A HABIT OF PRAYER

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:6 ESV)

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. (Mark 1:35 ESV)

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.” (Luke 11:1-4 ESV)

            These past few years have included several amazing visits to the Holy Land, experiences hardly occurring to those visiting the country of Israel. An expression used in the Bible to communicate the width and breadth of the land is “from Dan to Beersheba.” I have seen the ancient ruins of both cities, yet have gone far beyond Dan to the foothills of Mount Hermon, a few miles from the Syrian border, and far beyond Beersheba to the shores of the Red Sea, minutes away from Egypt.

            My travels have included many ancient sites not visited by most tourists, such as the ruins of Bethel, Shiloh and Samaria and numerous others. Standing on Mount Gerizim and viewing Mount Ebal, the site where the tribes of Israel affirmed their commitment to God after the conquest, fulfilled a deeply held desire. Just west, at the bottom of Mount Gerizim, lies Jacob’s well. The valley lying between the two peaks is the ancient site of Shechem

            Visiting the cities of Hebron, King David’s first capital and Abraham’s final resting place, and Bethany, where Lazarus was called back to life, as well as the seaport community of Eilat, located near the ancient site of Ezion-geber where the exotic treasures of Solomon entered the country, were spiritually moving.

            Taking early morning runs along the Sea of Galilee, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Red Sea, as well as along the ancient path to Emmaus, where the resurrected Lord met two disciples traveling home from Jerusalem, was refreshing. Hiking the cliffs of Mount Arbel, overlooking the Sea of Galilee, and the cliffs of En Gedi, where David fled from Saul, overlooking the Dead Sea, was invigorating. Swimming in the Sea of Galilee, wading in the Red Sea, splashing in the Mediterranean Sea and floating in the Dead Sea was fun.

            Doing prayer walks throughout Jerusalem and at the Temple Mound, including on top of the wall surrounding the Old City, was stirring. Traversing the tunnel built by Hezekiah, bringing fresh water into Jerusalem to the pool of Siloam, while singing songs of praise was stimulating. Journeying down into the Kidron Valley from the Eastern Gate and walking the steep upward road to the upper ridge of the Mount of Olives, praying for the peace of Jerusalem, was encouraging.

            Celebrating Christmas on Bethlehem square, Good Friday near Calvary, and Easter at the Garden Tomb was inspiring. The sermons by a clergyman from England during the Good Friday noon communion commemoration and the Easter morning resurrection celebration were profound and life-changing.

            I have visited with a variety of wonderful people throughout the country. Initially, my contacts were mostly with Israelis but eventually met and visited with an equal number of Palestinians. They too have proven to be very gracious and hospitable. My most recent trip included going to a family’s winter home in Jericho for a delicious feast and memorable night with special friends.

            At Mount Gerizim I met a genuine Samaritan living in the last known Samaritan village, located near the top of the hill. Only a few hundred of them exist worldwide, mostly in this town.

            Yet not until my latest trip did I finally meet and visit with a Jew living for Christ. People in America call them Messianic Jews but they do not go by that title in Israel. They refer to themselves as Jews who believe in Jesus because the other name offends the Orthodox Jew. I asked how many are living in the nation and was told only around 23,000, an infinitesimal amount of the population. Most of them live in a community west of Jerusalem. I asked in what ways are they reaching other Jews for Christ and was told they do not believe in proselytizing. In other words, no evangelism is being done by them.

            If you meet a Christian in Israel, most likely they are Palestinian. Approximately thirty percent of the Palestinians living in the town of Nazareth are believers in Christ. Approximately twenty-five percent living in Bethlehem are Christians. (I was privileged to speak at a gathering of believers in the city just over a year ago.) And approximately thirty percent of them living in Jerusalem believe in Jesus. One town in the West Bank is known as a Christian community. Yet, unlike what is occurring among Jewish people, many Palestinian believers are fearlessly, actively and aggressively telling the story of Jesus to their family, friends and neighbors.

