The Extraordinary Extra Mile

Scripture Passage
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name this is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2: 5-11

Reflection

I am exhausted. I am spent and worn out and wonder if I have anything left to give. This summer was a long process of leaving behind my life in DC and starting a new chapter in a new place. The start of grad school has brought a whole wonderfully new community into my daily life. As one of the few first-year students with a car and one of only a small contingent of Americans, I’ve spent a lot of time just helping my classmates settle in to life here. My daily existence has been inundated with incredible new people. We study together, we workout together, we go to networking events and happy hours and conferences together. It’s truly amazing.

But to be perfectly honest, it’s also incredibly hard to add so many new people to your life all at once while still trying to juggle relationships with family, friends, and colleagues that aren’t in my new city, balance commitments like that to PEER Servants, and somehow, somewhere in this process, study well and prepare to advance my career. I wonder if it’s ok to perhaps be more selective in whom I offer a ride to, or to just take a day or two to myself and not spend time with everyone else.

The concept of service is nothing new to the Christian dialogue. Our title, PEER Servants, fully embraces this component of the Christian life. Service is often how we determine our activities, and perhaps their validity in our schedules. We serve those we feel most burdened for, whether orphans or the elderly, trafficking victims or the homeless. We give our time and our energy to the causes we are most passionate about.

But too often we believe we are only called to serve as it fits within our boundaries of comfort. I’ve heard the advice to take time for yourself, to protect your health, and do what you need to do (and yes, there’s something to caring for the health that God has granted you). But I have to wonder if we’re really interpreting this in line with the Bible, or if we are using that as a justification to only go the first mile.

In church today, the pastor dug into the above-mentioned passage in Philippians. And what the Spirit convicted me of was that the only valid measure of our service is that of Christ’s service for us. Christ is the ultimate example of servitude.

Am I exhausted? Absolutely.

But have I given yet the equivalent of Christ’s sacrifice for me? Not nearly. I am to be a living sacrifice, as Christ was our ultimate sacrifice.

And have I yet emptied myself of the power that is available to me through the Spirit? By the grace of God, there is ample strength for the second mile. And if my eyes and heart are fixed on the sacrifice that Christ has made for me, and the glory of his reign, I will press on with joy and strength knowing that in this stage too, he will be glorified.

Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Question to Consider
Am I serving those in my sphere to the extent that Christ served me? Am I viewing the opportunities in my life as my “reasonable worship” (Rom. 12:1)?

Action Step for the Week

Are you considering stopping at the first mile, because the second one seems to be too much? Or are you walking that second mile and growing weary and tired? Be encouraged by reading and reflecting on Romans 12:1-2 and Philippians 2:1-11. Pray that God would give you a fresh glimpse of his great love for you. Pray for his strength and endurance to guide you through the second mile.

Is the Kingdom of Heaven Here Yet?

Scripture Passage

"If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles."  Matthew 5:41 (NIV)

Reflection

I often ask myself whether I am asking Jesus to operate within my life rules or whether I am willing to operate within His.  I believe that most of my life has been the former.  "Thank you, Jesus, for this free gift of salvation, but now let me get on with my life."

I have come to appreciate that Jesus had a greater concern than just extending my life from earth to heaven - He wanted to extend the kingdom of heaven to earth.  What does the kingdom of heaven on earth look like?  Are we even getting close?  closer?

The latter verses of Matthew 5 depict a much different reality than most Christians are living out.  As Christians insist on their own rights, sue others over insignificant issues, divorce a spouse because they don't feel it anymore, etc., it's clear that most of us are insisting that Jesus operate within our life rules.  No wonder we see so little of the kingdom of heaven on earth.

The kingdom of heaven goes beyond what any of us can fully imagine or comprehend, but from Jesus' simple teaching, we know it to be a place wherein those experiencing it will not resist an evil person but rather turn the other cheek, add our coat to the one who sues us for our shirt, go a second mile with the person who forces us to go one, love our enemies, and pray for those who persecute us.  By behaving in this way, we may appear like children of our Father in heaven, and perhaps be used of God to extend such a kingdom to others.

