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This week’s devotions are based on the introduction week of “Explore God” (WATCH HERE)

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For a brief time 22 years ago, life paused…people wondered…people worried…questions were asked…loved ones were hugged…the skis grew silent and the churches filled up.

September 11, 2001 will remain a strong memory for all alive to remember the terrorist attacks that took the lives of many and destroyed the sense of security that US citizens had enjoyed since the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941.

In North Carolina where I was pastoring at the time, by that evening we had a prayer service planned and open to all who wanted to huddle around God’s word of grace and peace.

Many came.

For a brief moment people sought answers to their uncertainties in a church.  Why does evil exist?  What is the purpose of life?  Is God real? And others.  Yet the shock of the tragedy soon returned to the routine of life and the urgent in life pressed out the importance of faith.

Would people do the same today?

I believe the same questions would be asked, but many would not seek answers in a church.

In 2020, a study Pew Research found that the number of Americans who identified as Christian was 64% in 2020, with 30% of the US population being classed as “religiously unaffiliated.” In 1990s that number was 92%.  Those that were born just before 9/11 are 30% less likely to find answers to life’s most challenging moments and questions from a Christian foundation. 1 in 3.  Let that sink in for a moment.

While a person’s association with Christianity may be less likely, a person’s propensity to ask challenging life questions is as real today as it was in 2001.

The difference is they are not coming to a church to have those questions answered.  Some may be looking online.  Some may be looking to secular philosophy.  Some may not be looking. But many may seek input from a trusted friend.

And when they do, would you be ready?

If a person is experiencing their own personal tragedy and asked, “Why does God allow evil in the world?” Would you be able to answer?

If a person sees more discouragement and feels like life doesn’t matter and asks you, “What is the purpose in life anyway?

If a person is in the middle of a religious studies course at a secular university, they may ask you, “Is God real?”

And when they ask, would you be ready to answer?

I pray our nation never again experiences another 9/11.  Much more than that, I pray that everyone of God’s people, you and me, are prepared to give a reason for the hope we have and answer life’s biggest questions clearly and succinctly. Peter encourages us:

1 Peter 3:13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.

Be ready!  The questions are coming…Are you ready?

 

Apply: Stay with these devotions for the next weeks and I pray it is another tool to better equip you to give a reason for the HOPE you have!

Prayer: Lord God thank you for proving this journey of faith.  I ask that you answer life’s big questions for me and then equip me to answer life’s big questions for others! AMEN.

This week’s devotions are based on Week 5 of “I Love My Church…Love by Sharing!” (WATCH HERE)

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Have you ever wondered or questioned why you were born when you were, lived where you lived or worked where you worked? Or wondered the same in the present tense…why am I working here, living here, or alive today?

Many articles have been written about finding your purpose and your passion and the “reason you were born.”  Often times these are focused on secular components that lead you to make a contribution to the world and people around you.

Like with many things in life, I can go through the process of discovering my purpose on this earth from a secular sense and find some satisfaction and value.  However, as a Christian who has been forgiven and bought by the blood of Jesus, our purpose is not just for a secular outcome, but for a spiritual reason.  We begin to realize that GOD has knit me together and allowed me to be born for this time.  I realize God has given me gifts and talents to use, not just to benefit society, but to glorify him.  I realize my purpose is wrapped up in my relationship to God.

Let me add one more thing to this.  It is very possible that God has you alive today, living where you live and working where you work because he wants to use you to share him with someone else.  When Jesus left this earth he chose to entrust his message of grace to his disciples and handful of followers.  He could have had a different way to spread the power of the Gospel, but he chose people.

Nothing is different today.  You have been given the comfort and peace of the Gospel not only for your own life, but to share with the life of another.  How do we know?  One great example is in Acts 17 when the Apostle Paul is speaking to a group of secular philosophers and wanted them to move from a natural knowledge of God to believing in Jesus as their Savior.  He indicates that God also orchestrates the lives of all people so that they might be in a position to discover him.

Acts 17:26 From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27 God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

What this also means is we might be on the other end of someone God has allowed to live today, reside next to us or work with us for the very purpose that he wants YOU to be in that spot to share him when that person’s curiosity desires to know who the true God is.  As God’s people he wants us to always be prepared to share the hope with have with gentleness and respect.

God has you in the right place at the right time…be ready to share when he sends someone your way!

