Yesterday, during our worship service at Zion, the youth group presented a powerful reminder of the persecuted church. Some believers who truly take on the name of Jesus face the loss of much of what we hold dear in this life--family, home, safety, daily provision, even life itself. They do it because they have found something profoundly more valuable--a welcome by the Holy One who holds ultimate and eternal hope, peace, and life. Carrying and sharing this love and this power and being part of this inbreaking Kingdom that will continue to advance is worth the cost.
How can these believers perservere so courageously? They have experienced the mercy and power of God! We learned that in some countries, people stream to the Christians because they have healing power (Christ's power). What does that say for me? The more convinced I am of God's life and world transforming power, I will be more bold and courageous.

It is now Monday. We are back at work. Children are graduating. Summer plans are in the works. Projects around the home need our attention. Ministry activities and relationships continue onward. Will we forget our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world who need our support? What can we do?
Remember Marc's words yesterday. "We can pray." If you were present yesterday, you were "placed" in a particular country in which Christians face persecution. Pray for the followers of Christ in that country. Go the the Voice of the Martyrs website, http://www.persecution.com/.
Pray for one person or one situation that you find there. Find something simple and specific--someone you can be an advocate for on an ongoing basis.

Secondly, live a life in which faithfulness to Christ is your primary purpose. As Marc reminded us, this can be a source of encouragement to those suffering for their faith. Live this way even if a suffering believer in Vietnam never knows of your faithfulness. You are still standing in solidarity with him or her. Our challenge may not come from the hands of persecutors, but rather, our enemy is the enticement of the luxuries and comfort of our own culture. Remember the words of our closing song: "Anything I put before my God is an idol. Anything I want with all my heart is an idol. Anything I can't stop thinking of is an idol. We must not worship something that's not even worth it. Clear the stage, make some space for the one who deserves it. (lyrics by King Ross)

Thank you youth group for this powerful reminder. Now that it's Monday, may we carry this advocacy and support onward.

I've been thinking about how I live out this role as a living letter that Jesus has sent for others to read and understand.
You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ... 2 Corinthians 3: 2-3.
What is Jesus trying to say through me? What does Jesus want the world to know? How does my life express that?
Rather than trying to figure out what message I should learn in order to express it to others with my life, I believe Jesus wants to shape my own life in his likeness and what he represents. Then I just go and be myself. That makes it sound so easy, but in reality it's a process of yielding my will and way of living to the way of Christ. Each prayer, every time I read scripture, every conversation of faith, every struggle overcome through trust, every time of worship re-shapes my life and prepares me for public witness. It gives opportunity for Jesus to write all over my life.
When I think of a letter, I remember the personal touch that is conveyed from one person to another. "How is the job going?" "We've been thinking about you during your illness." "Thanks for helping me out last week." "Remember the fun we had in our high school days." Letters have the best impact when they are personal. Paul's letters to various churches in the Bible have a real personal quality. You can tell he cares deeply about their welfare.
When we consider ourselves as living letters, I believe they have the best impact when "sent" in more personal relationships. Relationships where some trust, respect, and fondness has been established.
Where do I have those connections? Where am I bothering to invest myself in relationship to other people? Is this letter only circulating among people who already have discovered the goodness of Jesus? Jesus came with a message from God for everyone--"You are worthy of being redeemed. I have a new and everlasting way for your life." He has given us the privilege of distributing this letter through our very lives.

Would you consider this?
How is Jesus shaping your life presently to be a more accurate letter that he wants to share with others? What's going on in you?
Where is this letter being distributed? Who is getting the opportunity to read it and understand? (Trust that the Holy Spirit is at work out there to give understanding)

Speak it and Live it!
...declare the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his wonderful life. 1 Peter 2: 9
...live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Ephesians 4: 1

