Monday, May 30, 2016
Friday, May 27, 2016
Fish Tales 5/27/2016
Why do we worship?
Discipleship always brings up great questions? Recently we have been discussing the person of Jesus. Where does he say that he is God? What does it mean to be the Son? Does Jesus command us to worship him?
You never know what to expect when the Holy Spirit guides your feet into the homes of the lost. What you can expect is that God is discipling you while you are discipling another. A co-laborer in the harvest uses the idea called duckling discipleship. You share what you know as you go. (future article)
Seriously, some questions really cause you to pause, pray and dig into the word before responding. This is good. Good for you and for your disciple. You both grow in the knowledge of the Lord. What about worship? Worship is complex and simple at the same time. We can look at what is important to us just by looking at two registers. Open up your day timer and check register.
Say what? Yes. See how you spend your time and money. It will show you what you worship. Most of us are selfish and self-focused. Time and money is spent on us. We worship what we perceive as worthy. God is the creator. We are the creature. God is holy. He has shown mercy and is good to us. He is worthy to be praised! We see throughout the NT where people and angels worship him.
A person received sight. He worships. A woman healed of bleeding. She worships. Child raised from the dead. The family worships him. Jesus receives that worship. He doesn't tell them to stop. Yet, he tells Satan to worship the Lord your God only. God the Father in Hebrews 1 tells all the angels to worship Jesus. Why? Why does God the Father say worship him? Why do people worship a man?
He is worthy! He is creator. (John 1, Heb. 1, Ps. 102, Col. 1) He died and rose on the third day and now sits on the throne! He is worthy to be praised.
Brothers, as we make disciples who will make disciples we will help others learn not only how, but why we worship Jesus. We help them discover who he is and what he has done. Worship is a life lived for Jesus. All of our lives bring him glory.
Be encouraged! Go Fish!
Discipleship always brings up great questions? Recently we have been discussing the person of Jesus. Where does he say that he is God? What does it mean to be the Son? Does Jesus command us to worship him?
You never know what to expect when the Holy Spirit guides your feet into the homes of the lost. What you can expect is that God is discipling you while you are discipling another. A co-laborer in the harvest uses the idea called duckling discipleship. You share what you know as you go. (future article)
Seriously, some questions really cause you to pause, pray and dig into the word before responding. This is good. Good for you and for your disciple. You both grow in the knowledge of the Lord. What about worship? Worship is complex and simple at the same time. We can look at what is important to us just by looking at two registers. Open up your day timer and check register.
Say what? Yes. See how you spend your time and money. It will show you what you worship. Most of us are selfish and self-focused. Time and money is spent on us. We worship what we perceive as worthy. God is the creator. We are the creature. God is holy. He has shown mercy and is good to us. He is worthy to be praised! We see throughout the NT where people and angels worship him.
A person received sight. He worships. A woman healed of bleeding. She worships. Child raised from the dead. The family worships him. Jesus receives that worship. He doesn't tell them to stop. Yet, he tells Satan to worship the Lord your God only. God the Father in Hebrews 1 tells all the angels to worship Jesus. Why? Why does God the Father say worship him? Why do people worship a man?
He is worthy! He is creator. (John 1, Heb. 1, Ps. 102, Col. 1) He died and rose on the third day and now sits on the throne! He is worthy to be praised.
Brothers, as we make disciples who will make disciples we will help others learn not only how, but why we worship Jesus. We help them discover who he is and what he has done. Worship is a life lived for Jesus. All of our lives bring him glory.
Be encouraged! Go Fish!
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Fish Tales 05/26/2016
What "can" you do?
In the every day life of a disciple maker there are challenges and great things. Not everything is perfect or goes perfectly as planned. There are many ups and downs. You hope it is more like the stock market. We have to view it over a period of time. What we are looking for is the "trend".
It's not always what you are doing, but the direction you are going. As disciple makers we must regularly remind ourselves that disciple making is a process or cycle. While it has results, the focus is on the process. A number of years ago we worked along side CRU. Part of the focus was getting a decision.