            I have benefited from many valuable lessons while talking and listening to the people living in the Holy Land. In my conversation with the Jewish follower of Jesus an interesting piece of information was mentioned. People did not gather to pray at the synagogue during the time of Christ. In fact, prayer never occurred in the local synagogue. Corporate prayer only took place at the Temple in Jerusalem, mostly during Jewish festivals. The rest of the time everyone prayed privately, done in solitude (“lonely places” and “closets”). After the destruction of the Temple, synagogues in the region were constructed facing Jerusalem and prayer began occurring in the facilities.

            Churches promote prayer meetings and rightfully should. Attending a prayer service at Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York revolutionized my approach to overseeing prayer gatherings. Their services are designed and dedicated to occur on an uncommon day and for lengthy times, disrupting schedules and inconveniencing participates. Yet sincere dedication to pursuing and conversing with God reaps marvelous results, heavenly outcomes that are filled with wonder. Just ask Jim Cymbala.

            The nightly prayer meetings held throughout the first full week of each new year at the two churches I led in Chicago, Northwest AG and the Stone Church, were crowded and filled with the sound of earnest pray-ers crying out to God. The gatherings were often loud and occasionally messy, but no messier then the lives being transformed at the altars.

            My wife and I recently attended a prayer gathering that meets a few times during the year for the expressed purpose of praying over the hot spots of the world. We plan to make these gatherings an ongoing part of our calendar, a high priority.

            Yet various prayer gatherings should never take the place of personally praying and privately conversing with the Lord in an individual prayer setting.

            About a year ago I added an end-of-day prayer walk to my schedule. Just before dinner I journey through various parts of the neighborhood praying for others. With Sunday evening services no longer promoted and losing availability, a prolonged prayer walk occurs during the conclusion of my Rest Day, giving additional focus to praising God, praying in the Spirit and addressing various needs.

            This Fall Brenda and I stayed with friends whose home is beautifully nestled in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Each morning included a personal prayer walk. I felt liberated to loudly sing to the Lord among the pine trees, serenading whitetail deer and wild turkeys (And possibly a few mountain lions and other critters). I came back from these walks divinely strengthened and spiritually refreshed.

            Are you praying without ceasing? Are you in constant communication with the Lord? Life consists of habits, both good and bad. Until prayer is a well-established routine and a part of your lifestyle, its genuine fruitfulness will most likely not be noticeable.

            The great people of prayer in the Bible were people with a fixed prayer habit.  David had the practice of “evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.” (Psalms 55:17) Daniel was “three times a day… on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God.” (Daniel 6:10) Unless you develop a prayer habit, you tend to become delinquent in praying.

            The following are a few suggestions to help you build consistency in praying:

            Allow Scripture to shape your prayer life, such as “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 ESV) And, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 ESV)

            Consider developing definite prayer objectives, regularly highlighting different aspects of spiritual formation. For example: Sunday – spiritual cleansing; Monday – giving thanks; Tuesday – general request; Wednesday – spiritual empowerment; Thursday – scripture prayers; Friday – special needs; Saturday – spiritual fruit. Unusual seasons will occur as the Holy Spirit burdens you along certain avenues for extended periods. Move with the Spirit and set aside any previously charted course.

            Develop the habit of waiting on the Lord. (Isaiah 40:31) Waiting is long on listening and short on speaking, implying a readiness to obey. Waiting also involves drawing nearer to God through meditation and contemplation, musing over the Lord and His word.

            Finally, pray in the Spirit. (Jude 1:20, 1 Corinthians 14:14-15) The blessing of this grace-gift assures prayers dealing with the events shaping your life are perfectly expressed.

Get busy praying

            Prayer is not answered because a follower of Jesus knows everything there is about prayer. Prayer is satisfied and petitions are accomplished because they know the One to whom it is addressed. Prayer is a love matter. The highest form of prayer is love coming from two hearts, blended together and beating as one.

            God hears the panicked cry for help, and delivers from disaster and calamity. Yet to set someone free from tribulation only for them to settle back into an apathetic routine is not His purpose for answering prayer. Establish a habit of praying, especially as you start the year 2016.

