Christ Mission Leads us Beyond our Comfort

When Jesus led the disciples through Samaria, instead of to the eastern side of the Jordan it was a time of learning that God's Hope is for everyone. They were traveling a way not normally taken, and going through where people they really didn't love lived. However, they knew the usually road home would have been filled with many who were in opposition to the message.

Jesus didn't despair, because the road taken was different than the usual way. In fact, Jesus used the opportunity to witness to a woman by a well in the heat of the day. He latter reminded the disciples that His food was to do God's will in reaching the world. There are some great things to learn about Jesus going outside of the usual way that we should keep in mind in our daily routine and witness for Jesus.

1. God will challenge us to look outside our normal routine in order to reach the souls of the world around us. a. Sometimes God has to forcibly move us to the place where He wants us to be.

2. To reach new people for Jesus, it takes fresh and new approaches
a. This is true in going to every new culture of our world
i. The Culture of an area
ii. The Culture of a people
iii. The Culture of a generation
3) We must reach people where they are: their level of understanding and their need
4) The Methods of Reaching change, but the Message for the heart never changes
a. Jesus never accepted the woman’s sinful life
b. Jesus did love her as a person
c. Jesus did not accept the woman’s mixed up version of the truth

5) What this means for us & reaching our world:
a.We must be open to where the Holy Spirit leads us
b. We must realize we live in a Secular Society, and we must reach people where they live
c. We must learn to understand the culture we live in, so that we can be missionaries to our own society
d. We must not compromise the truth of Scripture
e. We must make the truth understandable to the Culture we live in

We must step up, and step out where ever Christ calls us. We must be the witness to our world.

- God Bless your Journey with Jesus today

Go Fishing

I enjoy fishing. There is nothing like standing by a quiet moving river, or sitting by a calm lake in the early morning. I do not get to go fishing as often as I like, and I am far from an expert angler. In fact, when I go fishing my wife and son always say, “Pizza for supper tonight."

About ten years ago, the three of us took a vacation to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, spending a week on a good fishing lake. We were able to go fishing every day for as long as we wanted to go. It was a very nice secluded area, and the fishing wasn’t bad. While the lake did have Bass and Pike, we were blessed with many pan fish. We enjoyed the fresh fish and the time together.

Late in the week, we were fishing in a small cove far away from any houses. We had caught a few fish, and were watching an eagle on the trees nearby. Suddenly I felt a small tug on my line. I began to reel the line slowly, and it became extremely heavy. Soon the water thrashed and the fight was on. I turned the reel and tugged my pole for what seemed like an hour, although it was only seconds. The fish was coming near the boat, and I asked my wife to get the net to get this monster fish in the boat. I had not caught a fish that fought like this, since I was about ten years old.

My adrenaline was high; my wife watched the water as the fish approached. I called again for the net. Then just as the fish came along side the boat there was a hit to the side of the aluminum boat, a splash followed, and then the struggle stopped. My pole straightened and out of the water came a four inch Perch. The bulging eyes of surprise on the fish nearly matched my own. What had been on that line?

My wife revealed to me that she could see the fish swim away under our boat, and it looked like a four foot Pike to her. I was devastated. To this day it remains a running joke in our home that mom never got the net quick enough to get the big fish into the boat. A typical day of fishing ended later and we had pan fish for dinner. Yet, the one that got away was still fun to try and catch, and the memory will always be with me.

We read in the Bible that after a long night of fishing with little luck Jesus asked Simon to put out and fish again. Simon went out again, listening to this carpenter who was no expert at fishing. Simon and his brother soon had to call their partners to help bring in what was likely the largest haul anyone had ever seen in Galilee. Most men would have wanted to get right to fishing again. However, these men recognized that Jesus was the Son of God. Jesus challenged them to change what they were in the fishing business for. He asked them to fish for men.

We as followers of Jesus are still in the fishing business. I have learned from some wonderful people that there are techniques and equipment that do help when you go fishing. We can see from some of these things, how we can use better strategy to reach the souls of men and women in our world too.

• We need to be in the right place at the right time: in fishing, it may be the right part of a lake or river, or maybe near a nice weed bed or drop off. When trying to reach people it is keeping our eyes open to the changing tides of their lives. We have opportunity to reach people when they are in transition. A new job, a new baby, a move, marriage, or a death in the family often make people open to spiritual things.

• We need to go where they are: I have not had fish just come to me yet. When you go fishing, you have to pack your gear and go to a lake or river. When you get there, you have to find the place they are biting and go. Only recent stories of the growing Asian Carp in the Illinois River are exception, as they jump out of the water to attack people in their boats. Usually we will have to go to people. People will not just stop by our homes and say, ‘I want to become a Christian.’ We need to be with people in order to have opportunity to save them.
  


