4 Tricks Of Satan

The Bible tells us in Ephesians 6:11,

"Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil ..."  (NAS)

The word "schemes" in the Greek is the word "methodia" and literally means:

"To trick or lie with the purpose to deceive"

Satan's tactics in spiritual warfare are attempts to trick or lie to us with the aim of deceiving us to believe and do things that are contrary to God's will and way and once we have fallen to his deception we suffer the consequences of our choice. 

But here's the good news!  The scripture has identified for us Satan's schemes so that we are not unaware of them.  Today I am going to list 4 of those tricks and/or lies.

#1 TRICK/LIE:  SATAN IS CONCERNED ABOUT YOU

Read Matthew 4:1-4 and you see Satan trying to tempt Jesus to turn some rocks into bread. Satan is trying to sound concerned about Jesus being hungry.  His trick was that he was offering a solution for Jesus' suffering motivated by concern.

But Satan wasn't concerned about Christ. He was just pretending in order to trick Jesus so that Jesus would fall into his temptation.  

Satan's temptation to us will often come across as a compassionate solution to our problems or sufferings.  But don't fall for his trick. Once you yield and give in to Satan his true nature will come out and you will see that he doesn't really care for you at all.

#2 TRICK/LIE:  SATAN MISUSES THE BIBLE TO CONFUSE YOU

Read both Matthew 4:6 and Psalm 91:11-12 and you will discover that Satan was using scripture to tempt Jesus to once again sin.  But in his use of the scripture he actually misuses it by omitting a whole line from the verse in Psalms.  The line he omits is

" ... to keep you in all your ways ...".  

Which is a very important part to leave out. Why? Because God dispatches His angels to help us keep the ways of the Lord and not to sin against God.  

Satan knows the Bible! And he will misuse it to get you to believe that what is really a sinful act is a Biblical act.  IT'S NOT! DON'T BE FOOLED.  Know your Bible - study your Bible so you won't be fooled by Satan's misuse of it.

#3 TRICK/LIE:  SATAN CAN PROVIDE A SHORTCUT TO REACHING YOUR GOALS

The third temptation of Jesus by Satan is found in verse 8 of Matthew chapter 4 where he takes Jesus onto a high mountain to see all the kingdoms of this world and then offers them to him if Jesus would only bow down and worship him.  

What was Satan doing?  He was offering Jesus a shortcut.  Why was Jesus there?  To become King of all the earth!  God's plan was going to lead Jesus to the cross to accomplish that goal but Satan's plan was quicker, easier and less painful. 

Understand that Satan will often try to get you to see that his plan will accomplish the same goal that God has for your life but it will be quicker and again less painful.  You will be tempted to take it but don't be fooled.  IT IS A TRICK TO GET YOU TO SIN!

#4:  TRICK/LIE: SATAN DISTORTS WHAT GOD SAYS TO GET YOU TO DISTRUST GOD

Go to Genesis chapter 3 and read the temptations of Adam and Eve and what you will find is that Satan was trying to deceive them to believe that God really didn't have their best interests at heart and that God was trying to hold them back from being all they could be.  Satan said,  

"You won't die. God knows that on the day you eat of it you will become like God knowing good and evil." 

In other words Satan is saying that God is trying to control you with the fear of death and hold you back from becoming like Him.  Satan loves to trick people to believe that God doesn't really care about them so they won't trust God.  DON'T BELIEVE IT - IT'S A TRICK!

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3 Important Choices That Lead To Powerful Missional Living

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 The Faith Of Moses Can Teach Us About Living A Powerful Missional Life

"By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.  By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned." Hebrews 11:27-29 (NIV)

Moses Faith Teaches Us:

I.  That Our Faith Will Help Us Stay Focused On God Who Will Help Us Overcome Our Fears!

"By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger he persevered because he saw him who is invisible ..."  

Pursuing God's mission will always bring opposition.  That thought can be a very frightening proposition.  There will always be people that oppose God and His will and they will come to attack God's servants in order to stop the success of God's plan.

Faith allows you to see past the opposition to focus on the God who delivers.

II.  That Our Faith In God Will Help Us Live Obedient Lives To God!

"By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel ..."

Moses had heard how God was going to send the death Angel and kill all of the first born sons that lived in Egypt.  He also heard about how God provided a way for His people to escape the judgement coming from the Death Angel.

