The Broken On Our Doorstep

Since Saturday, just five days back, we have watched God bring two broken people to us for help and healing. One we found during door-to-door visitation and the other God prompted to find us. Listening to their stories can be overwhelming. There is no easy answer for all that has befallen them. Health, family, and loneliness, are just at the top of a long list. And as they talk of their hurts you hear how God is far away, how He seems not to answer their prayers, how He appears to have abandoned them at their time of greatest need. Truly these people are broken, lost, and alone.

Just minutes after one departed the office, I looked into Scripture to see what advice God gave for Shepherding such. I found myself in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, the passage concerning Paul's thorn. As I looked at verse nine, I wondered, "How does someone get to the point in their suffering where they can say 'I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.'?" I'm not sure I have the answer.

Looking elsewhere I found a table in the Life Application that listed six questions to ask when you find yourself in a time of suffering:
1. Am I being punished by God for sin?
2. Is Satan attacking me as I try to survive as a Christian?
3. Am I being prepared for a special service, learning to be compassionate to those who suffer?
4. Am I specifically selected for testing, like Job?
5. Is my suffering a result of natural consequences, for which I am not directly responsible?
6. Is my suffering due to some unknown reason?

I thought, "Well Paul must have come to a place in his life where he had an answer to those questions." To have such confidence that one can glory in his suffering and to recognize the result of such confidence is remarkable.

How long did it take? Did Paul respond in this fashion immediately or did some time pass? We see three pleadings. Maybe not long at all. What does one do while he waits upon God for such and understanding? 2 Thessalonians 1:1-6 gives some insight. During times of suffering we must exercise patience and faith.

Probably if we are faithful in our ministry to these two broken people, God will drive some more in our direction. God is always working in our area. Here is an opportunity to be a part of that work. Let us love these people and share our Savior with them. And let us teach them that as they wait upon God, and for the confidence He brings, they need to demonstrate faith and patience.

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A Shared Life with Jesus

Back in the 1980's there was a fusion jazz group known as Koinonia. I had no idea why the picked this name and what it could even mean until a few years later someone pointed out that the word meant "fellowship." This past Sunday evening, Wakefield experienced fellowship, koinonia, not the music but the fellowship that occurs between believers in Christ. We took the night off from studying the Truth Project and focused on each other and our relationship with Jesus.

This fellowship was experienced in different ways at each home. The youth had a spaghetti dinner. One home ordered pizza. At our group we had a potluck. Of course, fellowship is more than food choice. It also involves sharing your life, one with the other. This does not need a meal. Fellowship can be had around other experiences, even that of Bible study. What is central to fellowship is not the activity, in our case eating, but the presence of Jesus.

A nice article on fellowship was written by Bob Gillam (The Importance of Fellowship in the New Testament Church). He makes several observations about fellowship, three of which, really stand out. 1) "...'fellowship' was never used to describe man’s relationship to God before the coming of the Holy Spirit to indwell the church." 2) "...'fellowship' is that it is a unique relationship with Christ. We have a relationship of being “in Christ.” 3) "...fellowship is not just doing anything together. It is only doing God’s will together."

I watched our people interact throughout the evening. All of those in attendance are saved people, except for one, the spouse of one of our members. This person, the spouse, seemed at ease and enjoyed himself as we ate and talked. However, I couldn't help but notice that when we came together for a time of worship He disappeared. Thinking about Gillam's observations, it is no wonder. Since the spouse lacks the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and has no relationship with Christ, fellowship, in the true sense, is impossible.

Next week we return to the study. I know that all enjoyed themselves this week as we shared our lives one with another. However, when we return to the "books" I hope that we will see and know that fellowship is found in our relationship with Jesus and in our time of doing His will. Also, I hope that it gives us a desire to share Him all the more so that others can experience the life that they are missing.

-Mark



Please visit our church at http://wakefieldbible.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40157

Purpose

Our hope with this blog is to share our thoughts about great literature, movies, and other forms of media. Although the title of the blog is Stories of Redemption, not every story will lead to that end and not every character will be found redeemed.

We hope that you will share your thoughts about the featured works and share some stories we have not considered.

Below is a great video that is an example of such a story. Oh that all Christians were so gracious.


