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The Call to Evangelism: Who Will Go?

Guest Contributor
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The Call to Evangelism: Who Will Go?

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? – Romans 10:14

The call is great; it is one that never retires, and the call is life because the call is Salvation towards men. I so love how the Bible captures it in the above verse, “How shall they hear without a preacher?”

Who will go? A question for an individual, family, group of people or organization that will say like Isaiah, “Here I am Lord, send me.”

Many souls await the word of life and healing, many may have not heard the word, there are those on the wrong path, many know the word, but do not understand, and many understand but do not want to accept. It is for these people that the call was made. But how will they hear without a preacher?

The call has therefore gone out. Who will go into the world to proclaim the gospel of Christ to the dying and lonely at heart? Who will go deliver the sick, save the oppressed, bring back the backsliding soul, restore the faith of the weak and show forth the light of Christ without being ashamed? Will you answer the call, not minding the trials and persecution, not minding the society?

The souls of men are yearning and waiting for the manifestation of the sons and daughters of God. The uttermost gift a believer can give to his neighbor is to bring his neighbor to Christ. We should not forget that the key to the kingdom of God is not in gaining wealth, but faith in the Word, accepting Christ and the baptism of the water and spirit (John 3:5).

God is looking for men and women like you and me for His glory and proclamation, we are his witnesses (Acts 1:8) because the Holy Spirit bears this witness within us, we are the sons and daughters of God (Romans 8:16).

Reasons we should answer the call: Who will go?

The harvest, therefore, is plenteous, but the laborers are few– (Matthew 9:37)

There are many reasons we should answer the call. Out of the very many reasons, I will dwell on a few:

1. It is a command (Mark 16:15)

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature,”

The command is to go; not to stay in our church or home. He said, “Go out there, move out of your comfort zone in search of the lost, spread the Gospel. Tell them about me, tell them I can accept them just the way they are. Heal the sick, raise the dead because you have the authority.”

Ours is to do His bidding. To go forth into the world.

If you love him, keep His command.

2. We are witnesses (Luke 24:48, Acts 1:8)

…And you shall be witnesses to me…

He has called us his witnesses; we have read, seen and heard of his mighty work, the sick are healed, the lame can walk, the blind can see, the bound freed, so he is saying take these testimonies abroad all nations, be a witness, speak the truth, speak what you have seen and heard, the truth is the living word of God which can save and bring the sinner to repentance, remember Christ sent out his disciples two by two, telling them to preach about his kingdom. Be a witness for Christ, answer the call.

3. They will not go to church

This point reminds me of T. L. Osborn’s book on Soul-winning, where he said:

“They will not come to the church. We must go out after them—out where they are so that Christ can speak to them through us.”

During Jesus’ ministry apart from teaching in the synagogue, he taught publicly, in an open space, seizing every opportunity that came his way to teach about the kingdom of God and call people to repentance.

Jesus knew those that needed saving were out there and would not come to church. It is therefore our responsibility as sons and daughters, as unselfish children of God, to spread the love of Salvation to them. Jesus went to the tax collector and sat with him, and other tax collectors and sinners came to him.

“For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance,”

Would you not be so glad seeing a recent convert in your church on Sunday and knowing that God used you to save a soul? It is therefore our duty to go into the world and speak to them because not until we go out into the world will they come into the church.

4. You are anointed (Isaiah 61:1-2)

You have been anointed to preach. Yes, you read well. The calling to the office of a pastor is different. We have all been anointed to spread the gospel, to preach deliverance to the captive, recovery of sight to the blind, liberty to the oppressed and the acceptable year of God.

This is the reason we must go; people need to hear the Good News. The call is urgent. The call should be as important to us as studying the Bible is. The Word of God we read and study is not only meant to benefit us but also those around us who haven’t known Christ.

5. There will be joy in heaven over a repentant soul (Luke 15:7)

“I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”

Wow! Imagine the joy in heaven over a repentant soul you led to Christ. Imagine God looking down at you smiling and saying well done for bringing this soul to His kingdom. What other things can satisfy you more than knowing God is pleased with you?

6. The nations are waiting for our manifestation (Romans 8:19)

The world is waiting for us to act, we should not be timid, they want to see what we can offer; they want to hear what we have to say; they await the revealing. Ponder on this, How can God’s will be revealed if we do not go, if we say it is not our business and remain comfortable, the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

7. To lift burdens (Luke 13:16)

“So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound for eighteen years be loosed from this bond?”

Many people are weighed down by the burden of life. So many don’t have the will to move on. So many are covered in shame and despair. They await a witness to free them from the shackles of the enemy and this we can achieve only if we have the compassion Jesus showed this woman. The only way to show this, is to go out there.

“Some carry burdens whose weight has for years crushed them with sorrow and blinded with tears, yet one stands ready to help them just now if the will humbly in penitence bow,” – Harry Dixon Lees

The only person you need for this assignment is the Holy Spirit.

Benefits following anyone who answers the call

1. The person prospers (Mark 10:28-30)

Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for my sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time–houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions–and in the age to come, eternal life.