I was really inspired by the sharing of David Shenk this past Sunday at our church. He spoke about having an open door to be in conversation with Muslim religious leaders--mullahs--in Iran.
I find it amazing that he has had such freedom in their midst to share Jesus--the one who fulfills the Kingdom of God, the living Word of God, and the one whom God has sent to experience the cross and to forgive.
He believes that this open door has come in connection with his faith tradition --the Mennonites.
He explains the open door by means of Jesus' message to the church in Philadelphia in Revelation, chapter 3.
"I know your works" (good deeds)
In 1990, Iran experienced an earthquake and a multitude of blankets were sent by N.
American Christians through Mennonite Central Committee.
The next year, as refugees streamed into Iran from Iraq during the first Gulf War, aid was
again sent. This time in the form of blankets.
This opened doors to more formal contacts and visas to Mennonite representatives in
subsequent years.
You have little strength/power
Mennonites have been appreciated for having no political power or agenda in these
conversations. David Shenk reminded us, "the way of the cross is powerlessness, but the
powerlessness of the cross is the power of God." This is another way to be heard and
respected--humility with a servant's heart
You have kept my word
Muslims tend to respect "people of the word." To know that a person reads, is formed by,
speaks, and stands upon the words of scripture provides an opening of respect and
attention.
You have not denied my name/You love Jesus
Muslims are intrigued by Jesus. What does it mean that he is referred to as "Messiah"
and that he will return at the end of history in their teachings? David shared stories of
Muslims seeking and appreciating authentic conversations about Jesus.
I often think that in our culture, people often shut down at the mention of "Jesus."
How can we live and speak that the name of Jesus becomes a name and a person of
interest and intrigue to know more? Pray that God would turn hearts toward that name
so people would hear us as we share the reason for our hope.

What I am reminded of is that God does not just open doors "out there for us." He also prepares each one of us in our own lives to be an effective witness when the door opens.

How is the Lord shaping my life so that it has these ingredients?
Good Deeds
Powerless humility, respect, and love for others
(love for Muslims or any individual or people group)
Deep understanding of God's word
Committed Love for Jesus

Are you ready when the door opens?

We have just spent 5 weeks pursuing a journey toward a generous life. I hope God has provided some conviction and direction as to what that may look like for your life and for our church ministry. Here is a summary of what we discovered on our journey. May the Holy Spirit empower us to live out this way of life in Christ.

A generous life discovers that there is treasure to be found in God that is far surpassing and more lasting than the treasures of earth--worth laying down everything in order to obtain it (See the parable Jesus told in Matthew 13:44)

A generous life flows out of a grateful heart
True generosity begins with the discovery of a generous God

A generous life displays joy and freedom--it is not guarded and does not clutch onto it's own stuff

A generous life pursues a different dream--the same dream as Jesus—a new kingdom, an upside-down kingdom
Justice and mercy for others; breaking the strangle hold of sin;
hope and healing for the discouraged and broken; forgiveness for
sinners; a higher cause--God’s goodness and truth, eternal treasures;

A generous life pours out abundantly into God's purposes. God's purposes don’t mainly focus on comfort or happiness, new experiences, accumulating wealth, or stunning success. A generous life has the self-control from the Holy Spirit to stop chasing after these pursuits.

Those who love money never have enough; those who love wealth
are never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.
Ecclesiastes 5:10

A generous life trusts in God's provision--whether much or little--believing in God there is enough.

A generous life steps out in faith knowing that as one seeks God's purposes, God's provision will be adequate for us
Matthew 6: 25-34 Don't worry about food or clothing. God sees your needs.
Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and these things
will be given to you as well.
Abraham is a good example in Genesis 15 and 22
Genesis 22:14 Abraham called that place "the Lord will provide" (Jehovah
Jireh) Translations: The Lord sees; The Lord provides;
The Lord will be seen;

In the midst of a world of greed, ie more, more, more, the generous life is content with God's provision.

However, the generous life understands that MORE of God's reign--in and through Jesus Christ--is breaking into this world and willingly offers more to this movement of God.

When God grants a large portion, the generous life gives thanks and sees it as an opportunity to offer more of oneself and one’s resources to God’s Kingdom purposes.

A generous life knows that God owns everything.

