Proverbs 4:7

"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding." ~Proverbs 4:7




Thursday, July 25, 2013

Look For Opportunities to Tell Them About Christ

Principle #5

 
 
Me: "You mean to tell me that you used to persecute Christians who lived and spoke for Jesus Christ, and now you yourself is a Christian?

Paul: Yes, that is what I am saying. In my writings I considered myself the chief of sinners. I unknowingly persecuted Jesus Christ. Here it is, He died to save sinners....and I......I took every opportunity I could to persecute them. And all the while I was  persecuting them, I was persecuting Him. It wasn't until that day that He met me on that road in my travels. That day I realized the error of my ways. That day turned my whole life around. And just as I took every opportunity to persecute His saints, I then took every opportunity to tell people about Christ.

Paul, the chief of sinners, looked for opportunities to tell people about Jesus Christ. He became all things to all men that he may save some. He humbled himself so to where upon any opportunity he had, he told and spoke of his Lord and Savior. Friends, this brings us to our last and final principle of the 5 Important Principles for Ministry: "Look for opportunities to tell people about Christ."

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance,
that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,
of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15)

I am currently a student on the journey to obtain a license in Cosmetology. All of my life I have been obsessed with the world of beauty. Not so that it consumes me. But I love the creative side that comes with it. And the finished product of a hairstyle or makeover excites me. Being a student places me around a lot of people saved and unsaved. And with that, I hear and see a lot. But while I'm there, my eyes and ears are always open for an opportunity to share Jesus Christ. Being that I know all too well what having Him in your life can do for you, I seek to willingly share Him with others. It's my calling. It's what I was created for. I was chosen by God for such a time as this (John 15:16).

In order for us to tell people about Jesus, we must first have a personal relationship with Him ourselves. We must first know Him (John 17:3). Can you imagine trying to tell someone about somebody that you don't know? What would you look like? I suspect a person who is puzzled, searching for words to describe the person and not knowing really what to say. A wasted effort if you ask me. But when you know someone, you will have no problem in telling the other person about that person. Why? Because you know. It's like having a friend that you've known for a long time. You guys have laughed and cried together. You gone places together. You've shared your most personal thoughts with one another. You've confided and still do confide in each other. When you think about that person that you've known for so long, the opportunity to tell someone about him or her is a delight.

It's the same way with Jesus Christ. The Bible says that we are to be ready in and out of season to tell someone the Good News. There is so much of creation that need to know about Him and what He died for in order that they may receive. He died that they may have life. And when we tell someone about Jesus, we are speaking into them life. Every word of God is a seed that once it is released, has been sown to bring about a dynamic change. When you start talking about Jesus, an atmosphere comes about that is beyond anyone's explanation. It is meant to be that way for the purpose of bringing light and life into another individual who may be living in darkness.

"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing.
The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
(John 6:63)

Children of God should never turn away from an opportunity to tell someone about Jesus. We have been freely given life. And God raises us up in order that we may be used by Him to freely give it to someone else. God is all about His kingdom. He's all about redeeming His creation back unto Him. Nothing is more precious to Him than you and I. We have no clue as to what people go through on a daily basis. Yet, those who have a relationship with Jesus know all to well what speaking of Him can do for one's soul. What He did for you, He desires to do it for someone else.

God has given His children the tongue of the learned, that we may be able to speak a word in season to those who are weary (Isaiah 50:4). Once you become a child of God, it becomes your duty to lift up the name of His Son. For in lifting up that name, all men will be drawn unto Him. Finding common ground, avoiding a know-it-all attitude, making others feel accepted, being sensitive to their needs and concerns and last but not least, looking for opportunities to tell them about Christ is what effective ministry is all about. Although God richly gives us material things to enjoy, He is not concerned with these things as much as He is concerned with His people. Remember, he who saves a soul is wise.

He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood,
and His name is called The Word of God.
(Revelation 19:13)


 


Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Be Sensitive to Their Needs and Concerns


Principle #4


Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.............Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
(Romans 12:10,15)

Today, we will be talking about principle #4, Be sensitive to their needs and concerns. I believe that principle #3 and #4 go hand-in-hand.  I believe that people feel accepted even more when you become sensitive to their needs and concerns. God made us emotional beings. Although we are not to be controlled by our emotions, they do help us sympathize with our neighbor. It's a "relation" thing. And in order to effectively minister to people, you must be able to relate in some way to them.