 

Apply: What changes for your day when you realize God has orchestrated today not only for your benefit and blessing, but also for you to be a blessing in someone else’s life?

Prayer: Lord thank you for a message to share, a time to share it and someone with whom to share it. AMEN.

This week’s devotions are based on Week 5 of “I Love My Church…Love by Sharing!” (WATCH HERE)

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We share because we care.

You can tell the difference.

You’ve talked with a salesperson who you can tell is simply interested in getting a sale, not what’s best for you.  He (or she) goes on about the importance of the product, how it works, and what great value it has and then asks for the sale.

The difference is stark when a sales person comes to you because a) you’ve invited them because of a need you have, b) they seek to understand the problem or issue you are having before suggesting a product or solution and c) are willing to suggest their product may not be exactly what you need or are looking for.

One cares about themselves.  One cares about you.

Both share the product, how it works and the value it has, but one shares to make a sale and the other shares because they care about you and helping you.

The same could be said of sharing our faith.

We can engage in a conversation about Christianity and share the importance of believing in Jesus, the details about Jesus’ work for us and the great value faith has and turn a person off.

This is frustrating and discouraging.  We wonder, “How could anyone say ‘no’ to Jesus?”

They probably aren’t saying, “no” to Jesus, they are saying “No” to your approach. 

You shared before you cared.

I heard it first from leadership teacher John Maxwell, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”  This is very true of sharing our faith as well.  Before your share, take time to care. Here’s an example from Jesus’ ministry:

Matthew 9:35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” 

Jesus cared for the people around him.  He felt for them in his gut.  He healed many and shared with many.  He cared for them and they knew that what he said and what he did was because he cared.  Jesus had no underlying motive other than for people to understand and experience his love.  He knew people wouldn’t care about what he had to share until he shared how much he cared.

We are an answer to Jesus’ prayer for more workers in the harvest field.  He has given us his love and grace and we are well equipped to share it with others.

But first take time to care.  Ask questions.  Get to know the person.  Understand what the hurt is.  Then share.

I remember a conversation with a gal about original sin.  She didn’t understand why sin and its consequences were mentioned in my sermons, devotions and teaching.  As we conversed I could have explained all the passages about original sin and why she should understand it was an accurate teaching of the Bible.  However, I asked this question, “It seems like the topic of original sin is a big issue for you.  I’m curious why, amidst all the other teachings of the BIble and Christianity, that one stands out to you?”

Tears started to flow.  She had struggled for years growing up to be a perfectionist to gain her fathers’ approval.  Straight A’s in school wasn’t enough.  Athletic performance wasn’t enough.  She felt like she could never achieve her fathers’ love apart from being perfect.  She struggled to understand that her Heavenly Father would see her as imperfect.  Once she shared, I could share the Gospel more precisely to let her know she didn’t have to carry the load of perfection, but Jesus did for her.  Her Father loved her dearly, even though she wasn’t perfect.

While the load didn’t fully lift, the question enabled a more caring sharing because it addressed the real hurt, the real concern because in that conversation I was able to show how much I cared.

 

Apply: How can you show care and concern for someone today?  Ask the Lord to use an opportunity to care to open an opportunity to share.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for caring for each of us in a personal, real way.  Help me to always show how much I care before I share you with them.  AMEN.

This week’s devotions are based on Week 5 of “I Love My Church…Love by Sharing!” (WATCH HERE)

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We can debate whether postings on social media are a true sampling of the human psyche, but perhaps they give us an insight into what is important to people.  What’s important…people talk about.  What they think is valuable…they share.

Here’s just a few examples I noticed this evening with a short scroll through Facebook:

• A family announcing the birth of their child and the grandparents-to-be excitedly sharing the news on their feed.
• An individual who had started a successful handyman business, sharing his method to gain good customers and make a good income.
• An individual celebrating a birthday and sharing all the things for which she is thankful as she starts a new year.

We share what is important.  We share what we love.  We share what we are excited about. 

So what about our faith?

The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:13 “It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence.”  

The reality that drove the Apostle Paul to speak about Jesus to everyone and anyone who would listen was his deep love for the faith that God had given to him.  If he didn’t believe that Jesus lived, died and rose again for HIM, he would have not become the greatest first century missionary he was.  How do we know?  Because before God changed his mind and heart, he was a vocal advocate AGAINST Jesus.  He loved persecuting Christians and speaking against Christ.  Why?  Because he felt it was important and he loved his Pharisee way of life.

