"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
Romans 10:15b
In 7th grade I nearly jumped out of my size 10 shoes when I read Isaiah 52:7, How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Middle school boys tend to prey on girls’ greatest insecurities and one of the boys in my class tormented me about the size of my feet. So when I heard the news that those who proclaim good news have beautiful feet that sealed the deal. When I graduated I would be a missionary in India and my feet would be beautiful! Fast forward to today. I’m not in India, I still wear size 10 shoes, and thankfully, have a much deeper and more accurate understanding of this verse!
No matter the size or agility of your feet, God deems them beautiful when we open up and talk about Him. It is a beautiful privilege to share the Good News of His redemption, salvation, and peace and it is evidence of our salvation! If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved (Romans 10:9-10).
Be swift-footed in sharing the message. Paul urges his readers in Romans 10:14-15, How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? Do you faithfully pray and support pastors, missionaries, and ministries that tell children and adults, locally and globally, about Jesus Christ? Do you have a Top Ten list of people you know that need Jesus? If not, start one! Daily pray for them and regularly share the Good News with them.
Be swift-footed in correctly explaining the Word of truth. When the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost and the bewildered crowd was trying to make sense of how each one heard the wonders of God in their own tongues, they were amazed and perplexed. They asked one another, “What does this mean?” (Acts 2:12) When people ask us, “What does this mean?” Are we ready to give a clear, truth-filled response? Oswald Chambers writes, “If you cannot express yourself well on each of your beliefs, work and study until you can. If you don’t, other people may miss out on the blessings that come from knowing the truth.” Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
PASSION Step: Take a look at your feet. Are you dragging your feet when it comes to telling people about Jesus or are you swift-footed? Be beautiful: Open up and talk about God.
Witnessing is not a spare-time occupation or once-a-week activity. It must be a quality of life. You don’t go witnessing; you are a witness.
Dan Greene
Grace and peace,
Lenae
A connecting place for British Columbia GEMS counselors and club coordinators. . .
Monday, February 28, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
OPEN YOUR EYES
Jesus said, “Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”
John 4:35
While devout and pious Jews did everything they could to avoid traveling through Samaria, Jesus walked to it, sat, and opened up to a sinful Samaritan woman about who He was: a Jew (John 4:9), greater than Jacob (John 4:12), a prophet (John 4:19), the Messiah called Christ (John 4:25, 29).
Jesus’ example of opening up and talking about God shatters excuses I’ve used for not being bolder in my witness for Christ.
I’m not sure how to start up a conversation with a stranger who is so different than me. Jesus was blameless and without sin speaking to a Samaritan whom Jews did not associate with, who had five husbands and was living with a man that was not her husband (John 4:9, 17).
I’m too tired. Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well and talked to her (John 4:6, 7).
I’m thirsty and hungry. So was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food) (John 4:7-8).
When the disciples returned with lunch they were surprised to see Jesus talking to a Samaritan woman. The woman left her water jar, went to town, shared the good news of the living water that had been given to her, and returned to the well with a number of townspeople who needed Jesus, too (John 4:27-30).
Can you picture it? Hungry and thirsty souls made their way to Jesus. People streamed out of the village to receive living water and the Bread of Life. They accepted the invitation: Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, your soul will delight in the richest of fare (Isaiah 55:1-2).
As the people came for spiritual nourishment, the disciples had their eyes fixed on physical bread. They urged him, “Rabbi, eat something” (John 4:31b). Jesus told them that He is feasting on food! “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work” (John 4:34). He shifted their gaze from their stomachs to the harvest, to see the people that were walking to the well, and to the people beyond them, in this generation, and the generations beyond them. “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” (John 4:35).
PASSION Step: Open your eyes! Open your mouth and talk about God! There are hungry and thirsty souls that need Jesus today.
Do you know how hungry people are for something bigger than them themselves? People all around you feel empty. Pay attention. Open your eyes.
Mark Buchanan
Grace and peace,
Lenae
John 4:35
While devout and pious Jews did everything they could to avoid traveling through Samaria, Jesus walked to it, sat, and opened up to a sinful Samaritan woman about who He was: a Jew (John 4:9), greater than Jacob (John 4:12), a prophet (John 4:19), the Messiah called Christ (John 4:25, 29).
Jesus’ example of opening up and talking about God shatters excuses I’ve used for not being bolder in my witness for Christ.
I’m not sure how to start up a conversation with a stranger who is so different than me. Jesus was blameless and without sin speaking to a Samaritan whom Jews did not associate with, who had five husbands and was living with a man that was not her husband (John 4:9, 17).
I’m too tired. Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well and talked to her (John 4:6, 7).
I’m thirsty and hungry. So was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food) (John 4:7-8).
