SHARE…Always be prepared!
Devotions this week based on Sunday’s Message: Compass: SHARE what God has given! (LISTEN HERE)
Yesterday was an interesting day in central Texas.
Much of the country has been suffering under a cold, snowy winter. We got our shot Tuesday into Wednesday. Not snow…just freezing rain and lots of it. As of writing this about mid-day on Wednesday, the tree branches are laboring under about ½” of ice. (I’d rather have a foot of snow than ½” of ice!) The power lines (many above ground) are also stressing under the extra weight and we (at the time of this writing) are without power (since 6am).
Fortunately (or unfortunately) we have had ice storms in our past. When we lived in North Carolina, we were without power for 3 days. Just a couple years ago here in Texas an arctic week left us on and off again with power.
Fortunately, we were prepared.
Out came the generator, multiple extension cords and the gas can and we are moving forward with our day. It’s not as convenient as flipping the switch and lights working, but it allows us to continue our work day in a makeshift way.
This time we were prepared.
Life can take turns we don’t expect. Sometimes we are ready for them, and other times we are not.
The Legendary UCLA Head Basketball Coach John Wooden said, “When opportunity comes, it’s too late to prepare.”
The same is true for sharing our faith.
Sometimes we know an opportunity is coming and we can be ready. Other times, opportunities come when we least expect it. But we want to be ready then as well.
How?
Regularly let God’s truth fill your heart and soul. Let your experience of God and his grace expand in your life’s experience.
I don’t know to whom to give credit, but I read a meme that said something to the effect: “Daniel didn’t learn to trust God when he was thrown in the lion’s den. He learned to trust God when he spent three times a day in prayer to the Lord. When he was thrown in the lion’s den, he expressed what he already knew.”
Preparation to share our faith comes every day, so when the opportunity comes, we are prepared!
1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, …
Apply: What little thing can I do each day to grow in my relationship with Jesus, my knowledge of his Word and the truth of his promises so I am better equipped every day to share the love of Jesus?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for opportunities to share my faith. Please help me to be ready every time and anytime they come. AMEN.
SHARE…in the midst of crisis!
Devotions this week based on Sunday’s Message: Compass: SHARE what God has given! (LISTEN HERE)
Does following Jesus make a difference in your life?
On the one hand, the short answer is “Yes.” But the follow up question is, “Why?” or “How?”
Part of sharing our faith is just sharing the difference Jesus makes in our life.
Perhaps it’s a different course of action. Perhaps it’s a different perspective. Perhaps it’s a different reaction.
Life has many situations that present challenges and difficulties. Often times the opportunity to share Jesus is in the middle of those challenges and help someone see a different perspective than they are currently hanging on to.
Over the next few days, we’ll look at a few examples and how God can use those situations to create an opportunity for us to share our faith.
Many people at some point in their life go through a health crisis. It may be as simple as a bad cold or as harsh as terminal cancer. The natural question to ask during these times is “Why, God?” When our bodies aren’t feeling well, we perhaps think that God is punishing us, getting back at us, or wanting to torment us for some reason. A natural reaction is to think that God has it out for us and is causing the hardship for a negative purpose.
So, is that what you have discovered when you go through health challenges as a follower of Jesus? Maybe in moments you have asked God, “Why?” or felt like God was paying you back for some sin you had committed.
But then God gives you a different perspective:
2 Corinthians 4:16-17 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
Our health challenges are a reminder that we are not going to live forever. We are reminded that we live in a world affected by sin and its consequences. In those moments when we are weak we are invited to trust and rely on the strength of the Lord even more. The opportunity is to keep our eyes focused on Jesus.
So when you interact with someone going through a health challenge, perhaps you will have an opportunity to share and say something like, “This has got to be hard. I can’t imagine going through what you are going through. But here’s what I realized when I went through a similar challenge. God doesn’t hate me, but loves me. I found that my illness made me realize that this life is temporary and heaven is forever. I don’t know how this illness will turn out, but I do know that Jesus wants to walk with you and strengthen your heart every day.
Or something in your own words.
Here’s another scripture to use when going through a health or emotional crisis:
1 Peter 1:3-9 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade… 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
How would you use this Scripture to share your faith?
All crises are intended to draw us closer to Jesus. When you have a friend or family member going through one…God is setting up an opportunity for you to share your faith!