One way or the other, the way we live our lives impacts those around us.  Does our behavior lead those around us to conclude that we are experiencing this radically different kingdom of heaven on earth?  If so, perhaps they will be drawn to such a kingdom, and we will see Jesus' vision of the kingdom on earth as it is in heaven becoming a greater reality.

Question to Consider

Are you insisting that Jesus operate within your life rules, or are you really willing to operate within His?

Action Step for the Week

Identify one practical aspect of the kingdom of heaven on earth and then ask God to allow you to make that a reality in your own life.

It’s not about me

Scripture Passage

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5 v 44a

Reflection

I can safely assume that the majority of the people involved with PEER Servants hold justice as a matter close to their hearts. At its core, the organization is fundamentally about righting the wrongs perpetrated against the materially poor in the world. So Jesus’ exhortation to go two miles with anyone who forces you to go one mile is, at first glance, an act of condoning injustice. Does Jesus condone injustice? To be sure, the Bible says Jesus is the champion of the oppressed. Just at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount he starts with words of encouragement for the oppressed; “blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” Matthew 5 v 4, and “blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven” Matthew 5 v 10. So, what’s going on in the last few verses of this passage?

My own journey of faith has taught me over and over that it’s not about me. God loves and cares for me, true, but ultimately it’s not about me. Many heroes of the faith never lived to see the fruit of the walk of faith. Hebrews 11, aptly titled “Faith in Action” in the NIV, recounts the great acts of faith by biblical heroes. The passage concludes in verse 39 and 40 by saying, “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect”. I believe in the same way God is calling us to walk the extra mile by faith. God works in the lives of those he loves, transforming them more and more into Christlikeness. But God also works through those he loves to call and transform the world into Christlikeness.

I don’t know what your circumstances are, or who is forcing you to go one mile. But Jesus says go with them two miles. Yes, it’s unjust. He knows that, and he promises comfort and the riches of the Kingdom of Heaven as a reward. He asks you to go two miles because he loves you and is transforming you. But also, he is working through you to call your oppressor to him, and transform them too. He’s calling us to love our oppressors, and pray for them. We cannot do this out of our own strength; Hebrews 11 reminds us that the Biblical heroes did it by faith.

Question to Consider

Are you willing to walk the extra mile of persecution in order to let God work in you and your oppressors?

Action Step for the Week

Pray for your oppressor every day this week. Seek God’s counsel about how you can be praying for them. Surrender your unjust situation to God; if he so wishes, vengeance is His, Romans 12 v 19. Ask God to work in you, to make you more Christlike, and ask God to work through you, to reach the world for His glory.

Selfless Love for All

Key Scripture Passage
"If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles." Matthew 5:41 NIV

Reflection
Conventional wisdom teaches to invest in what provides a return. We may give our time and money to others, but we enjoy the "good feelings" we get when our generosity is appreciated, or maybe we give with the hope of being admired by others. Why spend your own precious money and time when there is absolutely nothing to show for it? Or maybe for a more selfless person the thought process would be "would they appreciate my sacrifice?" As Christians we know that Jesus paid an agonizing price for all, though many do not recognize that sacrifice.

Matthew 5 primarily focuses on being generous with enemies. Which, from the standpoint of conventional wisdom, would be foolish. We are told to not resist an evil person, and in the examples given enemies are already taking something when we are asked to walk the extra mile or give away our cloak or turn to them the other cheek. Outside the context of this verse, in a real life situation, most Christians would say it is foolish to give more to an evil person who is already taking from you. If you are robbed at gunpoint and they ask for your wallet, do you offer them the keys to your car as well?

This is a challenging exhortation. At the core we are called to love our enemies. Every human on Earth is a creation of God and the worst sinners can become God's greatest advocates. Saul in Acts 8, is a great persecutor of the Church, but he becomes a disciple of Jesus and one of the Bibles greatest evangelists! Part of Saul's transformation to Paul involved God sending a man named Ananias to go heal Saul. He of course had second thoughts as Saul was a well known persecutor. God was sending Ananias to place hands on and heal a great enemy. No matter how evil the sinner, it should not preclude them from receiving Gods love through us. How powerful a message it is to give more to your enemies than they want to steal from you.

