When Life Throws You A Curveball

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Today, as we look at joining Christ on His mission we are going to look at the idea of being thrown curveballs and how to handle them. But what exactly is a curveball?

 Definition

A curveball is a breaking pitch that has more movement than just about any other pitch. It is thrown slower than a fastball and curves downward before reaching home plate. It is used to keep hitters off-balance. When executed correctly by a pitcher, a batter expecting a fastball will swing too early and over the top of the curveball.

 The curveball pitch is so well known in American culture that the phrase "throw a curveball" has emerged as a common expression. Like the goal of pitchers when throwing the pitch, the expression "to throw a curve" means to trick someone with something unexpected.

 Again, the goal is to keep a person off balance with the hope of them making a mistake.  Satan loves to use life experiences as curveballs with the intent to keep God’s people off balance and to slow them down in joining Christ on His mission.  But we need to remember that while these curveballs are unexpected to us they are not unexpected to God.  Not only are they not unexpected to God, they are planned and used by God for His purposes. 

When it comes to living a life that is pleasing, honoring to God and on mission with Christ, life has a funny way of throwing us some crazy curveballs. The adventure of following Christ wherever he leads is filled with lots and lots of unexpected turns that the need to be prepared is for them is evident.

 Biblical Examples Of Unexpected Curveballs Thrown At God’s People

 

·      Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego certainly didn’t expect to be thrown into a firey furnance.

·      Joseph didn’t see coming that his brothers would sell him as a slave.

·      It wasn’t on Moses’ radar that his own countryman would threaten to turn him in for killing an Egyptian after the Egyptian had abused a Hebrew slave and then would spend the next 40 years tending sheep.

·      Peter had no idea how idea how extreme the pressure to deny Christ would be on the night he denied Him three times.

·      And the Apostle Paul had absolutely no idea that his passion and desire to go preach the Gospel to those in Asia would be stopped in its tracts by the Holy Spirit and then redirected to go into Macedonia. 

So, how do you prepare for them and respond to these curveballs when they materialize?

 Read what James 4:13-15 says,

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.’ ‘Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring - what your life will be! For you are like a vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes. Instead, you should say, ‘If the Lord wills we will live and do this or that.’ But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So it is sin to know the good and yet not do it.”

In This Passage James:

·      Is reprimanding Christians who have a faulty worldview about life and how they relate to God. 

·      Lists 5 characteristics of people with this faulty worldview:

  1. They make their own plans about tomorrow: “Today or tomorrow we will go …”

  2. They plan on arriving at a particular destination: “… we will go to such and such a city …”

  3. They plan to spend a specific amount of time there: “… and spend a year there …”

  4. They intend to engage in a specific plan of action: “… and engage in business …”

  5. They intend to experience some specific results: “… and make a profit.”

 So What’s The Problem?  Is It Wrong To Make Plans For The Future?

 No, that’s not what James is saying exactly! In verse 15 he is going to say it is appropriate to plan and act upon that plan.  So, what’s the problem then?

 The problem is when plans are made without a proper understanding of who we are and a proper understanding of who God is. 

Who Are People?

a.     People are limited in knowing what will happen tomorrow!

“Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring …” (v. 14a)

 

b.     People don’t even know if they will be here tomorrow! 

“… what your life will be! For you are like a vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes.” (v. 14b)

Who Is God?

He is the God who wills things to happen!

“Instead, you should say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that …”

 

In other words, God has the authority to change our plans to match His will.

 

“Men make their plans but God directs their paths.” 

Proverbs 16:9

 

Let’s Look Again At

The Apostle Paul Wanting To Enter Into Asia

To Preach The Gospel

“They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia; they had been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. When they came to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. Passing by Mysia they went down to Troas. During the Night Paul had a vision in which a Macedonian man was standing and pleading with him, “Cross over to Macedonia and help us!’ After he ad seen the vision, we immediately made efforts to set out for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”

Acts 16:6-10

 From these verses we need to ask two very important questions!

2 Two Questions: 

1.     What was preventing them from sharing the Gospel in Asia and Bithynia? 

On both occasions the scripture made it clear that is was the The Holy Spirit preventing them from entering those locations. Even though Paul’s intent was good and God honoring it wasn’t God’s timing for the Gospel to enter into Asia.

2.     What was it that caused them to enter into Macedonia to preach the Gospel? 

Again the answer is God. While it wasn’t God’s timing for the Gospel to go into Asia it was God’s will for the Gospel to come into Macedonia.