Because Moses' faith allowed Him to believe that God would be true to His word and everything would happen just as He said - that faith propelled Moses to obey God by getting the Children of Israel to put the blood of the lamb on their door post and thereby making it possible for the Death Angel to pass by those homes.

Obedience is always necessary for experiencing God's blessings.  Obedience always come before the blessings flow.

Part of missional living, as taught by Christ at the Great Commission, is to teach new disciples to not only understand all that Christ commanded but to also obey all that Christ commanded. 

Missional Living doesn't teach God's word just for knowledge but to lead Christ's followers to obey.  Missional Living is an obedience driven discipleship venture.

III.  That Our Faith In God Will Help Us Overcome All Obstacles!

"... By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned." 

NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL A BIG OBSTACLE!

Moses and the Children of Israel would never have made it to the Promise Land if they didn't exercise their faith in God and start walking through the Red Sea on dry land with a wall of water on both sides of them.  They had to trust God that they could get across safely.  

Unresolved obstacles hinders God's people from moving forward to accomplishing God's plan and mission!

In missional living there will always be obstacles standing in the way of accomplishing the work of God but faith allows us to trust God to overcome those obstacles by providing away.  

Faith compels us to move forward trusting that as we step forward God will prepare the way. 

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Powerful Missional Living And The Law Of Reciprocity

When you begin to fully understand and put into practice The Law of Reciprocity your effectiveness in shining the Light of Christ and sharing the Gospel will grow by leaps and bounds.  The Law of Reciprocity simply says:

"When someone does something nice for you, you will have a deep-rooted psychological urge to do something nice in return. As a matter of fact, you may even reciprocate with a gesture far more generous than their original good deed."

The word "Reciprocity" simply means to exchange something with another person for mutual benefit.  Here's how the Law of Reciprocity when you do something nice, kind or meaningful for another they feel compelled to reciprocate and do something for you in return.  

This law has been practice in all kinds of fields and professions.  Salesmen have used it to gain contracts from prospective clients; governments have used it to build their international relationship with another country; and even law enforcement have used it to entice potential witnesses.  

This law is powerful in tugging on the emotional strings of people.  People feel compelled but not manipulated to return the favor and show the same kind of kindness that was shown to them.

Here's how it works when it comes to living a powerful missional life!  Let me give you two scenario's:

Scenario #1:  

Let's say you have a co-worker that's become seriously ill and landed themselves in the hospital.  You hear about and take the initiative to go over to the hospital with a card and flowers to see how they are doing.  Immediately, as you arrive with the card and flowers in hand you have struck an emotional chord with your co-worker. Your thoughtfulness of taking time out of your day and taking money out of your pocket has just made a huge deposited into your co-workers emotional bank account.  As the two of you talk you find out that they are very nervous about their physical health and unsure of what the future holds for them.  So, in response you ask your co-worker if you could pray for them, their healing and for the doctors as they treat them.  The Law of Reciprocity kicks in. Because you have given to them by taking time out of your day and buying the beautiful flowers and because they have a real fear they say, "Oh yes, please do.".  After you pray for them right then and there you then ask them if you can share with them a story out of the Bible that you feel might give them some comfort and hope.  The Law of Reciprocity kicks in again and they say, "Please do."  So, you tell them one of the stories of Jesus healing a person and how their faith in Christ allowed the healing to come.  

Scenario #2:

Let's say you have decided to shine the Light of Christ in your own neighborhood and you are going to go door to door in your neighborhood talking about Christ.  Instead of just knocking on someone's door and asking if you can share with them about Jesus (which will more than likely get an immediate "NO") you implement the Law of Reciprocity.  Here's how it goes:  You knock on the door and when the person answers the door you introduce yourself by saying,  "Hi, my name is Jay Moore, (please use your name) I am one of your neighbors and I am just going around meeting my neighbors and because I know that the times are really hard for people I am also asking if there is anything going on in your life that I can pray for you about.  Is there anything you need God to do for you?  They may question you about if you are a Jehovah Witness or a Mormon Missionary.  Just assure them that you are neither and that you are just a person who follows Jesus and you sincerely want to know if there is anything going on in their life that needs prayer.  This is the Law of Reciprocity at work.  You are not asking anything from them - you are simply and sincerely asking if you can help them through prayer.  You will be surprised the number of people who will do need prayer and will be blown away by your gesture of kindness and will share with you their need.  Once they share that need pray for them right then and there. And pray specifically for the need they shared. I have personally seen people in tears as I pray for them. Your sincere prayer is making a large deposit in their emotional bank account. After, you have finished the prayer ask them if you can come back in a week or two to see how they are doing.  The Law of Reciprocity will make it easier for them to say "Yes".  Now, that has opened the door for you to come back and share Jesus and the Gospel with them. 

