Wednesday, November 4, 2020

A Picnic


 ......Less humidity and cooler temperatures are ahead.

 What a great time of year to plan a Biblical hospitality event with a picnic!

Whether you prefer a state park or have a back yard, live near the beach or have the mountains as your backdrop, a relaxed picnic will provide a creative way to show kindness and share the love of Christ with others. 
Perhaps you might consider inviting single moms, a new couple you have recently met, a young college student away from home, believers and un-believers......the variables are endless. 
                                                                            

When our future appears uncertain and at times look bleak,
 you can offer hospitality, hope, share love, encourage others
 and most importantly, introduce Jesus.  

He is our steadfast anchor!

Sunday, May 17, 2020

Jesus Made Breakfast

Luke 24 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Has Risen

24 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words.
When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

On the Road to Emmaus

13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 “What things?” he asked.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations,beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

The Ascension of Jesus

50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.



Luke 24:30
Notice: 
When Jesus rose from the dead 
He did not make a grand speech or even perform miracles. 
He sat down to the table 


and broke bread with his friends.

He made them breakfast.                                        (verse 30)

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Go Outside


Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Love Your Neighbors

                                                                           


Have you ever thought of taking a 
“10 minute mission trip” through your neighborhood? 
Share a some snacks, some baked goods. Chat at mailbox. Or...pick up the phone and call with an encouraging word. Yes, and believe it or not, there are some folks who would even appreciate a hand written note or card.

Jesus went "out" to where the people were. He sent His disciples "out" and they lived life....together. Jesus wants all people, everywhere to follow Him so closely that they begin to act, speak and think just like Him, and He wants His followers to model this. If we ourselves have been immersed (baptized) into the character and values of Christ, then by simply living our lives...everyday, we are immersing others into that same Jesus.

                                                     




                                               



It is so easy to get caught up in our family, friends, jobs, churches, and civic obligations that we forget the most basic love and kindness........ showing hospitality to a complete stranger.
Our world is full of hurting people! Strive harder to be like Jesus.  Go out.  There are people waiting for you and I for a gentle touch, a kind word, a warm smile, or even a hot meal.  They will be eternally grateful.  And - don't forget to pray!


Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.
 (Colossians 3:23 NIV)


Friday, January 25, 2019

Servant Evangelism




A servant's heart begins
 at the point where others are on your mind 
  more than "you" are.


Servant evangelism is "intentionally" sharing God’s love by simply serving others in practical ways without asking for or expecting anything in return.
The focus of servant evangelism is doing simple acts of kindness for anyone and everyone. “As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people” (Galatians 6:10). 
                                                  


An example of servant evangelism could be something as simple as handing out free water bottles on a hot day or taking bags of food to needy families. The possibilities are endless, but the common denominator is that nothing is asked for in return. The one performing the act of servanthood proceeds to share the gospel message. One of the motivations behind this type evangelism is that the Bible tells us that God’s kindness leads people to repentance (Romans 2:4). 

"Think about this, 
wouldn’t it be a cruel gesture to offer to wash someone’s car and 
fail to tell them about the Water of Life
To give a light bulb without telling of the Light Of The World
To clean a toilet without telling about the only One who can cleanse a person’s heart from sin?"

There are many benefits of servant evangelism, both for those being served and for those serving. Servant evangelism reaches people where they are and exposes non-Christians to Christians showing God’s love in unmistakable and non-threatening ways. Not everyone is comfortable walking into a church building, but receiving a free service with no strings attached is harder to resist. In fact, it usually piques curiosity as to why someone would go out of his or her way to perform this act of kindness. Servant evangelism has the potential to soften people’s hearts, enabling them to hear and receive the gospel of Jesus Christ.
It is a good way to “water” seed previously sown.
see 1 Corinthians 3:6…. “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.”
                                                    
Servant evangelism benefits those serving, as well. 
As Christians, we are called to “be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15). 
Serving others gives Christians the opportunity to tell about God’s love. When someone asks why they’re doing what they’re doing, those who are serving can point to Christ.   See John 7:38–39   - " Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.              

  Engaging in servant evangelism puts Christians in situations where the Holy Spirit can minister through them!