CHRISTMAS: A FRESH WORD

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Hebrews 1:1-3 ESV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God…. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-2, 10-14 ESV)

            Have you ever thought of what it was like in Israel before Jesus came? The Jewish nation had not received a fresh word from the Lord for 450 years. The last prophet of the older covenant, Malachi, spoke four centuries before Jesus was born. 

            In comparison to the rest of the world, the United States is a relatively young nation. Double the length of time the country has existed and this is how long since the tribes of Israel had heard a fresh word from God. The people living with the promise existed on a hope not based on a current encounter with the Lord. They lived by an obedience void of a recent experience with their Redeemer from oppression and bondage.

            Today the Holy Spirit abides in those following Jesus, yet Israelis did not have this special blessing. The Holy Spirit did not reside in believers until after Jesus ascended into Heaven, fifty days after dying on the Cross.

            Does ancient Israel’s situation relate to current circumstances? Possibly! Presently many followers of Jesus are as thirsty and hungry for a fresh word from God as the people of Israel must have been just prior to the day of Pentecost. If contemporary believers find themselves starving while having the presence of the Holy Spirit, then the Jewish people must have been famished to the point of death. Discouragement was most likely a defining factor of their era.

            Look at the scenario from another perspective. What occurs when believers gather to worship on a Sunday morning? They sing as a means of bringing themselves into harmony with one another, united in thought by the lyrics of songs. They give an offering as a means of reflecting a core value of God who gave with supreme liberality. They pray as a means of communicating to the Lord about His nature and their needs. They examine Scripture to hear from God, becoming reconciled in heart, soul, and body. Yet everything is done with reliance upon the Holy Spirit who dwells within and guides worshipers to the Heavenly Father.

            Gathering to worship is one way to experience a fresh word from the Lord. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, followers of Christ regularly come together to gain a relevant message from His throne. Yet Israel went centuries without such a blessing when they gathered. God’s people went so long without a word from Him that they did not recognize the Incarnate Word when Jesus came.

            Time and distance impacts an awareness of God. The longer the interlude without a fresh word from the Heavenly Father the more difficult it is to recognize when a divine visitation takes place. Frequently failing to attend church dulls the senses from knowing when God speaks. The gathering is weekly, not monthly or only during established holidays.

            Are you in need of experiencing a fresh word from the Incarnate Word? Are you able to recognize a divine word when it comes? A couple of clues out of the Christmas narrative can help you answer the question.

A fresh word establishes peace

            The angels proclaimed on the first Christmas morning, “Peace on earth.” They could make this pronouncement because they knew Jesus as the Prince of Peace. A world in conflict, or a nation in conflict, or a community in conflict, or a person experiencing inward conflict can have peace restored through Jesus, the Incarnate Word.

            Peace is the result of grace, meaning to bind together. The peace that comes from the unmerited and unearned love of God can weave a fragmented soul with wholeness, a peace beyond full comprehension. You can recognize a fresh word from God for it is saturated with peace.

            In everyone is a potential civil war of divergent drives. On an increasing level people feel like a rubber band being stretched in every direction. The Word made flesh brings an end to turmoil and inner conflict. The past becomes forgiven, He controls the present, and He shows the way into the future.

A fresh word establishes joy

            A favorite song during the holiday season is “Joy to the World.” This can only be sung because Jesus has come. He is the joy of the annual celebration – not Christmas trees and lights, Christmas gifts, Christmas cards and well-wishes, Christmas gatherings and programs, or Christmas cheer.

            Nehemiah reveals the importance of possessing divine joy: “The joy of the Lord is our strength.” Joy is based on reconciliation with God and the personal empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Such joy acts as a fortress, guarding you from the troubles and temptations contained in each and every day. Such joy acts as the power and motivation to persevere through the challenges of living. You can recognize a fresh word from God for it lifts your spirit to supreme heights of joy.

            Elton Trueblood, a classic writer of eternal truths, wrote, “The Christian is joyful, not because he is blind to injustice and suffering but because he is convinced that these, in light of God’s power, are never ultimate.”