When the disciples returned with lunch they were surprised to see Jesus talking to a Samaritan woman. The woman left her water jar, went to town, shared the good news of the living water that had been given to her, and returned to the well with a number of townspeople who needed Jesus, too (John 4:27-30).
Can you picture it? Hungry and thirsty souls made their way to Jesus. People streamed out of the village to receive living water and the Bread of Life. They accepted the invitation: Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, your soul will delight in the richest of fare (Isaiah 55:1-2).
As the people came for spiritual nourishment, the disciples had their eyes fixed on physical bread. They urged him, “Rabbi, eat something” (John 4:31b). Jesus told them that He is feasting on food! “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work” (John 4:34). He shifted their gaze from their stomachs to the harvest, to see the people that were walking to the well, and to the people beyond them, in this generation, and the generations beyond them. “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” (John 4:35).
PASSION Step: Open your eyes! Open your mouth and talk about God! There are hungry and thirsty souls that need Jesus today.
Do you know how hungry people are for something bigger than them themselves? People all around you feel empty. Pay attention. Open your eyes.
Mark Buchanan
Grace and peace,
Lenae
Monday, February 14, 2011
FOR THE SAKE OF HIS NAME
"It was for the sake of the Name that they went out."
3 John 7a
In their 2010 year-end report, one of the six major patterns that Barna Group identified among Christians in America is that they “are becoming more ingrown and less outreach-oriented.” They discovered that less than one-third of God’s people planned to invite anyone to join them at a church event during the Easter season and teenagers were less apt to discuss Christianity with their friends. Barna Group reported, “Despite technological advances that make communications instant and far-reaching, Christians are becoming more spiritually isolated from non-Christians than was true a decade ago.”
The Apostle Paul summed up his call to missions in Romans 1:5: Through him and for his name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. The Apostle John said this about missionaries: It was for the sake of the Name that they went out (3 John 7a) [emphasis mine].
It is for the sake of His name that we have the privilege and responsibility to open up and talk about God through our prayers and support of worldwide missions and to the world that has come to settle and dwell in the place that we call home. It is for His sake and for His glory that we should be eager to invite girls to club and their families to church. It is for His sake and for His glory that we must not be timid or ashamed to speak to our neighbors, co-workers, and the person in the waiting room or in the grocery line about Jesus. When people scoff or mock you remember that if you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you (1 Peter 4:14).
Pastor Al once shared a story about his daughter who was teaching in a foreign country that banned Christianity. In the university’s classroom she taught students English; in the girls’ bathroom she led a Bible study and people got saved. For the sake of His Name she opened her Bible and simply set before them the truth of the Gospel.
There are people in our communities that need us to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. There are people on every spot of this planet who need a message from the Word of God. For the sake of His Name will they hear about Jesus’ saving love through you and me? Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
PASSION Step: You are a chosen instrument to carry the name of Jesus. For the sake of His name whom will you open up and talk about God to today?
A divine life is hidden in every seed we sow for Jesus. It matters not how small the seed may be, nor in what secluded part of the vineyard it may be sown – a prayer, a word, a look, a pressure of the hand – God's almighty energy is enfolded in every seed which we sow in the Master's name and for His glory.
A. E. Kittredge
Grace and peace,
Lenae
3 John 7a
In their 2010 year-end report, one of the six major patterns that Barna Group identified among Christians in America is that they “are becoming more ingrown and less outreach-oriented.” They discovered that less than one-third of God’s people planned to invite anyone to join them at a church event during the Easter season and teenagers were less apt to discuss Christianity with their friends. Barna Group reported, “Despite technological advances that make communications instant and far-reaching, Christians are becoming more spiritually isolated from non-Christians than was true a decade ago.”
The Apostle Paul summed up his call to missions in Romans 1:5: Through him and for his name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. The Apostle John said this about missionaries: It was for the sake of the Name that they went out (3 John 7a) [emphasis mine].
It is for the sake of His name that we have the privilege and responsibility to open up and talk about God through our prayers and support of worldwide missions and to the world that has come to settle and dwell in the place that we call home. It is for His sake and for His glory that we should be eager to invite girls to club and their families to church. It is for His sake and for His glory that we must not be timid or ashamed to speak to our neighbors, co-workers, and the person in the waiting room or in the grocery line about Jesus. When people scoff or mock you remember that if you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you (1 Peter 4:14).
Pastor Al once shared a story about his daughter who was teaching in a foreign country that banned Christianity. In the university’s classroom she taught students English; in the girls’ bathroom she led a Bible study and people got saved. For the sake of His Name she opened her Bible and simply set before them the truth of the Gospel.
