also must establish our own personal relationship with God.  Just because my grandmother was a Believer and lived her life for Christ, doesn't mean I am now saved by riding her coattails.  I must believe on my own, I must accept Jesus for me, not because my relatives believed.

Faith is such a personal thing, but also public. I want a personal relationship so that I can have a public testimony. My individual connection to my Savior is necessary; my story that results because of this affiliation takes my faith to the next level.

Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (John 17:3)

True Disciples of Jesus Christ, go out into the world and make Disciples of Jesus Christ. Once I know Jesus and accept His love, grace and mercy, I grow in my relationship with Him. 

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus. (2 Peter 3:18)

I am transformed and changed through and through. Then, as a natural part of this Discipleship path, I will go with Jesus. I will go and share this news with others. I will share the Gospel as a true Disciple of Jesus Christ.

This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (John 15:8)

Genesis 28:10-22

Pray, GIVE, Go

Why is giving such a touchy topic? I know folks who won't go to church because every time they do they think preacher is asking for money? Is this by chance one area we aren't ready to surrender to God? Do we cling tight to our money because we don't believe God will truly take care of us?

I walked a path of financial insecurity, for three years now, and God has been refining my heart. He is addressing the trust issues with which I struggle. I say I have faith, but do I really? When the going gets real tough, do I believe God is in control; or do I only give lip service to this idea?

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

I am beginning to understand and believe God will take care of me and my needs. That doesn't mean He will provide for my every whim or desire. It means He will provide for my daily bread. During this season of refining, God reveal is showing me just how much my 'wants' determine my comfort and I hate to admit, but maybe even my faith.

Faith is an area of weakness for me. Oh, to embrace the faith of Abraham or Moses, or Ruth or Mary. The next time I prepare my offering envelope I will look at the experience as an exercise in Faith and Love. I practice tithing but the area I need more practice is doing it with a full and open heart. For me that means not holding back my heart when I give, but praising God for all He has done and will do for me just because He loves.

2 Corinthians 9

Take Courage! Go.

Several years ago I traveled quite a bit on business. I had been in Chicago for three days and arrived back at my desk on Friday, exhausted, looking forward to the weekend. About mid-morning my boss called with some news, “Hey Mark, you need to be in London on Monday.”


Ugh! No rest for me. I had to go!


In today’s story, Acts 22:30-23:11, Paul may have felt a bit like I did. He had just completed his third missionary trip and was in Jerusalem when the Lord told him, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”


No rest for Paul. He had to go.

Paul’s testimony throughout his journey was a blend of joy and sorrow. He was persecuted and chased out of many towns, yet he had joy in the strength that other believers brought him.

 

In Jerusalem, Paul was jailed, was almost flogged and was at risk of being “torn to pieces” by the Sanhedrin. Paul must have wondered what acts of harassment would greet him in Rome.



Mamertine Prison
Paul's "Home" in Rome

Today’s story does not explicitly tell us that Paul prayed about his situation. The Book of Acts, however, tells us that Paul frequently prayed with others about the mission Christ gave him. Perhaps the words of comfort, “Take courage!” were an answer to one of his many prayers.

Many Christians in the world today are physically persecuted. Living in the United States, we are blessed with a much safer environment. We may think that the mission field is elsewhere in unfriendly lands, but the truth is, there are many in our neighborhoods that need to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.

It can be difficult to witness to a neighbor or friend when you are not accustomed to it. Yet that is what we are asked to do for Christ. We know we won’t get “torn to pieces”, flogged or jailed. Perhaps we are afraid of being rejected.

Take courage! Go.

Paul did.

Sometimes You Have to Let Things Happen

Have you ever had a feeling that things were not going to turn out properly or that disaster was looming? Maybe you had these feelings the first time your child got behind the steering wheel of a car. Or, worse yet, you bit your lip when a friend was about to get married to a person of questionable character.  Sometimes you have to let things happen.