In the end, the Kingdom of Heaven is like the man who sold all his possessions to buy a precious pearl in Matthew 13:45, and walking an extra mile with someone to further the Kingdom of Heaven and exemplify God's love does not seem so steep a price.

Questions to Consider
Are you willing to love your enemies or at least love the unlikable people in your life?

Action Step for the Week
Since we hopefully will have few opportunities to go the extra mile with someone who is forcing us to, try to find ways to go the extra mile with people in your life especially the ones you initially would rather not walk the first mile with.

Is God's Mercy Dangerous?

The last of three posts on "Go now and leave your life of sin".

Key Scripture Passage
"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." John 8:11 NIV

Reflection
God's mercy can be dangerous!

Now how in the world could something so amazing as God's mercy ever be dangerous?

The danger lies in our choosing to act in whatever way we wish and to think that we are innocent of any wrongdoing just because God shows us mercy.  Soon we allow our culture to shape what we consider right and wrong rather than God's Word.  We dismiss greed, lust, and more as perfectly normal because it's the way we see others, even those in the church, living.

And we love this passage from John 8.  Certainly if Jesus could show mercy to a woman caught in adultery, we must be innocent of any wrong doing.

Or are we?  A closer look at this John 8 passage shows that Jesus offered the woman a pardon, not an acquittal.  He called her behavior "sin"; He didn't declare her innocent.  There's nothing close to a "You're OK, I'm OK." perspective from Jesus here.  To the contrary - Jesus tells her to change her lifestyle.  The one person who was without sin has the moral authority to encourage her to leave her life of sin.

And Jesus would say the same words to us today.  If we're really going to go and extend the kingdom, we have to be ones who respond to God's dangerous mercy not with presumptuous lives, but humble, obedient lives that appreciate offering up ourselves as living sacrifices is a very reasonable act of worship to this Mercy Giver.

Questions to Consider
Have you handled God's grace dangerously?  Given your behavior, do you consider yourself innocent of any wrongdoing, or guilty and in need of a pardon?

Action Step for the Week
Identify those sins you have been dismissing as small and inconsequential since everyone else does them.  Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the strength to leave such a life of sin.

Commission or Omission?

The second of three posts on "Go now and leave your life of sin".

Key Scripture Passage
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.  It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach.  Titus 2: 11-15a NIV

Reflection
I remember as a teenager hearing a preacher say, “if you don’t give your life to Christ after hearing the gospel message over and over, your punishment in hell will be even worse.”   That scared me enough to get me out of my seat and head down the aisle to the altar to pray for Jesus to save me.  The funny thing is that after that prayer, I waited for my life to change and nothing seemed to happen. I kept falling into the same old sins.  Why was I unable to “go and leave my life of sin?”  I tried my best to stop sinning, but this salvation thing just didn’t seem to be working for me.  Nevertheless, I kept going to church and listening and gradually the Holy Spirit began revealing God’s truth to me, convicting me of my sin and I made an amazing discovery – Jesus died on the cross to save me from my sin, and the Holy Spirit was there to give me power to stop doing the ridiculous and destructive things that the devil had convinced me were good.  As I took my baby steps towards Jesus, I discovered that following Him was delightful.  Saying “no” to sin and “yes” to Jesus was an amazing adventure.

In those early days of following Christ, the sins I was learning to say “no” to were the ones that theologians call “sins of commission” (the things we do that we shouldn’t).  But now, the struggle is oftentimes with the “sins of omission” (the things that we should do but don’t).  When I look at the list of the “go” passages that we are studying this year, my sins of omission are glaring . . .  go and make disciples, go back and report what you hear and see, when you pray, go into your room, go with him two miles.  And just like when I was a young believer, I realize that I need the Holy Spirit to show me God’s truth, to convict me of my failure and to give me joy in obedience and eagerness to be on the adventure with Him.  Failing to obey Jesus’ most important instructions for extending His kingdom to earth is the life of sin that I must leave behind.

