Even If i Walk Alone

Instructing and encouraging you to live your life as a disciple of Jesus

mission

Leaving a Legacy in 2011

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For what will the American Church be known in 2011? A new year brings great possibilities and great opportunities. At the same time, it carries great responsibilities. We can forget about our past failures and begin anew to be the Body of Christ to a world in such desperate need. This can be the year when Christians reject traditional religious ritual and venture out as true followers of Christ. We can go to the entire world, teaching them about the love of Christ and be His hands and feet to a dying world. In the midst of darkness we can be a shining light, a people who reflect the glory of God.

Conversely, we can continue to do the things we’ve always done. We can build larger buildings to accommodate our growing church programs, or perhaps just to modernize and compete with the entertainment options of the world around us. As ministries and fellowships grow, I believe it can become easy to lose sight of our true mission. We can get so caught up in doing ministry that we forget the whole point of it. Building a fellowship of believers has nothing to do with building bigger and bigger facilities with state of the art amenities. How many people could be fed and clothed with the money we spend on facilities? How many more could be shown the love of Jesus by providing a single cup of clean water? I pray this is the year that the Western Church begins to turn its focus outward after looking inward for so many years.

I realize there are many churches doing outstanding work in reaching out to the world. The problem is that these fellowships are the exception and not the rule. It should be the other way around. Instead of accepting it as the norm, we should be cut to the bone whenever we see a church that is spending dollar after dollar in updating their buildings and facilities. The Lord has chosen to bless the Western Church with unbelievable resources in this season of history, and we must not squander that with which we have been entrusted. Are we multiplying the talents He has given us, or are we burying them within our own congregations so as to not lose what we already have?

What if this year we channeled our funds to reach out to the poor, the lost and the dying? What if instead of preaching against the scourge of AIDS we actually started providing medicine and healing to those inflicted with this disease? What if instead of preaching about how God intends us to be rich we begin to divest our wealth to give to those living in poverty? What would happen if instead of huddling together among ourselves we instead dispersed among the streets of our cities and throughout the world, going and telling others about the love of Jesus and what He means to us?

We have this opportunity to determine right now what our legacy will be over the coming year. We cannot accomplish our mission unless we first become clear about where it is we want to go. Each of us can play an important role in determining the course of the American Church this year; we all can make an impact. Turning from the empty religion of the past to a vibrant life of purpose in the future begins with you and me. For those who live in America, we can immediately begin pursuing Christ in our own lives, and sharing our journey with those in our fellowship. We can begin petitioning our pastors and elders to make 2011 a year of revival, a year of returning to living life as authentic followers of Jesus. If you don’t live in America, please pray for the Church here. Pray we will be good stewards of the blessings entrusted to us, and that we might use our abundant resources to reach the world with the love of Christ.

It’s up to us, Church. We can continue the status quo and build our impressive buildings while further isolating ourselves from those in need or we can repent and turn again to the work that is the mission of Jesus Christ. The change will not be easy, but it is necessary. Let’s not let another year pass while we sit on the sidelines, enamored with our wealth and oblivious to the world around us. Let’s build a legacy of love and zeal for the name of Jesus Christ. The work begins today.

For the Love of God, Give! Part II

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In the last post we started looking at Matthew 25:31-40 as we endeavored to determine what our lives should look like if we would truly reflect the love and mission of Christ. Today I want to finish that thought, so we can all be clear on what the life of a disciple really looks like. As we saw last time, following Jesus is all about giving of our time and resources to carry on His mission and to follow through on the commands He has given us.

While our closets swell with the amount of clothing in them, millions of people in the world have nothing to wear. They spend their days naked and without shoes, many of whom literally live in garbage dumps. These aren’t word pictures to shock you; they are simply the truth. All of us can donate clothing to area ministries that provide for those in need. Also consider giving a portion of your money to ministries who provide the same service globally. There is no excuse for someone in this world to go without clothing or shoes. How sickening to see images of children in foreign countries basically wearing rags, and then taking a walk through our local shopping mall. We have the resources, we simply lack the will. Instead of buying ourselves some new jeans or shoes, consider donating a pair instead.

