April 29, 2009 by Kelly.

I’m not talking about when it’s full of food; I want to know what prevents you from sharing Christ. I’ve got a few of my own issues, which I’ll share, but I’d love to hear from YOU. What closes your mouth, and keeps you silent when the opportunity to share Christ comes along? Our pastor posed that question during a recent sermon–and it’s a mighty good question, too! Perhaps if I share what closes my mouth, you’ll share what closes yours…

1. Fear -
   • …of saying the wrong thing.
   • …of stuttering.
   • …of being laughed at.
   • …of offending.
2. Assumptions - It’s easy to assume that the person you’re talking to already knows about Christ.
3. Distractions - The phone is ringing; it’s your turn at the check-out counter and there’s a line forming behind you; a child is crying; the list is endless.

The funny thing is, I can get around all of the above issues within five minutes of leaving the person I was interacting with!

Fear of saying the wrong thing. In Luke 12:12, Jesus taught His disciples not to worry about what to say in times like this–the Holy Spirit would put words into their mouths. A quick prayer is all it takes to place God’s words in your mouth.

Fear of stuttering. Yes, I’ve stumbled over words before, but it usually helps to break the ice. The listener sees that I’m human and have faults, just like her. Take a deep breath and stay calm.

Fear of being laughed at. No one likes to feel foolish, but if you are speaking God’s Truth you are wise. Proverbs 29:9 tells us that there will be no rest if you contend with a foolish man. Speak the Truth, and see what reaction you get. If you get no rest, be still and let the Holy Spirit work in their heart.

Fear of offending. Would you rather not offend and let that person suffer in eternity?! This shouldn’t even be on the list, but it often is–”How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14)

Assuming the person already knows about Christ. This is an easy assumption to make, for me at least. The majority of the people whom I come into contact with are already believers. I guess this is stereo-typical of me, and it’s an assumption I need to break.

Distractions that interrupt the conversation. By the time I overcome my fears, and stop assuming, the distractions begin. Is the person on the phone really more important than sharing Christ with someone? When I’m finished at the check-out, would it be so terrible to wait for the person behind me that I was talking to? I can hug my child at the same time I’m talking to someone else–usually that’s what they need, a hug. As long as they’re not bleeding or about to throw up, I should be trying to finish my conversation.

How would you encourage me to get past my issues? Do you have any sage advice? Leave a comment below–perhaps your advice will be just what I need!

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April 22, 2009 by Kelly.

Not to long ago our pastor spoke on taking up our cross, so I found it interesting when my personal studies at the time took me to the book of Jonah.

Back in Old Testament times, there were specific people called by God to be prophets. These guys heard God’s voice plainly (how I long for that!) and everyone knew it– being a prophet was their occupation. As a prophet, they said “no” to self and gave up their Right of Ownership to their own lives. Prophets received plenty of rejection, from kings, political leaders, and people in their community. They knew it wouldn’t be easy to be a prophet, and they knew they wouldn’t be the most popular person at times. Prophets surrendered all they had to God.

Jonah was a prophet in spirit and occupation. But, one day he decided to quit…

Imagine you have a vile, mean neighbor. For some of you that may not be too hard to imagine. This neighbor kicks his dog, screams at his children, let’s his trash blow into your yard, and calls the police whenever you have company and your guests park in front of his house. We won’t even talk about the language he uses, the pictures he has in his garage (which is often open) or the type of trash that is blowing into your yard.

One day, during your quiet time, as you read your Bible, a thought occurs to you: “Tell your neighbor about Me.”

“Excuse me?”

“Tell your neighbor about Me.”

“Oh, Lord, anything but that! I’ll serve in a soup kitchen, I’ll paint the homeless shelter, I’ll even pass out tracts on the street corner, but don’t make me talk to my neighbor!”

“I love him, just like I love you. Tell him about Me so he has the opportunity to repent.”

“Love him? Lord, are we talking about the same guy?!”

“Tell him about Me.”

And so the conversation goes, with you giving excuses and God persisting in His command to tell. Do you talk to your neighbor, or do you avoid the chair where you were sitting the day you heard God’s command?

Jonah chose to run away. Nineveh was full of evil people. I haven’t looked into it, but it’s been suggested that the people of Nineveh would partake in the destruction of Israel at a later time–Jonah knew this and wanted God to condemn them now so they wouldn’t have the chance to destroy Israel.

No, Jonah didn’t like the people of Nineveh. He didn’t want them to have the opportunity to repent and be saved. He was so full of hatred for them he failed to see them through God’s eyes. God loved them. He didn’t like how they lived, but he loved them nonetheless. He wanted them to repent and be saved, and He told Jonah to go and cry out against them.

You know what happens next. Jonah flees. He quits his job as prophet and hops a boat for Tarshish. But, God wants Nineveh to hear of Him, so He whips up a storm. Jonah does a little repenting himself and offers himself as a sacrifice to the sea. He’s thrown overboard, and the waves calm. Jonah sinks into the depths of the waters… probably thinking, this is my punishment–death. But God still wants Nineveh saved, so he sends a fish to swallow Jonah and thus begins a three day “time out.”

Can you imagine the conversation Jonah has with himself in the belly of that fish?! When he realizes he’s alive, he probably figures he’ll get out of the fish real quick. As time goes on (and remember, there’s no light in there, so he has no way of keeping track of time) and he realizes that he may be in the fish for awhile, perhaps he started bargaining with God.