Questions to Consider
What are the sins in your life that you are ignoring? Sins of commission? Sins of omission?

Action Step for the Week
Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to the sins He wants to help you overcome.  Write them down in your journal.  Confess and ask for His forgiveness and His power.  Take steps today to follow Jesus in obedience in each of the areas He shows you.

Leave Your Baggage - Go Take a Hike!

The first of three posts on "Go now and leave your life of sin".

Key Scripture Passage
"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." John 8:11 NIV

Reflection
Jesus gave the woman caught in adultery in John chapter 8 an extra ordinary assurance: 'neither do I condemn you'.  This assurance gives us a way forward to leave the past baggage, all of it, at the cross, accept this forgiveness, and march onwards.

We are called to 'leave our life of sin'.  Before such a transformational change can happen, we have to grasp the enormity of His love and His grace.  Philip Yancey puts this idea beautifully: “Grace teaches us that God loves because of who God is, not because of who we are.”  So the weight of the past baggage is irrelevant, all that matters is to internalize the fact that 'He still loves me'.

It is time to act, to identify the things that need to go first.  I carefully carve them out, one by one, and stuff them in a leave-behind bag.  Now I am ready to travel light, leaving all this baggage behind.  It is not going to be easy in the beginning, since the temptations will still be around.  Identifying my stumbling blocks along the trail will help me to stay clear of them. 

Knowing God's Word will be my essential navigation tool, prayer will be my hydration pack, and counting my many blessings will be my milestones.  I will use fellowship and friendship from other Christ followers as my nourishing support system, which like a good hiking boot, will take me a long way forward.  After the first few miles, I will start conversations, report what I see, share burdens, and cheer on and thus invest in other hikers along the trail.

Questions to Consider
Are you carrying too heavy a load?  Are you allowing your past sins to haunt you and remain with you?

Action Step for the Week
If you are carrying too heavy a load, identify two of the heaviest stones that you need to discard.  Then go into your room, get on your knees, confess your sins to God, and drop these stones to the floor.  Feeling the warmth of His grace, you are now ready to get up and start your hike.

Cheap Reward?

The last of three posts on "When you pray, go into your room".

Key Scripture Passage
"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."  Matthew 6:6 NIV

Reflection
Have you ever heard the story of Joseph Kratzle?  He was a Chicago service elevator operator in an apartment house and recovered two checks for $114,000 which had been lost by a tenant.  It wasn't like he just found the checks on the floor of the elevator - he spent hours searching through fourteen trash bags and garbage cans after hearing from a tenant that the checks had been lost.  You can imagine the reward Joseph received from the tenant.  Or can you?  He actually received a fifteen cent tip and an offer to put iodine on the cuts on his hands resulting from his search.  Joseph accepted the fifteen cents.  He declined the offer of first aid and administered his own treatment when he returned to the basement from the tenant's apartment.

Jesus tells us when we go into this room alone with God and pray, we will be rewarded.  Does the limited frequency with which we go into that room alone with God suggest we consider the reward akin to Joseph Kratzle's?

There is no better way to experience the kingdom of heaven on earth than to spend time alone with God in that room.  From such times we gain the reward of His peace, His power, and His provision.  I like the way The Message addresses this in Philippians 4:6-7:  "Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." 

Not only does going into the room alone with God allow us to experience more of the kingdom of heaven on earth, it allows us to join the Holy Spirit in extending the kingdom of heaven on earth as well.  As we spend time alone with God, we come to share His heart for the materially poor and the oppressed, and we are better able to tap into His power to break through the gates of hell that so often enchain the poor.

The reward Jesus is referring to is far greater than Joseph Kratzle could have ever imagined receiving.  Would you like to have the reward of experiencing and extending more of the kingdom of heaven on earth?  Then go into your room alone with God as often as you possibly can.

Questions to Consider
When's the last time you went into the room alone with God?  What was your reward?