In Matthew 25:36, we are commanded to take care of the sick. I confess to not handling sickness well. If someone so much as coughs in my direction I freak out a little. This is not the reaction that Jesus had. He lovingly touched those who were ill. He didn’t turn away, He embraced them. We need to be mindful of when our neighbors are sick and be a welcome help to them. Visit nursing homes and hospitals to share a few moments of your time and a kind word to those who are not only sick, but lonely as well. Give to, or go with, organizations that are providing medical care to people in other countries. Be a part of the solution. Be the Good Samaritan; do not pass them by.

The final command in the passage above tells us to visit those in prison. All over the world, Christians are persecuted, thrown into prison and left to die. They are tortured and deprived of food and sleep. Our fellow Christians are both sick and imprisoned and we should support ministries who care for these people and who seek justice on their behalf. We can either join them physically or support them monetarily. Be the hands and feet of Jesus, and care for their needs. Many of us know someone with a family member in prison. Go with that person to visit the one locked in a cell; give them your support and love. Be a mentor for someone in jail. Don’t judge them, but show compassion instead. In all ways, serve others and by doing so you will reflect the love of Christ.

There are many ways to follow the commands of Christ, both by joining forces with ministries or supporting them financially. We in the West have been blessed with significant resources and I believe it is our duty to fund those ministries who are carrying out the commands of Jesus. We don’t necessarily need another new ministry; we need to support the ones that have already established a foothold in helping those in need. May I suggest The Voice of the Martyrs, Persecution Project, World Vision and Compassion International? As you plan your giving for this year, see how many ways you can fulfill the commands of Matthew 25:31-40. Spend your money wisely in acts of service for Jesus. The Bible tells us that where we spend our money is a reflection of our heart. As we give to the service of Christ, our hearts will be transformed to look like His. As our hearts are transformed, it will overflow into our daily lives. The simplest way to live a life that looks like that of Christ is to do the things He told us to do. Give generously of your time and resources. Everything we have is His, so give it all back in service to Him. Give like there is no tomorrow. For the love of God, give!

For the Love of God, Give! Part I

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As we embark on this new year , what plans have you put in place to live a life that more clearly resembles Jesus, a life that is devoted to service to others? If you desire to follow Jesus more authentically this year but aren’t quite sure what that looks like, may I suggest that you start with reading Matthew 25:31-40. Here Jesus lays out in plain language what it looks like to serve Him. If we do the things he tells us to do out of love for Him, our lives cannot help but be transformed more and more into His image.

We are commanded to feed the hungry (Matthew 25:35). Almost every area of our country has a food bank that is utilized to provide food to those who cannot afford it, and giving a gift there can help feed a family. Serving meals at a shelter will bring you face to face with hurting people who are in desperate need of not only food, but also love. Sharing a warm bowl of soup with an even warmer smile can do wonders for someone in need. I know people who make up sandwiches at home and take them downtown to distribute among the homeless. These are just a few of the ways you can feed the hungry right in your city. There are many ministries around the world that provide food for children and adults who are on the verge of starvation. Consider volunteering to work with one of these ministries or supporting them financially. In all these ways we can give the hungry something to eat.

Clean water is something you and I probably take for granted. We think nothing of going to the sink and pouring a glass of water or firing up a hot shower in the morning. Yet nearly one billion people in the world today (that’s 1 out of every 8 people) live without access to clean drinking water. This leads to all sorts of illnesses and fatal, yet totally preventable, diseases. We have the technology and the resources to make sure that every man, woman, and child can have clean water whenever they need it. This planet teems with life-giving water, and it is inexcusable that many have no means of obtaining it. Locally, you can take bottled water to the homeless or help pay the water bill of someone who is poor. Globally you can again volunteer or give to a number of organizations that are working to bring clean drinking water to the nations. Don’t turn away from such a desperate situation that has such an achievable solution. Make it a priority this year to give water to the thirsty.