There are people in our communities that need us to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. There are people on every spot of this planet who need a message from the Word of God. For the sake of His Name will they hear about Jesus’ saving love through you and me? Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
PASSION Step: You are a chosen instrument to carry the name of Jesus. For the sake of His name whom will you open up and talk about God to today?
A divine life is hidden in every seed we sow for Jesus. It matters not how small the seed may be, nor in what secluded part of the vineyard it may be sown – a prayer, a word, a look, a pressure of the hand – God's almighty energy is enfolded in every seed which we sow in the Master's name and for His glory.
A. E. Kittredge
Grace and peace,
Lenae
Monday, February 7, 2011
GO FISHING
“Come follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 4:19-20
One of my earliest Sunday School memories is singing the children’s song, “Fishers of Men.” We’d cast our imaginary poles and reel in our imaginary fish as we sang, “I will make you fishers of men, fishers of men, fishers of men. I will make you fishers of men, if you follow me.”
In his book, Fish! – The Call of The Master Fisher, Roger S. Greenway (aka Area 34 Leadership Trainer Wendy Deurloo’s father!), gives a convicting and compelling call to all people to go fishing – open up and talk about God!
Living in a small community where preschoolers still sing “Fishers of Men” and there are multi-layers of evangelism to children at home, church, and school, I was especially challenged by the chapter, There Aren’t Any Fish In This Pond. Greenway tells about a time that he attended a church that had very little outreach to the people in its neighborhood. He writes, “The members reasoned like this: Around here, most people already have a church, so it’s no use talking to them. The rest aren’t interested in church, so talking to them is a waste of time, too.”
When he and his wife were invited to the church’s annual picnic that took place on a farm with a large pond, he asked if there were any fish in the pond. He was told, “Just frogs and weeds.” An avid fisher of men and fish, Greenway went to his car, took out his fishing rod, and from the chuckles of the locals, knew they were probably all thinking he was a crazy missionary. After a couple of casts, the snickers stopped. Greenway landed a thirty-six-inch northern pike.
How often have you and I assumed there were no fish in the pond? How often have we assumed that friends, co-workers, and neighbors have a relationship with Jesus? How often have our clubs quit extending the invitation to come after the first few weeks of the season? Greenway said of this church family, to me, and maybe to you, “These were gracious, warmhearted Christians who meant well, but they had become so introverted that they’d lost the fisherman’s spirit of adventure and faith.”
In the Parable of the Wedding Feast the king sent the servants out “fishing.” They were to invite people to come to the wedding feast. He said, “Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find” (Matthew 22:9). And they did finding both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests (Matthew 22:10b).
PASSION Step: The Master Fisher has called us to go fishing. Who will you open up and talk about God to today?
The Lord doesn’t call all of us to venture into unfamiliar places. He wants many of us to fish close to shore, which means in general North America where people have been familiar with Christianity for a long time.
Roger S. Greenway
To obtain a copy of this book that inspires readers to Open Up and Talk about God, email Wendy Deurloo: wadeurloo@sbcglobal.net or gree@calvin.edu. The cost per book is $10 plus $5 shipping and handling for orders of one to five books. All proceeds from the sale of this book will support the worldwide spread of the gospel.
Grace and peace,
Lenae
Matthew 4:19-20
One of my earliest Sunday School memories is singing the children’s song, “Fishers of Men.” We’d cast our imaginary poles and reel in our imaginary fish as we sang, “I will make you fishers of men, fishers of men, fishers of men. I will make you fishers of men, if you follow me.”
In his book, Fish! – The Call of The Master Fisher, Roger S. Greenway (aka Area 34 Leadership Trainer Wendy Deurloo’s father!), gives a convicting and compelling call to all people to go fishing – open up and talk about God!
Living in a small community where preschoolers still sing “Fishers of Men” and there are multi-layers of evangelism to children at home, church, and school, I was especially challenged by the chapter, There Aren’t Any Fish In This Pond. Greenway tells about a time that he attended a church that had very little outreach to the people in its neighborhood. He writes, “The members reasoned like this: Around here, most people already have a church, so it’s no use talking to them. The rest aren’t interested in church, so talking to them is a waste of time, too.”
When he and his wife were invited to the church’s annual picnic that took place on a farm with a large pond, he asked if there were any fish in the pond. He was told, “Just frogs and weeds.” An avid fisher of men and fish, Greenway went to his car, took out his fishing rod, and from the chuckles of the locals, knew they were probably all thinking he was a crazy missionary. After a couple of casts, the snickers stopped. Greenway landed a thirty-six-inch northern pike.
How often have you and I assumed there were no fish in the pond? How often have we assumed that friends, co-workers, and neighbors have a relationship with Jesus? How often have our clubs quit extending the invitation to come after the first few weeks of the season? Greenway said of this church family, to me, and maybe to you, “These were gracious, warmhearted Christians who meant well, but they had become so introverted that they’d lost the fisherman’s spirit of adventure and faith.”
