An Incredible Opportunity

Jeff wrote about missionaries, now he wants to be one. From now until January 31, 2012, 100% of all Commitment royalties will go to send him on mission.

Just like Marta, Jason and the crew of Commitment, Jeff is gearing up to go on a part time mission trip. Jeff is excited to take part in evangelical and humanitarian assistance in Asian countries.

You can help in five ways:

1. Commit to pray for safety and the opportunity to teach the Gospel to many who have never heard

2. Purchase your copy of Commitment. Jeff will commit 100% of his royalties toward the mission

3. Tell your friends and family

4. Follow this blog and the Facebook page for updates

5. Consider joining your church in your own mission opportunity

Humility and Selflessness

Paul taught humility. A great example is in Philippians 2: 2-3 where he writes to fellow believers to, "be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves".


This is a hard lesson for some of us. I remember as a young boy have many conflicting views on fighting. In Sunday school and church I got half the story. "Turn the other cheek", type of lessons led me to believe that being holy meant to be a punching bag on the playground. Had I been taught the rest of the story, I would have had both boldness and humility that Paul both displayed and asked for in his letters. 


So, I will begin my journey on completing the story through a series of blogs on what it means to be humble and selfless while experiencing boldness and joy. This series will cover-


Selflessness
Humility
Boldness
Joy


If you look at Paul's life as written by Luke and demonstrated through his own letters, we see a man who has submitted his whole life to God. He is beaten and imprisoned and eventually martyred. 


What is different is he was never a punching bag on the playground. He always defended God's word as well as those who couldn't defend themselves (widows, orphans, slaves, and Jews converted to Christ). He suffered as a consequence of his evangelism, but he never went quietly. He demanded fairness and a chance to speak for Christ. 

Sample of Commitment-Chapter 1

Chapter 1


Papua, New Guinea, looked serene from 12,000 feet above sea level. Even from thirty miles away, John could make out the rain forests beyond the strand of the southern shore. Light wisps of steam hung over the island, revealing the high humidity common to this area of the world. The changing waters of the Arafura Sea and the Gulf of Carpentaria graduated beautifully from light green at the tip of Cape York Peninsula, Australia, to a beautiful azure and back to light green in the billowing waves on the shores of New Guinea.

So this is home. John pressed his forehead against the cool cabin window. The island in view was roughly the size of Greenland with the tall Puncak Jaya, rising 5,030 meters above the ground. Neighboring peaks perched above the haze like pyramids.

Instinctively, he reached for his flight bag as he had done five times throughout the flight. He unzipped it and sighed with relief at the two familiar slim books. Approvingly, he nodded as he flipped through page after page of his first flight log, recalling his hundreds of hours of experience behind the controls of planes and helicopters. He tucked it back into his bag then pulled out the second book. The pages he flipped through were blank reminders of experiences yet to come. Just a thousand more hours, that should do it.

Five Ways You Can Serve God

I am so proud of the missionaries that I have known in my life. I pray for them and enjoy reading about the their hopes and dreams and the vision that God puts on their hearts. It's also inspiring to see family teams speak in one voice about the incredible work they are doing. God is always looking for obedient servants to join him in his work.

I read Luke 8 today and learned of new relationships as Jesus defines them. When we accept him as our savior, we are part of his family and on the winning team. In Luke 8 Jesus is traveling and drawing crowds. He is so popular and attracts huge crowds as he heals and encourages. At one point, the crowds tell Jesus that his mother and brothers are looking for him. Jesus responds that his brothers and mother are those who hear my word of God and do it.

Perhaps you have entered into a relationship with God at some point in your life and you want to hear God's word and do it. You are wondering what to do next? Do you follow God as a disciple? Become a full time minister or missionary? After all, what does God want you to do?

God spoke with and invited 12 strangers to be his inner circle. While others received different roles and missions. Later in Chapter 8 Jesus heals a man possessed of demons. Afterward, the man asked to follow Jesus. Jesus told him to go home and tell everyone what God has done for him. The man wanted to be on mission with Jesus. God needed him to stay home and spread the word locally.

Jesus wants us to hear Gods word and do what he asks. Here are five ways that you can do just that.

