How do we keep loving people? Does our love tank ever run dry? Do we ever get spread too thin with the amount of people we can love? By our own strength the answer is “yes.” but with God, the supply of love never runs dry or gets spread to thin. His love is deep and wide. Check out this verse about what God pours into our hearts:
Romans 5:5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
We cannot pour out love to others to surpass the rate at which God supplies love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. How big and expansive is God’s love?
Ephesians 3:17 And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
God’s love fills us to fullness of God. Our joy is to let it overflow liberally to others. We will never run out no matter how much we give away.
How has this concept been a real experience in your life?
Monday, January 31, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
More on sharing Jesus
A helpful tip for sharing your faith is to have a good set of questions to start spiritual conversations with folks. As they answer (and you listen), the conversation may lead to informed ways of sharing the gospel based on their receptivity. Allow conversations to develop naturally and allow him/her to ask you questions. Here are the best questions I would add to my memory bank:
What do you think God is like? What makes you think this?
What does it take to be straightened our with God?
How do you get through the hard times?
Has church been helpful to you in your life? How so or why not?
What do you think is most important to God? What is He really tuned into?
What would you say was Jesus' major message to the world?
Also, leaving statements open ended may often invite people to ask for more information if they are truly seeking spiritual insight and help. Some interesting statements that crack the door open to conversation are the following:
I used to dred going to church, but all that changed about _____ years ago. (pause)
Reading my Bible starts my day on the right foot. I don't how I ever managed without it...(pause)
Things in our marriage and family have really improved since we got back involved in church...(pause)
These statements leave people thinking and sometimes ready to ask you a question. Evangelistic conversations should leave the other person wanting to receive salvation himself or at least wanting to know more.
What do you think God is like? What makes you think this?
What does it take to be straightened our with God?
How do you get through the hard times?
Has church been helpful to you in your life? How so or why not?
What do you think is most important to God? What is He really tuned into?
What would you say was Jesus' major message to the world?
Also, leaving statements open ended may often invite people to ask for more information if they are truly seeking spiritual insight and help. Some interesting statements that crack the door open to conversation are the following:
I used to dred going to church, but all that changed about _____ years ago. (pause)
Reading my Bible starts my day on the right foot. I don't how I ever managed without it...(pause)
Things in our marriage and family have really improved since we got back involved in church...(pause)
These statements leave people thinking and sometimes ready to ask you a question. Evangelistic conversations should leave the other person wanting to receive salvation himself or at least wanting to know more.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Jack LaLanne Passing Away
Great article on Jack LaLanne. A great inspiration to all us exercise and health nuts. He blazed a trail. Read it here.
Sharing Jesus
In sharing Jesus with others, canned presentations can be helpful for the person sharing the faith, but a more tailored approach that considers the recipient of the message will be most helpful. There is a need to be more artful in our approach by really listening people before “presenting” a Jesus package.
If we truly love people, then we will listen to their needs and questions. By listening to people in conversations, what “life questions” and “life concerns” have you heard brought up by those who may not know Jesus as their Savior? Some I have heard are as follows:
“I want to make a difference, but I don’t know how.”
“Things really seem unfair.”
“I have been hurt or disappointed by people and church.”
“What is life all about really?”
“Marriage is tough and raising kids these days is scary.”
“I work hard so I can play hard. TGIF!”
If these are some of the big concerns and questions people have, then what is the Good News (gospel) in response to these concerns and questions?
Honest answers and genuine dialogue about what concerns and questions people are wresting with will lead to a better attempt at communication the good news of Jesus. Jesus had (and still has) a way of connecting with people through their real needs. And then He expresses God’s compassion, healing, and forgiveness.
Two great books to consider reading or learning more on listening and communication:
Evangelism Made Slightly Less Difficult by Nick Pollard
The Art of Personal Evangelism by Will McRaney
If we truly love people, then we will listen to their needs and questions. By listening to people in conversations, what “life questions” and “life concerns” have you heard brought up by those who may not know Jesus as their Savior? Some I have heard are as follows:
“I want to make a difference, but I don’t know how.”
“Things really seem unfair.”
“I have been hurt or disappointed by people and church.”
“What is life all about really?”
“Marriage is tough and raising kids these days is scary.”
“I work hard so I can play hard. TGIF!”
If these are some of the big concerns and questions people have, then what is the Good News (gospel) in response to these concerns and questions?
Honest answers and genuine dialogue about what concerns and questions people are wresting with will lead to a better attempt at communication the good news of Jesus. Jesus had (and still has) a way of connecting with people through their real needs. And then He expresses God’s compassion, healing, and forgiveness.
Two great books to consider reading or learning more on listening and communication:
Evangelism Made Slightly Less Difficult by Nick Pollard
The Art of Personal Evangelism by Will McRaney
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Keep Your head
2 Timothy 4:5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
Life is hard. Sometimes really hard. No excuses though for foolish decisions and behavior. Keep your head. How do you keep your head?
Living in the word of God is essential. Honest friends are a big help. What else can help from being knocked off your game? Comments welcome. Check out the link.. You can also find his videos on youtube.com
Life is hard. Sometimes really hard. No excuses though for foolish decisions and behavior. Keep your head. How do you keep your head?
