Who will go?

Two separate encounters in one evening has made me aware of the dire need for us to speak the truth boldly to the lost on the streets.

The other day we encountered a girl who had strayed far from the Lord. Once a believer, she had now incorporated a plethora of beliefs to her spiritual diet. As she spoke we were amazed at her confidence. I sincerely believe if we had not had an intimate knowledge with truth, we would have been confused.

The same night, our second encounter was uncannily similar. A young man of a charismatic heritage had deserted the faith. He had traded simplicity of belief in Christ, for endless speculative dabbling in multiple philosophies. His articulation and cynicism were poised to unnerve the most avid evangelist.

How could people be so lost be yet so bold in their convictions. Like the blind Pharisee guides, their misconstrued ideals would ultimately lead many down the same spiralling path of uncertainty.

As we reflected on the evening, our hearts were burdened. We clearly understood Satan’s agenda for our age. Under the guise of tolerance, the lines are becoming blurred between traditional Christian truths, and other religions and philosophies. Many are falling by the way side, as they are left speechless when confronted with the outdated exclusivity of Christ’s sole claim to salvation.

Friend, do you have an answer for the hope in which you trust? Why is Jesus the only way? How is Jesus different than Muhammed, or others? How can we know your faith is real? Endeavour to tackle these questions. Understand deeper truths of scripture and study to show yourself approved. If you need to, then talk to your leader or fellow Christian peer about your questions.

The parting words from the young lady still ring loud and clear in my mind. Upon understanding we were Pentecostals, she remarked about their scarcity on the street witnessing scene. Understandably enough, she mistook us for Jehovah’s Witnesses. The sad thing is I encountered the same remark a week earlier from another individual.

Take on the challenge. Dare to understand your hope, and boldly take it out there. When stumped for words, remember, nothing can trump your testimony. Pray and God will lead you to a spiritually starving individual, who just needs to be reminded of what truth looks like.

The kingdom of God is within you

Jesus inaugurated the kingdom of God in his incarnation on earth. The kingdom of God represents the rule and reign of God. Think about it. The word “king – dom” means king domain. Jesus Christ brought the domain of the king, God the father into manifestation on a daily basis. This kingdom was one of immense good news. The miracles, radical love, intentional community and sacrificial service that Jesus modelled were all semblances of this kingdom that he inaugurated.

Jesus not only initiated this kingdom, but passed it on to others. His disciples as they believed on him received the kingdom. Jesus said the “kingdom of heaven is within you” to his disciples, including us in this amazing statement. The kingdom of heaven being inside of us has tremendous ramifications. Could God be saying that heaven’s power, and manifestation potentially lies inside of us? Is this real or abstract? How do we make this kingdom a reality in our world?

I believe the key to seeing the kingdom of God established in our lives is an acute awareness of the existence of the king within us. Recently God has been impressing on me the need for intentional evangelism. One key reason I believe people don’t evangelize is they simply don’t realize firstly their potential, and secondly the dire need. If I really believed that I was the answer to the poverty, hunger, disease, social oppression, injustice, wickedness, vile and every unthinkable perpetration of fallen humanity I believe that I would wake me up. If I understood that in heaven I will cry tears of regret for every wasted moment, I would be more intentional in the here and now.

See, you and I can understand that Jesus is the answer. After all we glibly say “if God wills” he can do anything. Yet Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is within you. Not above you. Not in heaven. Not in Jesus. But within you. See with Jesus within you, God’s grace and power to alleviate the suffering of humanity has been transferred to you. Christ is in heaven, his job on earth is finished. We are the answer. He has left you and I with the Holy Spirit to establish his domain (the domain of the king) on this earth.

Fellow revolutionary, the hour is short. Jesus says night comes quickly when its too late to labour. The harvest is ripe. Lift up your eyes and see the vast world around you in need of desperate care. Catch an eternal view, and realize that you are the difference between people entering God’s kingdom or being destined to perdition in hell. Manifest the kingdom today. Pray for your neighbour, visit a friend, tell them about your story, see God move to establish just a bit more of his rule in their life, and catch a glimpse of heaven here on earth.