            A mother and her daughter, dressed in shabby clothes, were standing outside the Daley Center, near the Marshall Fields’ department store in downtown Chicago, admiring the manger scene on the square. The setting was elaborately portrayed with Mary and Joseph, the baby Jesus, and Wise Men bringing lavished gifts. The little girl kept staring at the face of Mary, depicted in a very innocent and pure appearance. Finally, she said, “She’s so beautiful but she does not know the pain and trouble we have.” The figurine did not give an accurate interpretation, nor the completed story.

            Christmas is a divine testimony to every impoverished little child that He does know the pain and trouble people face. God sent His Son to die and knows exactly the hurt and sorrow of life. He recognizes, understands, and cares. And He also has the power to turn all grief into joy.

A fresh word establishes righteousness

            Righteousness means being in a right relationship with God. The chief reason why Jesus came on the first Christmas morning was to restore everyone into a suitable standing with the Heavenly Father.

            Out of rebellion, also called willful disobedience, a relationship with God became marred with shame, beginning in the Garden of Eden. The current condition of the soul is causing a sense of impending doom, feeling a great dread with regards to life after death. Living without Jesus is troubling by the inevitability of the present life coming to an end. Through faith in Christ a relationship with God can be made right. You can recognize a fresh word from God for it brings you into an eternal relationship with Him.

            An ancient proverb states: “If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in character. If there is beauty in character, there will be harmony in the home. If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.”

            The Incarnate Word restores a right standing with God, bringing order to every dimension of life.

A fresh word

            Current events reveal a world in desperate need of a fresh word from God. People need the peace He provides, the strength of His joy, and a right standing with Him. And God in these last days is speaking through His Son, the Incarnate Word.

            Are you keeping your experience with the Incarnate Word alert and current? Has staleness developed in your heart? Has peace and joy been lost? Then most likely a right standing with God has diminished or disappeared. Make things right with Him this Christmas season, then join the angels in worship of the soon coming King. He is coming again.

            The Incarnate Word wishes to give you a fresh word. I wish you a very Merry Christmas.

WHEN WE GATHER

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:16-17 ESV)

“On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.” (1 Corinthians 16:2 ESV)

“If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.” (1 Timothy 4:6-13 ESV)

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” (2 Timothy 3:16-4:2 ESV)

“When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 14:26-33 ESV)

            A survey was given years ago to a group of believers asking what changes they would like to see in their church. The most requested item was changing the format of the worship services. Does the structure need to change or do people need to know the why and ways of its design? Are people actually needing a better understanding of the purpose for gathering together?

            By virtue of current social trends believers are geared to view a church gathering as an entertainment venue – comprised of a stage containing actors with a viewing audience watching their performance. Yet the stage in a church facility is actually a conductor’s platform, the people sitting in the auditorium are the actors, and God is the audience. Worship is not about being a spectator of a spectacle. Worship is about meaningful participation, something undertaken more than watched.

Churches normally promote and advertise Sunday morning gatherings as the worship hour. Is this the only time people give expression to their faith in God?

Before worship can be a weekly event, it must become a lifestyle. Although the following Scripture verses are not about worship, they may be the greatest verses on the subject. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24 ESV) Worship is expressed in whatever you do. Believers are worshipers long before gathering.

            What makes coming together for expressing adoration to God a critical component of transformation? What are believers trying to accomplish by joining ranks from time to time?  What is the significance of a weekly demonstration of love?

I attend a church that does not post an order of service, yet the structure is very predictable and with good reason. Taking away as much Christian jargon as possible, gathering on a consistent basis is for the expressed purpose of people speaking to God and God speaking to people. These two ingredients must be fulfilled for a gathering to have value. The sequence in which this occurs is people asking for an audience with God and He responding to their desire for a town hall meeting with the Ruler of the universe.

At least six activities are prescribed in Scripture for creating two-way communication at a gathering between God and His followers. Three deal with people speaking to God and three with God speaking to people.