When that didn't happen, people got frustrated. Some decided to quit. Others pressed forward. Success was gauged on the results. We found that this was not healthy. The cycle of discipleship (diagram) is focused on "faithfulness" as the main metric for success. There will be fruit. From time to time you can still get frustrated or down in the process. Even Jesus asked his followers, how long must I still be with you?
What can you do?
Think about it. Write it down. Say it loud.
I've had to have this conversation with myself and others. Then I pray. I go to a place and get quiet. Share my frustrations and concerns with God. Then I read his word. I talk to Him about it. I might cry. Yeah, I said it. I ask God to show me what's happening. He reveals what I have done and can do. Then I go do what I can. I leave the rest to him.
When we arrive at the throne of grace, he will not list all the metrics we are concerned about. He will address our faithfulness to his will. So, continue to do the process. Plant seed. Water it. Care for it. Trust that this foolish process will yield what God desires of it.
Be encouraged. Go Fish!
Thursday, May 19, 2016
Fish Tales 5/19/2016
Barracuda!
How many of you now have the song by Heart playing in your head right now? Besides that song, I remember an interesting run-in with an actual barracuda while snorkeling in the Keys. It was very unsettling.
We were swimming around and enjoying the clear water and seeing all the colorful fish and plants. It was exciting. Out of the corner of my eye I saw something flash. About ten yards away from me and my son was about a five foot scary fish with big teeth staring at us. I wanted to walk on water at that moment and get the heck out of there.
Honestly, most of the church feels this way when they see JWs and Mormons heading to our doors. Some people, not me, like to argue with them. I heard that some will turn the lights off and go hide. We have to stop looking at these people like barracudas!
It's an opportunity.
JWs in particular are trapped. The Organization uses guilt and fear to keep the people in check. They use mind control techniques to convince them that the Watchtower is the "true" church. Only through them is salvation possible. They are truly in bondage.
We must strive to be learners and find ways, not to win arguments, but to win souls. You will definitely grow in your knowledge of the Lord as you engage these people.
Be encouraged. Go Fish!
How many of you now have the song by Heart playing in your head right now? Besides that song, I remember an interesting run-in with an actual barracuda while snorkeling in the Keys. It was very unsettling.
We were swimming around and enjoying the clear water and seeing all the colorful fish and plants. It was exciting. Out of the corner of my eye I saw something flash. About ten yards away from me and my son was about a five foot scary fish with big teeth staring at us. I wanted to walk on water at that moment and get the heck out of there.
Honestly, most of the church feels this way when they see JWs and Mormons heading to our doors. Some people, not me, like to argue with them. I heard that some will turn the lights off and go hide. We have to stop looking at these people like barracudas!
It's an opportunity.
We must strive to be learners and find ways, not to win arguments, but to win souls. You will definitely grow in your knowledge of the Lord as you engage these people.
Be encouraged. Go Fish!
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Fish Tales 5/9/2016
Into the Darkness
One of the things we do as followers of Christ and fishers of men, is go where others don't or won't. That is nothing to brag about. Many of the places we go to have very evil people. They have the appearance of kindness, but they are not.
When the Kingdom of Light encroaches upon the Kingdom of Darkness, we have to use caution. Several of the areas are known for drugs, prostitution and poverty. It's really not much difference than high end communities other than it is in your face.
The Kingdom of Darkness is marked by brokenness. One neighborhood has had a number of shootings, beatings, stabbings and a decapitation. This is not even overseas. It is in the good ole USA. Other places you hear and see the normalcy of violence. People are quick to fight and fights escalate to stabbings or shootings.
During an outreach a car almost hit three little children and the father yelled at the driver. The car stopped and two men jumped out not to apologize, but to fight the one who called out their wrong. The very next day a woman shot her boyfriend in the head for selling her television set. Fifty yards from where we had our tent the day before. People are a mess, a hot mess. They need Jesus, the King of the kingdom of Light.
Paul states that we are at war in the Spirit world in his letter to the Ephesians. Jesus calls us to be light in the darkness. We have to go. We have to bring the light to them. Jesus warns us that we are being sent like sheep among wolves.