Theodore Roosevelt is quoted as saying,  

"No one cares how much you know, until the know how much you care."  

That's another way of explaining the Law of Reciprocity.  If you come in the name of Jesus Christ and to share the Gospel with someone but first help them in their time of real need you will have built and emotional bridge that will allow the sharing of the Gospel to be well received.  This is the reason why Jesus on the Sermon On The Mount said,  "Let you light so shine before men in such a way that they see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven."

If you will implement this law to your everyday missional living by doing good and sincere deeds for people you want to reach with the Gospel before you go and share with them you will see dramatic results.  THIS IS POWERFUL!

Do Loving Deeds & Follow It Up With SharingThe Gospel!

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A Biblical Case Study For Using Civil Disobedience As A Missional Living Strategy

Does the Bible give us an example for using civil disobedience as a way to bring glory to God and live a powerful missional life?  If so, does the Bible shed light on "When" and "How" to use it properly?

Watch this video as I share a true story from the Bible and whats answers we can glean from it for these questions.

Biblical Case Study For Civil Disobedience In Missional Living

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Compassion: A Key Component To Missional Living

Having compassion is essential for living a powerful missional life.  Without compassion it is truly isn't possible to share Jesus! Why? Because Jesus embodies compassion!  He is the personification of compassion!  If you are not compassionate you cannot fully represent Jesus to a lost and dying world.  The message of Christ and the Heart of Christ must go hand in hand.

From the story of the Good Samaritan we can learn 3 essential activities to express compassion.  First let's read the story and then I will share with you these 3 activities.

"In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii[a] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’  “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”  The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him. Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”  Luke 10:30-37 (NIV)

First Activity:  SEE:

The first thing that you need to do before you can truly show compassion on someone who is in need is to look and see the person in need.  All three of the men walking by saw the man who had been robed and beaten.  They saw his trouble and difficulty.  But I fear that in todays world we can go through an entire day never really seeing those around us who are in suffering and pain.  I fear that we can actually walk by people who have given up on life and are barely existing and never see them or even know they are there because we are too wrapped up in our own little life.  How can you show compassion for someone if you aren't looking to see if people are hurting? THE FIRST STEP IS TO LOOK & SEE!

Second Activity: STOP:

While seeing is the first step it does absolutely no good if we aren't willing to stop and inquire about the other person and how they are doing.  If you see and keep walking by you accomplish nothing except for developing an even harder heart.  To stop means to check on the person, talk to the person, asking them if they are ok, inquiring and evaluating on what you learn.  When the Good Samaritan stop he discovered the man was naked, beaten and bleeding. He needed medical attention. He needed someone to come alongside him and do for him what he was unable to do for himself.  When we stop we are discovering what the needs of the person truly is.  THE SECOND ACTIVITY IS TO STOP & EVALUATE.

Third Activity:  SERVE:

Once you've seen and stopped if you truly want to be compassionate you will need to then serve the person in need. You will have to alter you planned activities in order to help this person you have discovered in need.  If don't believe it was in the plans of that Samaritan to pickup a stranger, nurse him, take him to an inn and pay for his medical care.  But that's how the story goes that Jesus told.  To truly show compassion to person in need you will have to serve them and serving them will cost you.  It will cost you time, money, and emotional energy. It will mean you will have to put on hold other things you have planned to help this stranger. THE THIRD ACTIVITY IS TO SERVE & GIVE!

When God's people can truly learn to show this kind of compassion for all people and not just those we like then the Light of Christ will truly shine brighter than ever in this spiritually dark world.  When we can show this compassion then the people of the world will want to know about our relationship with God because we will have proven to them how much they mean to us. 

You see most people could care less how much you know - until they know how much you care.  This kind of compassion proves you care!

3 Hinderances To Living A Powerful Missional Life

When it comes to understanding how to live a missional life that brightly shines the Light of Christ and the things that keep us from that kind of lifestyle we really need to consider three hinderances. These are three things that will keep you from any kind of desired lifestyle but especially a lifestyle that shines the Light of Christ on a day by day basis.

