Wherever He Leads

Recently, the Lord has allowed and enabled my husband and me to purchase a home close to our older daughter and her family. We never imagined we would have this opportunity but God is in the details and in fact, the Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 3:20, NIV, our Lord “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

I want to share with you a few thoughts about how God moves in our lives and remind you when following God you do not need to know the all the details. The need-to-know-everything-at-all-times is part of the desire for self-reliance, self-advancement and self-sufficiency with which we are all too familiar. As Americans, we have been inundated with this philosophy and gladly espouse it to others readily.  God, on the other hand, expects us to be faithful and obedient without knowing all the details.

When we were looking at properties and I first noticed the house we ended up purchasing I really liked it but I did not entertain looking at it because I knew it was out of our price range. I recall mentioning the property to my husband who promptly replied, “Don’t even think about it—any offer we could afford to make wouldn’t be considered seriously”.  However, after much prayer, I was able to convince my husband to step out on faith and make an offer.

Much to the surprise of my husband and our realtor—who negotiated on our behalf—a bid just a couple of thousand dollars above our original bid was accepted by the sellers. Our realtor and the selling realtor had been so doubtful about the offer they negotiated informally and finalized the process only after the negotiations were finished.

While God has graciously provided us with a home close to our children I’m not exactly sure why He has moved us here. The reason may be revealed to me sometime later or I may never know…but knowing all the details is not necessary.

Seeing God at work in my life helps me to know that I’m where I’m supposed to be at this moment and I have faith that as I need to know the next step of the plan the Lord will reveal that to me also, in His perfect time, not mine.

As Christians we speak a great deal about knowing God’s will for our lives. It is important to know His will for our lives and our prayer each and every day should be, “Lord, what would you have me to do today”? Intelligent obedience knows God’s will; intentional obedience not only seeks His will but also submits to His will immediately. We are to make ourselves available to God—to do what He wants us to do when He wants us to do it and how He wants us to do it. Perfect obedience doesn’t need to know the all the details; perfect obedience just does—quickly, sweetly, and completely.

“I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.” Psalm 119:93 NIV

God Bless!

Sharing Your Faith

"For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (HCSB)

We share our faith daily with others through the way we live. Others look at us to see if “we practice what we preach”. They look at our actions; our re-actions; and our attitudes. But what I’m speaking of at the moment is sharing with another the how’s and why’s of becoming a Christian.

The how’s are easy enough to remember. We teach them in Sunday School regularly and in Vacation Bible School yearly. In fact, if your church purchases VBS materials through Lifeway, then you know that each year Jeff Slaughter writes a new ABC song each year.

This year’s song was called, “Why Don’t You?”  Jeff began the song with John 3:16. The chorus of the song used the ABCs of Becoming a Christian:

(A)  Admit to God you’re are a sinner

Repent and turn from your sin

(B)  Believe that Jesus is God’s Son

 And that He came into the world to save everyone

(C)  Confess your faith in Jesus

As your Savior and your Lord

And choose to live your life for Him forevermore 

Scripture verses associated with the ABCs are Romans 3:23, 6:23, 10:9-10, and 10:13. John 3:16 is also used. It has been said, John 3:16, the best known Bible verse, is the gospel in a nutshell. The Roman Road to Salvation, another popular way to share the how’s of becoming a Christian, uses these same verses. 

The why’s of becoming a Christian can be and should be answered with your own personal testimony. What was your life like before knowing Christ as your personal Savior and what is your life like now? How is your life different? Write down your personal story so that you can easily share it with others. 

Though well acquainted with the how’s and why’s of becoming a Christian many still find sharing their faith with others difficult. Why? Is it fear of failure or is that we are stifled by feelings of inadequacy?

The modern world preaches self-sufficiency but as Christians we are to be completely reliant upon God who “has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant,” (2 Corinthians 3:6, NIV). “It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose,” (Philippians 2:13, NIV).

We are inadequate, but God is not. We are to have faith and make the effort; it is God who does the work. Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ has said, “Witnessing is taking the initiative to share Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and leaving the results to God.” When Jesus was telling His disciples of coming trials they would endure, He told them, “Just say whatever is given you at that time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit,” Mark 13:11, NIV.

Jesus, your Lord and Savior, has done great and wonderful things for you. Go and tell others—they are waiting to hear your story. “In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” 1 Peter 3:15, NIV.

God Bless!

Are You A Constant Complainer?

The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. Numbers 21:7 (NIV)

Do you have a tendency to complain when things don’t go your way or when others don’t act as you feel they should? We’ve all fallen prey to this from time to time but have you made it your life’s work to complain about others? Consider this—when you complain against your church, your pastor or against fellow Christians, you are complaining against God.

We would all do well to take a moment to contemplate this truth. In the scripture above the Israelites realized they had sinned by speaking against the Lord and Moses. Fast forward: Saul, a young, well-educated, extremely religious, Jewish man and zealous persecutor of those belonging to “the Way”, while on the road to Damascus, was asked by Jesus, “Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Acts 9-1-5. Not, "why are you persecuting my followers" but, "why are you persecuting me?"