People speaking to God

            Music! Music is designed to open all your senses to God as you enter into His royal chamber.

            “Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.” (Ephesians 5:19 ESV) Music is the cry of the soul for an encounter with the Lover of the soul. The music portion of a gathering is often referred to as worship but is only one expression of adoration.

            Songs are often considered controversial because musical preference and taste is extremely diverse. In church music some people gravitate toward simple little ditties while others adore didactic melodies. Unfortunately, some even worship their own worship style, which occasionally leads to conflict called “worship wars.”

            The controversy goes deeper than various musical arrangements. The struggle is between an experiential and cognitive approach to praising God. Some people gravitate more toward feeling, while others are more inclined toward knowing.

            When a person says, “Pastor I love how contemporary choruses make me feel,” they are revealing a natural propensity to worship experientially. When someone says, “Pastor I love the good teaching found in classical hymns,” they naturally prefer a cognitive approach to worship. Yet the goal is the same, musically declaring to God a desire for an audience with Him.

            Prayer! “I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.” (1 Timothy 2:1 ESV)

            Corporate prayer is devoted to conversing with God about current issues, laying down burdens, confessing shortcomings, and expressing gratitude for everything. The gathering is naturally conducive for dialogue with the Lord about roadblocks preventing a sense of His presence. You are clearing up obstacles hampering the clear sound of His voice.

            Offering! “A fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. (Philippians 4:18 ESV) Money can be a great hindrance to experiencing an audience with the Lord. Wealth easily takes His place within the inner being. Yet generosity makes you master instead of servant of riches.

            God takes note of tangible gifts and will not be a debtor to anyone. When it comes to offerings the focus is not about equal but rather proportionate giving. Paul wrote about the amount of a gift being in ratio to the income God provides. The entranceway to His presence is abundant to those who are generous.

            These three components of gathering have to do with people speaking to God.

God speaking to people

            Scripture reading! The Bible is God’s word and helps you to discern His voice over all the other influencers of life.

            Many things endeavor to speak to you but you can only know when He is speaking by learning the pattern of His voice acquired by studying the Bible. No one should ever minimize the significant role of the public reading of Scripture when gathering together.

            In the last decade the amount of Scripture reading by those following Jesus has diminished. When talking to others about their spiritual journey, neglecting a regular time in the Book often surfaces. Sadly, the only Scripture many believers are exposed to is at church gatherings. If this aspect of worship becomes minimized a major means of hearing from God will be lost.

            I make it a point to start every blog and every chapter of my books with Scripture, sometimes large amounts, knowing God speaks through the written word.

            Manifestations of grace gifts! “But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.” (1 Corinthians 14:24-25 ESV) God wants to bring a specific word to people gathered in His name and often does so through supernatural grace-gifts, furnished to motivate and stimulate everyone present.

            A declared word by an exhorter/teacher. “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2 ESV) Exhortation is the foremost way God instructs followers of Jesus.

            Preaching is a form of the prophetic, anointed by God to strengthen and comfort. Preaching is the art of making God’s word applicable to everyday life, involving training and correction, rebuking and encouragement.

            These three components of gathering have to do with God speaking to people.

Bridges with God

            Water baptism! The believer makes a public confession, strengthening faith. Water baptism is the Biblical declaration of entering a relationship with God, the beginning of an obedient walk.

            Communion! The person makes a personal confession, nourishing faithfulness. Communion is the Biblical declaration of an ongoing relationship with God, the continuation of an obedient walk.

Bridges with people

            Greeting others! To greet those worshiping alongside of you keeps before you the reality of not being an island unto yourself. Others love God with you. Protect yourself from gaining an Elijah syndrome, thinking you are the last one still concerned about God and His reputation.

            Announcements! Can anything spiritual be associated with announcements?  Absolutely! Announcements show the link to community, what the Bible calls koininia (fellowship).

            “But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.” (1 Corinthians 12:24-25 ESV) Information about ways to connect with others who follow Jesus helps fulfill many other individual and group needs.

