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April Spare Change

3 Takeaways from Life on Mission

Over the past week or so I have found myself reflecting on the Life on Mission class that just ended.  What I loved most about the study is it really captures what is important about sharing our faith.  It is first and foremost not an evangelism strategy like we would think.  What is unique about this book is it is concerned with the soul of the believer first.  They spend a lot of time helping believers understand they have a biblical calling and responsibly to share.  Believers must think of themselves as missionaries and understand what it means to grow in the Lord, be a part of the church, and to make disciples.

I have been trained in many different evangelism strategies and none of them have taken the time to really look into my spiritual life.  Our desire to witness and make disciples should not be a product of guilt or even sense of duty, rather it should flow out of our love for Christ and love for others.  If I am far from the Lord and not living for him then I probably won’t be that concerned for the spiritual welfare of those around me; but if I am living life as a sacrificial offering to the Lord (Romans 12:1-2) then watch out!  I will begin to see the opportunities to reach out and serve those right around me.  God will challenge me and give me a heart for people that are hurting in my community.  God will also use me to do so much more than I even imagined.

If you missed the class, it is okay, just get the book and read it on your own.  It also works great for a small group study.  Without further delay here are my takeaways from the Life on Mission Class:

1. A Challenge to Live as a Missionary – We have got to wake up.  Missions is not just what happens half-way around the world.  There are so many people right here that need Jesus.  We need to start seeing ourselves as missionaries.  That means we are intentional in sharing our faith, in serving our community, and in making
disciples.  We must view ourselves not as  normal, everyday, ordinary Christians, but as missionaries placed in our communities, our jobs, and our churches.  If we really believe that God is in control and that He wants to use us to reach people then let’s have the faith to be used as missionaries right where we are.

2. Refocusing of my Spiritual Priorities – One of the greatest misconceptions in the church today is that we are just called to share our faith, but it doesn’t stop there.  We are commanded to make disciples.  We need to refocus on making disciples not just simply living and sharing our faith.  Who are you spiritually investing in?  We need to constantly be pouring our lives into someone else, helping them to draw closer to Jesus, and in doing so we will come closer to Him.  We also need to understand that discipleship is not a complicated process.  It’s about walking through life together and growing in the Lord.  This is as simple as talking about God’s Word over coffee or talking about being a better father while working on a car.  It’s not so much about changing your schedule as it is adding someone into your current schedule and modeling Christ for them.  We are called to make disciples and need to take that mandate seriously.

3. A New Way to Share – The Life on Mission book and study was started with a simple diagram of the gospel that was meant to be shared on a napkin.  This diagram which has come to be called The 3 Circles Life Conversation Guide is an amazing tool to share the gospel.  It focuses on how God’s design has been ruined by sin.  It also shows us that sin has led to brokenness in our lives and that we often try to find ways to deal with that brokenness, but it gets us nowhere.  It’s not until we believe in the gospel that we find healing.  Then we can start to repair and restore our lives to honor God’s original design.  There is also a free app that you can use to share and get
training on how to share.

March Spare Change

The Armor of God: A Short Story

“It’s ESPN Radio, live at the Progressive Insurance Studios back with Mike and…”  Click.

My eyes open as I turn off the alarm.  It’s 6 a.m., the time I have been trying to get accustomed to lately.  I used to get up this early, or earlier, but with the new baby sleep is something that is so precious.  Recently I’ve been rolling out of bed as late as possible, but this has been murder on my devotional life.  So here I am, committed to getting up early and spending time with the Lord.

As I arise and put on my glasses I notice the little demon trying to hand me my phone.  It’s a little one, like a miniature person just sitting there on my nightstand, cold and grey.  He reminds me of the Orcs in the Lord of the Rings movies, but without the menacing face.  His face has more of a sad, perpetually downtrodden look.  He wants me to check in on Facebook or check my email, I push him away.  I am once again committed to no media until after I have my time with the Lord.

As I walk downstairs another small demon tries to hand me the remote.  He wants me to check the scores of last night’s games, harmless right?  Wrong.  I push him away.  I notice that a horde of grey demons, all various sizes and shapes, are sitting on my Bible.  They pile up, trying to hide it from me.  They try to put all their weight down on it so I can’t pick it up.  This morning I easily reach under the pile and grab my Bible out.

I flip over to Colossians 3.  I have been reading this passage since last Sunday.  It was mentioned by my pastor and it really struck me as something I need to focus on.  I read the same words I read yesterday, but with renewed vigor.  I want to live every day in this new way that only Christ offers.  I want to put to death the sin in my heart.  I begin to pray that God would help me put on the new nature today, that will help me to know Him better, and become more like Him.

After this I begin to pray.  I pray for my family, my church, situations I know about, relationships that need work, etc.  As I pray I begin to get ready.

I know that I will not be able to stand today in my own power, so I must gear up for the day.  I put on the Belt of God’s Truth that holds the whole thing together.  I put on the Body Armor of Righteousness, which is Christ’s righteousness imparted to me.  I lace up the Shoes of the Gospel of Peace, these will give me a foundation and direction for my day.  I also put on the Helmet of Salvation to protect and renew my mind.

I then grab one of my weapons, the Shield of Faith.  This is a faith that started out very small but has grown.  The shield is bigger now, it was
heavier at first but has grown lighter, despite being bigger.  Faith is now easier as I remember the faithfulness of God.  The shield is rooted deep in my soul.  God has made it an unstoppable force in my life that protects me from all the attacks of the devil.  The only time I get hurt is when I sit it down.  I try to never put it down these days.

Finally, I grab my sword, that is God’s Word; I feel the soft leather, the worn and marked pages.  The handle is grasped firmly by my hand. The blade shines and flashes in the pale morning light.  It is almost as if this sword is alive; it has a heartbeat that beats with mine.  I don’t dare sheath the sword, I keep it out and ready throughout the day.  In the past I have sheathed it or put it down to rest only to be immediately attacked.  Then to pick it up again is a burdensome thing, the guilt of my heart and mind makes it heavy.  Today it is light and sharp.

I finish getting ready, dressing myself in my work clothes.  I eat my breakfast, kiss my wife and kids and I am off.  I step out into the surprisingly warm weather.  The sun is shining on my face.  I look around and see a woman running.  My glance begins to linger, but before it turns into a
problem I immediately recognize the demon on my shoulders, holding my head, trying to force me to look.  Fortunately, I am well armed.

One slice of my sword and the thought of that lady is gone.

Another full-sized demon is lurking around the corner on the front lawn, he fires arrows at me.  The first arrow is one of hatred, followed closely by one labeled contempt.  Behind him is my neighbor.  He doesn’t see me from around the corner of the house.  Once again he lets his dog poop on my lawn and doesn’t pick it up.  I hate stepping in those little landmines when I mow the grass or, even worse, the kids track them through the house.

Once again I recognize the attack.  I hold up my shield.  Thud, thud…the two arrows are extinguished as they hit my shield.  They fall uneventfully to the ground and disappear.  I decide not to get mad, but I am resolved to talk to him later and deal with the matter in a Christ-like manner.

I look around, no more demons, no more attacks…for now.  As I get in my car and drive to work I think, it’s still early and already the attacks come at me.  What will the rest of the day hold?

To Be Continued…