ACTION

“But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” ‭‭James‬ ‭1:25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Advancing

Christianity

Through

Inspirational 

Outreach 

Now

    Spending time in the presence of the Lord and seeking His direction will always prove to be the most prudent course of action. God has a victorious plan for every battle we face. Scripture promises again and again; those who seek the Lord will be blessed. It also promises those who reject the Lord will be left without hope.

“Say to the nations far and wide: “Get ready for war! Call out your best warriors. Let all your fighting men advance for the attack. Hammer your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Train even your weaklings to be warriors. Come quickly, all you nations everywhere. Gather together in the valley.” And now, O Lord, call out your warriors! … Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, tread the grapes, for the winepress is full. The storage vats are overflowing with the wickedness of these people.” Thousands upon thousands are waiting in the valley of decision. There the day of the Lord will soon arrive.” ‭‭Joel‬ ‭3:9-11, 13-14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

    The “day of the Lord” is coming. That day will be both great and terrible. We are all being confronted by the wickedness in this world. As Christians, followers of Christ, we carry the message of hope and salvation. We are sharing that message around the world.

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭52:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.” ‭‭Jude‬ ‭1:20-23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

    Faith calls us to action. Faith is inspirational. Our action, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, moves the Kingdom of God forward. God expects us to act with wisdom. He never calls His people into battle without a plan.

““Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

    Outreach and action that is effective and inspiring is built upon the word of God. It is His world that guides, directs, motivates and changes us. The word of God teaches us to do right.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

    When is the time to take action? Now is the time. Where should we focus our efforts? God has all the answers. Wherever He has placed us, He expects us to be fruitful in ministry.

“For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭6:2‬ ‭NLT‬‬ 

TARGETED

“I will bring honor to your name in every generation. Therefore, the nations will praise you forever and ever.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭45:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Traveling

Across

Racial

Generational

Emotional 

Traps

Energizes

Discipleship 

    Discipleship and life can and does deal us more than a few devastating blows. Still we are called to “make disciples.” Following Jesus is a journey that demands our willingness to go into new places to share God’s grace, mercy and love. At the same time we are being required to honestly share His warning against wickedness and expectations of holiness.

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:18-20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

    Journeys make traveling necessary. Going, sending, leading are all verbs used in the Bible to describe our response to God’s plan. Every nation, every generation, and every circumstance can become a minefield of emotional traps, but the presence and power of the Holy Spirit energizes our efforts in making disciples.

“Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭25:5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.” ‭‭John‬ ‭14:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

    The power is real and it serves a single purpose. Allowing us to become the children of God. As His children, we become witnesses telling the world the reality of God’s many benefits.

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” ‭‭John‬ ‭1:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

    Once we are children of God, we have access to gifts that flow from the Holy Spirit. These gifts help us spread the message of salvation while encouraging and strengthening the church. The power and presence of the Holy Spirit in us brings benefits and blessings to all.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”” ‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

    Discipleship is more than welcoming individuals into the family of faith and leaving them to sink or swim on their own. It is the ministry of reconciliation and education. Discovering the path that leads to life everlasting is not an individual activity. It is strengthened by teamwork.

“And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:18-19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

    Leadership and congregational preparation set the tone and scope of spiritual growth, but the health of the church and relevance of evangelistic efforts can only produce spiritual fruitfulness through the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Outreach may draw people from every ethnicity and age group, but only the Holy Spirit can transform lives.

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:11-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

    Targeted discipleship is intentional and active. Planned, organized and presented training offered through the love of God will produce spiritual fruit. The Holy Spirit will draw multi-generational people from multi-racial backgrounds to build His Temple. 

“Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

    Step out in faith. Allow God to inspire each of us. He has promised to build His church. 

CALLED

 “For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Chosen

Available 

Lifelong

Leadership 

Expressing 

Dedication 

    For me very few feelings are more gratifying or motivating than being chosen. As a child I never enjoyed sports. I was big, clumsy and clueless when it came to physical activity. So, I was always the last one picked for any team game. Academically I was smart but unmotivated. It’s likely some people reading this had the same experience as children, and I hope we can all embrace the truth: God has called each of us into His family and given us gifts to fulfill our callings. He has chosen us.