Fear not! These are the most fruitful places. You will grow in your dependence on and confidence in God, his Word and his Spirit. You will grow more confident in yourself as a mighty gospel warrior.
Be encouraged. Go Fish!
One of the things we do as followers of Christ and fishers of men, is go where others don't or won't. That is nothing to brag about. Many of the places we go to have very evil people. They have the appearance of kindness, but they are not.
When the Kingdom of Light encroaches upon the Kingdom of Darkness, we have to use caution. Several of the areas are known for drugs, prostitution and poverty. It's really not much difference than high end communities other than it is in your face.
The Kingdom of Darkness is marked by brokenness. One neighborhood has had a number of shootings, beatings, stabbings and a decapitation. This is not even overseas. It is in the good ole USA. Other places you hear and see the normalcy of violence. People are quick to fight and fights escalate to stabbings or shootings.
Paul states that we are at war in the Spirit world in his letter to the Ephesians. Jesus calls us to be light in the darkness. We have to go. We have to bring the light to them. Jesus warns us that we are being sent like sheep among wolves.
Fear not! These are the most fruitful places. You will grow in your dependence on and confidence in God, his Word and his Spirit. You will grow more confident in yourself as a mighty gospel warrior.
Be encouraged. Go Fish!
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Fish Tales 5/7/2106
Keeping the Blessing in mind,
This week has been a tremendous week. There have been excitement and challenges in a variety of ways. That's discipleship. It has its ups and downs. There are times it goes sides ways. Some weeks it goes really well like this one.
Some days you get frustrated and freaked out.
Nothing goes well and you just want to say, "how come you just don't get it already?" (shaking them, in your mind) As those days come and go we need to remember that God is discipling us in the process. We are growing fruit internally to ourselves. We are learning to resonate with the farmer who toils in the heat planting for a future harvest. We need to keep in that in mind. We are being blessed and shaped by God in that process.
Matthew 5:19 it speaks of us being obedient which is one level of blessing. Even if you teach part of what is commanded, not the goal, there is blessing in that. But, the greater blessing is teaching other people to obey. (Matt. 28:20) This is much different than, knowledge transfer. People own it. Obey it and teach others to do the same. That's the greater blessing.
Anyone who has attended seminary know that they train you to transfer information. The pedagogy of discipleship, really takes on more than a lecture format. I'll save that for a future article. The goal for discipleship is that one learns to obey and follow Jesus. We and our disciples will receive the Better Blessing both now and in the future.
Be encouraged. Stay focused. Go Fish!
This week has been a tremendous week. There have been excitement and challenges in a variety of ways. That's discipleship. It has its ups and downs. There are times it goes sides ways. Some weeks it goes really well like this one.
Some days you get frustrated and freaked out.
Matthew 5:19 it speaks of us being obedient which is one level of blessing. Even if you teach part of what is commanded, not the goal, there is blessing in that. But, the greater blessing is teaching other people to obey. (Matt. 28:20) This is much different than, knowledge transfer. People own it. Obey it and teach others to do the same. That's the greater blessing.
Anyone who has attended seminary know that they train you to transfer information. The pedagogy of discipleship, really takes on more than a lecture format. I'll save that for a future article. The goal for discipleship is that one learns to obey and follow Jesus. We and our disciples will receive the Better Blessing both now and in the future.
Be encouraged. Stay focused. Go Fish!
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Fish Tales 5/4/2016
Flexibility
One of the things you have to keep in mind, is that you need to be flexible.
Like a quarterback, you need to develop the ability to "check down" as the play unfolds. The quarterback comes to the huddle and looks at his playlist on his wrist. He picks a play. He has other plays available and can change them as he sees the defense.
The plays are designed to work a specific way, but there is room for error and change. While trying to execute the play both barriers and opportunities come. A good quarterback can make changes quickly.
We too have to remain flexible and develop our own check down list. When you are in the harvest, everything is not cut and dry. Frankly, it's a mess. You can set up a Discovery Bible Study in a home and no one is home when you arrive. You have a choice, get mad, sad or frustrated or work your check down list.