-Mark

Crazy Hats Point to Christ

Most Wednesday mornings I go over to Taneytown Baptist Church and pray with some local pastors. One pastor is Larry Douthwaite. Larry shepherds Living Faith Evangelical church in Littlestown, PA. This week Larry has moved from a local celebrity to a national one, all because of his crazy hats.

I won't tell the story of how or why. Rather, you can read about it at the link given here. However, it does demonstrate how a little creativity can point someone to Jesus Christ. Look around your community and ask how you can get involved and share of your time and personality. As far as I know, Larry's hats were only goofy, never evangelical. However, they have had an impact, and in a strange way have pointed people toward his Savior. Maybe you, too, can creatively serve in your community and thus point to Christ.


-Mark

A Valentine From God

Two great stories were told during the Sunday morning service. In one, Gordon and Ron told how they were used by God at the World Ag Expo, in Tulare, California. They were privileged to share the good news of Jesus Christ with over 3,000 people, leading to approximately 800 decisions. God has been using these men, and some others in our church, through the ministry of Christian Farmers Outreach. This outstanding ministry shares the love of God, using walking sticks and beads.

Later, Dan told how God directed his steps to share Christ with a neighbor. Dan, on two occasions this week, attempted to share Christ with his neighbor. However, God blocked his way. Then on Valentines day, Dan and his wife, Doris, visited their neighbor's wife in the hospital. There, they found their neighbor, his wife, and her sister. Eventually, the conversation turned spiritual. Dan, in time, asked each of them if they would like to put their trust in Jesus Christ. All three made individual decisions for Christ. What a Valentines Day!

God continues to use Wakefield to spread this story of love and salvation. There is no greater Valentine message that this - "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) If, as you read this, realize that God loves you, that He gave His Son, Jesus, to die for your sins, then take the next few moments and put your trust in Jesus Christ. It is only through Jesus Christ that we can find forgiveness for our sins, and it is only through Jesus Christ that we can experience the full love of God.

-Mark

Please visit our church at http://wakefieldbible.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40157

Dancing with God

In Matthew 6:24 we find these words, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." One word jumps out to me, and that word is "hold." "Hold" in the text is antechomai, which means to keep one's self directly opposite to any one.

Jesus has been speaking of treasure. He has been teaching that your treasure is a direct indicator of where your heart is. Now you may be wondering where is your heart? What does your treasure indicate? Four questions given below may help you determine this.
1. What do you value the most?
2. What would you most hate to lose?
3. What do you thoughts turn to most frequently when you are free to think of what you will?
4. What brings you the most pleasure?
By answering these questions honestly, you can determine where your treasure is and what it says about your heart (inner man).

Now back to antechomai. In a sense, we hold our treasure just in front of ourselves. It is ultimately where we put our focus. This idea reminds me of ballroom dancing. You stand facing your partner, and as you move your focus is only on them. If, as you dance, you begin to focus on another, one other than your partner, then you will stumble, or get kicked in the shin! You cannot serve two masters any more than you can simultaneously dance with two partners.

Where then should our focus be? Our treasure and our heart should be focused strictly on the Lord and His kingdom. Next Sunday we will explore what it means to invest in eternity. Until then, look back at the four questions above. Ask God to show you where your treasure is and what that means in regard to your heart. It is my hope that God is front and center in your life. If not, its time to switch partners and begin to dance with God.

-Mark
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Living Life In Front of God

There is a idea that we considered Sunday, and which was repeated tonight in The Truth Project, that the believer lives his life before God. "Of course" you say, "for God is omnipresent." Well we are quick to acknowledge this truth, but slow to live our lives as if we believe it.

How is it that we believe one thing but live another? Is it a purposeful choice or just forgetfulness? "Yes" would be the answer. We choose to rebel, and we live a life so consumed with self that God is often forgotten. Is there is a way to correct this, at least to keep God in the forefront of our minds?

We need to do the simple things: 1) We must make make worship a daily experience. 2) We must seek every opportunity to study God's Word. 3) We must use our spiritual gifts in service to God in the local church. 4) We need to take every opportunity to share Christ with our unsaved friends, family members, and associates.

If we do these simple things we will be reminded of who God is and keep Him in mind.

-Mark
Please visit our church at http://wakefieldbible.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40157