Jesus commanded His disciples and, consequently, those of us who are Christians today to “go and make disciples of all nations”          (Matthew 28:19–20).    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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”      **Note...Jesus did not say, “Wait inside your church buildings for the lost to come to you”; He said to “go.”
Through servant evangelism the church can show people outside the church that God cares and give them a reason to want to come inside. 
                                                   


While servant evangelism is certainly a biblical practice, it is incomplete as a form of evangelism until the message of Jesus is spoken.  Romans 10:17 tells us, “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”  

To complete the process of evangelism is to bring someone to accepting Christ as Savior.  We need to speak the gospel message - the Good News.  Servant evangelism can be effective in opening that person’s heart to receive the message once the individual hears it.  Kindness and love can melt the hardest heart.

 Won't you begin today?

Serving has no expiration date!

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

Different Kinds of Feet

Feet - what a subject!
(you know........those ten piggies – peeking out of your flip-flops).
                                                                        


So let’s take off our shoes and see what’s hiding in those spiritual socks of ours. 
What kind of feet do we have?

Did you know that in the Bible,  "feet" (humans foot) is mentioned 256 times?
That tells me that God is interested in our feet.
Feet are Important
In the book of 1 Corinthians, Paul discusses how we, who are Christians, are all part of one body of believers.  We each have spiritual gifts to build each other up with. Some are preachers, some are teachers, some are encouragers, and some are servants.

Each job is not better than the others, they are equally as important. 

So, in his analogy, the feet are just as important as the head – even though the head is seen by all, and admired.
1 Corinthians 12:21 – The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”
                                                                                 

Taking a look at scripture, there are different kinds of feet.

1st - the sinner's feet.  (Isaiah 59:7) "Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths."
These feet continue to sin; it is their daily, hourly habit.  They roam about as they please and have no discernment.  Romans 3:15 says they are quick to shed blood.
Matthew 7:13 tells us that the people who own these feet are headed for destruction because they are on the broad path.
1 Peter 5:8 – Be self-controlled and alert. 
Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.


2nd - the saintly feet.   God gave us the will to choose the path we go down. We are not a people who’s feet are chained by God. In fact, just the opposite. He longs to set our feet free – from the devil’s shackles. We each get to pick the road we will take. 
Where are your feet headed?
 **Once feet get off of the broad path, through the Door
  John 10:9  ("I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved".....)
and on to the narrow path and set their feet on a Rock
 Psalm 40:2 "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.)   they are no longer in danger and they receive a new name.

Oh what satisfaction!  

  In an instant the search for peace has ended.

3rd - the servant's feet.    Once the sinner has been forgiven, 
they now have a message of love, hope and forgiveness to share with others!

Romans 10:15 – And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Each and every one of us is a beautiful pair of feet to the Lord. We are here on this planet to be His hands and feet – to reach out to the lost and the needy and lend them our hearts and service in the name of Christ
                                                                     
   
4th - The Lord's feet.   These are the most famous feet.  The most beautiful feet!
The Lord's feet were pierced for you and me.  

God puts all things to subjection to The Lord's feet. 
(Ephesians 1:22)

                                                                             

Do you have the kind of Spiritual feet 
that are as well-taken care of as your physical feet?

Pedicure of the Soul
"What kind of services would be listed on the wall in God’s nail salon? What can he do for our feet?
  • He GUIDES our feet: According to Luke 1:79, the Lord has plans to “guide our feet into the path of peace”. I don’t know about you, but I’d love some peace. I’m tired of stubbing my toes and getting blisters. I think I’ll follow the Lord.
  • He DIRECTS our feet: Psalm 119:105 (my favorite Psalm, by the way), says that God’s Word “is a lamp to our feet”… making our “path straight” – showing us how to live.
  •  He PROTECTS our feet: Psalm 56:13 and 116:8 tell that God can keep our “feet from stumbling”.
  • He SECURES our feet: Psalm 40:2 says “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” This one could be my theme-verse. I could never thank Him enough. I praise the feet who took the nails for me."   (Author Unknown)
What kind of feet do you have?
What kind of path are you on?

What kind of footprint are you leaving on your pathway, your journey?