Action Step for the Week
Set aside 30 minutes in your week ahead to be alone with God.  Thereafter, identify the reward of having done so.

Shameless Audacity

The second of three posts on "When you pray, go into your room".

Key Scripture Passage
Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.  Psalm 84:10a (NIV)

Reflection
Do you remember the famous photo of JFK sitting at his desk in the oval office and his son, John Jr. on the floor peeking out from under the desk?  (Click here if you'd like to see it.)  Two thoughts immediately come to mind when viewing that photo.  “What is a toddler doing under the desk of the most powerful man in America?” And at the same time, “That little guy belongs right there playing at his father’s feet.”

The picture captures what I think Jesus is trying to teach in the parable of the friend at midnight who comes knocking and asking for a loaf of bread.  Jesus said, “because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need” (Luke 11:8).  Jesus’ point is that even though God is Almighty, we, His children, are welcome in His presence at any time.  The little John Kennedy Jr probably didn’t want anything more than to be close to his father.  And that’s exactly what God wants us to desire.  Jesus is calling us to simply be with Him.

Psalm 73:25 says, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.”  I wish I could say that to God with complete sincerity.  But I want so many things here on earth, good things.  But even more than the good things that I often ask God for, He wants to give me the best thing – Himself, time with Him, His presence in my life.

The Luke 11 passage goes on to say, “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”   The verse doesn’t say “how much more will your Father in heaven give you fish and eggs and other goodies”.  It says He will give us the Holy Spirit because God knows that is the best gift imaginable.  That’s what we really need and what we should really desire. So, with shameless audacity let’s go often in that quiet room and be with our Almighty, Eternal, Holy, Unchanging, All-powerful, All-wise, All-knowing, Sovereign, Gracious, Merciful, Faithful God.  We belong there, sitting at His feet, not needing to ask for anything, and discovering that one day in His courts is truly better than a thousand elsewhere.

Questions to Consider
Who do you have in heaven other than God? What on earth do you desire that keeps you from spending time simply enjoying God’s presence?

Action Step for the Week
Set aside 30 minutes in your week ahead to be alone with God.  Spend time appreciating how amazing our Father is.

A Frequent Encounter with Royalty

The first of three posts on "When you pray, go into your room".

Key Scripture Passage
"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."  Matthew 6:6 NIV

Reflection
I still find it difficult to believe to this day.

We were visiting Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guard.  A sudden buzz came across the gathered crowd when news broke out that the Queen Mother's motorcade would soon be passing.  Sure enough it came, but to everyone's surprise, it stopped.  The car door opened, and out stepped the Queen Mother herself.  Much to my amazement, she approached me, called me by name, and asked if I would step into the Palace with her for a private meeting.  I forgot all about my busy schedule that day and humbly followed with a sense of honor I had never felt before.  Imagine - the Queen Mother wanted a private meeting with me!

Well, you can keep it to your imagination because, of course, that story isn't true.  But an even more amazing one is - the King of kings has invited me into a private meeting with Him whenever I choose to come!

Surely I would put aside my petty busy-ness and take advantage of such an amazing invitation as frequently as I could.  Or would I?  Do I?

Why don't I spend more time alone with God?  Is my busy-ness really that important?  Is it because I really don't comprehend who He is, value Him, and appreciate the invitation?  What reward am I missing out on because I don't develop this close intimacy with God?   How much more of the kingdom of heaven on earth could I experience here and now, and extend it to others, if I was only willing to accept the invitation and enter the room with the King of kings?

We'll explore these thoughts in the posts to follow.

Questions to Consider
How intimate are you with God?  Do you value Him so much that you are willing to regularly put everything else aside and spend time with just Him in your "room"?

Action Step for the Week
Set aside 30 minutes in your week ahead to be alone with God.  Ask Him "What do you have to say to me today, God?"  Then listen.

Have You Ever Heard About Microfinance?

The last of three posts on "Go back and report...what you hear and see."