A generous life is a consecrated life—setting aside oneself and all of one's resources as a sacred offering to Go--wholeheartedly devoted to one who is higher than oneself;

Each one must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly
or under compulsion. 2 Corinthians 9: 7

A generous life is wholeheartedly devoted to God because God is worthy!
See I Chronicles 29: 1-20

A generous life gives God a regular standard of giving--the first portion of one's income. This could be a tithe (10%) or whatever God has compelled you to give to demonstrate your devotion and God’s worthiness.

A generous life realizes that God is still the owner of the remaining portion (90%) and its use should honor God.

A generous life also wholeheartedly worships, serves, and blesses other--not half-heartedly or under compulsion.

God bless you good, faithful, and generous servant.

I love the idea of living a generous life. I picture myself selflessly giving of myself to others throughout the day. In reality, I wish generosity would flow more freely from my life. It's really hard to break through my own agenda.
I'm finding that I am most generous when I am generous in gratitude toward God. When I am aware and thankful and content that everything I have comes from God, there is an easier translation to holding on less tightly to my stuff, my money, my schedule, and my desire to keep to myself.

The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Psalm 24:1

You are not your own; you were bought with a price. (I Corinthians 6: 19-20)

Thank you Jesus for that ultimate act of generosity by surrendering you life, taking the unimaginable burden of my sins (all our sins), and overcoming the power of evil, sin, and death--for me and all your church. You were raised to life in order to pour out the abundance of God by granting new life and all the provisions of life for those who will receive you.

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things (daily provisions) will be added to you as well.

Gratitude--live it!

As we are about to embark on a 30-Days of Generosity journey, I'm reminded of our theme--Grateful hearts overflowing with God's abundance.
I've been pondering and studying this idea of generosity over the summer, and I really connect with the idea of God's blessings overflowing out of me and all of us into the lives of others. There's something attractive about the idea of a generous life. I think most people would like to self-identify themselves in that way.
What I have also discovered about myself is that my idea of generosity, freely offering what is mine--time, conversation, resources, assistance, etc--is not something that flows naturally from me during the situations of life. I find myself guarding what is mine and paying close attention to my agenda.
I look forward to searching together with others who want to walk the way of Christ what it looks like when life is centered on thankfulness, trust, God's purpose, believing that God's provision is more than enough, eternal treasures, generosity.
This is not one aspect of the Christian life, it is at the core of who God is and who were are re-created to be in Christ Jesus.
Lord, reveal true generosity to us and open our eyes to generosity opportunities that come our way. Change our hearts. Surprise us with your overflowing provision.

Even though I have never really worked in sales, I'm sure a salesperson needs a mentality that there are people out there who do not yet realize they need this product, but through me, they eventually will.

Do we in the church have an awareness and a burden on our hearts that there are many around us who have not experience the love, forgiving mercy, and overcoming power for new life that is found in relationship with Jesus Christ? This isn't yet on their radar screen.

If people who belong to Christ follow a sales model too closely, we will turn our efforts in reaching people with the good news of Jesus into a sales pitch--buy this product, receive this forgiveness, sign on to this eternal insurance policy.
In Romans 10, Paul speaks about a people who were not real interested in what God, the God of Israel, had to offer them. That was their religion, not ours. Their God, not ours.
But..."I (God) was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me."
The ones who were not looking, heard the message of Jesus, received it in faith, and believed it in their heart.
If we, as those belonging to Christ, believe, today, that there are others who can/will have the love and way of Christ revealed to them in their lives even though they are not currently seeking or asking, Paul has some questions for us...
How can they call on the name of the Lord if they have not believed?
How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?
How can they hear without someone proclaiming this good news to them?
How can they proclaim unless they are sent out?
How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!
Romans 10: 14-15

If you have received abundant mercy in Christ, you are being sent out upon your beautiful feet to speak and be a sign of what Jesus has to offer.
Our words are important: "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.." I Peter 3: 15
However, plant those words of yours within a life that demonstrates consistency of faith and obedience and a life that builds relationships of trust and respect with others. Surround it all with prayerful awareness of where God is leading you. Then offer this "proclamation" of the good news to others.
Go, I am sending you!