So, just after I posted the post right before this one... I read this:
Paul wrote, “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.“ - 2 Timothy 4:5
Paul calls Timothy to “do the work of an evangelist.” We say it so often: the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. Cultivating a constant burden for the lost and striving toward consistent witness keeps the heart in touch with the heart and mission of Jesus, who came to “seek and to save those who are lost.” It is easy to get so absorbed in keeping the aquarium that we lose our passion to fish for men.
Yup...
And... I've also been thinking a lot about the whole "fishing" analogy. I won't exhaustively type out all of the thoughts about it now - but I challenge you to think about the "fishing for men" analogy. ;) PLEASE post comments with your thoughts if you have the time to share. :)
Okay... now I'm going fishing... ;)
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Livin' Out Love... we better be sharin'!
**Warning - this isn't a "nice and tidy" worded e-mail... this is a product of my word bursting important thoughts. Unfortunately, I can't be bothered to scour through it and re-word it much better at this time... but I'm sick of withholding the blessing of sharing these thoughts with you. So I pray this is encouraging to someone!! :) **
Recently, I have been blown away by the opportunities I've been given to explain my faith to new friends who don't yet know what it means to have a personal relationship with God...
And as I've been sharing with them, and then shared the stories of the joy of sharing with them with others - it has reminded me of our need to practice speaking the amazing truth of the Gospel. Not only should we share with those who don't know and don't believe it yet, we should also share with those who "already know" because... guess what, the mercies and truths have this beautiful way of being fresh and vibrant each new time you hear them (because it's ALIVE!!). AND, as you're sharing, wow - you just keep seeing things in an exciting new light yourself.
What a beautiful gift - and what beautiful pictures and analogies the Holy Spirit brings to mind as I've attempted to share and explain the reason for the hope, joy, love, and peace that spills out of me. I am praying all of you will ask God to help you take advantage of the privilege to share your faith in words - and may you be filled with the confidence and boldness and clarity you need when you need it... and even if you seem to think you lack the understanding, and the right words to explain, may you resist the devil lying to you in that moment trying to distract you, making you feel like you can't be used to communicate truth to someone. Oh, because, please, everyone, (and i'm saying this to myself even more than anyone else) REMEMBER that we are the TEMPLE of the Holy Spirit - the presence of God to be shared with others - to point to Christ, to make that glorious truth known...
Oh God, PLEASE, HELP US!! :) It's all about you and for you... and it's SO neat that you've invited us to participate in the joy and even the struggle of the process of pouring out your love to humans - filthy, unholy, defiled sinners... until you came along to replace that with your righteousness - amazing grace.. amazing love... amazing. Amazing God, we love you, oh, but help us love you and know you ever more and more!! ;) Thanks for your faithfulness to us even when we are not faithful to you. In your precious name we have the privilege to pray and talk with you, and I say, thank you, right on, uh huh... AMEN!! :)
Recently, I have been blown away by the opportunities I've been given to explain my faith to new friends who don't yet know what it means to have a personal relationship with God...
And as I've been sharing with them, and then shared the stories of the joy of sharing with them with others - it has reminded me of our need to practice speaking the amazing truth of the Gospel. Not only should we share with those who don't know and don't believe it yet, we should also share with those who "already know" because... guess what, the mercies and truths have this beautiful way of being fresh and vibrant each new time you hear them (because it's ALIVE!!). AND, as you're sharing, wow - you just keep seeing things in an exciting new light yourself.
What a beautiful gift - and what beautiful pictures and analogies the Holy Spirit brings to mind as I've attempted to share and explain the reason for the hope, joy, love, and peace that spills out of me. I am praying all of you will ask God to help you take advantage of the privilege to share your faith in words - and may you be filled with the confidence and boldness and clarity you need when you need it... and even if you seem to think you lack the understanding, and the right words to explain, may you resist the devil lying to you in that moment trying to distract you, making you feel like you can't be used to communicate truth to someone. Oh, because, please, everyone, (and i'm saying this to myself even more than anyone else) REMEMBER that we are the TEMPLE of the Holy Spirit - the presence of God to be shared with others - to point to Christ, to make that glorious truth known...
Oh God, PLEASE, HELP US!! :) It's all about you and for you... and it's SO neat that you've invited us to participate in the joy and even the struggle of the process of pouring out your love to humans - filthy, unholy, defiled sinners... until you came along to replace that with your righteousness - amazing grace.. amazing love... amazing. Amazing God, we love you, oh, but help us love you and know you ever more and more!! ;) Thanks for your faithfulness to us even when we are not faithful to you. In your precious name we have the privilege to pray and talk with you, and I say, thank you, right on, uh huh... AMEN!! :)
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