"Quiet Times"

When I read the Bible, I try my best to read it from the perspective of the audience it was originally intended for. I have a study Bible that breaks down the "Who? What? Where? When? Why?" of each book. I start off by praying for understanding and revelation from the Spirit. I then usually read a section as a whole so that I don't miss part of the story I'm reading. I journal the things that God reveals to me. I listen to worship music before and while reading/journaling. I love worship in music to press into the presence of God so I start with that along with prayer. One thing that is difficult for me is the idea of "Introspection" from Bob Roberts' book "Transformation." "Introspection is answering the question, How will I exemplify what I've learned? This is where prayer and meditation comes in." This idea of remembering, exemplifying and meditating on something is often lost for me as I move forward. I'll forget what I journaled and have to go back and read what really impacted me. The biggest part of it is meditating and going back over what I've read and journaled. I'll often read to receive from God, but after I forget little things and eventually they fade. I am active a lot and don't take the time to slow down and meditate on things. Introspection is an area that is difficult for me that could benefit my walk greatly.

Transformed by the Gospel, not Converted

Is there a difference between conversion and transformation? Oh, yes! Conversion is the act of changing from one religion to another. Changing the system of beliefs rather than actual lifestyle. Transforming is a totally different and radical change rather than conversion. Being transformed changes the belief system AND lifestyle. The gospel is something that transforms the life of the one who hears and believes it. It compels you to live differently while believing passionately in something that is hard to fathom. The gospel pushes me to have more faith than I could ever muster up in anything. To believe in something unseen can be really hard at times, but coming to know it as truth drives me toward something that is way out of my hands. The gospel calls me to live a life apart from what I want at times. It helps me love others in a deeper way because of the love first shown to me. There is so much that can be said about the personal change the gospel has in one person's life and to each his own change. The gospel empowers me to live fearlessly and faithfully to others and God. I can stand against the powers of this world because of the faith I have received because of the gospel. There is no place to live in doubt or fear of what's to come because of the assurance and message of the gospel.

In-n-out: Not the burger place though

"Doing missions" and "living the kingdom of God" are quite different in my mind. "Doing missions" is more of an act of going on a specified "mission trip" somewhere. By no means does it have to be overseas, or even out of the city, but it's something that is planned out to a certain extent to share the gospel directly or indirectly. "Living the kingdom of God" is an active, everyday thing that goes so much deeper than doing missions. Living the kingdom is to follow the statutes of God and live in accordance to the kingdom. It includes missions, as well as personal transformation and growth. Living the kingdom keeps one on mission everyday. It's not something that is planned, but rather a part of the life you're living. In Roberts' "Transformation: How Glocal Churches Transform Lives and the World," he presents the idea of the kingdom of God coming alive in the believer, through the Holy Spirit, propelling them to living the kingdom of God outwardly. It's a challenging aspect because the kingdom of God is so complex, but, at the same time, simplistic with a direct mission. Understanding the kingdom of God more changes a believer inwardly and is followed by outward change. An outward change that affects every circle in a person's life. We live in a culture in America that is so focused on the outward appearance that the aspect of change from the inside out all but loses it's meaning. Believers take the back seat, while actively watching intently where the Holy Spirit is taking them and opening up to the process. This challenges me because I like to take charge and be in control of things, but to truly live the kingdom, I have to take a step back while seeking God to allow the Spirit to change my heart so I can learn more about God's heart. Knowing God's heart changes the way you live and is something that begins in then goes out.

Paul's Style of Mission

There are four aspects of mission for Paul. Graciously, urgently, strategically, and confidently. The four different approaches reach people in different ways. Graciously, of course, approaches people with the message of grace in which Christ died for us even though we did not deserve it. There is nothing we could do to earn it, but it was a gift of undeserving favor. Urgently presents an urgency based on the fact that no one knows when the "grace period" will end and judgment is passed. Strategically, Paul concentrated on the Gentiles, without forgetting the Jews, and through that the Jews saw the Gentiles flock toward Christ. Lastly, confidently calls for confidence in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus. Of these four, I believe the strategic aspect of Paul's mission is the least evident today in the churches I know. They present the message of grace with urgency and confidence, but I believe we allow people to fall through the cracks. We get so focused on numbers at time, which really is good, but in that some people fail to develop without someone there to pour into them. Apart from that, we have become so focused on the "Gentiles" today that we have lost focus of the Jews. There needs to be more of a sense of mission to the Jews, remembering that Paul was after the "God-fearers" as well as the Gentiles. Proclaiming the message of Jesus with all of these aspects can be very effective and needs to be preached to the Jews today. While Paul's focus was mainly on the Gentiles, he had his mind on the Jews as well, knowing their heart would be called into question and that God would call some to relationship with Him.

The Holy Spirit in Missions

The outpour of the Holy Spirit, which is seen in Acts 2, played a huge role in the early church and Christianity. The Holy Spirit empowered the early Christians to go out through all the earth, proclaiming the gospel and moving in power. The Holy Spirit empowered the disciples, Acts 1:8, to go forth, establish the church and be witnesses of the Messiah. They were witnesses to the cornerstone that the church was built on, Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit was incredibly significant to the early church and still is today. The Holy Spirit is the one Jesus sent us after He ascended to heaven. Thus, we are empowered to do all things through the Holy Spirit. In Bob Roberts' book, Transformation, he states that in John 14-16 the Holy Spirit, "convicts us, guides us, comforts us, and empowers us." The Holy Spirit was sent for us, to send us. Thus, the Missio Dei, or mission of God, is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. He, the Holy Spirit, empowers us to do the will of God because He IS God. The Holy Spirit is then absolutely essential to the mission of God: reaching lost people and transforming them into disciples that move in power. All throughout Acts we see the Holy Spirit move in astounding ways that empowered the disciples, not just "The Twelve", but all disciples/followers of Christ or the Way. The Holy Spirit convicts people of sin and leads them to righteousness, not anything a person can fabricate. It is all done through the power of the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is alive and active in the mission of God because, as previously stated, He is God. Therefore, we see the absolute need for the Holy Spirit to discern the will of God and act on it.

Barnabas and the Great Commision

When I hear the name, Barnabas, I along with many others think of encouragement. Barnabas was encouraging and he encourages/challenges me to be a more encouraging person. This stretches me in the aspect that I can be more encouraging than I am. Being encouraging helps the church and missions because it builds them up. Encouragement can propel people to do so much more because they know someone is backing them and supporting them. Encouragement is something all people really desire in some form. Jesus sent out the twelve in the Great Commission, stating that all authority in heaven and earth had been given to Him. This was the authority Jesus sent them out. The word "kingdom" was never said directly in the Great Commission, but Jesus sent them out to establish just that-- His kingdom. He sent them out, entrusting them to build His kingdom on earth and heaven. This shows that God wants to use us in His mission to be glorified among all the nations. The church today is included in the Missio Dei, the mission of God, to inaugurate the kingdom of God on earth. We are sent to make disciples and teach them the law of the Lord. The word "kingdom" was not used, but the goal that we have in being commissioned relates directly to a kingdom mindset.