Paul had made his plan but it was God directing his steps.

This is a perfect example of God’s people making their plans but allowing God to direct their paths.

 

The Danger Of Making Plans Without This View Of God! 

1.     It allows for boasting in arrogance!

“But as it is, you boast in your arrogance …” James 4:16a

Boasting in the right thing is not bad and that would be boasting in Christ and His work. But to boast in your arrogance is to boast in yourself and in what you believe you have achieved. But the truth of the matter is that whatever we have achieved is only done by God through us. So to boast in yourself is to think more highly of yourself than you should, for we can do nothing in our own self but only through Christ who strengthens us.

2.     This kind of boasting is evil

“… All such boasting is evil.” James 4:16b)

To use a phrase that one of my fine Christian college professor used to use: “It Would Behoove Us” to learn that all self promotion and boasting is evil and filled with pride. As God’s children we are called to humility - not pridefulness.

3.     This kind of planning is sinful

“So it is sin to know the good and yet not do it.” James 4:17

If we know that we should conducting our planning with God’s will first and foremost in our minds and hearts but do not do it, the Bible is real clear - it is a sin.

If we are implementing our plans but unwilling to alter that course when God is trying to redirect us - it too is a sin!

How Do To Respond To The Curveballs Of Life?

1.     Prepare For Life To Throw You Curveballs

 We prepare for life’s curveballs by make plans based upon what we think to be God’s will.  We do this through prayer as we seek God for his will to be revealed.

 

2.     Anticipate & Relax When Unexpected Changes Take Place

 Don’t get frustrated about it or worry over it just expect it to be part of the process of God, as our Good Shepherd, leading us from green pastures to green pastures.

 

3.     Look For God’s Open Doors

 Just as the Apostle Paul wanted to go into Asia to preach  the Gospel but was prevented by the Holy Spirit but then at night in a vision sees a man from Macedonia asking them to come over there, concludes that God was redirecting them to go over there, so we too can expect God when he closes one door to open up another door. But we have to be looking for it in order to see it.

Does The Thought Of Life Throwing You These Curveballs Cause You To Worry? If, so then hit the link below to find out more about a great resource for learning how to live a life without worry while joining Christ on His Mission!

https://www.amazon.com/Living-Mission-Spite-Worry-Relieving-ebook/dp/B07LDGWYC8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1549133088&sr=8-1&keywords=living+on+mission+in+spite+of+my+worry

The Mystery Of The Gospel Seed

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Jesus loved to teach people about the Kingdom of God and what it is like. He would most often use parables or stories to illustrate the lesson he was trying to teach. These stories dealt with real life things but had a spiritual or Kingdom of God lesson to it. Here’s the parable of the mystery of the Gospel seed.

LIVING ON MISSION IN SPITE OF MY WORRY: A MUST READ

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My very good friend Pastor Billy Galloska has taken the time out of his busy schedule to write me a very wonderful but honest endorsement for my new book LIVING ON MISSION IN SPITE OF MY WORRY.

Pastor Billy is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Glenns Ferry, Idaho.  I love the way he works with his congregation to intentionally equip them live powerful missional lives that brightly shines the Light of Christ in their part of this dark world through making disciples for Jesus Christ.  He and his wife, December, have a powerful testimony of God's transforming power.  Billy understands the needs of ordinary christians and what it takes to empower them to share Christ.  I greatly value his endorsement and what he has to say about my new book, LIVING ON MISSION IN SPITE OF MY WORRY. 

Take a few seconds and read what he has to say about it.

"Worry is a part of every life. Even as ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ we can experience worry that sometimes cripples our work. It is no wonder then that ordinary Christians find themselves in the midst of worry that cripples them from sharing God's love in their part of this dark world.

Author Jay Moore uses Living on Mission in Spite Of My Worry to show that even in our worry God can and does empower us to inspire and connect with people in our part of this dark world to share the good news of Jesus when we seek His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

Jay has not only hit the mark with this book, he has driven it home. If you have become crippled by worry, whether you are an ordinary Christian or you are a minister, this book is a must-read that will not only keep you reading but make you want to hit the neighborhood halfway through!"

Pastor Billy Galloska
First Baptist Church
Glenns Ferry, Idaho

Check Out This Powerful New Book For Yourself

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR COPY OF

LIVING ON MISSION IN SPITE OF MY WORRY

Are You Prepared & Trained To Join Christ When He Brings A Powerful Movement To Your Community

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Many people are praying for God to bring one of His powerful movements to their city and their nations!  Many pastors and churches are also praying for God to unleashing a great revival in their area!

But I have a question for you!  

ARE YOU PREPARED TO JOING CHRIST WHEN HE DOES BRING THAT POWERFUL MOVEMENT?

Watch this video and then ask yourself if there are some things you need to be doing as a Christian to be ready to join Christ on His mission.  Pastors you need to ask yourself if there are some things you need to be doing to position your church body (members) to be ready to joining Christ on His mission.  Take a few moment and watch this short video. 

Leave A Comment & Share Your Thoughts About This Post!

The #1 Factor That Determines How You Portray Christ To The World!

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While there are other things that will determine how you portray Christ to others, I believe this video will share with you one of, if not the most, factor in how people see Christ in you.  To learn more about how to shine the Light of Christ brightly in your part of this dark world, check out this powerful book on living a powerful missional life: 

THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE: A Journey Into Missional Living.

 

Leave A Comment About Your Thoughts On This Subject!

One World Event That Definitely Wasn't An April Fools Joke!

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Did you know that this year, 2018, the world will be celebrating both April Fools Day and The Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (Easter)!  That's right they both fall on the same day this year.

The irony of these two events falling on the same date cannot be overstated! On the one hand you have a world that says death cannot be cheated, cannot be avoided and is final. While on the other hand you have the Christians Biblical belief that Jesus Christ did die on the cross, was buried in a tomb and on the third day came back to life again.  April 1, 2018 is a date where these two completely world views will collide and are in total opposition to each other.  

One world view says that to be raised from the dead, after being dead for three days, is totally impossible, while the other says it is not only possible but actually did happen and has tremendous ramifications for all the rest of us who have ever been born throughout world history. 

The world believes it is totally impossible because that's all the world has ever known.  Every single person who has ever lived has died and every single person who has died for 3 days or longer has stayed dead, accept for those crazy claims of the Bible of Jesus and those he supposedly raised from the dead.  All of life's experiences demands, for those in the world, that the claims of Christ's resurrection is a fairy tale and cannot be trusted.  They believe that Christians hold to a "Blind Faith" which is unreason or irrational.

But for those of us who are Followers of Christ and do believe in Christ's Resurrection from the dead our faith is far from that "Blind Faith"!  No! Instead, it is a faith based upon "Evidence Beyond Reasonable Doubt".  

Yes, the belief in Jesus death, burial and resurrection is based upon eye witness evidence that's reasonable.  There are people, who lived during the time of Christ's resurrection, who have claim and gone on record to have seen Jesus after his crucification alive and well.   They made it very clear their experience wasn't some kind of hallucination. They claimed to have walked with him, talked him, ate with him and touched him.  They claimed it to be a life altering experience that took them from fear, including the fear of death, to a life filled with boldness regardless of the life circumstance that was confronting them.

Who were these eye witness? The Bible clearly shares the identity of those eye witnesses.  They weren't trying to stay in the shadows.  They were open and upfront for everyone to hear.  1 Corinthians 15:3-8 reveals who they are:

"3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, [b]and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born."

Who were these eye witnesses? 

First, there is the 500 who saw him!  He doesn't specifically list their names because there are just to many to list.  But he does say that most were still alive to the very date of the writing.  Why indicate that most were still alive? Because, Paul was challenging them to go to Palestine and check it out for themselves. They could go around and ask if anyone had seen Christ resurrected and the chances were that they'd still find many who would say, "I did"!  

But among those 500 we know that they would have included the women who gone to the tomb and found it empty and then saw Jesus alive.  In Luke 24:10 we read,

"Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, .."

Here we see 3 specific names of women identified who saw the resurrection of Christ. They were Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Mary the mother of James but there were also other women there as well.

Second, Jesus showed himself to the apostles and James, Jesus' half brother.  Many in the world believe that the Apostle would have lied about Jesus resurrection.  They believe that the apostles knew that Jesus was dead but wanted to keep the movement alive and therefore fabricated the story of His resurrection.  

But is that really logical.  Would someone really lie about something they knew to be a lie?  Yes, if they had something to gain like: power, prestige or money.  But the apostle got none of those things. As a matter of fact they lived like poor people and eventually were beaten and killed for their testimony of seeing Jesus alive.  They gained nothing if it was a lie.  

Surely at least one of them upon the sentence of death would have recanted their testimony if it had been a lie!  But not one ever recanted or changed their story but instead every apostle lived and died in the most horrible way because of their refusal to recant their story. They were to die for their testimony of Christ's resurrection.  Why would anybody do that unless they knew it to be the truth!

Next, there was the eye witness account of the Apostle Paul.  Paul wasn't part of the original apostles as a matter of fact he was a Christian hater who wanted nothing more than to arrest and kill all who claimed to be a Follower of Christ and testified of His resurrection.  For awhile there, that was his total life's mission.

But something happened that changed Paul!  He went from being a Christian hater and killer to the greatest Christian missionary ever!  He ended up with a new life's mission! Instead of putting Christians into prison, he made it his life's ambition to make as many people Christians as possible by believing in Christ's death, burial and resurrection.

What made the change? How did Paul go from being a Christian hater to a Christian maker?  Paul's very own testimony gives us the answer. We find Paul's answer in Acts 26 where he states clearly why he is now a follower of Christ. He says it is because while on the road to Damascus that Jesus appeared to him and spoke to him.  It was the resurrected Jesus speaking to him that changed him. That was his life changing experience.

Now as I contemplate these eye witnesses I am forced to evaluate how credible they are about what they confess.  And I have come to the following conclusion!  They are ALL extremely reliable!  Why:

  1. Because the original apostles gained nothing in this world and lost everything including their lives for their testimony that they saw the resurrected Christ.  It is unreasonable to believe that someone would maintain a lie when all they got was pain, suffering and death.  It is even more harder to believe all the apostle would maintain that lie under such circumstances. And yet, that's exactly what happened: every single one of them maintained their testimony and never recanted.  They all died for their testimony for seeing Christ resurrected.  That makes them very compelling and credible witnesses.
  2. Because Paul himself said that his life change was a direct result of his encounter with the resurrected Christ. He stopped being a Christian hater and killer to become a Christian maker because he encounter the living Christ.  THAT'S WHAT PAUL SAID!  This changed of heart only brought pain and suffering and eventually was beheaded for his testimony of seeing the resurrected Christ.  He gained nothing from this change in life but lost everything he was working for because of it.  This makes Paul one of the greatest and most credible eye witnesses.
  3. The sheer number of eye witnesses, over 500, make the resurrection of Christ irrefutable.

Yes, this Sunday, April 1st, 2018 is both the day we celebrate the resurrection of Christ (Easter) and April Fools Day.  But don't be the fool by believing that Jesus is still dead.  He's not! He's Alive!  And by placing your faith in the resurrect Jesus you can be saved from your sins and receive the gift of eternal life.  Will you do it today?

How To Use Social Media To Shine The Light of Christ: Part 1

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Social Media is a major part of the our lives! We use it everyday. We stay connected with people through it. Therefore, it has become a major tool that needs to be used wisely to shine the Light of Christ brightly in our part of this dark world. 

I am going to do a series of posts to help Followers of Christ use social media wisely and Biblically in order to share Christ to a world that desperately needs him.  Check out this first video and see what you think. 

Evaluating Your Perception Of Church

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How do people outside the church view the church?  How do people inside the church view the church? Does our perception of the church have an effect on the relevance we give to the church? And is our perception of the church Biblical and accurate?  These are some of the question we are going to look at in this post.  I pray it gives you something to chew on and help you become a better Light of Christ in your part of this dark world! 

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A Biblical Story On Joining Christ On His Mission

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In Acts 8:26-40 we have an amazing story about an ordinary christian by the name of Philip who was used by God in an amazing way.  From it we learn some powerful principles for shining the Light of Christ brightly in our part of this dark world. Watch and see what you might learn.

Take a few moments and share your thought as a comment.

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How Not To Allow Distractions Keep You From Doing The Most Important Things!

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Please Share This Post With Your Christian Family and Friends on Facebook & Tweeter!

The Importance Of Forgiving One Another

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In order to shine the Light of Christ brightly in our part of this dark world we must learn to forgive one another.  Forgiveness is the proof that we really love and love is the proof that we really know Christ!  Watch this video and be encourage to forgive those that have hurt you.

Please share this video with your Christian family and friends on Facebook & Twitter to encourage them to live a more powerful missional life. 

3 Important Choices That Lead To Powerful Missional Living

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A powerful missional life just doesn't happen by chance.  It comes about because Christians make choices that lead them into that kind of lifestyle.  These choices are not always easy to make and if the truth be told they are often extremely difficult.

As we look at Moses we can see 3 choices that he had to make that allow him to powerfully join God on His mission.  These same 3 choices still face Christians today!   To make the choice the way God would have you will lead to greater effectiveness in shining the Light of Christ but to make the choice contrary to God will cause you to become impotent and ineffective in missional living.  

To choice God's way is not easy and will require you to have faith in God.  The outcome of your choices may not always be clear but your conviction to follow Christ is not only clear but firm and your trust that God will work all things out for good is steady.  Without faith you cannot please God - you cannot make the choices the way God would have you to make.  

The Bible verse to help us navigate in understanding these choice is found in Hebrews 11:24-26.

"By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward." (NIV)

Let us take a look at the 3 choices:

Choice #1:  Choose To Identify With God & Not The People Of The World

"By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter" (Vs. 24 NIV)
We all know the story of Moses of how Pharaoh, out of fear of having the Hebrew slaves grow so large in numbers that they might overthrow him, ordered that all the male children under a certain age be killed.  We remember how Moses' mother hid Moses until he was to big to hide any longer but then out of faith put baby Moses in a basket and floated him downstream. We've heard about how Pharaoh's daughter found the basket and fell in love with baby Moses and decided to raise him herself thereby making him a Prince of Egypt.  And in the palace of Pharaoh Moses was raised in the wealthiest country in the world.  He had pleasure, prestige, power and property.  He was living in the lap of luxury.  
That was until he was all grown up and decided to no longer live in the lap of luxury while his people were living as slaves.  He wanted to help his people. He wanted to find a way to ease their suffering.  MOSES GAVE UP THAT IDENTITY OF BEING A PRINCE OF EGYPT TO BE KNOWN AS A HEBREW SLAVE. 
As we intentionally set out to live a life on mission with Christ we too will be asked by God to exercise our faith to abandon our identity with the world and instead, be known as a Child of God.  We will be asked by God to stop considering ourselves as a member of this world but instead to consider ourselves as ambassador for the Kingdom of God.
When we make this choice most of the people in the world will not understand why we would do that.  Many people will ridicule us - make fun of us - and even malign our character for choosing it.  They will consider us foolish and even traitors.  
But we also need to keep in mind that how we view our identity will have a powerful effect on how we go about God's mission and how effective we will be in accomplishing His will. 

Choice #2:  Choose To Embrace Suffering Rather Than Pleasure

"He chose to be mistreated along with people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time."  (v.25 NIV)

Did you see that?  Moses chose to be mistreated!  That's amazing!  Instead, of living in the lap of luxury with everything your heart could ever want.  Moses gave it all up just to follow God and be obedient to him.  That requires a growing faith to make that kind of Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

.And it's not just about giving up the pleasures of the world (Egypt) but more importantly to give them up in favor to being mistreated by others who don't believe in God.  Moses could have enjoyed all the sinful pleasures that a wealthy life as a Prince of Egypt could offer.  But he chose not to.  Why? Partly because Moses realized that sin, though pleasurable, is only temporary but in like fashion he also realized that that the mistreatment he would experience was also only temporary.

In missional living we will experience the mistreatment from the people of this world.  By choosing Christ and obedience to His mission we become an enemy to the world and the rulers of this world. We could experience all the pleasures of the sinful lifestyle this world has to offer.  We could easily drown ourselves in debauchery and party until to our hearts content.  But we are willing to give it up!  Why? Because we know that with Christ's return comes the end of all of the pleasure of sin. 

But it's going to require faith for you to make that choice!  We can see sin and the pleasures that people get from their participation in it but we don't see Christ and all that he has offer yet.  We have to believe and trust that Christ will be true to his word.  THAT'S FAITH.

Choice #3:  Choose The World's Disgrace Over Getting Their  Approval.

"He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt because he was looking ahead to his reward."  (v. 26)

This is a choice of what's of most value to you!  Moses felt that being disgraced and dishonored by those of the world was of more value than all the riches in Egypt.  All the hate, all the name calling, all the beatings and even death was of worth more than all the treasures the world could gather together.  

Jesus express the same sentiments on the Sermon On The Mount in what we call the Beatitudes.  Read what he says:

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11,12 (NIV)

According to Jesus we are "BLESSED" when we are insulted, persecuted and lied about all because Jesus.  We are to rejoice when these things happen because our reward in Heaven because of it. 

I'm not sure what you think but Jesus believed that our reward in Heaven is going to be far more valuable than all of the treasures of earth.  