Key Scripture Passage
Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see:  The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”  Matthew 11:4-5 NIV

Reflection
"Have you ever heard about microfinance?"  Jackie called me out of the blue with that question.  I had never met her before, but she had been referred to me by our church's missions pastor and had the guts to give me a call and ask me that question.  She then proceeded to report to me what she had seen and heard about microfinance, and Christian microfinance in particular.  2 minutes into the conversation I was hooked, and my life has never been the same since.

What started with a simple question from a sister in Christ who had identified an effective means of empowering the materially poor turned into what is today PEER Servants.  She took a mustard seed step to make a call.  She put her concern about others before her concern of how I might see her.

It didn't stop there.  The fact is virtually all of PEER Servants' growth that has led to hundreds of volunteers offering thousands of hours of service, giving/raising millions of dollars, and extending more of the kingdom to hundreds of thousands of the materially poor has resulted from normal everyday people reporting what they are hearing and seeing.

While we praise God for the growth He has allowed, we also appreciate how much more of the kingdom of heaven needs to be extended to earth.  Let us not grow weary in our reporting what we are hearing and seeing, and as we report, let us make certain it is God, the One who has truly done the work, Who is receiving the glory for the lives that are being blessed.

Questions to Consider
How did you get involved in more intentionally extending the kingdom of heaven to earth?  Did it result from someone reporting to you what they had seen or heard?

Action Step for the Week
Identify just one example of how you have seen the kingdom of heaven being extended to earth and tell 2-3 people about it this week.

On the Importance of Sharing Stories

The second of three posts on "Go back and report...what you hear and see."

Memory Verse
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.  Isaiah 55:9

Reflection
The time on my car clock read 12:56 pm. Just four minutes until I was supposed to pick up my daughter from preschool.  On the short drive I spent my thoughts unpacking my morning to figure out how the time had crept up on me.  I slid into a parking spot and reached my daughter's classroom just three minutes after 1 pm.  Not too bad, but I told myself I would do better the next day. 

As I loaded my daughter and her baby sister back in the car, I noticed an acquaintance parked next to me.  We exchanged greetings, and she shared her daughter had been offered a seat in a specific kindergarten program.  As a result she now felt torn between two options and unsure of what to do.  As she was telling her story, I immediately thought of another friend whose family had been in a similar situation several years before.  They had several options for the husband's employment and were confused about what God was doing; what could the choices mean?  In the end, they discovered through the discerning process that God is at work in our individual lives but also in the life of the community around us.  Just because options are present, it doesn't mean that we must walk through that door.  Sometimes God is doing something completely different.

As my acquaintance finished speaking, I shared this story with her.  The reaction on her face made it clear that the experience of my friends encouraged her in her own decision-making process.  We went on to talk for another 25 minutes in the parking lot about how God works in our lives and the world around us.  We finally climbed into our cars, waved good-bye and went our separate ways.  As I drove home, I couldn't help but think God had bigger plans for my day than merely me being on time to pick up my daughter from preschool.

Questions to Consider

1. Do you have space in your life to slow down to be in the moment of what is happening?  The conversation I had with the woman stretched close to an unplanned half hour, but the time was so encouraging to both of us.  Of even greater importance, I was reminded of how God’s ways are greater than my ways.  He is greater than schedules and plans.
   

2. Are you willing to share stories with others when God presents opportunities?
   

Action Steps

1. One thing I have found valuable is praying that God would ordain the day; that He would orchestrate it in the way He wants.  As the day progresses, I think it is important to believe that in the midst of random events (like running late to pick up a child), God is at work.  Try this for yourself in the week ahead.
   

2. Connected to the above thought, for a week each evening, take inventory of the opportunities God has created for you to share stories of what He is doing.  I think the events and opportunities will amaze us. 
   

What Am I Hearing and Seeing?

The first of three posts on "Go back and report...what you hear and see."

Key Scripture Passage
Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see:  The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”  Matthew 11:4-5 NIV

Reflection

People who are willing to report what they hear and see can have tremendous impact in our world.  Check out these inspiring stories of folks in Cambodia, the Congo, Mexico, the Middle East, and right here in the United States if you're not convinced.