1. Find out what your skills, talents and God given gifts are and find where you can use them to tell your story.
2. Participate in a local body of believers. Don't just join a church, but also join the ministries. Share your experiences and enter into discussions in Bible study and Sunday school.
3. Join a charity group and minister to the needs of hurting people. Take part in active service. For example, you can join a rescue mission and teach classes or serve food. Participate and build trust so you can be effective. 
4. Become part of an international charity. Adopt a child, build a well, donate money or whatever you are capable of. However, be involved in the name of Christ and get educated on how the organization helps. 
5. Look for ways of sharing your faith in normal day to day situations. You don't have to be preachy, just available when the opportunity comes to give a reason for your faith. Maybe your compelling story can help others.

How should we use our influence?

Luke 16: 14-31

The Pharisees continued to practice tough laws and Jesus continued pointing out their pretentiousness. The religious leader’s standards were so high that even God’s Kingdom seemed more flexible. There was no love or compassion for those of lesser political, religious or economical stature and qualities of a forgiving God were not relayed to the people. The Pharisees practiced a double standard and most standards did not apply to the leaders.

I’ve witnessed this kind of behavior from new leaders, including myself. For the cruel or perhaps inexperience leader, this behavior serves to validate themselves and their perceived benefits of power.

When I served in one of my first leadership assignments in the Army, I had the attitude that the rules just didn’t apply to me. I gave off the attitude that I was above reproach, but my actions did not demonstrate that. For unexplained reason, one of my team members pulled me aside on my second day in charge. As painful as it was, I benefitted tremendously from the following experience. This person who worked for me took the time to meticulously, but respectfully hold up a virtual mirror in front of my eyes. As they exposed my shortcomings, a portrait began to reveal itself on the canvas of my life. Soon, I saw a clear picture of my failing leadership style and I didn’t like what I saw. Fortunately, I took our conversation to heart and was able to make the adjustments that prepared me for greater future leadership opportunities; not so for the rich man…

Lazarus suffered out side the rich man’s gate. Though the rich man was not responsible for the pitiable man, he showed no mercy. The rich man was not in a leadership role, but had the resources available to help the dying man just outside of his property. He chose to live in luxury, power, wealth and do nothing to alleviate the suffering of one not so fortunate.

On the other side of life, Lazarus lived in luxury in Father Abraham’s bosom. Though Lazarus may have felt compassion, he could in no wise help the rich man. It was not in his control.

How about your life? Are you in a leadership or other position where you have to opportunity to help? Or, are you like the Pharisee only seeking to validate yourself with your power and position? Do you enable those around you, or do you use control and manipulation to get your way?

Think upon these questions. What you do today could make the difference in whether or not someone wants to become a Christian. The Bible is full of positive leadership role models to demonstrate how to lead while developing relationships that will bring others to know Christ.

Preparing the way

Luke 10: 1-12

Afterward, Jesus began appointing disciples; 70 of them to be exact. These were probably of the ones that he was enlisting in chapter 9. He sent them two by two into the cities to tell others about him. His ministry was building up and he was getting ready to leave earth. He still had a message to tell and people to bring to his father. These servants would visit the cities with a specific plan. A purpose and instructions that Jesus gives them to be successful. Take a look at his message to the advance party:

1. He tells them to pray. Jesus knew they had a daunting task to spread Christianity and they needed more people to do so. Even today there is a need to spread the Gospel. Pray that God will encourage those to do so. Pray that God will prepare your hearts as well.

2. He tells them to obey. Jesus didn't want them to carry any provision or get distracted by conversations. Jesus reminded them to stay focused on their dangerous work. He wanted to let them know he would provide for them.

3. Jesus said to bless the homes they entered.

4. Jesus reminds them that he would provide. He said to eat whatever is put before them and enjoy the fruits of hard work.

5. He wanted them to heal and minister to the people who accepted them, but to reject those who would not receive them.

Jesus wants us to pray, gives the instructions, reminds us of the hard and dangerous works ahead, enjoy the fruits of our obedience, bless and minister to those who receive us.

How has the Lord blessed your faithfulness to him?

Can you describe a time where God has faithfully provided as a result of your ministry?

What kind of rejection have you experienced?

Did Jesus promise success at every encounter?

Ask God to reveal the people he wants you to reach. Ask him anything you want about the ministry he would have you do? Test him and see that he is faithful.