One thing you can do to make God happy

If I told you that you could do something for God that would make him happy what would you think? God is infinitely mighty, exceedingly abundant in beauty, esteem and deed. We on the other hand are human, weak, limited and totally dependent on the grace of God. Yet He depends on us to bring him immense joy. How paradoxical.

Jesus tells a few parables that illustrate the father’s heart in the gospels. A son deserts his father to find his fare in the world. The father is left heartbroken for an indefinite period of time, not knowing whether his son was dead or alive. A man owning a large amount of sheep that are healthy, safe and well-fed, is depicted as being uneasy, and restless until he finds a single mere sheep that has strayed away. Similarly a lady having lost a single gold coin does not rest, but turns her house upside down in search of it.

These stories all end up similarly. The father, man and lady find their desired item. The father is ecstatic as his son returns to him, figuratively from the dead. The man, along with lady both rejoice upon their discovery. All these individuals are full of joy and celebrate their good fortune.

Do you want to make God happy? Would you like to see him rejoice and celebrate? Then help him! The father bereaved of his son was devastated, and would not be truly comforted until his son came home. God is like this father. How many of God’s children are lost? Wandering in rebellion through the wilderness of this life and completely detached from true life. God needs our help!

As the shepherd finds his lost sheep and celebrates, scripture tells us such is the celebration that ensues in heaven upon the return of a lost child to the father. Can you imagine? God throws a party each time someone gets saved.

Help God to discover his children by reaching out to the lost souls of this world. Romans 10 indicate that they will never know except you and I tell them. We hold the key to God’s joy. Think about that last statement. Without you reaching out to souls, we leave God sad, burdened and devastated.
Won’t you help him today! Find someone who doesn’t know him and reach out to them. Perform a kind act. Let them know you care. Point them the way to God. Tell them about the reason for your joy. Help bring a smile to the father’s face today.

Joy to the world

If you had to think of meaningful events in life that would bring tremendous joy, what would you think of? Would it be the advent of a new job, the prospects of a romantic relationship or graduating from a post secondary institution? Whatever the event might be the impact of these situations is similar - gladness, happiness, joy and a desire to celebrate.
Luke 2 details an event which is bound to bring joy to any family. The birth of Christ is foretold via the angel stating that much joy will come to humanity because of this momentous event. The joy to be experienced by this birth was beyond the norm. Certainly the family and friends of Mary would be ecstatic at the birth of a new child. But beyond them, the world was to rejoice at the birth of Christ who signified freedom for all.
Having recently experienced the birth of yet another child into our family I have a little understanding of the joy that child birth brings. I recall the instant shouts of joy that my wife and I elicited upon seeing our child for the first time. Even the nurses who were strangers with us joined in ecstatic celebration as they praised the baby and the successful birth. As the hours and days progressed, the joyous responses were evidenced by phone calls, text messages, e-mails and visits by friends and family members. It seemed as if the news of the baby instantaneously brought people together, made faces smile and gladdened hearts everywhere. Even now as it`s been five short days since Elizabeth`s birth, my heart is warmed with joy at the thought that God has blessed me with yet another gem.
Christ being born was definitely joyful news to all who heard. The world could rejoice at the good news that his birth represented. The joyful declaration of the angels only confirmed what Isaiah had prophesied 500 years earlier. There would be a servant of God who would bring freedom and deliverance to those who needed it. This freedom was spiritual, yet tangibly felt. Christ would liberate us from the grasp of addiction to sin, while bringing us temporal relief from pain, sickness, misery and other felt needs.
Have you heard the good news? If not then receive it today. Do you know the good news? Then share it! Don`t dare keep it to yourself. We have the most sought after piece of information on the face of the earth. Let`s do all we can to live and preach this wonderful news, that the world can came to know the joy we have?