• Use attractive Bait: In fishing, you have to change your bait depending on many factors. In the spring, you can use hatching larva, but in summer months you may need to use bait that looks like grown bugs. We must realize that our lives are the attraction to people. This is true of the life of a believer, and of the church. In both church body and individual, we must be attractive. It is not likely that you will be able to use the same technique with a seventy-year-old widow that you would with a twenty-year-old college student. Good anglers study the area they are trying to fish, and good witnesses study before inviting people to Jesus.
  


• Use the right Equipment: Similar to having bait you need to have good equipment for the fish you are going after. You would not fish for one hundred pound shark on a two-pound fresh water line. When we know we are going into witness to a person who is less open we may want to prepare with some Apologetic resources. We are not going to dump deep theological questions on a young child, but we may if the person has already done some deep research and has questions. Be ready for the challenge you are facing.
  


• Close the net: It is vital to close the net or pull the net up at just the right moment. If you move to quick, it will scare a fish away. If you move too slowly, the fish may see you and swim past. In our witness to others there will come a moment when we must ask the question of whether they are saved and whether they want to be in Christ’s family. Do not miss that moment. We must ask the question and close the net at that time, or we will miss the opportunity.

• Patience and trust in the Holy Spirit: The hardest part of fishing for most people is the wait. Many people in our busy world cannot fish, because it is too stressful on them to remain calm and quiet. This is true of many Christian witnesses too. They cannot wait upon the Lord to tell them when or how to speak. They cannot wait upon the person being ready to accept the Lord. They sometimes push so hard that the person breaks away and runs. We must be patient in the Holy Spirit and move when we feel His calling.

I encourage you to get out and drop your fishing lines for Christ. If you have not had a lot of luck lately, have patience and trust that God will guide you to the right person. Keep your eyes open and sometimes the opportunity will be a surprise right before you. God bless, and happy fishing.
- Keep on the journey with Jesus today.

Follow the Dream

Growing up I had a poster with an astronaut in space which read, "Those who dare to dream, dare to do." I grew up wanting, like many children to be more than what I was. I dreamt of being an astronaut, or making a difference in the world. Time has changed some of my dreams, but I never stop dreaming.

Deep in my heart, as the dark and stillness of night is around, a stirring wakes me. I can not sleep, I must write down the thoughts and ideas that press from the depths of my inner most being. The thoughts surface and I see the way things can be. The way things should be. I see a church that is carrying out the work of Jesus Christ in such a way that everyone is on fire and involved with the process. I see people helping one another to become what God has purposed for their lives. I see lives turning from a past of sin and lost direction to focus and living for Jesus.

God still gives dreams to those who are willing to listen. It is He who directs the path of the leader who lives in His Word. If we are to remain open to God's leading, then we must be willing to dream. We must be willing to change our lives as God gives us vision. We must take the risks and live where God is showing the way.

I would rather strive to follow the dreams God puts in my heart, then sit on the sidelines of life.

Let God direct your dreams. You will never go, if you can't envision the way.

- Keep on your joureny with Jesus today

Decisions Are Tough, But Needed

When making big decisions, it is a challenge to see the end of the road. Sometimes we have to take the risk, and jump in with both feet. Sometimes we should pray and consider before moving ahead. In the end the only choices that are complete bad are the ones never considered.

How to proceceed?

Ask God, in prayer and waiting upon His guidance.
Seek advice of godly people in your life.
Seek advice of experts in the area of your question.
Weigh the cost and the benifits.
Pray again.

God will bless the road we take, but we should always be sure we are taking the road that He is leading us down.

- Keep on your Journey with Jesus today

Church Valentines a great sucess

The church valentine banquet was a great sucess at our church last night. Forty people came out for a wonderful night of food, fellowship, games, and movie. The youth traditionally has carried this banquet, but with the changes in youth leadership and so few youth in our church now I was a bit concerned. However, the great people here at Clifton Wesleyan Church pulled together for a great banquet. All proceeds will help off set some of the costs for the 150th anniversary celebration in September.

The Mistake of Not Running the Calendar

I must admit from time to time I forget one of the basic rules of life and minstry taught me by the first Senior Pastor I worked under. He told me to 'run your calendar, or your calendar will run you'. I have been so busy lately that I haven't stopped to say hello, or pass on a note to my readers and friends. I was run over by my calendar leading up to Christmas.