“You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.” ‭‭John‬ ‭15:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

    We can be encouraged today because God chose us! He knew our weaknesses. He atoned for our sin. He promised any and all provision for the task; simply ask. The one requirement is that we make ourselves available. As Christians, our lives are our ministries. In this world we need gainful employment. But, did we consider our gifts, abilities, and personalities before we took our jobs?

“So I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is our lot in life. And no one can bring us back to see what happens after we die.” ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

    Being available is not always comfortable and it’s almost never convenient; but if we understand the call we are answering, and the work that we are doing builds the Kingdom of God we can have peace in accomplishing the task. The needs we are responding to strengthen a brother or a sister. Addressing the need glorifies God. We don’t have to be experts. We need to be available.

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭6:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:13-15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

    Serving God is a lifelong endeavor. Personally my entire life is a miracle of God’s handiwork. I am only here because the church prayed and God answered. Born at 7 months, weighing 3 pounds and 14 ounces, my parents were told by the Doctor who delivered me, “Don’t expect to take this child home.” I fit in a shoebox 30 days later when they were able to take me home.

“Yet you brought me safely from my mother’s womb and led me to trust you at my mother’s breast. I was thrust into your arms at my birth. You have been my God from the moment I was born.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭22:9-10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

    Regardless of when and how we come to Christ, service from salvation forward is a lifelong process. We depend on leadership at many levels, and through every stage of our development. During childhood we need parental guidance. As we mature, we depend upon leaders in the church. However, the most crucial level of leadership we seek is that of the Holy Spirit.

“Listen to me, all you in distant lands! Pay attention, you who are far away! The Lord called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭49:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ You are witnesses of all these things. “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭24:45-49‬ ‭NLT‬‬

    We gain knowledge and experience in life. All these nuggets of truth we collect don’t stop with us. As we grow in faith, we share what we know of God with those who will listen in the hope that the world will be transformed.

“Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience. Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.” ‭‭Titus‬ ‭2:2-8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

    Everything we are called to requires dedication. God has chosen us, but the response we demonstrate throughout our life expresses our dedication to serve Him.

“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires…So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.” ‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭1:3-4, 10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

PLANNED

 “Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139:24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Prophetic

Long-range

Achievements 

Non-

Negotiable

Eternally

Designed

    God has designed our lives and known us according to His word from before our birth. He laid out a plan for each of us, but gave us the opportunity to choose our own path. The most frustrating part of this process is; while God knows the end from before the beginning, He does not share every detail. 

“You guided my conception and formed me in the womb.” ‭‭Job‬ ‭10:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

    We are not the first generation of sinners. God saw the sinful nature of mankind and from sin’s entry into the world; God put His prophetic plan into place.

“And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

    The plan of salvation was the ultimate long-range plan accomplishing exactly what God intended. His plan was to restore our relationship with Him through Christ. God never desired our suffering and He never promised a problem free existence. What He offered was a choice between life and death.

““Do not forget this! Keep it in mind! Remember this, you guilty ones. Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭46:8-10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

    Recently among my family and friends there has been Covid, cancer, and any number of illnesses. I’ve heard from some that these things are God’s judgements upon us for our failures and sin. Don’t you even entertain thoughts along those lines. That is not how God works!

“People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭28:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” ‭‭3 John‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God’s concern from the beginning has been the condition of our souls. We are all wasting away physically. The judgment of God is not pronounced in this life, but the achievements and benefits of Christ in us are eternally sealed from the moment we accept Him. The truth is non-negotiable, established eternally and designed by God! He offers us every opportunity to repent.

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭9:27‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” ‭‭John‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” ‭‭John‬ ‭11:25-26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

    Our lives were planned. We simply need to make the right choice and trust God.

“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