Living in the word of God is essential. Honest friends are a big help. What else can help from being knocked off your game? Comments welcome. Check out the link.. You can also find his videos on youtube.com
Monday, January 17, 2011
Devotional Life
Sunday I talked about devotional practices of Christian faith that put us in a position to grow in our relationship with God. The very word "devotion" or "devout" carries with it a connotation of serious commitment. What you are devoted to will use up much of your time and other resources. When someone is devoted to God, it will be evident in the amount of time and other resources that are are reserved for Him.
Our tendency, however, is to be devoted to things instead a person, namely God. Even in religious life, we stray into being devoted to certain disciplines and practices which are merely tools and paths to express devotion to God.
Being devoted to Bible study or fasting does not necessarily mean that one is devoted to God. The disciplines are about putting yourself in a right place to express devotion to God and grow one experience with God. Although, the discipline may become a central part of your religious life, they are not to be the sum total. God desires a relationship with his people not mere outward religious acts.
But without using the spiritual disciplines, one rarely grows in knowledge and love of God. They are useful practices in living out our love and devotion to God.
What are some spiritual disciplines that you practice on a regular basis? And how have they been helpful in expressing your love toward God and growing to experience Him more?
Our tendency, however, is to be devoted to things instead a person, namely God. Even in religious life, we stray into being devoted to certain disciplines and practices which are merely tools and paths to express devotion to God.
Being devoted to Bible study or fasting does not necessarily mean that one is devoted to God. The disciplines are about putting yourself in a right place to express devotion to God and grow one experience with God. Although, the discipline may become a central part of your religious life, they are not to be the sum total. God desires a relationship with his people not mere outward religious acts.
But without using the spiritual disciplines, one rarely grows in knowledge and love of God. They are useful practices in living out our love and devotion to God.
What are some spiritual disciplines that you practice on a regular basis? And how have they been helpful in expressing your love toward God and growing to experience Him more?
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Baptism
This past Sunday I talked about baptism in our Sunday morning worship time. There are few places in life where it seems abosulutely clear that the material and spiritual world intersect one another. Baptism is one of these special occurances in the lives of people who have chosen to follow Jesus. The feel of the water washing over you as you publically declare yourself to be born from above, born anew in the kingdom of God. God is making all things new and he has included you! As you drip your way back to the changing room you are swept up in a powerful thought: this is the beginning our my new life.
New beginnings are so rare in life. Most people know you in the context of their history with you. Your family has watched you grow up. They know how you like your eggs cooked, where you ticklish spots are, even your greatest fears and weaknesses. Your friends, school mates, and neighbors have watched you grow and change. These people have a hard time letting you have a "new beginning."
But when you went on that first date with someone you had never met, when you moved off to college, when you started that new job, or moved to a new place, you had a brief shot at a new beginning (of sorts). People didn't have a context for understanding you yet. So you had a chance to try new things like sushi or bowling. You had a opportunity to turn over a new leaf with harder study habits, a more dillegent work ethic, a new hair style, or fresh attitude.
Baptism is a symbol of deep transformation that has happened at the heart level (the core) of your life. You belong to someone now: Jesus. Your new master desires to set you free. Free from fear and self-interest.
Baptism, the physical act of being immersed in the water and coming up soaking wet from head to toe can be the beginning of a new context for people to begin seeing and understanding you in a fresh way. That is why is needs to be as public and memorable as possible. As much as possible it needs to be announced to all who have know you: you have been born from above, born anew with a fresh take on life.
You may still like your eggs cooked the way did before. Sushi and bowling will still be an aquired taste, but you have been given a new life. You will grow into your new life like you did your old one. Step by step. At least this birth, you will always remember. And so will those who witness it.
What are some ways that baptism can be more public and more memorable in or order to help everyone experience the power perspective of a new life in Christ?
New beginnings are so rare in life. Most people know you in the context of their history with you. Your family has watched you grow up. They know how you like your eggs cooked, where you ticklish spots are, even your greatest fears and weaknesses. Your friends, school mates, and neighbors have watched you grow and change. These people have a hard time letting you have a "new beginning."
But when you went on that first date with someone you had never met, when you moved off to college, when you started that new job, or moved to a new place, you had a brief shot at a new beginning (of sorts). People didn't have a context for understanding you yet. So you had a chance to try new things like sushi or bowling. You had a opportunity to turn over a new leaf with harder study habits, a more dillegent work ethic, a new hair style, or fresh attitude.
Baptism is a symbol of deep transformation that has happened at the heart level (the core) of your life. You belong to someone now: Jesus. Your new master desires to set you free. Free from fear and self-interest.
Baptism, the physical act of being immersed in the water and coming up soaking wet from head to toe can be the beginning of a new context for people to begin seeing and understanding you in a fresh way. That is why is needs to be as public and memorable as possible. As much as possible it needs to be announced to all who have know you: you have been born from above, born anew with a fresh take on life.
You may still like your eggs cooked the way did before. Sushi and bowling will still be an aquired taste, but you have been given a new life. You will grow into your new life like you did your old one. Step by step. At least this birth, you will always remember. And so will those who witness it.
What are some ways that baptism can be more public and more memorable in or order to help everyone experience the power perspective of a new life in Christ?
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