Were the things I was doing a benifit to God's Kingdom? I would like to believe so. However, this doesn't take away the fact that I have not been able to do some of the things I enjoy. I enjoy spending quiet Christmas Eve's by the light of the Christmas tree contmplating God's love for me. I enjoy taking a walk in my neighborhood and praying over the homes of my neighbors as I go. It is a joy to read a book, just for the joy of reading and not for study.

Since October I have been unable to many things I enjoy, because the demand of the ministry has kept me busy. Yet, I am the one who makes my schedule. Like many of you I sometimes have a hard time saying no, and find myself far too busy.

We took four days as a family from January First to Today. I didn't worry about the service (at least not much). I didn't visit people in need, although I visited a lot of family. I didn't preach, (at least not offically). I enjoyed the company of family, which I only see a few times a year. I took a walk through the snow. I acted young, and went sledding. I played games with my family, and extened family. I revived my soul by listening instead of preaching as Sunday message.

Even as I drove home I felt my revived soul urging me to move ahead. New Sermon ideas just seemed to flow to my mind and heart. I know we need rest, and there are demanding times of year. I only pray that God will help me to say no once in a while, and learn to run my calendar a bit more dilligently. I pray the same for each and every one of us in this New Year.

- Keep on your journey with Jesus

Leading In The Journey of Church Life

Where does responsibility lie for direction, mission, vision, and more? We live in a world that is rapidly becoming obsessed with front line managers, due to poor upper management in the church. Jesus Himself was on the front lines in much of His ministry. The fact is that for many of us in smaller church leadership we are always in a front line leadership role, even if we don’t want it. We will likely never have the luxury of some larger church leaders who are in their offices with several people to go through to get to them. This doesn’t change the fact that we still must lead the people before us.

In change and direction God will usually give us the lead, and in fact we will likely be the first to see needed direction and change for the churches we lead. In leadership the “Trickle Down Theory” still has a vital place. I have been reminded of my leadership roles, by God in recent weeks.

Our church has been going through a rebuilding process, since my decision last spring to make a staffing change. Some left and some remained angry and concerned for quite some time. We have also had an influx of newer people, which has filled that gap of those who left. Now I have felt the need to work to unite the new and the old. I am realizing that I am the catalyst to bring them together.

God has led me back to Nehemiah. Nehemiah was a front line leader, but he was also behind the scenes. Much like Moses he would go about encouraging people, but God directed in their lives long before the other leaders or the people. Moses was the go between, and in battle he let the people fight, while he remained in prayer and held his hands to God. Trust me he was in the battle, and was the greatest encourager to those below who could see his hands held high.

Nehemiah was impressed upon by God to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. The wall was a foundation for the Jews. It meant security, hope, a future, and a uniting home for their nation. Jerusalem was their capital of faith and national unity, and the wall meant the capital was secure. Nehemiah led the direction to rebuild the wall, and rebuild the people. The wall took only a few months to build under the direction and encouragement of Nehemiah. Yet, the reforms of the people took over twelve years.

To be united as God’s people Nehemiah led the people in national and spiritual reform. He implemented policy and gave spiritual direction to the people lost in their way. This is much of the goal of a pastor today, even in smaller churches. We are given the vision and we must lead in the necessary change.

I gave the following illustration in church yesterday. I disassembled a large wooden cross we keep in storage, and I gave various screws, supports, a drill, a battery, and a bit for driving screws out to people of all ages through out our church. Then to illustrate the leadership’s need in direction and the plan, I held a large paper with the words “THE PLAN” written on one side. The back of the paper was blank, but I called people up one by one with their parts. I asked some if they could see the plan to what I was building, and a few recognized what it was, and said yes. Others said it’s blank, and I shared two valuable points about leading. One, the leaders often sees what others have yet to envision. Secondly, those who have been somewhere with God before can see clearly where we are going.
I had planned to help them reassemble this cross, but a 5th grade boy took the drill and said, “We’ve got it. You need to let us do it.”
While I shared the importance of teamwork, and how the city worked under Nehemiah’s encouragement the group of people ranging from preschool to middle age built the cross behind me. It took about ten minutes to assemble the cross and stand, but the people got the point. I was reminded in the midst of all of this of a valuable point too. The people have to take up the cause, just as that fifth grader said. We must lead, and we must be going through encouraging and directing, but the people must take up the cause of Christ.
Jesus was on the front lines, but he was also behind the disciples directing, teaching, and leading them to do far more than he could do alone. We must be taking the time to hear God’s direction, and we must lead the people to carry out the vision He has given. God has called you and me as leaders to lead in His cause, for His glory.

- Keep up the journey with Jesus today.