Today we did just that. We were really excited to meet with a new person. Turns out they were called into work. We decided to follow up with some people in the next complex. We found another new person, prayed for them and shared the good news. No time wasted. No frustration. We just continued to fish in the pond we were in.
Save yourself some pain. Develop flexibility. Intentionally write out a check down list. You will be happy you did.
Be encouraged. Go Fish!
One of the things you have to keep in mind, is that you need to be flexible.
Like a quarterback, you need to develop the ability to "check down" as the play unfolds. The quarterback comes to the huddle and looks at his playlist on his wrist. He picks a play. He has other plays available and can change them as he sees the defense.
The plays are designed to work a specific way, but there is room for error and change. While trying to execute the play both barriers and opportunities come. A good quarterback can make changes quickly.
We too have to remain flexible and develop our own check down list. When you are in the harvest, everything is not cut and dry. Frankly, it's a mess. You can set up a Discovery Bible Study in a home and no one is home when you arrive. You have a choice, get mad, sad or frustrated or work your check down list.
Today we did just that. We were really excited to meet with a new person. Turns out they were called into work. We decided to follow up with some people in the next complex. We found another new person, prayed for them and shared the good news. No time wasted. No frustration. We just continued to fish in the pond we were in.
Save yourself some pain. Develop flexibility. Intentionally write out a check down list. You will be happy you did.
Be encouraged. Go Fish!
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Fish Tales 5/3/2016
Which comes first the chicken or the egg?
We go out into neighborhoods on a weekly basis to share the good news of Jesus Christ and make disciples. It is a training ground for leaders, pastors, and anyone that wants to learn how to reach people that need the Lord. It's "live-action discipleship".
When out in neighborhoods, I often take an apprentice so they can learn "on the job". They often ask what comes first? Is it an A, B, C or 1,2,3 process? Yes and No. Sometimes both. Sometimes it all happens at the same time. There is a process, but it flexes to the audience and the Spirit.
Many times while prayer walking we find someone like Pam and Bill. They both were happy for prayer. They both share deep stuff. We prayed for them and then asked them, Do you feel near or far from God? As they respond we share how we came to faith (Our Story) and gospel presentation (God's story). To God's glory the both drew near to God that day.
They then invited us back to study the Word together and to be discipled. That's how it usually happens, really. No kidding!
Other times we have engaged people like, Jak. He is from another faith background. Jak is very inquisitive. He is loaded with questions. We spend a few months going to his home and sharing true stories from the Bible. We ask Jak questions and he asks us questions. We are both pressing deep in the Scripture. We are being tested and growing. Jak is being exposed to deep truths of the Word.
Some come to faith and are discipled and some are discipled into the faith. Either way the result is the same. The end goal is that they become healthy disciple makers. This is a process. It takes time. So Endure.
Get out there and Go Fish!
We go out into neighborhoods on a weekly basis to share the good news of Jesus Christ and make disciples. It is a training ground for leaders, pastors, and anyone that wants to learn how to reach people that need the Lord. It's "live-action discipleship".
When out in neighborhoods, I often take an apprentice so they can learn "on the job". They often ask what comes first? Is it an A, B, C or 1,2,3 process? Yes and No. Sometimes both. Sometimes it all happens at the same time. There is a process, but it flexes to the audience and the Spirit.
Many times while prayer walking we find someone like Pam and Bill. They both were happy for prayer. They both share deep stuff. We prayed for them and then asked them, Do you feel near or far from God? As they respond we share how we came to faith (Our Story) and gospel presentation (God's story). To God's glory the both drew near to God that day.
They then invited us back to study the Word together and to be discipled. That's how it usually happens, really. No kidding!
Other times we have engaged people like, Jak. He is from another faith background. Jak is very inquisitive. He is loaded with questions. We spend a few months going to his home and sharing true stories from the Bible. We ask Jak questions and he asks us questions. We are both pressing deep in the Scripture. We are being tested and growing. Jak is being exposed to deep truths of the Word.
Some come to faith and are discipled and some are discipled into the faith. Either way the result is the same. The end goal is that they become healthy disciple makers. This is a process. It takes time. So Endure.
Get out there and Go Fish!
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