So what are you reporting to others of what you are hearing and seeing about the kingdom of heaven on earth?  Do you realize that by simply being willing to report what you are hearing and seeing, you may be able to allow your friends to experience a bit more of heaven on earth?

We started this blog with Jesus' command to "Go and make disciples."  Despite the king commanding me to do it, I find that really hard to do, so I rarely do it (and I am trying to do it more).  Now the king is encouraging me to simply "go back and report...what we hear and see."  Surely that is easy enough to do, and yet again, it seems like I rarely even do that.

When I ask myself why I rarely do it, I come down to either I am not seeing much of the kingdom of heaven on earth, or I refuse to put my pride and ego aside to tell others about it.  It's definitely not the first - I get to see God do amazing things in the lives of people all over the world.  It is much more the latter, and so now I am trying to be much more intentional about simply reporting to others what I am hearing and seeing.

Are there potential repercussions?  Yes, but in general nowhere near the life-threatening risks faced by those featured in the inspiring stories I referenced at the beginning of this post.  And the king who told me to report what I hear and see actually has all authority on earth subject to Him.  Hmmmm - now that should make me a bit bolder, shouldn't it?!

No one can question what you hear and see.  If you get in the game of extending the kingdom of heaven to earth through your actions, you will have plenty to report to others.  And as you humbly report it, just watch how God will extend more of His kingdom to your listeners, and you as well.

Questions to Consider

What have you seen and heard of the kingdom of heaven being extended to earth?  Are you reporting it to others? 

Action Steps for the Week

Identify just one example of how you have seen the kingdom of heaven being extended to earth and tell 2-3 people about it this week.

Feeling underqualified?

The last of three posts on "Go and make disciples."

Key Scripture Passage
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:19 NIV

Reflection

My first thought when I read “Go and make disciples“ is to ask, “Lord how can I do that when I am hardly able to be a good disciple myself?” Then I read on to verse 20, “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”  I know I don’t obey everything nor do I even know all that He commanded and I feel totally under qualified for this job. But as I read on Jesus reassures me “I am with you always”.

So how do we become disciples that feel qualified to “Go and make disciples?”

Well, we have to know the One whom we are disciples of.  Do I really know Jesus? Am I really a disciple? is the first question I ask myself.  What makes a person a disciple? The American Heritage Dictionary defines disciple as a noun meaning, one who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another; an active adherent, of a movement or philosophy. Am I embracing and spreading what Jesus taught? Am I actively adhering to the teachings and philosophies of Jesus in my daily life?

These questions begin to stir conviction in my heart because the answers are not "yes" as I know they should be. What am I to do, give up completely and say I am hopeless. I will never be good enough? Absolutely not.  Although that is what Satan whispers in my ear almost daily, I press on towards the goal.

I realize that the 5-10 minute devotional I’ve been doing whenever I can fit it in and the popcorn prayers are not enough if I really want to become more like the One whom I claim to be a disciple of. I must challenge myself; and begin reading the scriptures in a thoughtful way, not just to check it off my “to do” list.  I must really let the Holy Spirit speak to me through the words on the page. My prayer time should look more like Jesus’ -- set apart, purposeful, asking Him to show me ways that I can apply what He is teaching me in my life. Beware of what you ask the Lord because He is faithful.  Ask and you will receive.

Recently I have been coming up against all sorts of temptations since taking on a more intentional discipleship role. It is crazy how quickly Satan and our flesh try to dishearten us once we take steps toward moving from complacent Christianity to true discipleship. It is affirming when I have victory over these temptations. I see how I am applying His word to my life and how the Holy Spirit is strengthening me. With each passing day I realize it is not about the knowledge I possess but about the position of my heart. Am I bowed down to Jesus saying not my will but Yours Lord or am I living my life and fitting Jesus in?  Before we can go and make disciples we must determine in our own mind if we are really disciples of His and be honest with ourselves and God. It’s time to prepare for the mission at hand and say goodbye to half-hearted discipleship.