Hinderance #1:  Not Realizing What's Involved To Live A Powerful Missional Life

This is a problem of KNOWLEDGE.  You're failing to live that powerful missional life simply because you don't know what it takes to have that kind of lifestyle.  You don't know what skills are necessary, you don't know what kind of attitude is needed, and you don't know where to begin.  This hinderance is solved through education.  Anyone can gain the information needed for developing the skills of a powerful missional life; anyone can learn the common attitudes that most powerful missional people have and through training a person can begin to develop a road map, with a starting point identified, that they can use to pursue this kind of life.  EDUCATION IS THE SOLUTION!

Can Civil Disobedience Be A Tool For Living A Powerful Missional Life?

Hinderance #2:  Not Pursuing A Powerful Missional Life

This is a problem of MOTIVATION!  If motivation is the issue keeping you from living a powerful missional life that's because you have competing desires pulling your heart away from shining the Light of Christ.  This might be because you haven't fully surrender both your heart and will over to the authority and control of Christ.  It may be that we still think that the world has something to offer us and have failed to come to a heart conviction that all pursuits of this world is meaningless.  We are still trying to seek both the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world in the same time.  The solution to this hinderance is an experience with God that creates a total brokenness of our heart and soul.  It's an experience with the living God that brings a new passion, a new desire and new goals.  It's an experience that leaves us with just one desire and that's to be in complete harmony with the desires of God.  BROKENNESS IS THE SOLUTION!

Hinderance #3:  Not Achieving A Powerful Missional Life

This is a problem of persistence.  If you know what to do and you have a true hearts desire to live that powerful missional life that brightly shines the Light of Christ in your part of this dark world but still haven't accomplished it yet it becomes a matter of just not giving up!  It's deposition of tenacity.  It's that warrior or athlete attitude that says, "No matter what I will never quit; I will never give up; I will never surrender.  With my very last breath I will be pursuing living that missional life that makes Christ known.  People who don't quit are the ones who achieve their desired lifestyles and goals.  For them it's just a matter of time.  It's not "If" they achieve it but "When" they achieve it.  PERSISTENCE IS THE SOLUTION.

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

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 We Can Learn From The Fosbury Flop About Missional Living!

Lessons for living a powerful missional life can be discovered from many different areas of life, including track and field.  The Fosbury Flop was an innovative change to performing the high jump.  Watch this video and discover a powerful lessons on shining the Light of Christ brightly 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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Living A Powerful Missional Life Is A Lot Like Playing A Good A Good Poker Hand

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.

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1 Essential Activity For Powerful Missional Living

Have you ever wondered what you can do to shine the Light of Christ brightly through missional living?  After all not everyone is able to physically go door to door evangelizing! Right?  Well here is one activity that all Disciples of Christ can do in living a missional life!  Watch this short video and begin to put it into practice and thereby allowing the Light of Christ to shine brightly in your part of this dark world and all over the world as well!

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2 Approaches For Dealing With Missional Living Failures

If you haven't already figured it out yet you will soon but no one lives a perfect missional life all the time!  We try new things like sharing our testimony but mess up; or we try to explain the Gospel only to stumble all over the place.  How we deal with these failure will greatly determine if we become successful at living a powerful missional life or experience the death of our missional living.  Watch this video and be encouraged to never quit or give up!

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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.

Staying Focused On What Missional Living Is All About

Are you focused when it comes to missional living or are you all over the place and not really sure what it is you should concentrate on?  This is short video I am going to share with you that we need to get back to the heart of what missional living is all about and what you need to stay focused and prepare to live that powerful missional life anytime, anywhere and with anybody.  

WHAT AND BE CHALLENGED!

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1 Powerful Way To Encourage Other Christians For Missional Living

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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2 Essential Characteristics For Developing A Missional Living Reputation

Listen to what it was that caught the attention of the Apostle Paul and others around the known world at that time that caused him to thank God for them every time he thought of them.  These two things were the characteristics that built a powerful missional living reputation for that church.

Do you have those characteristics?  Watch and find out.  

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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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Gaining Wisdom For Missional Living

Powerful and effective Missional Living requires the wisdom!  Where does that wisdom come from?  Watch this short video and encouraged to be wise in sharing Jesus with others, making reproducing disciples makers and on shining the Light of Christ brightly in your part of this dark world!  

Please Share This Post With Your Christian Friends On Facebook & Twitter To Encourage Them To Live A Powerful Missional Life!