Constant complainers stir up trouble and alienate themselves from God and others. Encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ; encourage your pastor, his wife and other church leaders. Allow the love of Christ to shine through you.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 (NIV)

God Bless!

Life

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. Acts 20:24, NIV

As a Christian how you live daily is a testimony to what you believe about God. Going to church once a week for a couple of hours is merely a tiny drop in the big bucket of life. You live your testimony for Christ 24/7. You live your testimony when another car cuts sharply in front of you without signaling their intentions when you are driving your children to school. You live your testimony when your co-worker gets the promotion you wanted. You live your testimony when your above-average-child brings home a far-below-average report card. Yes, you live your testimony on the go—through the ins and outs and ups and downs of daily life.

Our actions as well as our reactions give others snapshots into our lives as to what we hold dear, what we believe to be true, what we value the most, and whether or not we are true to our convictions. What does your testimony say to others about what you believe?

We GET to Do This!

“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:8-10, NIV

Last night was a special night at church because two young people came forward to make a profession of faith. I know many prayers from fellow church members have been lifted up on behalf of these young people. Since my sister and I have taught both these youngsters in Bible classes, our pastor asked if we would come forward and stand with them.

As the members of our church came by to give a word of encouragement to the young people several of our members stopped to thank my sister and I for working with the younger folks. I remarked to my sister that while I definitely appreciated the kind and thoughtful words I kept thinking, what have we done but that which we felt God was directing us to do— or as my sister put it, trying to do our reasonable service.

 How very blessed we are that God allows us to help Him in His work. He doesn’t need our help but He calls upon us to work for Him; we GET to do this! When you realize what a blessing it is; what a privilege it is just to plant a seed and then be able to witness God’s harvest, you know firsthand why there is rejoicing in heaven by the angels over that one lost soul who comes to repentance! You feel the rejoicing within your own soul!

Go. Make disciples. Baptize. Teach.

 “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:15, NIV

God Bless your beautiful feet as you spread the Good News!

Are You Comfy?

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8, NIV

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Revelation 3:14-18, NIV

Recently I read a couple of articles by Dr. Charles Stanley. One was titled, “The Comfortable Church”, and the other, “Left as Witnesses”, (www.intouch.org). About this same time I listened to a podcast by Dr. Adrian Rogers, titled, “How to Keep Your Spiritual Fire Burning”, (www.oneplace.com). Even though the reference texts used were different, the themes presented had much in common: as Christians we aren’t doing what we’ve been commanded to do.

Dr. Stanley’s viewpoint is that we’ve become comfortable and cozy in our churches; we don’t see ourselves as servants of the Lord; we have a self-serving, self-centered focus. However, Christ left us with this command—to be His witnesses; He commanded us to go and take His good news to a lost and dying world which means we must go outside our comfort zone and into the enemy’s territory. We are not to become “a self-contained sanctuary of Christian comfort”. We’ve not been called to “a life of comfortable tradition”, but we’ve been called to “an adventure of obedience”.

Dr. Rogers speaks of lukewarm Christians; calling them “ho-hum” Christians. When we become comfortable and self-satisfied in our churches, we become indifferent about personal holiness, unconcerned about service, uninterested in God’s word, lukewarm in prayer, and apathetic in sacrifice. We pray without fasting; we witness without tears; and we give without sacrifice. Dr. Rogers labels lukewarmness the best alibi for the unsaved; it yawns in the face of God and is equivalent to blasphemy.

Salvation is an experience and gift to be savored and shared. God blesses us so that we might be a blessing to others. Go. Tell. Make disciples. You don’t need a degree from a seminary to be affective—you already have everything you need within your soul—the Holy Spirit. You need only tell of your experience; the Lord will do the rest. Step out of your comfort zone with confidence, knowing the Holy Spirit is with you and that you are being obedient to the command of your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Make yourself fully available to God and He will make you victorious.

God Bless!

What's Your Story?

(Jesus speaking)”Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels”. Luke 9:26, NIV

Do you know it is important to share your story with others? What story, you ask? Your personal salvation story—it is an important tool in telling others about Christ. When you tell someone Christ can make a difference in their life they naturally want to know the affect Christ has had in your own life; they want to know your story. Be prepared to tell them (1 Peter 3:15).

If you are like me—better at writing than speaking—you may want to write your story first and then practice re-telling it. When writing your salvation story use these three questions to prompt you: What was my life like before trusting in Christ? How did I come to know Christ, (i.e., your salvation experience)? How has my life been different since coming to know Christ as Savior?

Once you’ve written out your story, if you are inclined to do so, there are sites on the web where you can post your story. One such site is http://www.mostimportantthing.org; this site also contains a page titled, “How to Write an Effective Salvation Story” which you may find useful.

Once I had written my story and posted it on the web, I listed the link to my story in the signature block of the email messages I send. Anyone who receives an email from me has the option of clicking on the link and reading my personal salvation story. When someone reads my story I receive an email saying my story has been read—I don’t know who has read the story, only that it has been read.

It is important to me that others I am a Christian. I want others to know that I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. The apostle Paul tells us the gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes, (Romans 1:16).

May God richly bless your efforts as you go into the world and preach the good news to all, (Mark 16:15), by telling your own salvation story!

Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, (Psalm 107:2)!!