Questions to Consider

Are you embracing and spreading what Jesus taught? Are you actively adhering to the teachings and philosophies of Jesus in your daily life?

Action Steps for the Week

Read Revelation 3:15-17.  Confess and repent of lukewarm discipleship. Read the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and look for opportunities to obey everything Jesus has commanded.

It seems easy, doesn't it?

The second of three posts on "Go and make disciples."

Until you have to actually do it.

Key Scripture Passage

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:19-20 ESV

Reflection

"Go make disciples"! That seems easy enough, right? But, not really when you get down to actually doing it?

But I want to encourage you to do it even though you might not even know where to start or what to do. I want to encourage you to get involved with making disciples, not simply because Jesus told us to (although that should be reason enough) but because it is part of experiencing and extending the Kingdom of Heaven.

I think the early Christians had a pretty good idea of how to do this discipleship thing. The New Testament gives us some insight into how they did it but it was an integral part of who they were as a community so they left out a lot of details. Over time the church has lost many of the discipleship skills and practices. But we don't have to leave it this way. God wants us to experience Him and His kingdom so the world will know that He is God. Sure we'll make some mistakes trying to learn to disciple, but with humble, prayerful hearts the Spirit will show us the way.

So, how do we get started? Let me suggest something that is working for me - put yourself in God's path. Go out and get involved in something - join a club, volunteer to tutor kids or adults, offer to help someone with a home remodel, or change their oil, or feed the cows or balance a budget. It doesn't really matter what it is, just get involved somewhere with some people. When you're there, get to know the people, listen to their stories, take an interest in their lives.

How's all this going to help you to 'go make disciples'? From my experience, it seems to be part of the process God is using to help me become a discipler. Getting me out of my comfort zone, opening my eyes to see everyone as His precious creation, growing my compassion, developing my patience and causing me to trust Him more. It takes time, but I can see how He is changing me and giving me opportunities to have meaningful involvement in people's lives.

It will be scary (trust me) doing things you aren't comfortable doing, talking to people you don't know well and learning things that don't come easily. It will be a sacrifice bearing with difficult people, giving up your precious time and comfort. But isn't experiencing the Kingdom worth it? I can guarantee you won't experience and extend the Kingdom sitting in the comfort and safety of your home. I know I wasn't. Let's jump into this adventure together.

Questions to Consider

What are you willing to do to experience the Kingdom of Heaven? What are you willing to give up to experience the Kingdom of Heaven?

Action Steps for the Week 

Ask God to show you somewhere you can get involved and ask Him to help you stick with it when things start getting difficult or beyond that with which you are familiar.

Jesus' Central Strategy

The first of three posts on "Go and make disciples."

Key Scripture Passage
"Therefore go and make disciples..." - Matthew 28:19a

Reflection
It's the beginning of the year.  Imagine that the CEO of your company has called all of the employees together to announce big news - the company is going to be undertaking a demanding but extremely rewarding initiative that will change people's lives for the better.  The CEO makes it very clear - this is all hands on deck and will take total dedication and resources.  You get particularly excited when the CEO turns and identifies you as one of the key people to take the lead in this.

Now imagine that a few months later, the CEO calls you into her office to ask how you are doing with this initiative, and you have done next to nothing.  You can parrot back to her what she has asked you to do, and you can even tell her what others think about what she has asked you to do, but you simply haven't done it.  How would that make you feel?

So, then, how do you feel about responding to Jesus' call for us to "go and make disciples"?  Discipleship was Jesus' central strategy to accomplishing His mission of extending the kingdom of heaven to earth.  He knew it would take disciples, not just believers, who would be willing to give up everything to make this happen.  That's why He called us to not only be disciples, but to go and make disciples.

How many disciples have you made?  How will you respond when CEO Jesus asks for your progress report?

Questions to Consider
Are you a true disciple of Jesus?  Have you ever been discipled?  Have you ever discipled someone else?

Actions to Consider
Take a little time to understand what Jesus really meant by discipleship.  Click here for one good resource on this subject.