The job of the evangelist is not done until the evangelized becomes the evangelist.
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For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 3:16-17 KJVR

Evangelism is nothing more than one beggar telling another beggar where to find food.

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Monday, March 22, 2010

Brothers building Brothers - 3-22-10

So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and said is all well? And he said, all is well. My master has sent me, saying, behold, even now there have come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: please give them a talent of silver, and two changes of clothes. 2 Kings 5:21-22

I remember this story being told from the time I was a child in Sunday School and as with all the adventures of Elijah and Elisha it fascinated me. The relationship these two men had with God was unique in that they seem to know the thoughts and actions of certain individuals who were not in their presence. Undoubtedly these were revealed to them by God for His purposes. As I was reading this morning, I realized just how much Gehazi is an illustration of me in my daily walk with God.

Gehazi had been with Elisha for some time and he had seen his master in action; what made him think that he could get this little plot past Elisha. I'm thinking as I read that Gehazi sure is foolish to try and slip one past a guy like Elisha, and yet I try the same thing over and over. Every time I make a deliberate decision to sin I'm basically trying to slip one past God. Maybe he'll overlook it this time or maybe he's too busy to notice.

I believe the key to why this happens to me is found in the text. When Naaman asked Gehazi "Is all well"; Gehazi's answer reveals that he has lost focus on reality; "All is well", he said. His focus is on himself and his covetousness and he is blind to truth. The moment that I, in my mind surrender to sin my focus leaves the truth of God's word and I begin to operate in my own little world of sin in which I make up all the rules that govern reality. That allows me to sin and think God won't notice.

Father I pray I will be sensitive to Your Spirit's conviction and that I will stay focused on Jesus today.

Praying the same for you,

Your brother Jack

Monday, March 15, 2010

Brothers building Brothers - 3/15/10

And I said, “This is my anguish; but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.” I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds. Your way O God is in the sanctuary; who is so great a God as our God. Psalm 77:10-13

The writer of this psalm is in a desperate situation. In verse two we read, “My soul refused to be comforted”. There is a little note here for me and I believe for all of us who from time to time wallow in depression and self pity. There is a choice we make to not be comforted. I know it is hard to hear but I reject the notion that is so prevalent in the Christian community that “mental illness” is somehow beyond the bounds of sin and God’s remedy for it. What struck me this morning was that the psalmist made a second choice.

“This is my anguish; but”. This is the same choice I have been forced to make so many times. “These are my circumstances; they do not seem to be changing but I now choose not to allow them to dictate my attitude.” Instead: “I will remember”, “I will remember”, “I will remember”, “I will also meditate . . . and talk”. His choice was to shift his focus from his circumstances to his God.

Who is so great a God as our God? Do I really believe that or do I believe that my “condition” whatever the diagnosis is, is greater than my God? Today, if you’re stuck in a negative choice you’ve made, do what the psalmist did; make another choice!

Choosing to focus on God,

Your brother Jack

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Appreciating God's Creation March 10, 2010

"And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food." (Genesis 2:8-9)
Everything in the garden of Eden was prepared for man's enjoyment. In the time between creation and the curse, Adam and Eve no doubt fully enjoyed the vegetation (Genesis 2:5, 9, 15-16), the animals (vv. 19-20), the atmosphere and the weather (vv. 5-6), the rivers and the raw materials (vv. 10-14), each other (vv. 18, 21-25), and fellowship with God (3:8). But soon they rebelled and were driven from the beautiful garden (3:24), and ever since, mankind's ability to enjoy creation has been shackled somewhat, for creation was distorted by sin, and the eyes of each one of us have become dull. The second verse of the well-loved hymn "I Am His, and He Is Mine" describes a partial reopening of the eyes of a believer upon salvation, as a love gift from our Lord.
Heav'n above is softer blue, Earth around is sweeter green;
Something lives in ev'ry hue Christless eyes have never seen!
Birds with gladder songs o'erflow, Flowers with deeper beauties shine,
Since I know, as now I know, I am His and He is mine.
In His abundant love for His children, our Lord promises to supply all our needs once again. "Why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these" (Matthew 6:28-29). Creation's beauty waits to thrill us and instruct us. Our loving Father wills it so. But creation will be fully restored soon, and "the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing" (Isaiah 35:1-2). He beckons us to join Him in His kingdom. JDM

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Brothers building Brothers - 3/8/10

7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

13 Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; keep her for she is your life. Proverbs 4:7, 13

The bible is clear; anyone who is a child of God will keep His commandments and have a love for the word of God. The two proverbs above indicate that understanding truth and holding onto it for dear life is your life. Many “Christians” in name only do not realize this.

Last night we enjoyed a concert in Eureka, a young lady singing from her heart about her life experiences. During the intermission God opened my mouth to speak to a young man about his eternal destiny. When I asked him if he knew where he would be in eternity his answer indicated that he wasn’t sure. In just a few moments he had agreed with me and the scriptures that he was a sinner doomed to the lake of fire. The interesting thing was, that as I gave him the gospel he agreed with all of it and said that is exactly what he believed. I went on to explain to him that if he really did believe that he could be assured that he would spend eternity with God.

However I knew it would be irresponsible not to challenge his statements so I asked him if he was studying Gods word. He answered that he was not. So I shared with him what Jesus said about being a true disciple, “If you abide in my word you are my disciple indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. I did not tell him his faith was false, I’ll let the Holy Spirit do that but I was reminded again just how dangerous a little knowledge can be. We need to be encouraging those we disciple and those we witness to, to get wisdom and take hold of instruction “for she is your life”.

Praying for William, and you

Your brother Jack

Monday, March 1, 2010

Brothers building Brothers - 3/1/10

The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing, to declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteous in Him Psalm 92:12-15

Father, grant me the grace to remain planted in your house and to flourish and bear fruit in my old age.

“But Jack, you’re not old.” Your right but if I do not develop an attitude of expectation and claim this promise now, I feel certain I will be overwhelmed by the sense of entitlement and “woe is me” attitude that so often comes with age. I want nothing more than to finish well.

Seeking to flourish till I die,

Your brother Jack