Let's look at the life of Jesus. Hebrews 4:15 says that we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses. Jesus was at all points tempted just as we are. Yet He was without sin. The important factor here though is that Jesus was created for that purpose. God had to make His word become flesh, send Him to the earth, and walk as we walked so that He could redeem us back to Himself. He knew that for that to take place, we needed to be lead by example. God is not a hypocritical God. And He desires that we be not hypocritical people. Even though our walk in life may be different from one another, at one point over time, we have all had the same experiences to which, revealed or shared, somebody will be able to relate. Our many experiences are what enable us to be sensitive with the needs and concerns of others. They enable us to share with them how we were able to overcome. How we were able to press through. They enable us to share how we are able to keep going in life even though we have gone through what we have gone through.

There's an epidemic going around where people are claiming themselves to be independent. To me, this is such a deception of the enemy. First, we depend on God for the breath of life. Second, we depend on our parents to take care of us when we are little. Third, we depend on other people to help us make a way to take care of our own families. And last but not least, when we get into a situation that we think is beyond our control, we depend on somebody to help us find a way out. How else can this happen if we are all independent and insensitive to those around us? It wouldn't.

The greatest example we have to look to is God. He's concerned about us all. The fact that the Word of God states that we were created in His image tells me (and you too) that we are to be concerned with each other as well. It's time for effective ministry. Finding common ground, avoiding a know-it-all attitude, making others feel accepted, and being sensitive to their needs and concerns are tools that will lead a soul to Christ. He that wins a soul is wise.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
and he who wins souls is wise.
(Proverbs 11:30)

Monday, July 22, 2013

Make People Feel Accepted

Principle #3

 
She walks into the room of unfamiliar faces. "Lord, I don't see anyone here that I know. And all of these people look so worldly." She thought. "Nevertheless, You didn't call me to be a judge. This is not about me. I am here for You. Forgive me of thinking such things about Your creation. I am here to speak Your word. I pray that You will do what You need to do through me, today. In Jesus name." Her eyes fix upon the first person she sees. Immediately she walks over with her hand extended to introduce herself. The smile on her face is genuine. Her heart skips a beat. Chills run through her body as she realizes the privilege she's been given to spread God's love. The aroma she gives off is one of love and acceptance.
 
We have all watched the series called "The Bible" by now I'm sure. There is a scene in there where Jesus comes to Matthew the tax collector, and begins telling the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14). As he gets to what the tax collector says, Matthew's mouth is moving just as Jesus is speaking. He says, "God, be merciful to me, I'm a sinner!" The tears roll down Matthew's face. Jesus looks at Matthew, extends His hand, and says, "Come!"  This scene is one of the most moving scenes in the series to me. Because it shows Jesus' acceptance of Matthew. He cast no judgment whatsoever. He only welcomed him. It brings me to the third important principle of Ministry. We are to make people feel accepted.
 
I recall a moment in my sixth grade year of school. I didn't have many clothes growing up then. So every week, I wore the same things over and over. Then one day, I got something new. I felt cute in it. I was late getting to class that day. So when I walked in to go to my seat, I heard a girl whisper to another girl, "She finally got some new clothes!" Not only was what she said hearable, it was also visible. She turned around and covered her mouth with her hand. And I saw her. That moment has forever been imprinted on my heart. I was not accepted by this little girl. Her name was Jillian.
 
We as Christians must be careful the judgment we pass on people whether we know them or not. It's not our job to look down our noses at other people. Again, we once used to be where they are. It's a wonder that God allows us to have experiences such as the one I had in sixth grade. Granted, it wasn't the only one. But I learned from those experiences. That experienced shaped me. I learned how I never wanted to make other people feel.....unaccepted. And I realize now that such moments are acts of the enemy.
 
The enemy wanted me to remember that moment and forever be bitter and hurt by it. But I realize now that God used it and worked it out for my good. That moment taught me to never judge a book by it's cover. For a long time, I wouldn't eat blueberries because of the way that they looked. They didn't look like they were good. Just recently in my life, I decided to take a bite into one. Oh the goodness of that blueberry. I should have been ashamed of myself for missing out on all that goodness all those years. Now they are my favorite. I have accepted them.
 
In life, we are going to come across all kinds of people from all walks of life. We may even entertain angels unawares. But if we are going to reach the multitudes for God's kingdom, we must make people feel accepted. People don't want to walk through the doors of your church and one of your members has her nosed turned up at them because of the way they are dressed. Who died and made her Jesus? Exactly......no one. God's greatest commandments are that we love Him first with our hearts, minds, bodies, souls, and strength. The second is to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. We are to do unto others as we would want done unto us.
 
We all want to feel accepted. The ones who are supposed to do this the more are those called by God's name. To find common ground, to not act as a know-it-all, and to make people feel accepted is what we as Christians have been called to do. We must get busy if our ministry is going to be effective.
 
