Day 356 - Where to Find God

"When I asked him if he went to church he said no but his church was outdoors. Sure, you feel close to the Lord in nature but he doesn't know what he is missing." 

I have had varied answers to the question "Do you go to church?" People have stuttered, laughed and changed the subject when asked. Some have gone into confession mode while others have justified their absence. 

This response last year was an interesting one. He didn't go to church but he said his church was the outdoors. He wasn't opposed to God but He wasn't for Him either. What is sad is that God is not opposed to us enjoying creation. What God is opposed to is us worshipping creation. 

Think about it. This man loved the outdoors, spent his time and money to be outdoors and had his occupation outdoors. Whatever has that much time, talent and resource is taking the place of God. 

People are searching for God in the wrong places in the wrong ways. Jesus showed up in the book of Revelation in the midst of the candle stands. He was tending to the flame of the church. When two or more are gathered in His name there He is in their midst. God goes to church! 

You can say the golf course is your church or the mall but I'm not buying it. God says that the church is the pillar and ground of truth. We are built in to the house of God. It is the place where we hear His voice, grow in wisdom and the knowledge of God and fellowship with other believers. It is the place where destiny and purpose flow from. If you are looking for God you can find Him in church. 

Have you had any other responses to the question "Do you go to church?" How can we turn these types of conversations into opportunities?

Day 355 - 10 Days Left

"I gave the altar call and talked fast but by the end I slowed down and knew that I had their attention. The number of people who raised their hands confirmed it. There were ninety six people who responded."

It is the final countdown to the end of the year. Christmas is five days away and we have 10 days left until we close out the year. In this season there is a captive audience waiting to hear about Christmas, Jesus and the true God. 

This past weekend I had the privilege of preaching the Christmas weekend. It was great to see so many people respond to the call for salvation. It is an opportune time and season for salvation. Everyone is open to hearing the story of Christmas and when they hear the gospel they are ready to respond. 

Look for the open doors to tell someone about Jesus in the coming days. At work, around the family dinner table, or wherever you happen to be, God wants to use you to tell His story. Look for the open doors and go through them when given the opportunity. 

There is a longing and desire for God. Someone said it is a God shaped hole in our hearts that only Jesus can fill. It is true. Christmas shows us that even when Christ was a baby that He is everything we need. The angel reported to the shepherds that He is the Savior born for all, given to us. He is all inclusive and yet personal. 

Give someone the greatest gift you can this Christmas, give them Jesus! 

Is there a good way to share the love of Jesus at Christmas time that you have used? What about for the end of the year? 

Day 256 - Casting the Net

"There was one salvation at church but two girls came forward so maybe both got saved today."

We give altar calls at every church service we hold. In any church service there will be the uninformed, the unbelieving and the believer. So we fish for souls and cast the net. The neat thing is that we are not at it alone. 

There were two times in Jesus interaction with the disciples where they were fishing all night and caught nothing. Jesus showed up and gave them instruction on how to cast and they were able to bring in a supernatural catch. First of all he told them to launch out into the deep. We shouldn't be afraid to engage people on a deep spiritual level. Shallow connections may bring people to church for a while but without a deep connection they won't stay. On the second occasion he says to cast on the right side. When we do things out of a pure motivation, the way God would have us to we will find we get the right results. 

Finally, Peter gives us one more tip. He says to Jesus in the first encounter that they had toiled all night and caught nothing but at His word he would cast out for a catch. Sometimes it doesn't feel like it is the right time or place for fishing for souls. But when we are obedient God moves on our behalf. We have preached on finances and had very stale and informational messages that we didn't think anyone would respond to an altar call. If we were led by feelings we would have skipped the call and dismissed because we would have thought "Who is going to respond after that?" To our surprise we have had huge responses afterward. We were obedient and God blessed our efforts. 

All Christians are called to be fishers of men. Don't go at it alone. Do it God's way, listen to His voice and follow him. Cast out for a catch. 

Can you think of some people right now who you can share the gospel with? When and how will you share with them? 

Day 190 - Planting Seeds

"As I ministered the Word it just felt like I was getting no response. I just trust that God planted the seed of the Word in the hearts of the people."

I do not have a green thumb. If anything I have the black thumb that kills plants. While I understand that there are a lot of factors that can help growth I also know that the basics are what matters. Seed, soil, water and light. The right seed in the right soil with the right amount of water and light will grow. 

It is no different when we minister the Word of God. We plant the seed and it has the power within itself to produce after its own kind. It is a supernatural seed that we sow. It has greater ability than the natural seed. Similarly we cannot make it produce. We sow it into the ground and then God makes it work in the hidden space of the heart. 

