TIME TO DELIVER

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

“Carry like Mary” – Pastor Eric Smith

In other words, CARRY JESUS with us and be prepared to DELIVER Him when called.

Pretty powerful picture huh?

Pastor also commented that the “church” needed to move from being a classroom and return to its roots of discipleship.  In other words, we need to remember that the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ was to be carried and then shared by HIS followers "RELATIONALLY"; that by “doing” life and “sharing what we were carrying” the “church” could again be a powerful voice in our communities.

He echoes what I have shared from Paul Tripp in the past.

“The church is not a theological classroom. It is a conversion, confession, repentance, reconciliation, forgiveness and sanctification center, where flawed people place their faith in Christ, gather to know and love him better, and learn to love others as he designed.”

…He (GOD) allows us to be a part of what he is doing in the lives of others. As you respond to the Redeemer’s work in your life, you can learn to be an instrument in his hands.”  - PAUL DAVID TRIPP

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35 (ESV)

Often in my travel and interactions with churches and church leaders, I encounter folks who feel safe in “allowing folks to come TO THEM for help” but when they are stretched into stepping out AND PROVIDING help, relationship, and investment they often recoil and retreat.  This is especially true in my space, recovery ministry. 

But my travel and experience have also confirmed that the BEST way for a church or faith community to BE EFFECTIVE at helping others find freedom from substance use, their traumas and hurts is by being in RELATIONSHIP with those that are hurting; to CARRY JESUS WITH THEM and to DELIVER Him personally and diligently.  For when “the church” does this, lives and communities are CHANGED!!

Therefore, CARRY AND DELIVER some JESUS today!

Love others.  Share what you are carrying!

Maybe that starts with a text to a friend you haven’t heard from in a while and an offer for coffee? 

Maybe drop off an encouraging note or make yourself available? Step out and step in!

Friends sometimes we can’t wait for the scheduled bible study, recovery gathering or a Sunday morning to get engaged, to “disciple”.

Jesus calls us to LOVE as He loved.

Jesus was ENGAGED.

Jesus was PERSONAL.

Jesus was an INVESTOR in lives.

We should be too!

Rohrmayer sums it up like this,

“The mission that God has given us is a highly relational mission. Jesus said, "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you" John 20:21. Jesus came into this world, lived in obscurity for 30 years and then spent three years relationally investing in twelve men, whose charge was to do the same thing by relationally investing in others. This strategy has worked for 2000 years each of us has been touched by someone reaching out to and investing in us relationally, thus advancing the gospel and the mission of God.” 

I love you all!

OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE