SUITING UP FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE Part 4: Knowing Who's Not The Enemy

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“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)

Part of suiting up or preparing for spiritual warfare is to know your enemy. It’s to know who they are so you can recognize them in battle; understand their tendencies and tactics so you are not caught off guard during an encounter with them; and to make sure you are not bringing the fight to the wrong person or group.

In Tom Cruise’s movie The Last Samurai Nathan Algren, a captain in the US Cavalry, has been tasked to prepare the Japanese army to fight again the Samurai led by their leader Katsumoto. While the Samurai are considered to be the enemy of Japan, Katsumoto and the rest of the Samurai believe there struggle is actually in service to Japan’s Emperor and their country. In two different scenes both Captain Algren and Katsumoto express the same attitude about preparing for battle. Both of them share that to prepare for battle against their new enemy they would have to get to know their enemy. So each of them in their own way studies there opponent and gets to know as much about them as possible. Why? To be prepared for when the battle begins, to know what to expect, and develop a strategy that will lead to victory.

This is exactly what the Apostle Paul is now saying in verse 12. He is sharing with the readers that we must know our enemy if we are to be successful and victorious in our struggle during spiritual warfare. To not know your enemy is the path to loss and failure. Successful boxers train with sparing partners who have many of the same tendencies and characters of the opponent they are to fight. Why? To prepared for when the real fight begins. Knowing your enemy is part of suiting up! It’s getting your mind prepared.

But First We Need To Know Who’s Not Our Enemy:

Isn’t interesting that the Apostle starts off telling us who isn’t army before he tells us who is our enemy? I think it’s because Paul knew that too often we have mistaken our enemy for someone who really isn’t our enemy at all. More harm has been done in the name of spiritual warfare because people had a wrong idea of who the enemy was. And as a result they wasted so much time, energy, resources and not to mention credibility with those who desperately need to know Jesus.

So, who’s not our enemy? Who are those we are not to consider our enemy? Read what Paul says:

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, …”

Quite simply our enemy is not other people. You mother or father are not the enemy! Your spouse is not the enemy! Your employer or rude co-worker are not your enemy! Not even that obnoxious next door neighbor is your enemy! No person who has ever lived or is alive today is your enemy. When it comes to spiritual warfare. They might be the most unpleasant of individuals you have ever met but they still are not your enemy in spiritual warfare.

Although they may act like your enemy they are not. Then why do they act the way they do? To explain this lets break all of mankind down into two Biblical categories:

• First, there are people who are our brothers and sisters in Christ. That would include anyone who has believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and surrendered over to the Christ’s Lordship. Regardless of that persons past, race, language, country of origin, or any other ways we try to separate ourselves from one another, if they have given their lives over to Jesus the Bibles says they are family. Through Christ all our previous differences have been torn down and we all have been brought together in Christ as one family in God. Other Christians, therefore, are not our enemy, they are family.

• Then, there are people who aren’t Followers of Christ. They have never surrendered to Christ by faith. They are still in opposition to God. If they are in opposition to God then why aren’t they our enemy. To answer that question lets look at how the Bible describes the unbelievers.

  They Are Blinded By Satan!

  “Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corn 4:1-4 (NIV)

  Did you see that? The god of this age, Satan, has blinded the minds of the unbelievers so they can’t see the light of the gospel. Who do unbelievers act the way they do? Why are they so opposed to God? Simple because they can’t see the truth and it is Satan who has blinded them.

  They Are Slaves To Sin!

  “Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:34-36 (NIV)

  The fact of the matter is that every unbeliever is in bondage, a slave to, chained to sin! Sin is their master and they belong to sin. A slave has to do what their master wants them to do. The master controls them and directs them. So when an unbeliever persecutes one of our brothers and sisters in Christ they are only doing what their master commands them to do.

  Now when you put both of these two images together when begin to see a very sad reality that should cause all of God’s people to not hate or consider unbelievers as the enemy. What’s that picture these two combined images create of an unbelievers. Simple this:

  Unbelievers who persecute God’s people do so because they are SLAVES TO SIN and being commanded to do so and they are BLINDED BY SATAN so they can’t even see that what they are doing is horrible and sadly, because of their blindness, they think they are doing what is right and good in the sight of God.

  Close your eyes for just a moment and begin to imagine some particular rude unbeliever you know but imagine them walking around in stocks and chains as a slave to sin and this big thick blindfold covering their eyes with Satan walking behind them whispering in their ears deceiving them into what to believe. Can you see it? Is that picture clear in your mind? Now wouldn’t you agree that image is just pitiful? But that’s how we all were before we to know Christ. And because it is such a pitiful sight it should well up in our hearts pity for them.

  I think this is why Stephen, one of the first deacons of the early church, as he was being pummeled with stones to his death for preaching Jesus and the Gospel could make this petition to the Lord on their behalf. Stephen said.

  “Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:60 (NIV)

  What? Are you kidding me? Did Stephen just really pray for God not to hold this particular sin of killing him against them? Yes, that is exactly what he did! And, why? Because Stephen knew that they were not his enemy!

  What Stephen at the moment of his death said is very much like what Christ said while hanging on the cross. Christ prayed for the His Father to forgive those who were killing him because they know not what they are doing. You see Jesus knew that those people who were killing them were actually people blinded by Satan and couldn’t see the truth of their actions. Jesus knew that in a very real sense the people who had him arrested, convicted, and nailed to the cross they were not his enemy. In fact they, along with us, are the ones whom He was dying for. They and us are the ones that Jesus and God the Father loves! While it may not appears so at first glance, they are the ones we have come to liberate from slavery to sin and the blindness of Satan. They are the ones needing salvation.

  The Apostle Paul knew this concept better than most other people, for he, at one time, was one of those murderers and Christian haters. He made it his life’s pursuit to seek out and arrest all who claim Christ as savior, that is until he was liberated from spiritual slavery and saw the truth for what it really was. And once he gave his life over to Christ, he became the very thing he once hated most, a Christ loving disciple maker! PEOPLE ARE OUR ENEMY! And we shouldn’t treat them as such. We should love them in spite of their sinfulness.

  Now that we have clearly identified who’s not our enemy the next post will identify who really is our enemy and what he is like.

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Time To Lace Up Your Spiritual Boots

In Ephesians 6 where it talks about putting on the full Armor of God and specifically to shod your feet with the readiness of the Gospel, notice it doesn’t say to put on the Gospel but to put on the readiness or preparedness of the Gospel. Or in my words, “Make sure you’re prepared to share the Gospel with those who need to hear it!

The Gospel isn’t something we put on but is something that God has put on us. We experience the effects of the Gospel as it transforms our lives and frees us from the guilt of our sin. But in this verse of Ephesians we are specifically told that we are to do something - not to allow something to be done to us. What is it? It is making sure that we as individual Christians are well prepared and ready to share the Gospel to anyone, in any place at any time.

Being prepared to share the Gospel is part of Spiritual Warfare. Have you ever thought about it in that way before? But it is and we should really start looking at being prepared to share the Good News as part of our spiritual warfare encounters. That why we get trained and train other disciples to do the same. Being trained to share the Gospel helps us to be more effective in spiritual warefare!

Sharing the Gospel is an act of Spiritual Warfare. It is us liberating those still enslaved to sin and blinded by Satan by the sharing of the Gospel to others. We are freedom fighters and the Gospel is the key that unlocks their chains and gives them freedom!

Do you really think that Satan is going to stand idly by and watch you free his slaves. Of course not! Satan will respond; he will fight back hard and with a vengeance. Satan can hardly stand it every time a sinner repents after hearing the Gospel.

Here’s another way to look at it; every time we share Gospel we are picking a fight with Satan.

TIME TO GET PREPARED!

Here’s a couple of books that will help you in getting ready and being prepared to share the Gospel.

The first one is called: THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE: A Journey Into Missional Living. It was written to encourage you, empower you and better equip you to share Jesus with others. Click the link below to get more information about that book!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THIS GREAT BOOK!

The second book is called: LIVING ON MISSION IN SPITE OF MY WORRY. Everyone has had worry about being a witness for Christ. This book will give you both Biblical principles and Biblical practices to rid your life from worry so you can share Jesus with peace of heart and mind. Click the link below to read up more on this powerful book!

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT LIVING ON MISSION IN SPITE OF MY WORRY

Do You Have The Credibility For Sharing Jesus?

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When it comes to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those we know who are far from God having a credible life is everything! Would you agree with that statement?

It isn't which Gospel presentation you are using! I And, it isn't even  how good of speaker you are! 

When it come to effectively sharing Jesus with others it's all about whether or not you're believable or not.  It's all about your credibility!

If you're not credible, if people don't believe you, it doesn't matter how true your message is, people won't trust what you are sharing with them about Jesus.  CREDIBILITY IS EVERYTHING!

So, in today's message/video I want to share with you how to become a credible witness for Christ! How to build that credibility so others will trust in what you are sharing.  

If it is your sincerest desire to live a powerful missional life that brightly shines the Light of Christ in your part of this dark world, then being credible is absolutely crucial!

Take a few moments and check out the following video on developing the credibility necessary for sharing Christ effectively with others!

If you haven’t already signed up to receive our powerful encouragement, equipping and empowerment for living a powerful missional life then just give us your email address in the box below. As part of signing up for the regular updates I will also send you our three part video training on sharing the Gospel with others.

The Mystery Of The Gospel Seed

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

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

The Who, The What and The Why To Participating In The Great Commission

Why is the Great Commission so important that it should become our driving desire in life?  That's what this short video is intended to share.  Watch it and share your thoughts about it.

Why You Should Spend .99 Cents To Buy This Kindle Book!

Watch this video and learn why you should buy this powerful book on missional living!  The book is called, THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE: A Journey Into Missional Living.

For a limited time the Kindle version of this book is on sale for only .99 cents!  That right, .99 cents!

For less than one dollar or the cup of coffee you can down load the kindle version of this book.

Watch this video to find out what you will get for your .99 cents if you decide to buy it.

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR COPY TODAY!

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

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!

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 God Prepares His People To Enter A New Mission Field!

When God is ready to do something new, when He is ready to move His mission into a new territory or when God begins to expand his mission to into areas uncharted, He first has to prepare a person to go and do His will!  Understand this: God's plan for expanding His mission is always through His people.  We who know Christ have been commissioned as His ambassadors to this lost world.  So, when God want to do something new in accomplishing His mission he will first prepare one or more of His ambassadors to go.

In Acts chapter 10 we read of such a preparation when God was wanting to spread the Gospel to the Gentiles.  He first had to prepare his ambassador, Peter, and then commissioned him to share the message of reconciliation to them.  Let's read what Acts 10:9-23 to see what we can learn:

"About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.  He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.  He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners.  It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air.  Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.'  Surely not, Lord!' Peter replied. 'I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.'  The voice spoke to him a second time, 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.'  This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.  While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon' house was and stopped at the gate.  They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.  While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, 'Simone, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.' Peter went down and said to the men, 'I'm the one you're looking for. Why have you come?' The men replied, 'We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.' Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along." (NIV)

When I begin to contemplate this story of Peter's life I see four important things that will help us to be ready to move with God into a new mission field that He wants us to go into. They are:

I.  BE STEADFAST IN PRAYER!

Isn't it interesting that Peter had been in a time of intense prayer just prior to God calling him into a new mission territory?  He had been praying so hard and long that he became hungry.  I have often found that during my times of intense prayer I also have become hungry.  Prayer isn't a passive activity that requires no energy. On the contrary, prayer can be a very exhausting activity that can cause a person to feel physically tired as well as spiritually and emotionally tired.  

Prayer prepares the Christ's Ambassador to be open and receptive to what God wants to share with them. Prayer removes the spiritual blinders and chains that can hold us back from joining God where He is moving.  

We find in Acts 13 that while some of the prophets and teachers at the church in Antioch were in a time of intense worship, fasting and prayer that God called for Barnabas and Saul to be set apart for the work that he was calling them into.  This was to be the beginning of the 3 missionary journey's of Paul.  And it was during a time of prayer, worship and fasting that God called for his servants to be set apart. 

When people share with me that they never sense God's call to be used, I often wonder how intentional they are in prayer and how submissive are they in their prayers.  For if we are praying and have a submissive heart that says, "where ever you lead I'll go" I am confident that God will employ that servant into His service. 

How intentional and consistent are you being in your prayer life?  How submissive are you being as you pray?  Are you trying to tell God what you want and need for him to do? Or, are you asking God what He wants to be done?  Yes, we are to pray for God to meet our needs but, as we learn from Jesus' example, we should be in the attitude that says, "Not my will - but thy will be done!"  

II. RECOGNIZE WHEN GOD SPEAKS!

Next we see God beginning to speak to Peter while he was in a trance.  This experience wasn't confusing to Peter. It was like normal dream people have while they are asleep.  This was different. This was a God encounter and Peter recognized it as such.  Peter wasn't confused about if it was God speaking to him - Peter knew it was God speaking to Him.

You see when God speaks, God makes it clear it is Him who is speaking.  When you look in the Bible to those whom God spoke to, you never find a person wondering if it was God speaking to Him or not.  No! they knew it was God and more importantly they knew exactly what God was telling them.  

God doesn't want His people confused about if it is really Him talking to them! God wants us to know for certain that He is the one talking to us and for us to know clearly what He is saying.  If there is ever a time when we are unsure if what we are sensing is of God or not we have a wonderful promise in the Bible found in James 1:5,

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. Than man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."

What a beautiful and reassuring promise! If you are uncertain that what you are sensing needs to happen or if it is from God or not, just ask him to confirm it to you and he promises he will.  All we have to do is "Ask & Believe".  

Have you come to the place in your relationship with Christ that you can recognize the voice of God and discern what He is telling you? Being able to recognize God's voice and understanding what He is saying is ESSENTIAL for joining God in those new mission fields where He is moving.  Why should God call you to join Him if you're unable to discern when He is talking to you and what He is saying?

III. BE READY TO BE CHALLENGED BY WHAT GOD SAYS!

Moving into a new mission territories most likely will stretch you greatly in your comfort and your values. 

Before this encounter with God Peter was both uncomfortable at the thought of going into the home of a gentile. It was against every value he had been brought up to believe. It was against the establish religious convictions that he had been brought up with.  There was no way he would go into the house of a gentile unless God had first prepared him.  And that's exactly what God did.

Peter wasn't convinced on the first God encounter or even the second God encounter.  It took three different encounters with God and hearing the same message from God before Peter understood that God was serious about what he was saying and before God could send him with those men to go into the house of a gentile. If God hadn't taken the time to prepare Peter, Peter probably never would have accepted their invitation to come.

Are you being challenged about what will be required to join God in the new mission field that you sense He is leading you into? Are some of your church traditions, values and perspectives being called into question and you're not sure how to respond.  Then good, because God is shaping you and fashioning you into the kind of servant that will follow Him where ever He leads. 

IV. BE OPEN TO MOVING IN A NEW DIRECTION!

Is Peter unique? Or, are we a lot like Peter?  I think that we, like Peter, also need to have those God encounters that prepare us to go and join Him in those new mission fields! To be willing to leave the comforts of what is familiar and the treasured established relationships and to go to a place that is unknown has to have a God preparation take place. That doesn't mean it is going to be instant preparation or even an easy transition. It just means it is necessary to happen.

It wasn't instant or even pleasant for Jonah to be prepared and willing to go on his mission assignment!  He had to be swallowed by a whale! How quick and how easy that transition to following God depends on how submissive the one being called is. Our openness to moving in a new direction will depend on how much our will has been broken, so that only God's will is left.  

How open are you to joining God in the new mission fields He is opening up? How much of your own will have you crucified on the cross and how much of God's will is directing you?  These are the question that only you can answer for yourself! No one can answer then for you.

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THE GOSPEL SHARING TRAINING!

How To Endure Difficult Times So To Accomplish Christ's Mission

When we begin to join Christ on His mission and become intentional about making reproducing disciple makers, we can rest assured that we will run into times of trials and tribulations!  Difficult times is something we can guarantee will happen and is something we will need to learn to deal with.  

In Luke 9:23 we hear Jesus telling people what is expected of anyone who wishes to be one of his disciples, 

"Then he said to them all, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily, and follow me."

According to Jesus there are three things that are essential if someone truly wants to become one of His disciples.

1. They Must Deny Themselves: A life of a disciple of Christ is a life of self-denial.  To be His disciples means to no longer have your own ambitions, your own goals or your own desires. Instead, your life is for Christ and Him alone.  You surrender your will for the will of Christ and your desire is to accomplish God's will. 

2. They Must Pick Up Their Cross Daily: The cross in Jesus' day was a painful instrument of death. Joining Christ on His mission quite often will be a very painful experience. Many have suffered greatly and even died for their commitment to Christ and His mission.  
3. They Must Follow Him: It is Christ who sets the place for our missional assignment - not us! He's the one who tells us where to go - not us telling him where we are willing to go.  Quite often Christ's followers found themselves in the most darkest of places, led their by Christ, for the purpose of sharing with those who live in those troubled areas the Gospel.

The suffering and difficult times we may experience are part of God's will for us and in accomplishing the mission set before us!

Jesus Understood Clearly The Pain Associated With Carrying A Cross

As we all clearly know Jesus knew what it meant to pick up a cross and carry it! It meant to suffer and then die to accomplish the work set before Him. Even Jesus didn't relish the thought of going to the cross and would have preferred a different solution if possible.  In Matthew 26:39 we get the rare opportunity to listen in on a prayer by Jesus to His Heavenly Father.  It was a prayer concerning the cross.  Listen to what Jesus asks:

"Going a little farther, He felled with His face to the ground and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will but as you will."

Jesus didn't like the idea of going to the cross. He understood clearly the pain and suffering that was going to come with it. He referenced it as a "cup". This was an Old Testament imagery that was a reference to the Cup of "God's Wrath" being poured out as judgement.  Jesus understood that going to the cross meant that he would be experiencing the full unbridled wrath of His Father.  This was not a pleasant thought at all. 

There's no written record of the Father's answer but we do know what it was by the actions of Jesus and His resolve to go to the cross and die.  The Father's answer was simple,

"Son, you must go to the cross if people's sins are to be forgiven."

And out of love for us Jesus endured the cross.

Just like Jesus was to take up His cross, Jesus tells us that we are to pickup our cross daily and follow him.  He is telling us that on a day by day basis we are to have a heart willing to suffer and possibly die in order to join Him on his mission of redeeming the world.  We must be willing to deny our self interests and desires in order that others, still lost in sin, can hear the Good News and be saved. We must be willing to die, if need be, so others can be born again. 

But how do you do that? How do we endure the pain and suffering that comes with being on mission with Christ so others can be saved?  Again, we find our answer in the example of Jesus.

Jesus Refocused & Looked Past The Suffering.

In Hebrews 12:2 we find our answer through Jesus' example.

" ... For the joy set before Him he endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the Thrown of God."

How did Jesus endure the cross? Not by focusing on the cross but look past it and focusing on the joy that would come after the cross. 

1. The joy of knowing that everything that needed to be done for the salvation of men had been accomplished. 
2. The joy that He was obedient to His father even to the point of death on a cross. 
3. The joy of all those men, women, boys and girls dressed in white robes standing around the Thrown of God singing Holy, Holy, Holy.  Jesus was focusing on the End-vision. 

That's how we endure daily picking up our cross with all the pain associated with it!  We focus, not on the trial or tribulation but on all those who will receive Jesus by faith because of our faithfulness; by focusing on hearing Jesus words spoken to us, "Well done good and faithful servant"; by focusing on the "JOY" that will come when Christ returns and finds us faithful to the call. 

THAT'S HOW YOU ENDURE!

4 Places That Define Your Mission Field

Do you know what they are?  No! Then watch this training and start working in the fields God has assigned you!

In todays training we are going to look at the 4 places that define your mission field.  This is going to answer the question "Who Am I Responsible For In Sharing The Gospel?"  By answer this question you will know where to begin to share the Gospel of Christ and where to begin in making disciples for Christ.

If you have found this training to be helpful please share this post with you Christian family and friends on Facebook and Twitter!  

Please leave a comment and share with us what you think!

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

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

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

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. 

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2 Diseases That Can Kill Your Missional Living

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Being infected with a life threatening disease is never an enjoyable thought but knowing if you have one is better than being an ostrich and hiding your head in the sand!  Why?  Because, if it is life threatening you want to get rid of it.  In todays Missional Living Training we are going to identify 2 diseases that can kill your missional living attempts.  Watch this video and then evaluate yourself to see if you might have one of them.  If you do - then take the necessary steps and get rid of it.

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12 THINGS I DO WHEN I SHARE JESUS DOOR TO DOOR

Yes, I do go door to door to share Jesus with people! And yes, I do find it to still be a very good approach to getting the Gospel out to people!  And yes, I do see lots and lots of positive responses from those I go to and many of them are giving their hearts and live over to Christ. 

For the most part people, even those not interested, have been cordial and polite. It has only been on very rare occasions a person is rude and mean spirited. 

But what I am going to share in this post is 12 things that I go door to door to share Jesus with people in my community.  These are 11 things that I have found to be important reminders.  I share this strategy with you because it can easily be done by any Christian in their own neighborhood where they live or with a Home Fellowship Group of churches that wish to be more missional. 

1.  Go In Teams Of Two Or More

Going in teams of two is a very Biblical approach. In Luke 10 when Jesus was sending out the 72 He sent them in teams of two.  We see the Apostle Paul and Barnabas forming a missional team. We see Peter and John often together on missional activities.  

Teams provide safety, encouragement, and accountability.  If you have to go by yourself then I guess you have to but if you can find someone to go with you, even if its just there to pray while you talk, then that is more desirable.

2. DON'T WEAR SUNGLASSES

I know that sounds silly but the reality is that if people can't see your eyes they will be more suspicious of you. You will look intimidating and it will create an immediate wall of separation between you and the person you're talking to. 

Your eyes communicate your sincerity and passion. Allowing people to see your eyes is part of the communication and connection you are wanting to establish with a person you're trying to share Jesus with. 

3. KEEP YOUR HANDS OUT OF YOUR POCKET

Again, this is about creating trust and putting people at ease.  The reality is that if you talk with a stranger while having your hands in your pocket the person will concentrating more on your hands and pockets than what you are saying to them.

When strangers see you with your in your pocket they are wondering if you have a knife, gun or some other thing they should be worried about.  The solution is simple: Take your hands out of your pockets and fold them in front of you, so they are in plan sight. 

4. INTRODUCE YOURSELF

This seems obvious but I have been amazed with the number of people who have gone door to door but never once shared their name or the name of the person that came with them.  Here's what I usually say,

"Hi, my name is Jay Moore and this is my wife Linda."

The shorter the introduction the better.  Once you share with a stranger your name psychologically you are no longer a stranger! Why? Because they now know you by name.

5. TELL THEM WHY YOUR THERE

This is important and needs to be share real quickly.  The people you are visiting are wanting to know, so there's no need to have a chit chat session with them.  After I introduce myself I will say something like this:

" ... we are going through the neighborhood sharing with people that God loves them, we care about them and because life is really tough for people these days we have come by to see if there's anything you need God to do for you, any miracle you need God to perform for you that we can pray about for you.  Is there anything you need God to do for you?"

Many times after saying this many people have questions.  They may ask, "Are you JW's" or "Are you with a church?"  or they may not really understand what you said and they ask, "What are you here for?"  After answer those clarifying question I'll always go back and say, "So, is there anything that I can pray for you about?"

6. PRAY WITH THEM FOR THEIR REQUEST

After they share their prayer request immediately pray for them about that specific need. Ask God to meet that need and do in such a way that the person knows it was God who did it.  Believe me when I tell you that people are hungry for prayer - they need prayer - and very often accept offers for prayer.

Prayer communicates to the person you care about them.  And communicating that you care is critical to preparing to share the Gospel.  There's old saying,

"People don't care how much you know - until they know how much you care."

Praying for people communicates that you care a whole lot!

7. ASK PERMISSION TO TELL THEM A TRUE STORY FROM THE WORD OF GOD

Once you have prayed for them ask them if you can tell them a true story from the word. of God. This is important because the Bible teaches us that faith comes from hear and hearing the word of God.  To share a Bible story about Jesus is a powerful way to initiate a spiritual conversation that will lead to a Gospel presentation. I would suggest the story of Jesus at the house of Simon the Pharisee' when the sinful came and began to cry on Jesus' feet.  

Don't read the story - tell it in your own words but accurately.  Don't add to the story but also don't leave anything out of it. 

8. TRANSITION TO TELL YOUR PERSONAL TESTIMONY

After sharing a true story from the Bible immediately begin to share you personal testimony of coming to Christ.  Don't ask permission.  They already gave you permission to share a Bible story just continue to talk by sharing your story in Christ.  Start your testimony off by saying, "Just like this person who was desperate to see Jesus and receive forgiveness of sin so I to had a time in my life when I wanted my sins forgiven.  Then tell them your story. Share with them what you life was like before coming to Christ, how you came to Christ and what your new life in Christ is like now.

9. TRANSITION TO TELL A SIMPLE GOSPEL PRESENTATION

Once you have finished your testimony say something like this, "And the best part of my new life in Christ is that Jesus now has me going around telling people that just like the person in the story was forgiven of their sins and just like I was forgiven of my sins, so now they too can experience Jesus' forgiveness for their sins.  And then share with them a simple Gospel presentation.

10. ASK THEM THE QUESTION

Once you finished sharing the Gospel ask them the million dollar question! Ask them, "Would you too like to experience Jesus' forgiveness of sin?"  If they say, "yes" then lead them in a sinners prayer of commitment. A good fisherman knows that they need to reel in the line if they will ever catch a fish; likewise a good disciple maker knows they need to ask the question to receive Christ.

11. CELEBRATE THEIR DECISION

Once you're done praying get excited and let it be known how amazing a decision they just made.  Let them know and experience your excitement for their decision to follow Christ.

12. SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO COME BACK IN A FEW DAYS

Before you leave make sure you set up a time to meet within the next few days to begin learn more about Christ and what he has commanded.  This is when you begin to disciple them to be obedient followers or Christ.

How To Shine The Light Of Christ At Thanksgiving

Here's one idea how you can quickly and easily shine the Light of Christ in your part of this dark world during Thanksgiving.  

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HOW TO HELP THOSE UNSURE ABOUT GIVING THEIR LIFE TO CHRIST!

How do you help those people whom you share the Gospel to but aren't ready to surrender their life over to the care and control of Christ?  It's not that they are opposed to it but they are just unsure and need more information.

In this short training video we are going to ask and answer that question.  I pray you find it to be helpful as you go out and shine the Light of Christ to your part of this dark world!

Please share your thoughts as a comment below! I'd love to hear from you!

How A Solicitor Phone Call Turns Into A Missional Living Opportunity

A good friend of mine, Eric Therrien, who is a plumber, shared with us on Facebook how two telephone calls, a phone solicitor and a phone sales person, provided him an opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Listen to the story in his own words.

FACEBOOK POST:

"A telephone solicitor called while I was eating dinner, I decided to share the Gospel with him. I explained to him the origin of sin the the solution that God has provided. This then led to a conversation about about his spiritual state. It ended in prayer. Please pray for Dorell's salvation."

ERIC'S COMMENT TO HIS OWN POST:

"Just got off the phone with another phone solicitor, pray for Flora."

MY COMMENT:

"This is so awesome!  Eric share with us all how you initiate that conversation after they call. How do you begin to share the Gospel?"

ERIC'S RESPONSE:

"Jay, Dorell was calling to speak with my wife he was from verison customer service. When I told him that she was not here I just asked him if I could share the Gospel with, obviously God's been working with him because he was so open. Flora was with some charity that has a truck that goes through the neighborhood and wondered If I could leave clothes or other good at the curb. This was to easy I told her I didn't have anything to leave out but what I did have I would share with her. This lead to a Gospel presentation. Every call is different I started doing this over a year ago because living waters ministry recommended practicing giving the good person test this way. People were open to taking the test but I found I could rarely get to the Gospel, so I have refined it to the Gospel first."

ISN'T THIS POWERFUL?  ISN'T THIS SO SIMPLE? ISN'T THIS SOMETHING WE ALL COULD BE DOING? 

Of course it is! If we would become intentional and look for the opportunities for where God is already at work.  

Can you imagine what would happen if you made a commitment to share the Gospel with every wrong number or telephone solicitor that called you?  You might find that God starts sending you lots of wrong numbers!

 LET'S DO IT!