If we withhold the Word then there will be no harvest. Let's plant as much and as often as we can. 

Have you experienced a time when you planted a seed of the Word and had to trust God for the results? How can we seize opportunities to plant the seed of the Word?

Day 115 - I Believe in Science

"At the mall as I was walking there was a woman outside of Victoria's Secret with a clip board. She saw me walking up and said hello and I said hello back. She told me she was raising money for pro-choice and women's rights because she didn't believe the government should tell women what to do with their bodies. I told her I was a Christian and a pastor to which she said a prompt goodbye to me. I asked why she was dismissing me and she said she didn't want to fight. I told her I didn't want to either and asked her why she didn't want to talk about God. She said she was an atheist because she believed what science says and then said goodbye to me again. I told her that there was a God who loves her passionately and she is missing out on a great relationship with Him. I ended my comments to her by suggesting she watch the movie "God's Not Dead" because it talks about science and then said goodbye."

My heart broke for this girl. She was so eager to talk to me until I said I was a Christian. She literally shut down. There was a passion for her cause and pep and a spark about the political issues until that moment and then it was all gone. I don't mind a good debate. I don't even mind a heated argument when appropriate. But this wasn't even a conversation. 

When I think back on what she did say to me it brings to my remembrance the scene in the movie Nacho Libre where his wrestling partner Esqueleto says that he believes in science. Nacho ends up semi-baptizing him with a bowl of water in a forceful sneak attack. While we may laugh at the ridiculous approach in this scene I think many people view Christians this way when it comes to serious questions they have about God, science, religion and the church. 

I could have fought to get my point across or pressed the issue but in these situations it is best to leave it alone and let the seed of love and the power of prayer take over. We can only change the opinion of people we are trying to reach by the methods Jesus gave us. Love and prayer. 

I would think that Jesus would have been more forceful in His approach. Even the disciples were waiting for Him to take His place as King and Messiah who would deliver Israel. And yet the methods Jesus used were love and prayer. To those who would listen Jesus would teach, speak, heal and bless. 

But what about those who wouldn't listen? Jesus said that we shouldn't cast our pearls before swine or give to the dogs that which is precious. It is so freeing to know that we can simply love people and not have to argue or be responsible to convince everyone that what we are saying is the truth. We can quietly wait while their hearts are softened so they can hear the gospel. 

I pray that girl at the mall I met last year has had other laborers sent across her path to water the seed I sowed. Hopefully I will meet her in Heaven and we can laugh about Nacho Libre together. 

What indicators do people give when they are ready or not ready to receive what you are presenting? How can we love them while we wait for the right time to speak to them again?

Day 91 - Delivering Truth

"From the Word: Paul warned the centurion of the hardship ahead. His warning wasn't received for many reasons. He was not trusted as an apostle by the centurion, the owner of the ship and the helmsman advised otherwise, the majority had something other to say, and where they were wasn't suitable. All odds were stacked against Paul but he turned out to be right."

Much of what a Christian says will not be received by people in the world because they are looking for credibility. It wasn't until Paul's words were proven true that he now had the platform to be heard. After the storm we see how Paul's influence increased when he tell the captain not to let the men get away in the smaller vessels because all will be lost unless they stay. The captain takes Paul's advice this time. 

I see in this passage and thought that we can learn a lesson in dealing with people and delivering the truth to them.  

If we are going to tell people the truth of God's word we must first tell them in love. If we don't tell them they won't ever know. Yes, they will not listen...at first. But later because you had told them the truth they will come back when they realize you were right. If we don't tell them in love then they will hear the truth but despise us and won't come back for another beating. Love never fails. 

Also if we are going to tell people the truth we must do it in a spirit of humility. We must be totally dependent on the Holy Spirit to speak through us. We must also speak in a gentle and meek spirit and not a proud or arrogant spirit. One is received, the other is rejected. It is all about approach. When you rely on the power of God then seeds will be sown into fertile ground. But when you rely on your own wisdom your words will bounce off their hearts like the seed on the wayside. This is where the devil comes and wreaks havoc with the mind and places thoughts of bitterness and scorn for the truth you were trying to give. 

Finally, when we deliver the truth faithfully we need to be ready to receive the people we are speaking to when they come back to us. They will come around and realize what you said was right. When they do and fresh problems arise they know who to go to...you! Be ready with open arms. An "I told you so" attitude will make them think twice about why they came back. Receive them and encourage them. Continue to bear with them in their journey towards what you already know and have. 

How have you delivered truth to people you come in contact with? What other ways can we deliver truth so that it is received rather than rejected?