Mark 6:56 “Wherever Christ went – in villages and cities and out on the farms – they laid the sick in the market plazas and streets.  The sick begged him to let them at least touch the fringe of his robe, and all who touched it were healed.”

Observation:

Jesus’ ministry … even when I think about the word “minister” as defined by offering care or aid is so different than what we see in churches today; we have “Adult Ministries” and “Youth Ministries” and “Children’s Ministries.”  Jesus healed people.  I wonder if all the accounts we had of Jesus preaching verses Jesus healing what the split would be.  In any case, Jesus didn’t need to “do outreach” as we think of it today – that was his entire mission, and because of that people were drawn to him.  He didn’t have to knock on doors.  He didn’t have to hold “seeker friendly” events.  People knew that if they came, they would receive healing … how much more “relevant” can you get?

Application:

I’m so grateful this is the direction Life Center is headed.  This is the direction I need to head as a “minister” to my world.  What are my resources?  I have no robe with healing powers, but I have lots to offer.

Prayer:

Lord – help me identify what I have to give, how to do so, and where I can minister those gifts.

Acts 26:27-29 “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do. Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”  Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

Observation:

Paul is mid-trial here and he’s attempting to “make the close” with this ruler.  Instead of being concerned about his own future, he was interested in the future of his accusers.

Application:

This is a good contrast for me: Whose future am I going to be concerned about?

Prayer:

Lord, help me focus on the good of others over my own good.

Acts (16,) 17 & 18 recount Paul’s second missionary journey.

Observation:

Paul’s message was (and still is!) urgent!  He visits over a dozen communities “trying to convince the Jews and Greeks alike” (18:4).  Sometimes he’s “sent” to the next city (before he gets run out), sometimes he stays for a period of time, sometimes he leaves because of hard hearts.  But he moves with God, always conveying the message of Christ.

Application:

Paul’s message really wasn’t Paul’s message – it is the message of Christ – the same message I am responsible to carry and, more importantly, deliver.  I was thinking the other day about  The Hole in Our Gospel and how I feel like the nature of its message is comparable to the message Paul brought in his time.  At that time, many were “religious” – their next step to faith was fulfillment of the Messiah’s coming.  Today, the message … is I guess the same.  People are still looking for a savior – still need a savior.  People have heard us say there is a God, that Christ died for their sins; we need to show God’s love and Christ’s forgivness.  I need to show God’s love and Christ’s forgiveness – a still urgent message.

Prayer:

Lord, give me the same sense of urgency.

Revelation 19:10 “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Observation:

Usually when I think of prophecy I think of a foretelling  of the future … in some ways I guess testimony of Jesus is just that.  But it also makes it seem so available.

Application:

I need to broaden my understanding of the gift of prophecy – and more than likely, all spiritual gifts.  However, this also means I need to re-evaluate the spiritual gifts accessible to me, starting with prophecy.  I can be a prophet for Christ – and it’s not difficult.  I don’t have to wait for divine inspiration – I already have it!  Whenever I do or say something that communicates Christs love, his power, or his salvation, I am prophesying. Perhaps not in the same manner as Ezekiel, or our general typical understanding of a prophet, but if I genuinely believe that all spiritual gifts are accessible to anyone, then I need to consider that each gift is available in varying portions and I need to accept it, claim it, and put it to use!

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for every gift – I submit my life to you in hopes that you can use me.  Help me be aware when you have given me something with a divine purpose.

Ezekiel 14:13-14 “Suppose the people of a country were to sin against me, and I lifted my fist to crush them… Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there, their righteousness would save no one but themselves.”

Observation:

It is not enough to be righteous.  How can I have true passion for God if I don’t also share His passions – his people.  If I say I love God, but I don’t love people, I’m a liar.  To that end, I must be a servant, and I must be an evangelist.  It’s interesting – so often we think of “evangelism” as a gift … to some point it is, but even then, only inasmuch as is the gift of zeal and passion for God.  Everyone, whenever they are genuinely excited about something, is more than happy to share.  In addition to the fullness that Christ brings in life – we ought to be further encouraged by knowing that there are two destinations at the end of life.  It is of eternal importance that I do everything in my power to not sit, spared, in the middle of a doomed neighborhood, city, and world.

Application:

Get on it!

Prayer:

Lord, let your message live in me, and then give me the fortitude to not just proclaim it like a resounding gong, but to live it, apply it to my life in meaningful ways, and to deliver it to others with precision.

John 16:9 “The world’s sin is unbelief in me.”

Observation:

Yesterday I was reading a post on Ed Stetzer’s site which compiled a several lists of accountability questions – questions which begged deep, honest reflection and ultimately lead to the question, “Am I becoming more like Christ in my thoughts and actions.”  It’s a great post.  One commenter said, “We have it backwards. I propose that we abandon our religions of good works, becoming instead a living temple of the Spirit that compels us to right living, rather than “living right” in order to fulfill some list of legal requirements.”  I could only disagree with his thoughts on the matter.  However, Jesus words  combined with this man’s thoughts challenge how I view sin in other’s lives.