You don’t have to look far to see the problem of homelessness. In the downtown areas of most cities you will find a community of people that have no place to call their own. More and more we are seeing people standing on the street corners of even the affluent parts of town in search of a helping hand. Broken homes result in children living on the street, tired of the drama in their homes. Single mothers find themselves without the ability to both provide childcare and hold a steady job, and soon find themselves without a place to stay. If the Church will not take in these hurting individuals, then who will? As our homes and places of worship expand, it seems we have less and less room to accommodate and care for the needs of a stranger. I think this is one of the greatest tragedies of our generation. We love to build buildings but have no room to share. Jesus said that if we love Him, we will take in those who are homeless.

In the next post we’ll wrap up our quick journey through Matthew 25:31-40, and look at some additional ways we can begin modeling our lives to look like Jesus. We have been blessed with many resources, and it is our duty as trusted stewards to give of ourselves to that which Christ has called us, or to give so as to enable others to carry out the mission. Ideally we will give of both our time and money. If you are looking for ministries that faithfully carry out the commands we’ve talked about today, check out World Vision, Persecution Project and your local homeless shelters. Give of your time, give of your money, give of yourself. For the love of God, give!

Shaken

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In “The Perils of Ayden”, Erwin McManus wrote, “Do not stand in the center if you do not wish to be shaken. There is always danger when the movement comes.” If you’re like me, these words evoke excitement and rush of adrenalin. What follower of Christ doesn’t want to be shaken by the mighty hand of God? To be shaken is to be touched, and to be touched is to be overwhelmed by love. The love of God is beyond all we could ever imagine; it is passionate and it is fierce. Herein lies the danger; once you have been touched by God you will not, you cannot, ever be the same. You can go so far as to walk away from Him entirely, but you will never forget the feeling of that love and inwardly will always long to experience it again.

Being shaken by God brings an entirely new perspective to your life. The things that once held great importance to you no longer matter at all. The things you could once ignore now break your heart. If God shakes you, you will be changed. There is danger in pursuing His love because it will lead you to places you have never known and through experiences you could not imagine. There is danger in not pursuing Him because He has called you to follow Him; to refuse is to stand against the Holy Creator of the universe. Once God has shaken you, there is danger no matter which way you go. If you follow Him, He will be there to guide and comfort you through the storms that assail your life. If one must be in peril, it is far better to be there with Jesus than alone.

God longs to shake you; He desires to envelop you in His arms and fill you with His love and spirit. He needs radical followers who will go into the entire world telling others about Him. He needs fanatical lovers who will touch the sick and feed the hungry. He needs you and me. I want to be shaken by God; I want to be in the center of what He is doing in this world. Standing on the sidelines or cowering in the back is no way to serve the Lord. I want to be in the front row with a bird’s eye view of all that He is accomplishing. Watching a smile cross the face of a bitter man or wrapping your arm around a broken woman; this is the stuff of life. Coming along side of someone in need, just as Jesus did for us, is a high call and it is the command of Christ. You can’t carry on His mission from the seat of a spectator. You have to get in the game, and if you become involved, you will be shaken!

If you have ever been in an earthquake, you have experienced a shaking from outside yourself. You have felt the ground tremble and experienced the disorientation this can cause. When God shakes you, He shakes you from the inside out. You will not be able to pinpoint the source of the shaking; you will just know it is happening. Instead of becoming disoriented, you may become euphoric. The love of God is awesome and it is majestic. To feel the shake and warmth of His touch is momentarily debilitating but permanently motivating. How can one keep silent once they have felt the touch of God; how can they not share His love with anyone who will listen?