The gathering

            Worship must be first expressed by lifestyle. The gatherings, the weekly assembly, is not the sole environment for expressing adoration, yet is an important demonstration of love.

            Regularly participate with reverence and devotion in the Scriptural components of people speaking to God and God speaking to people. And when you have entered into an audience with the Lord and He has spoken into your life, only one thing remains: Quickly respond and experience additional transformation. In times past this was referred to as the altar call and associated with walking to the front of the auditorium. Whether a person comes forward or stays seated everyone must give an answer to the issues God is addressing in the gathering.

            Elevate in 2016 the role of the weekly assembling together! Regularly come together with others throughout the entire year, ready for a life-changing encounter with Jesus.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16 ESV)

            The focus last time was on the human conscience. This critical component of the inward nature must be influenced by Scripture in order to become an effective tool for shaping behavior. The daily practice of spending time in the Book is essential. Give more attention to reading God’s word in 2016.

            What other spiritual matters should be considered and possibly address next year?

            Those following Jesus have an assignment. Go! Everyone has a world to reach. Believers are to represent Jesus in their world of influence. Many have great influence and others little but everyone has some. How well are you representing Him?

            Influence is both seen and heard. When overseeing a local church, I ended every Sunday morning worship service praying a prayer of blessing. Part of the blessing regularly heard each week was, “Lead us to people who need to see and hear about You and in the power of the Holy Spirit help us to tell them what you have done in our lives.”

            The story of Jesus is not a recitation of Scripture. The message of Christ is your life. Reflecting Him before others is your witness. You are His testimony. Memorizing the Scripture verses in the scripted “Romans Road” and the “ABC of Salvation” will not impact as much as a transformed believer in Christ living by faith, day in and day out.

            When I was overseeing a church in a northwest suburb of Chicago, Bill Hybels was a neighboring pastor. He is a nice guy with a genuine love for people and a real concern about their relationship with God.

            Bill tells a story of a time when he had about 45 seconds to give a small group of nonbelievers the reason for becoming a follower of Jesus. These were people he became acquainted with out of a mutual love for boating. They had observed him in action and were interested about his take on Christianity.

            He told them, “Well, first you’ve got to realize the difference between religion and Christianity. Religion is spelled D-O because it consists of things people do to try to somehow gain God’s forgiveness and approval. The problem with religion is that you never quite know when you’ve done enough. It’s like being a salesman who knows he must meet a quota, but is never told what the quota is. We can never be sure when we’ve actually done enough. Worse yet, the Bible tells us in Romans 3:23 that we can never do enough. ‘All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’

            “Christianity, on the other hand, is spelled D-O-N-E. Christ has already done for us what we could never do for ourselves. Jesus lived a perfect life and willingly died on the cross to pay the penalty owed for our sins and shortcomings. To become a real Christian, we must humbly receive God’s gift of forgiveness and ask Him to lead our lives. God accepts us as children of God based on what Jesus has done for us and begins to change us from the inside out.”

            His brief presentation is nicely arranged and easily understandable, yet more important is people seeing the nidi-gritty of living in a wayward world with an another world kind of faith. Bill got their attention because he spent time with them and they became curious about what made him tick.

            Jesus describes the best way of revealing to others a relationship with God by using two everyday components of life, salt and light.

Salt

Your life is to be fashioned after salt. Two major uses of salt are flavoring and food preservation. You are a seasoning and stabilizing agent. You are to safeguard your testimony from things that are tasteless (“no good”) and decaying (“need to be thrown away”).

Salt is a symbol of durability. Moses wrote, “All the holy contributions that the people of Israel present to the LORD I give to you, and to your sons and daughters with you, as a perpetual due. It is a covenant of salt forever before the LORD for you and for your offspring with you.” (Numbers 18:19 ESV)

            Salt is also a symbol of value. Paul wrote, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Colossians 4:6 ESV)

            As a seasoning your faith in Jesus should counteract blandness and make others crave abundant life. Your faith should cause others to desire Jesus.

            As a preservative your love for God should counteract the rottenness of life that impacts everything and everyone.