 
 

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Mr. or Mrs. Know-it-all

Principle #2



The other day, I blogged about how God revealed to me the 5 Important Principles for Ministry. I stated that the #1 principle was that we should find common ground with those we come in contact. Today, we will be discussing principle #2, Avoid a know-it-all attitude

"For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among
you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think........."
(Romans 12:3)

Have you ever met someone who thinks that they know everything? It's hard for you to tell them anything. It's even hard for you to communicate with them. It's as if their ears have been closed so that they hear noone's voice but their own. In God's eyes, that is bad for ministry. Now let's get something straight. The word ministry here does not mean that you have to be a Minister (with a title). When you become a child of God, you automatically become a minister. You become a minister of the truth. Your everyday life that you live before people is a ministry. Your ministry. With your life you minister to those you come in contact with on a daily basis. 

If your life is anything like mine, from living alone, with the everyday hustle of being a wife and parenting children we discover that we do not know it all. There is something new to be learned everyday. There is another task that you and I become responsible for carrying out. We have not arrived nor will we ever arrive to the Know-it-all stage. To me, that's the beauty in being a child of God. 

When Paul said that he became all things to all men, I picture him humbling himself and bringing himself to the level of those he was trying to reach. In so many words, he confesses that he didn't know it all. In fact, I believe that in order for him to be effective he had to study and observe the people. He had to become accustomed to their likes and dislikes. He had to find out what was effective in leading them to Jesus Christ. And he did all of this without compromising his relationship with Jesus Christ. 

The important thing to remember about this principle is this, we once used to be where the people we come in contact with, who don't know Christ are. Just as God has raised you up to a higher level in your walk with Him, He is now using you to bring up someone else. In order to do that, your eyes have to be open to the possibility of learning the things that you don't know while effectively equipping the other person with the things you do know. 

God states that with the merciful, He will show Himself merciful. One who confesses to know it all is not one who walks in mercy. Brothers and sisters, this thing ought not be so. 

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
in which you once walked according to the course of this world.......
(Ephesians 2:1-2)



Friday, July 12, 2013

Things in Common

Principle #1

Paul: "For though I was free from all men, I made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak."

Me: "What do you mean, Mr. Paul?"

Paul: "I became all things to all men, that I might by all means save some."

Me: "But how do you become all things to all men? I don't quite understand."

The more and more I read the verses of 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, the more I wanted to know what he meant. This was one of the many sayings in which Paul had intrigued me. If it was effective, I wanted to know about it. My life depended on it. After all, I wanted to fulfill my calling. How do you become all things to all men? "God, please reveal this to meeeeeeeee!" was my heart's cry.

That's when He told me. After much study and much asking, He finally told me. I am to become what people need at the time of their need. That's it! But wait.......How do I do that? What does that look like? What does that really mean, God?" I desired more clarification. Can you see me looking up to the heavens? My Father above had stirred my heart to want to know more about reaching His people. I had to ask. And He had to answer me.

One day before I went to class. This was not too long ago. I asked God once again. How do I become all things to all people. I know that I am to become what they need. But I needed to understand this elementary style. So I read the notes of my study bible. I look the verses up in other translations. And behold, there it was. My answer, titled in the footnotes of another bible translation, "Five Important Principles for Ministry". The clarification I needed had come.

I found out that day that in order for me to become what people needed, I had to find common ground with them. This entails things that I could relate to them on. Children, school, movies, etc. Whatever God opened the door of discussion to as long as it was in His scope of approval. So on this particular school night, I brought my dinner in the container in the picture above. As I was in the break room heating up the food, I noticed that a classmate of mine had brought the same container. I made a mental note of it. But that was as far as it went for me. I didn't think much of it at the time. I did, however ask her what she had cooked. But my mind was somewhere else. I was also preparing materials for Vacation Bible School. I quickly ate my food so that I would have time to print out some paperwork in the library.

The next morning upon opening my eyes, I immediately got what God was showing me by allowing my classmate and I to have the same exact container that night. He was showing me the principle of having things in common with the people that I am in contact. It's amazing the things God can use to get your attention. It's amazing what He uses to teach you valuable lessons. As simple as that little container is, it had a big impact on the lesson He taught me. Believe it or not, this is how conversations get started. No one wants to talk with someone that they have nothing in common with. Can you imagine how the conversation would go? Nevertheless, you will never know what you have in common with someone unless you open the door of communication to find out. This is what I believe Paul did as he became all things to all people. He asked questions. He studied and observed them. He looked for doors of opportunity.  And though this is just one principle, I desire to share the others with you in the days to come. Blessings.