Apply: Who is going through a health crisis? What has Jesus shared with you when you’ve gone through a health challenge that you could share with that person?
Prayer: Lord God, thank you for showing me your love, grace, hope and forgiveness when I go through challenges in my life. As I go through those situations, continue to share with me so I can share with others! AMEN.
SHARE what you have been given!
Devotions this week based on Sunday’s Message: Compass: SHARE what God has given! (LISTEN HERE)
We can only share what we have been given.
I can’t take food from my neighbor and share it with someone else. I can only share the food I have bought or been given. We share what WE have been given.
The same is true for our faith.
While the content of our faith, trust in Jesus as our Savior, is common, the facets and nuances of our faith and how we have experienced the love, grace and mercy of God is unique to us. But while in some ways it may be unique to us, it is given to us to share with someone else who is experiencing a similar situation.
What do I mean?
The Apostle Paul wrote this to the Christians in Corinth:
2 Corinthians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
The Apostle Paul and his traveling companions went through a lot of trials as they traveled around the Mediterranean world proclaiming the Gospel. Some of those encounters were minor and others put their lives on the line. In all of these situations, Paul found comfort from God. While his body was beaten and abused, he knew that God still loved him and was caring for him. This gave him comfort.
But the comfort wasn’t just for him…
It was to share with others.
The Lord allowed the challenges in Paul’s life so that Paul could experience the comfort of God in those troubles. He wanted to give Paul this comfort so Paul could then share that same comfort with others.
Do you see how it works?
God gives you a facet of his grace not only for you, but for you to share with others.
But that’s hard, right?
Let’s stay on the topic of comfort.
When we go through a loss of a loved one, perhaps an unexpected death, that is hard to go through. We are tempted to ask, “Why God?” and perhaps find ourselves more frustrated at God. However, the Lord invites us to receive what he wants to give us: Comfort. Amidst the tears and the unanswered questions, Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. (John 11:25-26)
The comfort Jesus gives is that for those that die believing in Jesus, there is a glorious reunion in heaven. Why? Because Jesus himself overcame death!
Why does Jesus tell us this? Because he wants US to be comforted.
And…
He wants us to comfort someone else with the same comfort we have received from God.
So after we have experienced the comfort of Jesus in the loss of a loved one, it is for our benefit, but there is also enough to share with a friend, co worker or family member who experiences the loss of a Christian loved one.
It might sound like this:
“I know it is so hard to lose someone we love so unexpectedly. Here’s what has helped me. God reminded me that death is only a temporary separation because he has promised that all who believe in him will live forever in heaven. I’m sad and miss my loved one, but what comforts my heart is that I will get to see them again.”
And…you’ve just shared your faith.
Because you took what God has given to you and shared it with someone else.
Apply: What experience with God has been a blessing to you? Do you know someone who is going through a similar circumstance? How might you share that encounter with them?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving me so many blessings of grace! Help me to receive them with gratitude, but also with the ability to share them with others. AMEN.
SHARE…but what do I share?
Devotions this week based on Sunday’s Message: Compass: SHARE what God has given! (LISTEN HERE)
Here’s my assumption this morning: Every Christian desires to and knows it’s important to share his faith with someone else.
Here’s my second assumption: Every Christian has certain fears about having that conversation about faith with someone else.
So let’s explore that this week and, God-willing, be not only encouraged, but also equipped to better and more confidently engage in spiritual conversations.
Often the discussion about sharing our faith starts with Matthew 28:19, “Go and make disciples of all nations…”
I don’t want to start here this morning. This passage is powerful, but can be overwhelming. It seems that the way to share our faith entails going to foreign nations and investing a lot of time to develop a person in their following of Jesus. We need baptisms and time to teach. All of this is important, but it seems, perhaps so daunting and so big, that we don’t do anything.
So let’s start in a different place. Acts 1.
Acts 1 records the last interaction Jesus has with his disciples. He knew they were filled with doubts. Perhaps there was anxiety about the future and what that would entail. While the promise Jesus gives is for those that first heard it, the Spirit of God recorded it for us to hear too. I don’t think I or you are that much different than the disciples.
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Remember the power.