Jesus mentions salt can lose saltiness. Have you lost spiritual desires, a sense of sorrow over sin, a longing for righteousness and purity, and a lack of concern for the unchurched?

            The issue of salt is an either/or scenario. You are either salty or good for nothing.

One final thought about a salty testimony: Salt enhances healing and causes pain, sometimes simultaneously. No one can predict the outcome of your witness, yet this fact should not be used as a hindrance to testifying about your Lord and Savior.

Light

Your witness is also fashioned after light, a symbol of illumination. Followers of Jesus are to guide others to a transforming relationship with God. Your witness should be highly visible, clearly seen by everyone. Taking a low profile is actually not possible if genuinely following Jesus.

            Sometime ago I needed to use public transportation on a one-way journey. The return trip was already arranged. Instead of air or rail transportation I decided to use standard bus service.

            Bus passengers are a different type of clientele, and the experience as well as the various conversations were fascinating. The topics of interest were not what is typically heard at airports or on airplanes. People also appeared much more talkative to each other on a bus.

            My appearance was extremely casual, not unlike the other bus passengers – well-worn blue jeans, discount store sweatshirt, older jacket and cap. My luggage was a standard backpack containing everything for the ride. Nothing about me communicated being a credentialed minister or church leader.

            My first bus was late arriving at a bus station where I was to connect with one heading to my destination. They rerouted me to a terminal a couple hundred miles away for another bus going to the same location. The revised trip required a late night arrival and early morning departure at a terminal in a major city. I spent the night slouched over a table in a booth at the dining area, covered with a blanket from my backpack.

            Occasionally I would awake only to see an older black woman constantly looking my way. Yet I continued to drowsily sleep throughout the night.

            The next morning the woman boarded the same bus I was taking and we ended up sitting next to each other. She was very kind and friendly, heading to Brooklyn, New York. In the course of our casual conversation she said, “You’re a pastor aren’t ya? I decided to watch out for you last night and make sure you weren’t bothered by anyone.” I was appreciative but equally surprised by her comment.

            To this day I do not know how she determined my profession, except for the fact that believers illuminate Jesus wherever they go. Your life in Christ is not lived in concealment. Grace is as conspicuous as a city built on a hill. Your declaration of faith makes it virtually impossible to avoid the curiosity and sometimes scrutiny of others.

Jesus mentions light in a house. Your testimony starts at home. Those closest to you should be the first to benefit from your relationship with God. They should be able to quickly verify that what others see in public is the same in private. His unmerited favor should first be a part of your home before shining on others.

A major aspect of an illumined testimony is shedding light on the sorrow of living outside a relationship with God. Is the triumph of Kingdom living visible to those experiencing the tragedies attached to rebellion and pride? People desperately need to witness your compassionate acts of grace in the midst of their troubles.

            Your devotion to God is done in secret but benevolence to others is practiced openly.

Influence

            What does salt and light have in common?  They enhance and lend influence. How are you influencing others toward a meaningful relationship with God? Are you an active agent of divine grace, causing a desire in others to love Jesus as well as illuminating the roadway to salvation?

            Most of my life was spent standing on a platform in a church building helping people know the one True God of Scripture. My witness was predominately in a relatively sheltered and controlled environment. Although my ministry is presently more with a pen than from a pulpit, helping others in a local faith-community still has a very special place in my heart.

            Establishing a new church was my final church assignment, requiring me to supplement family income. I began helping students and aiding parents in the areas of education and sports. My ministry had transitioned primarily into public settings.

            The kinds of people I was in regular contact with were very different than in church ministry. I saw firsthand how much had changed since becoming a fulltime minister. My exposure to the unchurched in their setting showed how the local church has become increasingly ineffective in telling His story to the average person on the street. The first-contact, frontline believers in Christ must become more real in their beliefs and more authentic in their behavior, both visually and verbally. Peoples destiny is at stake!

            Be a thirst agent! And shed light on Jesus! Give greater attention to your witness of Christ in your world of influence in 2016. Fulfill your calling to His assignment.