We speak about what we love, whether we love Jesus or we love something else.  We will speak about what we love.

So, perhaps here’s a consideration:

If I am having troubles or fears about speaking about Jesus, perhaps I need, not a course in witnessing (although that could be helpful), but a reconnection to the deep love that Jesus has for me and the significant sacrifice he made for me.  As I fall deeper in love with all Jesus has done for me, speaking about it may just become easier and easier.

So, what things do you love about your faith and the basis of that faith in Jesus?  Here’s a few that come to mind for me.

• I love that my identity, value and worth are not based on any human’s opinion, but solely on my heavenly Father’s perspective and the actions of Jesus that died for me…showing how valuable I am to him.
• I love that when death comes, heaven is my home.  I don’t have to fear death, rather I can embrace it and look forward to.
• I love that God has given me his Word of truth to have an objective foundation for not just faith, but for every aspect of life.

The interesting thing is this: These are the topics I probably find myself speaking of. I want people to love Jesus for the same reasons I do.

So take some time today and list at least five reasons that you love Jesus and your heavenly Father.  If someone brought up these topics, would you find it easier to share?  I bet you would!

 

Apply: Do take some time today and simply finish this sentence: “The reason I love God so much is…”

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for giving me so many reasons to love you.  Help me always love you so much that I have no other option but to share you with others! AMEN

This week’s devotions are based on Week 5 of “I Love My Church…Love by Sharing!” (WATCH HERE)

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^{Philippians 1:7} It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.

You have to learn to share!

Growing up we are naturally very good at keeping things to ourselves.  We love to have a fist that is clenched on a toy and when a sibling or friend tries to take it we yell, “No! Mine!” 

Have you ever wondered where this comes from?  It certainly screams evidence of a sinful, selfish nature that loves to keep things for myself.  Perhaps secular psychologists might say it is the survival instinct that leads us to keep for ourselves what we feel is important to our survival.  We fear not having enough.

The point is this.  We need to learn to share.  It doesn’t come naturally.

But I’m not just talking about material things, but the thing that matters most:

Jesus.

That shouldn’t be hard to share, should it?

But kind of it is.  We LOVE that Jesus has come to us and WE have the personal assurance of forgiveness.  We are the recipients of God’s grace and we have the hope and promise of eternal life.

That shouldn’t be hard to share, should it?

But it is.

Why is sharing Jesus hard for you?

Here’s some things that make it hard for me…yes, even as a pastor, I have struggles.  So I’m continuing to learn and grow to share myself.

Fear is always a component.  Fear of how a person will react.  Fear of an objection they may raise.  Fear that the person would be offended.  Fear of saying the wrong thing.  What fears do you have?

Laziness creeps in easily.  I have better things to do.  I don’t have time for an involved conversation.  I don’t want to take the time to build a relationship with an unbeliever, it’s a lot of work and who knows if it will matter anyway.

Apathy keeps me sidelined.  The person won’t listen anyway.  Will Jesus really make a difference in their life?  They are so opposed to Christianity, I don’t think it will matter at all.  Perhaps apathy also shows up because I have been a Christian all my life and the impact is not “felt” as much as one who comes to know Jesus later in life.  It maybe isn’t all that exciting at times.

No unChristians in my circle of relationships. Statistically, when a person comes to know Jesus within 2-3 years their relationships change to believers.  What about over 50 years…it takes intentional effort to build a relationship with an unchurched/unbelieving person.  That, honestly, is not always easy.

There are lots of excuses I can come up with for not sharing Jesus and just keeping him to myself.  I repent of them.  All of them are just as ridiculous as a 2-year old holding a toy and screaming, “Mine!”  So forgive me Jesus for just keeping you to myself and Spirit of God overcome my fear, laziness, and apathy and restore in me the joy of God’s salvation and the desire to share it anytime I can.  

 

Apply: Who do you know needs Jesus?  Pray for an opportunity to share with them.  If you don’t know anyone, simply pray for an opportunity today to share your faith with someone else.

Prayer: Lord forgive me when I make excuses for not sharing your love and grace.  Fill and empower me with your grace so my fists open and my heart and lips are excited and ready to share you love with someone today!  AMEN.