God never asks us to do something that he does not equip us to do. The disciples received a special outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost, but if we are asked to do the things of the Spirit, the Spirit of God will work in us to accomplish them. We are not engaging in spiritual discussions on our own…or we don’t need to. So, tap into the power. Any electronic instrument has not power unless it is plugged in or has a charged battery. So, before engaging in a spiritual conversation, remember to ask for the Spirit’s power and wisdom as you do so…you may be surprised what comes out!
Remember the point.
I LOVE this passage because it reminds me what is at the point of sharing my faith…simply being a witness. Jesus doesn’t say, “You will be my doctors of theology.” He doesn’t say, “You will have every answer to every question any person may ever ask.” He doesn’t say, “You must be a full-time minister or pastor to share your faith.” No, he simply says, “Be my witnesses.”
A witness in a court of law does not speculate or surmise, they simply share their interaction with the event…what THEY saw…what THEY heard. It is a testimony to your experience with Jesus.
But perhaps this is a bit daunting…because we’ve never considered “What IS my experience with Jesus? What difference does it really make to be a follower of Jesus? How does Jesus make a difference in my life?”
If you were called to the witness stand to testify to your faith and connection to Jesus, what would you say? Take some time this week to think this through…because this is what Jesus is asking you to be ready to share!
Remember the people.
Jesus does indicate that witnesses for him would eventually go to the ends of the earth, but he reminds them to start locally: Jerusalem. Then go from there to Judea and Samaria.
What does this mean for us? You don’t have to go across the globe or get a passport to another country (although if God puts that on your heart…follow his lead!), it means start with the people in your proximity…the people you work with, go to school with, sit in the stands with, live next door to, etc. This is your “Jerusalem.”
Sharing our faith can be daunting, but let’s let God’s Spirit work in and on our hearts…and with his help it will be more natural and fun. Remember the power of the Spirit is at work in you to share what God has given to you with the people that God has put around you!
Apply: Take time today to think through your story. What is your experience with Jesus?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for equipping us to do what you are calling us to do…share you. Forgive us when we stay silent, feel inadequate or put up some other excuse. Embolden and give us confidence to share you with the people with whom we interact. AMEN.
Who get’s credit?
Today’s devotion is based on Sunday’s message: SERVE with your gifts! To listen: CLICK HERE
Who gets the credit?
Perhaps the quick response of the Christian is “Of course, God does!”
Or does he?
In the end, yes, service to be to the glory of God. It is the purest of purposes, but it is the hardest of motives.
We like to be recognized.
Sure, every Christian community can do better at encouraging and building others up as they are blessed by another’s service. This is a great opportunity.
However, we can evaluate who gets the credit by our heart’s reaction when WE get no credit.
What do I mean?
Service in the church takes time, energy and effort. It is not always easy and often times a sacrifice. You can serve in your ministry faithfully for weeks, months or even years. But what can lead to discouragement and stepping away from the area of service is the lack of recognition or appreciation. When I get no credit it is hard for me to show up the next time and serve with joy. Eventually I may think, “What I do, doesn’t matter.” And so I quit.
You could serve in Kids Ministry for months and never does a parent come up and appreciate what you and your staff are doing. It’s discouraging.
You can greet people every Sunday, but no one ever says, “Thank you, your warm greeting made a difference.” It’s hard to keep a smile.
You can serve as church Council member for years and people only complain to you about something at church and never appreciate the long hours in meetings and extra activities. It’s hard to be willing to serve another term.
Our human emotions need the encouragement of others. Like was said, we can do better at encouraging one another.
2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
So when you see someone serving and blessing others, encourage and appreciate them.
However, even as we need human encouragement, remember that your service is first to the Lord. The reason we all serve IS to glorify him. So remember this:
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
So, we end the week the way we began with the encouragement of St. Peter:
1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Apply: Have fun serving the Lord! Want to better understand how? Here is an assessment tool which includes spiritual gifts, but also other inputs to best determine how God has uniquely gifted you. Click here: www.freeshapetest.com
If you would like help discerning the results and how to use them, at the end of the assessment, email the results to christygeiger@gmail.com. Christy serves as our member ministry coordinator at Crosspoint and whether a member here or not, she can help you plug into the body of Christ where God has you!
Prayer: Spirit of God, thank you for the gifts you have graciously given to me. Engage my heart with a focus of using those gifts to always glorify you, the Father and the Son, my loving, gracious and giving God! AMEN.