The greatest sin from which a person can repent is unbelief.  It is at this point that Christ forgives all others.  This is the sin which Christ has called us as Christians to battle.  Then, we are to allow their relationship with Christ and the leading of the Spirit to shape their character over a lifetime. Yet I get caught up in the momentum of this great repentance and cringe at every continued act which I know doesn’t align with His direction.  Ultimately, I think our responsibility as Christians is to admonish and edify one another toward a relationship with Christ, rather than away from sin.  Only Christ can effect real life change.

Application:

Rather than getting wrapped up in people’s sin – whether the person believes, I need to stay focused on encouraging a relationship with Christ, and trust the Holy Spirit to do the rest.

Prayer:

Lord, my relationship with you has a positive impact on my life – help me be an evangelist about that relationship, to “sinners” and “saved” alike.

1 Peter 3:15 “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have … with gentleness and respect.”

Observation:

I invited Mormons over to our house last night.  I’ve never actually just sat down to hear what they have to say and I’m glad I did!  It was fascinating.  Something that struck me this morning was that every “good” mormon boy goes through an intense evangelism course.  They are taught how to bring up their faith, how to support it, and how to make the ask.  Then after they’re taught, they’re sent to the streets to put these lessons in to practice for two years!  Among the things to be said about them, it ought to be included that they take seriously the direction to go and make disciples.

Application:

Nicole asked me if they sounded rehearsed, and to some degree, I had to say “yes.”  But I also told her it wasn’t a forced delivery, but, as Peter suggests it should be done, with gentleness and respect.  It was methodical, it was the same story they’d each told countless times.  Though I wasn’t challenging their faith, I could tell from their answers to a couple questions that they had been counseled how to navigate opposition and wariness.  Unfortunately I think I need to reissue my application step from my entry, Good News Indeed, on July 2:  Revisit James Choung’s Four Circles.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for truth and faith – thank you for giving us your Word to guide and contextualize our lives.  Help me dedicate to being able to deliver a quick and concise presentation of the gospel.

1 Peter 1:3-6 “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.”

Observation:

Last Wednesday Nicole and I decided on a whim to go to the cabin, my favorite place to be, and we hadn’t been since the summer of ’07.  I was giddy with excitement.  I took a day off at work and made preparations to be gone.  Nicole had all sorts of lists, she packed, she shopped.  We invited friends because we knew that it was going to be an incredible time – and it was!  I had forgotten how much I absolutely love being there.  Life at the cabin is perfectly paced, it’s simple, beautiful … I love the cabin.  This is the same “great expectation” and “wonderful joy” I should absolutely feel about heaven.

Application:

There are certainly some differences in these situations.  I knew I was headed to the cabin in a matter of hours, and I was headed there with some of the people I love most.  I also knew what I was headed to, and that I was coming back.  There are so many unknowns about heaven – and of course the arrival there undoubtedly means leaving people behind.  None the less, I know that the cabin won’t compare, and that most of the people I love will eventually be there with me (Makes me think I should probably expand my love circle), and that when I get there I will meet Christ in person.  I am excited to be in heaven – my life really could reflect that in better ways.  I could start by inviting more of those I love.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for this time.  Thank you for meeting me here.  Develop my anticipation of arriving in heaven as well as the actions appropriate to that expectation.

Jude vs 3 “Dearly loved friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share.  But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the truth of the Good News.”

Observation:

First, it strikes me that the faith to believe in your brother as God is substantial indeed.  Though I can’t imagine Jesus letting his family go unsaved – kudos to Jude.

That aside – I think this verse speaks to the state of our country.  The church needs to defend the truth of the Good News.  What a different place we’re in today though – for the most part people “know” who Jesus is, and that he died on a cross to take away our sin.  That it is good news has been lost in a sea of infringement, judgement and condemnation.  We need not spread the news, but iterate that it is good.  I think the best presentation I’ve heard of the Gospel is James Choung’s Four Circles.  It’s simple and easy relate to.

Application:

I need to revisit this presentation and ensure that I’m ready to deliver it at any time.

Romans 1:5 “Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey Him, bringing glory to His name.”

Observation:

The privilege and authority. That’s really not the picture I think most people have when they think about telling people “what God has done for them.”  I almost feel like many peoople see it as a burden and a duty – “I know the good news and I’m supposed to tell people.”  I think the “judgement” of Christianity precedes its salvation.  I wonder at what point in history this changed, and I wonder how we can redeem the message of Christ.

Application:

First, I need to keep in mind that it is a privilege and the authority, not a burden and a duty.  Second, I ought to be more intentional about rebuking any statement that indicates that the message of Christ is anything but good news.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for giving us the honor of sharing the message of salvation.  Please redeem that message in America and remind us of the privilege it is to have and to share it.