Ask the Lord to shake you and you will be changed. Ask Him to plant you in the center of His mission and attack it with a vengeance. Only when we are surrounded by His love and carrying out His commands will we find peace; and in the midst of that peace we will be shaken. How incredible to experience God from the inside out. We have long been taught to ask Him into our heart, but once there we expect Him to be quiet and bring us rest. To the contrary, if we are true followers of Christ, He will begin shaking the house as soon as He arrives and will continue to do so as long as we pursue Him. I want to shake the world with the love of Jesus because He first shook me. Have you been shaken by the love of Jesus? I’d love to hear your story and encourage you to share it with others by commenting below. Jesus did not come to quietly express His love for the world. He came to violently shake the nations with His message of peace and hope. We are to carry on that mission. Filled with His love, let us move out to touch the weak, the lost and the weary. Let’s shake this world together.

Urgent and Reckless

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When considering your Christian life, would you classify it as urgent and reckless? Would you say that you are urgently doing all that you can to tell others about Christ? Is your life marked by a spirit of recklessness, one that pursues the kingdom at any cost? If our heart does not literally break with the thought of millions, even billions dying without the love and knowledge of Jesus Christ, we need to seriously evaluate our commitment to Him. If we are not leading a life easily identified by urgency and recklessness, then I have to question if our hearts are truly broken by the things that break the heart of God.

Jesus said to go into all the nations telling the people there about His love and His mercy. This is our call and our mission, the very will of God for our lives. He has not blessed us to be in America so that we might live a life of comfort and ease. He has blessed us to be in America so we will take the vast resources entrusted to us and give them to a world so desperately in need. Parents all around the world are wasting away and their children lay dying at their feet. HIV and AIDS runs rampant because we simply have not yet heeded the call to go and educate the world about the facts of this disease. Communities drink filthy and contaminated water because they lack the resources to drill proper wells to reach the water that would bring life and vitality to their village. Half the world lives on less than $2 a day while we think nothing of spending twice that amount on a daily latte.

We lack urgency and we crave safety rather than recklessness. How can we claim we are doing all we can for the lost and dying when we can’t even get out of bed on a Saturday morning? How dare we say that we have given all we can give to help others in need while we sit in warm houses with full cupboards and a couple of cars parked in the garage. We’re not doing all that we can, and we’re not giving all that we can. We are doing just enough to present a good picture to our friends and neighbors and we are giving just enough to salve our consciouses. This isn’t urgency, this is apathy.

Until we cease pursuing first our own selfish comforts, we will never make a marked difference in this world. Until we let go of the safety of our corner of the world, we will have no idea what it means to live with reckless abandon. We have become accustomed to living in the manner of this world instead of seeking first the Kingdom of God. How can we sleep at night with the knowledge that we have a closet full of shoes while millions of people have nothing on their feet? We live in excess while they dwell in squalor. Jesus told us that we were not of this world, so why do we insist on living as if we are? When will it be time for us to stop living in selfishness and begin to release everything we have in service for God’s kingdom? How much longer will we refuse to live the lives for which we were created?

If the thoughts of the hungry around the world do not bring tears to your eyes and an ache to your heart, beg God to break your heart for the lost and the least of these. If you are not urgently seeking ways to serve the dying and the poor every minute of your life, pray that God would give you a fresh dose of zeal to further His mission. If you are not living recklessly, forsaking everything to pursue justice and serve the needs of the hurting, cry out and ask the Lord to instill His passion within you. With each breath we run closer to the end of our race; we are losing time and it cannot be regained. Who will not hear the name of Jesus because we were content to stay under the covers for ten more minutes? Who will die without Christ because we were too busy watching TV? How many children will go without food or water today because we refused to sacrifice what we have?

Each of us knows the score; each of us is aware that while difficult to hear, these words are true. It’s your turn now; it’s my turn too. Will today be the same as every other day? Will tomorrow be one more entry into a life poorly lived? This is a call to action. Change begins with you and it begins with me, and it must begin now. We have no more time. Will you choose to continue pursuing the American dream, or will you forsake everything to be the hands and feet of Jesus to a world on the brink of disaster? This is our time; this is our call. What will you do?