Today's Hope is Tomorrow's Salvation

The most recognizable verse in scripture is probably John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but will have eternal life.

While studying this section of scripture, I discovered something I had not given much thought to before. Some people are repulsed by the idea of eternal life. Their lives are so miserable, filled with such pain, evil or hate, they want relief, not an extension of their time here. They see no hope in tomorrow.

They don't understand that eternal life is not the same existence we experience here and now. They don't know the hope we are talking about and they don't understand their life is meant to be lived at Jesus' side.

Their hope only exists in today. It is our assignment from God to draw close to His Holy Spirit and begin to reveal that hope. The need to see that stunning hope in us, in how we live our lives and how we face the same difficulties they face.

I recall having conversations like this at my husband's bedside shortly before his death. We would discuss our faith journey, acknowledging how far God had brought us spiritually since we first met. We spoke of the day we would be reunited and how wonderful eternal life together would be for us, and for everyone. He died at peace knowing where his Hope came from.

This way of living begins by putting our trust in Jesus, by believing He is who He says He is. Not just believing in Him, that He exists but believing what He says. Then, when we are nearing the end of our time in this world, we will look forward with joy. We will stare into the dark face of death and welcome the Light.

John 3:21 (NIV)
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."  

John 3:14-21

Shine the Light of Trust as you Walk Around the Block

Do you find it easy to trust? Do you need to be friends with someone before you trust them? Or, are there stages of trust. There are most likely as many differing responses to these questions as there are situations where trust was born or broken.

Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. 

In recent years, I have found it easier to trust people and share some of my life with them. There are some people who seem naturally to be trustworthy. There is a chemistry when we meet and it doesn't take long before there is a feeling like we have been friends for a while. Comfort is in their words and conversation is easy.

Those of you who know me have heard this part of my story. How there was a time I didn't have any friends and I didn't want any.  That was much of my life. Then, someone I trusted, (a few someone's actually), introduced me to Jesus and He became a reason for mto go on. And over time, I started to crave meaningful relationships.

Remembering my past, from where I came, is helpful now as I want to help someone else find that special relationship with Jesus. The thing is, it will begin with a relationship with me.  Sounds like bait and switch doesn't it? But in the best way possible.

The trick is for me to keep my eyes open to anyone God may be placing right in front of me. That someone who doesn't know it yet, but just might become a real friend. Then with prayer and my trust in the Holy Spirit, we will move around that Discipleship Block one step at a time.

Matthew 5:13-16

Trust or Bust

"Now is the day of salvation.  Put no obstacle in anyone's way." (2 Corinthians 6:1-3)

We can't have genuine relationships without trust. If trust is broken, the relationship suffers and often crumbles. When we find someone we respect and can trust with our pain and troubles, a valuable friendship is established. If I can trust you, I will listen to you and value your opinion.

Do you have many friends? There are lots of people in my life, but not all of them would I consider a friend. A friend is someone I trust. Trust is a very big one syllable word, and no true or real relationship can exist without it.

As we learn to Walk Around the Block with someone, as we get ready to help them accept Jesus into their life, there must be trust. To even get someone to the point of being willing to listen to us, we must have developed a relationship of trust. Trust is a two-way street, as we have to trust them as well.  Truth arises out of trust.

Many of us have issues with trust. We have been disappointed and let down by folks we expected would have been there for us. Spouses, parents, siblings and even best friends are often the culprits. Parents divorce, spouses lie or cheat, siblings turn their backs on each other and best friends betray. That is a reality in this world. We can't expect perfect behavior from people who don't know Jesus.

In fact, we are all capable of doing things untrustworthy. That is why we need Jesus, why we need to be careful and to always be on guard. We need prayer and we need relationships which help us keep in touch with our sinful nature while we embrace righteousness from God. While we are helping someone else recognize Jesus as redeemer we need someone who is coming alongside us too. We all need a mentor - an accountability partner you can trust to speak truth into your life.

2 Corinthians 6:2-11

Neighborly Care

"What has happened to me has served to advance the gospel." (Philippians 1:12 NIV)

Paul's story about his imprisonments and the subsequent blessings as a result of these situations are fascinating to read. When he finds himself in chains in a cold prison cell, and knowing he is innocent of the wrong he is accused of, he makes friends with his jailer.  He had time to write the letters which we now read to help us get through our trials and challenges.

"As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ." (Philippians 1:13 NIV)

Many years ago, soon after my husband and I began attending church, we became friends with the pastor and his family. We lived a few blocks away from them and would often take an evening walk around the block, right past their house.  Often they were outside and we would stop and talk and laugh together.

This evening walk around the block soon developed into an occurence we looked forward to. In the beginning, Dave and I felt accepted and invited into their life, without being creepy. Over time the relationship grew and it became genuine and honest. They began to outwardly care for us by making our visits seem as important to them as it obviously was to us.

Dave and I grew in our faith and love for Jesus. Eventually that pastor baptized my husband and our youngest daughter. It is this type of story, or testimony, that could help someone else recognize that sharing the love of Jesus can be as easy as walking around the block.

Philippians 1:12-30

Caring Testimony to Love

"But a Samaritan...had compassion...he took care of him..." (Luke 10:33,34)

The story of the Good Samaritan is familiar to most of us and the true picture of care. The Samaritan never met this injured man but felt compelled to help him. What a testimony of love for fellow-man.

As we learn about walking around the block with someone who hasn't met Jesus yet, care is one of our focuses. After inviting someone into a relationship which is subtle and genuine, we begin to care about them as people and as friends.

Once we have prayed about this and have asked God to show us who He is preparing for this journey with us, we can begin. For walking around the block is a journey that begins with an invitation and then becomes more personal. We can begin caring for this person, or these people before we officially meet them. Part of sharing our faith is praying for guidance, wisdom, and discernment. And because God is faithful, He will honor our prayers and start working before we do.

I found it helpful to remember who first walked me around the block. How did they invite me into their life? What did my life look like after that? How did they care for me? One woman, instrumental in my faith development, had the gift of encouragement. I was at a point in my life when I did not feel necessary or valid. This woman took the time to teach me that I was important. She went on to let me know in different ways, how she wanted to spend time with me.

At that point in my life, her care was vital. Her loving care changed my world forever. Now, can you put this example into your story? Is there something to be duplicated? If it worked for me and for you, why not for them?

Luke 10:30-37

Friend Me

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. (Luke 10:38)

Martha did not know Jesus yet, but she opened her home to Him. In ancient times, this was not so strange; if you opened your home to a stranger, you weren't necessarily asking for trouble. Sharing was a part of life.

Inviting someone into our homes is sometimes easy and sometimes not. A lot depends on us, and our view of Disciple-making. I am learning that I can make a difference in someone's life by merely introducing myself and after a while, trying to find a way to get to know them better. Who doesn't need a friend. This can be a lonely world and often that smile or invite to lunch can change someone else's pain.

Invite is all about opening your heart and then your home.  It is about reaching over the fence in the backyard then installing a gate for easier access. I need to keep my eyes open for people who God is placing in my path; people who I encounter on a regular basis who were part of the background until now.

Every relationship begins with one of us reaching out, opening up, or stepping over whatever barrier it is that keeps us from making the first move.  I am convinced that God has my next best-friend out there just waiting for us to meet.

No more missed opportunities. No more looking back and wishing I had acted on a prompting of the Holy Spirit. Life is full of missed opportunities. My goal now is to recognize those moments and snatch them up before they are only a regret. Martha opened her home to Jesus. I am ready to do no less.

Luke 10:38-42