Greek Merchant Vessel

Today’s reading (Acts 21:1-6) tells us that the disciples at Tyre had that feeling about a trip Paul was taking to Jerusalem. Paul was delivering a donation to the poor Christians in Jerusalem from the Corinthians (1 Cor 16:1-4).

 

“Through the Spirit, they (disciples at Tyre) urged Paul not to go” (verse 4). The disciples knew Paul would suffer hardships in Jerusalem, and they selfishly advised him not to go.

 

Yet Paul went. He was “compelled by the Spirit” (Acts 20:22). In spite of the fact that everyone knew that Paul would have a difficult time in Jerusalem, Paul understood that this was God’s plan. Paul was on a mission and he had to let things happen so that God’s plan would be accomplished.

 

Before he left Tyre, Paul and the disciples prayed.

Believe it or not, these mere six verses of scripture contain elements of a good model for mission work.

1.       Pray: The disciples and Paul prayed.

2.       Give: The disciples in Corinth gave and Paul was delivering the gift.

3.       Go:  After prayerful preparations, Paul continued to Jerusalem.

The disciples may have been wrong in urging Paul to stay with them. Bear in mind that their love for Paul was strong and his well being was their motivation. Nonetheless Paul was compelled to go, and we know he was persecuted. Yet God accomplished great things through Paul because he went.

Paul witnessed to Jews in Jerusalem. He witnessed to two Roman governors in Judea.  He witnessed to King Herod Agrippa II. Ultimately, Paul was sent to Rome, where he witnessed to many Roman soldiers and citizens, and most likely the emperor himself.

Sometimes you have to let things happen!

Riches Galore

Acts 20:2-4

The Message (MSG)

20 Then he came to Greece and stayed on for three months. Just as he was about to sail for Syria, the Jews cooked up a plot against him. So he went the other way, by land back through Macedonia, and gave them the slip. His companions for the journey were Sopater, son of Pyrrhus, from Berea; Aristarchus and Secundus, both Thessalonians; Gaius from Derbe; Timothy; and the two from western Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

As a missionary, Paul had to be on his "A" game all the time, alert for any signs of danger.  He walked closely with the Holy Spirit and on more than one occasion was prompted to take a different route or plan for different stops. Paul knew he was responsible for others on this trip, his companions were representatives of churches Paul had started in Asia.

We know that these ambassadors from their home churches were bringing gifts for the new believers and they wanted to hand deliver them. Having each man deliver the gift gave the gifts a personal touch and strengthened the unity of the believers. This was also an effective way to teach the church about giving.

One of the ways many of us participate in missions is by giving, either financially or with our prayers or other tangible offerings. But, when there is an opportunity to go personally and experience the joy of face to face encounters with people of other nations, we must do it.  The experience will change you forever.

I know, having been a part of five trips to Honduras, each one different and amazing in its own way.  I can remember so much of those trips.  I can see the children and the elderly.  The beautiful smiles and the heartbreaking poverty. It am stunned to this day when I remember how poor the folks are for material things, but how rich they are in Spirit.

What a lesson to learn and bring back home with me - you are only as poor as your attitude.

Acts 20:1-5

Go! - Luke 1:1-12, 16-20

Luke 10:2-3 (NKJV)
² Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. ³ Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.

This past Sunday, during our worship service, there was a time of commissioning a mission team.  This team is heading for Honduras to provide medical care to folks who seldom, if ever see a doctor.  They also bring with them a Vacation Bible School program for all the children who flock to see the "gringos".  My husband and I served on a number of these teams.  The memories of our trips to Honduras are treasured.  Every time we look at pictures of the children we remember the lives that were changed for Jesus, including ours.

This passage in Luke selected for today can be summed up in a word - GO!  Short term mission trips may seem to be too little for such a big job, but it soon becomes obvious to those who participate, that we serve a great big God and  He only needs willing hearts to work big things.

Of course, the mission field doesn't have to be in Honduras or outside our own country.  The mission field is all around us; our next door neighbor, co-worker, beautician, grocery store clerk or our best friend.  Get the point?  It is always wise to be prepared to share where ever you are.  GO! - is still the word of the day.

To read all the text for today click here.