Fellowship

“Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.”

Hebrews 3:12-13 NLT. (http://bible.com/116/heb.3.12-13.nlt)

My Christian Motorcyclist Associstion family has spent much of the motorcycle ride season in ministry serving other motorcycle clubs, donating to charities, working events, and praying for bikers. It's been busy. The last two months of our ride season are spent, mostly, in fellowship with each other. We have multiple events planned to just ride and be a group. Some may be critical of this part of our year. They might say,. "Jesus never took a break" ( yes he did!) 

Our ministry, in all of Christ's kingdom, is about helping each other keep our eyes on Jesus. We need to minister to some who don't even know Jesus and others who  know him but need help in keeping their hearts from hardening.  They need help to keep the sin "at bay", keeping it from taking away their joy. That's why I spend time with my CMA family as well as my other dedicated Christian friends. We need to be there to support each other. What better way to do that except through fellowship in fun.

Ministry is full time. The true Christian never takes a break. But it's ok to vary your focus. Who you focus on, can greatly change, hour to hour, day by day, or month to month. Sometime we need to look inward for spiritual growth, sometimes we need to face outward, to others for that same growth. We need to minister to our own brothers and sisters just like we minister to the lost. Ministry towards fellow Christians is ministry. 

Praise God for ALL opportunities to minister. May God use me to serve all people, the lost and the found!

The "nomadic" life

“The Israelites traveled next to Oboth and camped there. Then they went on to Iye-abarim, in the wilderness on the eastern border of Moab. From there they traveled to the valley of Zered Brook and set up camp. Then they moved out and camped on the far side of the Arnon River, in the wilderness adjacent to the territory of the Amorites. The Arnon is the boundary line between the Moabites and the Amorites.” Numbers 21:10-13 NLT. (http://bible.com/116/num.21.10-13.nlt)

This verse made me think of my "nomadic life" this summer. Stephanie and I love travel. We have been blessed to travel the country in our toy hauler this summer. We have traveled east and west. We love serving the Lord and we have been able to combine both throughout our lives. The last few weeks our travels have dealt specifically with CMA (Christian Motorcyclist Association) ministry. Three weekends ago we had a great ride to Toledo. Then we attended a big secular rally last weekend and this weekend we attended a family friendly event in Bluffton. It truly is a blessing to be in ministry sharing Jesus with people. We have had the privilege to pray with countless strangers. We have prayed for healing, safety, families, and businesses. We have spread the word that God is real, he's alive and he is active in the lives of his people. There is nothing more rewarding or powerful than sharing Jesus with people that just don't get to hear the message. It's not "in your face" ministry. It is ministry of service and loving people. It is ministry of just being available to listen. It's ministry offering something for nothing. There are no strings attached in what we do. That is rare in this world we live in. When you offer your time and your service for no gain, people will listen to what you have to say. 

I praise God for our summer travels. I praise him and am humbly honored to be chosen as a minister of the gospel. I pray that the Lord continues to use Stephanie and I for his purposes. I pray we are open to where he wants us to go. I pray for the wisdom in serving the way he wants us to serve. Praise God for this wonderful life of adventure. 

Summer is fading fast!

“The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”

Psalms 37:23 NLT

I went into school yesterday after 3 weeks on vacation. It was great! I know that's a little weird for most of you. I love my summer trips and the joys of relaxing over a campfire, falling asleep to the sounds of crickets, and seeing this beautiful creation the Lord has blessed us with. But, the ministry God has given in the form of being a school teacher or working with CMA is the greater blessing. My trips help refocus my mind and heart on my mission at hand. God delights in both sides of my life. He loves my work and shares his joy through my "play". He delights in my daily missions and the challenges of my long term ministry. He directs my steps in all aspects of this life I live. Thank you Lord! 

I am so excited that God delights himself on the details of my life. Even through my sinfulness and the mistakes I make every day, he loves me and is deeply involved with every little aspect of my daily walk. I praise you Lord for my life. I praise you Lord for the opportunities to serve and to minister. I love you Lord and I owe it all to you. Amen!

Football

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20, 21 NIV)

Football is a great sport. No other sport requires such precise coordination of so many people at the same time. A play on offense takes complete coordination of all 11 people in order to be successful. Coaches design plays to counter another 11 people trying to prevent them from being a coordinated group. Each of the players on a football team need special skills to complete their individual tasks. I love the complexity and the beauty.

God has equipped us for doing his ministry. He has given tools to each of his people to minister to the lost. We don't all have the same tools. When we get together with our brothers and sisters to minister, using our gifts, it is a beautiful sight. When we are listening to the Holy Spirit and using the gifts he has granted, ministry is a beautifully coordinated event. Praise God for his wonderful gifts and the love he has for us.

Be on the Frontline for Christ!

2 Corinthians 4

 ¹ Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. ² Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.


We are just hours away from ending 2011 and the hope of 2012. God has greatly blessed me with a ministry through CMA (Christian Motorcyclist Association). For the second year, I have been voted as Chaplain of our local chapter (Sonrise Riders). I'm not really worthy of this position, but God has placed me here for a reason. So I count it a blessing to serve this ministry. I have the great opportunity of mixing my passion for motorcycles, people, and God. How many people get to do what they love and use it for God? 


What ministry are you in? I have mentioned before that I'm not fond of New Years Resolutions. They are very rarely followed after the first week or month of the new year. But, maybe now is the time for you to step up your commitment to ministry. Do you have a ministry? I mean a serious ministry. Have you made a commitment to a group of people whose focus is solely to bring people who don't know Jesus to his saving grace? I know the first thing you'll say is yes, your church. I'm not discounting what your Church does. I love my Church and it is a key to my growth as a follower of Christ. But, how do you reach those people who will never even have a desire to step into a church for worship. Are you a Frontline Christian? I think we should all be frontline Christians. The Battle is out in the world. The Battle is with the homeless, the criminals, the drug users, the poor, youth, the single families, the bars, the fatherless, the lonely, and more. Where is your passion? What is it that you get really excited about? What ministry would you love to start or take part in?


Take this next week and pray every morning and every night for God to make it clear where you should serve. Earnestly search for a ministry. Commit to serving others and bringing them to know the saving grace God has brought to you. Being a part of a ministry is a very selfish act for me. I get so much more out of it than I put into it. The blessings are amazing. PLEASE COMMIT TO MINISTRY! Not in 2012 but right NOW!

Grade your ministry!

Acts 23

¹⁰The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.

 ¹¹ The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” ¹² The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. ¹³ More than forty men were involved in this plot.

You can tell Paul was really making an impact in the world, why? Because he was so vigorously challenged by others. He was opposed on so many different levels, from so many different groups of people, because he was being so effective. Yet, he never backed down from the challenge. He not only survived this threat of death, he thrived throughout. I know that God was pleased with his ministry. I would give his ministry excellent marks. In terms of school I would say he deserves an "A".

How effective am I in my ministry? Does the enemy view me as much of a threat? What grade would I be given?  I'm ashamed to say that my ministry is not as effective as it should be. I have not always stepped up to the challenge of the ministry I have been selected. I think it would be generous to get a grade of "D". I'm not proud of that. I need to do more for the Kingdom. 

Dear Lord, Please forgive me my ineffectiveness. Please forgive me for not giving everything I have toward spreading your Gospel. Give me the strength to do your will. Help me to be your hands and feet in this world. I love you and I want to be effective for you. Help me to grow in your wisdom and your love. Amen!