You know, when suffer for Christ we are in really company. Moses suffered, all of the prophets of the Old Testament suffered and even Jesus' own disciples died because of their choice to follow Christ. and not submit to the opinions and attitudes of the world. 

3 Choices!  Making these 3 choices will greatly enhance your missional living.  It will help shine the Light of Christ brighter than you ever thought possible. 

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What Can We Learn About Missional Living From A Ceramic Teachers Experiment?

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Principles for Missional Living can be learned from many different sources, including from an experiment that a ceramic teacher did with his class.  I pray that you will be encouraged, empowered and equipped to never quit pursuing a powerful missional life that brightly shines the Light of Christ.  Watch this video and see what you learn!

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What Can We Learn From Major League Baseball Player Hank Aaron About Powerful Missional Living

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Sometimes we can learn the greatest lesson about shining the Light of Christ from people in different professions!  Today we are going to look at Major League Baseball Player Hank Aaron and a lesson his career can afford us to live powerful missional lives.  Watch this video and be both encouraged and inspired to go shine the Light of Christ brightly in your part of this dark world. 

If you have found this video please share this post on Facebook and Twitter & Leave Us A Comment About Your Thoughts & Ideas!

Living A Powerful Missional Life Is A Lot Like Playing A Good A Good Poker Hand

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Did you know that living a powerful missional life that brightly shines the Light of Christ is a lot like being able to play a good hand at poker?  That's right! There is an important lesson we can learn from those really great poker players that we can apply to our missional living strategies.  

In this video I am going to share with you 1 essential lesson for shining the Light of Christ brightly that we can learn from poker.  It is a powerful lesson and if you can effectively apply it to your life will amp up the voltage of brightness in being the Light of the World.

If You Like This Video Please Take A Few Moments & Share It With Your Facebook & Twitter Followers!

1 Powerful Way To Encourage Other Christians For Missional Living

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Missional Living is as much about helping and encouraging other Christians to live missional lives as it is about sharing Christ with those that have not heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  In this episode of The Ordinary Christian I am going to share with you a powerful way you can do both at the same time.  Watch and be encouraged!

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SHOULD CHRISTIANS BOYCOTT BUSINESSES? A Missional Living Perspective

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Should Christians who are on mission with Christ boycott companies just because they don't agree with their social agenda?  Undoubtedly you've been encouraged to do so! But is that the best approach when your desire and aim is to shine the Light of Christ brightly in your part of this dark world?  MAYBE NOT! 

Take a few moment and watch this video to learn about a different perspective when it comes to this practice of Christians boycotting companies.  Now please know that I am not ruling out the possibility that boycotting is appropriate especially when it comes to some group like, Planned Parenthood, who as part of their service kill babies and sell their body parts.  I am referring to companies that have legitimate service and goods but maybe their social agenda isn't what we would want as a Christian  

Watch the video and then leave a comment sharing your thoughts. Please remember to keep your commitments respective and not hurtful.  

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5 Biblical Powerful Biblical Principles For Missional Living

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In this video I am going to share with you 5 Biblical Principles for living a missional life found from Jesus' Sermon On The Mount.


5 Biblical Principles For Shining The Light Of Christ

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“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

#1:  ALL CHRISTIANS HAVE THE LIGHT - NOT JUST SOME!

"You are the light ..."

Having the Light of Christ isn't for just a few special people. Every single person who has given their life over to Christ by faith has the light!

#2:  CHRISTIANS ARE TO SHINE THE LIGHT IN THE WORLD - NOT CHURCH BUILDINGS!

"You are the light of the world ..."

To much of what we do to shine the Light of Christ happens in building tucked away from the real world.  The people who need to see the Light of Christ are not coming into our church buildings. Christ told us to go shine His light in the world.  

#3:  CHRISTIANS ARE TO DISPLAY THE LIGHT - NOT HIDE IT!

"A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house."

We are not to hide the light away so nobody knows that you follow Christ. Instead, we are to shine His light in a way that lots of people can see it and benefit from it.

#4:  GOOD DEEDS IS THE ILLUMINATION OF THE LIGHT - NOT JUST WORDS!

"let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds"

Doing good deeds or loving actions is a way to illuminate people's lives so they can see Christ and God's love.

#5:  THE GOAL IS TO GLORIFY GOD - NOT OUSELVES!

"glorify your Father in heaven"

The goal of shining the Light of Christ is for people to glorify God the Father.  It should never be our aim to get the glory for ourselves. The glory always belongs to God and God alone!

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