In the Parable of the Wedding Feast the king sent the servants out “fishing.” They were to invite people to come to the wedding feast. He said, “Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find” (Matthew 22:9). And they did finding both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests (Matthew 22:10b).
PASSION Step: The Master Fisher has called us to go fishing. Who will you open up and talk about God to today?
The Lord doesn’t call all of us to venture into unfamiliar places. He wants many of us to fish close to shore, which means in general North America where people have been familiar with Christianity for a long time.
Roger S. Greenway
To obtain a copy of this book that inspires readers to Open Up and Talk about God, email Wendy Deurloo: wadeurloo@sbcglobal.net or gree@calvin.edu. The cost per book is $10 plus $5 shipping and handling for orders of one to five books. All proceeds from the sale of this book will support the worldwide spread of the gospel.
Grace and peace,
Lenae
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
OPEN UP AND TALK ABOUT GOD
"I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly."
Psalm 40:9-10
I have three daughters. Two of them can be quite tight-lipped – I pull information from them with great skill, care, and timing, like a fisherman strategically reeling in the “big one.” And one daughter vomits information with ease. Sometimes I hear more than I asked for or even really needed to know!
Which of these dear girls describes the way you open up and talk about God? Are you like King David? He was quick to proclaim God’s righteousness and speak of His faithfulness and salvation (Psalm 49:9-10). Or are you like Peter in the court of the high priest when he denied Jesus (John 18:15-27)?
Does fear of people lock your lips? If so, what do we fear? Being scorned, disgraced, or shamed? Being hated or tormented? Jesus said, “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him” (Luke 12:4-5). Warren Wiersbe wrote, “When you fear God alone, you need fear no one else; and you can boldly witness for Christ. You are important to God and precious in His sight, so never fear what people can say or do.”
To those who are tight-lipped about His name, Jesus gives this warning, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels” (Luke 9:26).
To those who open up and talk about God, Jesus makes this promise, “I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God” (Luke 12:8).
Dear sisters, let us not hide God’s love and truth from anyone – whether brothers and sisters in Jesus, or those who are lost and in need of a Savior. The harvest of hearts that needs a personal relationship with Jesus is plentiful! They’re in your grocery store, on your street, in the schools and churches, downtown, uptown, in apartment buildings, trailer courts, suburbs, and in your home.
Think about what Jesus has done for you and be prepared to share it. Not next week, not when you have time, but today. Today ask Him to break the seal on your lips and open the floodgates of proclaiming His righteousness, declaring His love, and gently and boldly telling others about Jesus.
PASSION Step: Share with someone today what Jesus has done for you.
Souls are of the greatest value to God, and they should be to us as well.
Greg Laurie
Grace and peace,
Lenae
Psalm 40:9-10
I have three daughters. Two of them can be quite tight-lipped – I pull information from them with great skill, care, and timing, like a fisherman strategically reeling in the “big one.” And one daughter vomits information with ease. Sometimes I hear more than I asked for or even really needed to know!
Which of these dear girls describes the way you open up and talk about God? Are you like King David? He was quick to proclaim God’s righteousness and speak of His faithfulness and salvation (Psalm 49:9-10). Or are you like Peter in the court of the high priest when he denied Jesus (John 18:15-27)?
Does fear of people lock your lips? If so, what do we fear? Being scorned, disgraced, or shamed? Being hated or tormented? Jesus said, “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him” (Luke 12:4-5). Warren Wiersbe wrote, “When you fear God alone, you need fear no one else; and you can boldly witness for Christ. You are important to God and precious in His sight, so never fear what people can say or do.”
To those who are tight-lipped about His name, Jesus gives this warning, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels” (Luke 9:26).
To those who open up and talk about God, Jesus makes this promise, “I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God” (Luke 12:8).
Dear sisters, let us not hide God’s love and truth from anyone – whether brothers and sisters in Jesus, or those who are lost and in need of a Savior. The harvest of hearts that needs a personal relationship with Jesus is plentiful! They’re in your grocery store, on your street, in the schools and churches, downtown, uptown, in apartment buildings, trailer courts, suburbs, and in your home.
Think about what Jesus has done for you and be prepared to share it. Not next week, not when you have time, but today. Today ask Him to break the seal on your lips and open the floodgates of proclaiming His righteousness, declaring His love, and gently and boldly telling others about Jesus.
PASSION Step: Share with someone today what Jesus has done for you.
Souls are of the greatest value to God, and they should be to us as well.
Greg Laurie
Grace and peace,
Lenae
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