Eventually, Jonah gets it through his head that he is a prophet, a job given to him by God. He cannot run away from God. When God wants something done, He makes it happen! Thus Jonah came to the point where he surrendered his life–again–to God. He submits to God’s will for his life, and after getting out of the fish he goes on to Nineveh and the people repent.

Are you waiting for a fish to swallow you? What has God told you to do lately that you just don’t want to do? Perhaps God has asked you to give of your time to a particular church Ministry. Perhaps He wants you to pray daily for the participants of a Mission Project. Perhaps He wants you to get involved in the lives of those in your Sunday school class, or your children’s Sunday school class. Perhaps you play an instrument or sing and He wants you to join the Worship Team.

Maybe God just wants you to smile at somebody. Smile, say “hello,” and be Jesus to someone. Maybe it’s your neighbor. Maybe it’s someone at work or the store. Maybe it’s someone you’ve never seen before in church.

Take that step. Reach out. Because if God wants you to do this, and you don’t do it, the step you take in the opposite direction could lead to a fish!

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April 15, 2009 by Kelly.

It always amazes me when God weaves together a lesson, a sermon, and my own studies of His Word. For example, one Sunday morning our pastor spoke about team work and the importance of the attitude of each team member. King David was an excellent example of a team player, but at times his attitude caused problems. Later that same morning our Sunday school class finished our study of II Thessalonians — a letter which encourages a church to work as a team.

Times were different back in David’s day, and in Paul’s day, too. People’s lives were centered around their beliefs. They worked not only for food, but for the welfare of the community. They didn’t have satellite dishes, cell phones, or other technology. They didn’t have cars, wash machines, or power tools. When they weren’t working, they were either with their family/friends or worshiping–sometimes both.

As the New Testament church began to take shape, Paul reminded them that the Lord had not called them only to become Christians but to be Christians.

When Jesus called the twelve disciples in Matthew 10, He didn’t say, “Okay, I’ve taught you how to be my followers, now you can go home and relax for the rest of your life.” No, He expected them to use that training to preach, teach, heal, and to help other people in and out of the church. Often the disciples went to the people–they met them where the need was. Other times, the people came to the disciples because a friend invited them.

Jesus also didn’t tell the disciples to only work one, two, or four days each week. They were expected to work–to serve God–on a daily basis. (Technically they didn’t “work” on the Sabbath, but I truly believe their thoughts continued to be focused on God that day.) All work was done with a focus on God (”Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” Ecclesiastes 9:10a), regardless of whether it was for payment, for food, or for free. Paul lived this way daily. He wasn’t a free-loader; we shouldn’t be, either.

You may be reading this and thinking I don’t have a clue about your job and what you’re expected to do. True, but I know those people you work with are God’s creations. Their goals are the same as yours: to earn money to provide for their families’ needs. Those whom you work with who are believers are also earning money to tithe with, to further the Kingdom. How you interact with others, how you perform your job, is a direct reflection of your heart. Is your heart full of and seeking God? As you work, do others see Jesus in you? James 1:22 reminds us that we are to not only be hearers and learners, but doers of the Word. Once we know how to be like Christ, we need to do it daily.

The final thread of this tapestry God has woven is my personal studies. I just began the book of Matthew. Chapter two speaks of the time immediately after Jesus’ birth, when the Wise Men were seeking Him. I noticed the difference in how the Wise Men (Gentiles) and the chief priests and scribes (Jews) reacted to His birth. The Wise Men were aware of God, and they listened to His voice. The chief priests and scribes had gotten so used to their way of doing things, they were no longer seeking God’s voice or His face. One group had a team mentality, which focused outside of themselves. The other group was focused on their own desires–they weren’t on God’s team, and their attitudes reflected it.

Whose team are you on? What skills do you possess? Are you using those skills in and out of the church to further God’s Kingdom? Is your attitude one God is pleased with? If you are unsure of where you can best serve God contact your church. They’ll work with you to identify your skills, talents, and abilities; They’ll help you find a place to serve–on God’s team!

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April 8, 2009 by Kelly.

We have a new addition to our church’s Welcome Center: The Eutycus Cafe. This is going to be a great way to show hospitality to our visitors who don’t get down to the gym for coffee and donuts between services! Our new cafe will be salt and light to our visitors.

I had always been a little unsure of what “salt and light” actually meant. Earlier this week I was reading in Matthew 5. Verse 13 talks about being the salt of the earth. Why would Jesus use this comparison for His followers? What is it about salt that fits the analogy so well?

Salt is a mineral, and it dissolves easily. If you’ve ever picked up a piece of salt, put it down, and then touched your fingers to your lips, you’ll taste the salt residue left behind. Salt also enhances the flavor of tastes. I believe these two features are what make salt the perfect analogy.

Jesus expects us to touch people’s lives, and leave a Christian residue. When you meet someone new, do they remember you the next day? Have you left a residue in their life that enhances their outlook? When your friends need something, do they think of you as being able to help?

Verses 14-16 talk about light. Light is different than salt. Whereas salt is an after effect, light precedes us and is seen from a distance. Do people see you from a distance, helping others, and think “there’s something about that person”? Do people you come into contact with at the store/bank/school see you as a person of integrity? When you are introduced to someone, do they say “I’ve heard good things about you”?

How bright is your light? Are you leaving a residue behind for Jesus? Reach out… be a light… learn… volunteer… be salt.

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