What an assurance of both earthly and eternal blessing because we answer the call, “Who will go,” we say like Isaiah, “Yes God, here I am, send me.”

2. The Holy Spirit teaches you what to say (John 14:16)

Most times we may feel dry, even as a teacher of the Gospel, but the Bible says when that time comes, the Holy Spirit will teach you what to say. He will bring to your remembrance all things that Christ has said. You will not have to worry about what you should say because the indwelling Holy Spirit is there saying, “You just open your mouth and I will fill it.”

3. No evil counsel against you shall stand (Isaiah 8:10)

Yes, this is a fact; no evil counsel shall stand. You are too precious. Doing his bidding guarantees your protection anywhere you go. God will be your shield and buckler.

“Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing; speak the word, but it will not stand, for God is with us,”

4. It increases the Church (Acts 2:41)

This is the multiplier effect of answering the call. As the church increases, we depopulate the kingdom of hell and increase the kingdom of God. It multiplies the church. The testimonies in the book of Acts say this better.

“And with many other words, he testified and exhorted them, saying, be saved from this preserved generation. Then those who gladly received this word were baptized, and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.”

This is the power of evangelism.

5. His promises are yours (Genesis 12:1-3)

When God called Abraham out of his family, He set him apart for greatness: “I will make you a great nation, I will bless you and make your name great.” We know the people of the Bible that God has used mightily. Let us consider current-day men and woman we know that answered the call and how mightily God used them. Billy Graham, T. L. Osborn, Oral Roberts, Kenneth Hagin, Kathryn Kuhlman; these are just a few. There is no Christian on earth that has not at one time heard of these great names, just as he has promised.

6. He will never leave you nor forsake you (John 14:16-17)

Have you ever felt helpless while preaching? Especially when on the street in one-on-one evangelism? That feeling that you are alone, when people are looking at you strangely, not understanding you are doing your father’s bidding? Most times. When preaching one-on-one, I always take consolation in the assurance knowing He will never me nor forsake me.

He dwells with you and will be in you.

Methods of Answering the Call

1. One-on-one, two-by-two, house-to-house, public or mass evangelism (Acts 20:20, Luke 10:1, Matthew 10:5-15)

These are methods by which we can evangelize to people. It does not leave out those called into the office of a pastor. The call to evangelize is for all.

2. Sharing tracts

Sharing tracts is one of the oldest and most used methods of evangelism and is still effective today.

3. Missionary work

Mission work is a sacrifice, leaving behind all you have ever loved and known, going to remote areas of the world and preaching about Christ willingly, with all zeal for the love of the perishing.

4. Community gathering

When you have a community meeting or local neighborhood meetings, it is an avenue to share the gospel of Christ to those around you.

5. Social media and podcasts

With the Internet and technology, we can use our social media and podcast accounts to share the Gospel. This is an advantage, as no one will have an excuse. Your social media and podcast accounts should preach Christ, talk of his love and lead people to repentance.

He who wins souls is wise. (Proverbs 11:30)

Jolaade Olatunbsoun is an experienced Christian writer, having written for clients, local churches and youth fellowship. Jolaade’s focus is on expounding biblical passages and expressing God’s love through writing. Her writing infuses faith into daily life, helping readers grow in the knowledge and love of God and His words. 

Desiring to help people understand the Bible, maximize their potential and have a deeper fellowship with God, Jolaade develops content for Sunday school materials, Christian material for books, devotionals, ebooks, articles, short stories and poems. Her blog may be found at https://theseekers2020.wordpress.com/.

The Ten Commandments

Guest Contributor
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The Ten Commandments

In this article I will examine God’s purpose for giving the Decalogue and the Book of The Covenant. I will also compare the content and organization of the Decalogue and the Book of The Covenant. Finally, I will explain how the Decalogue and the Book of The Covenant are germane to the New Testament.

The Purpose of the Decalogue

God miraculously delivered the children of Israel from the land of Egypt. He wanted to establish a spiritual and formal affinity with the children of Israel. God established a covenant with the children of Israel through the leadership and the guidance of Moses. The covenant sets out how the people must live in order to be a holy nation.[1] The purpose of the Decalogue (Ex. 19:4-20:6) was to provide accountability to the covenant. The Decalogue places emphasis on the vertical affinity of loving God and the horizontal affinity of loving one’s neighbor.

The Purpose of the Book of The Covenant

The Book of the Covenant (Ex. 20:23-23:33) contains more punctilious responsibilities for the children of Israel. The responsibilities included laws that could be carry out by human courts, moral mores, principles about behavior, societal treatment of the impecunious and the observance of spiritual duties. The purpose of the Book of The Covenant is setting punctilious responsibilities for the children of Israel to live in loyalty and obedience unto Yahweh.

The Content of The Decalogue and The Book of the Covenant

The content of both documents reveals the holiness and standards of God. Both documents emphasize God’s desire to enter into covenant with the children of Israel. The documents have principle responsibilities that God requires to remain in covenant with Him. The Decalogue responsibilities are a panoramic view of God’s mores. But the Book of the Covenant is a close-up view of God’s mores. Both documents require the children of Israel to live a life pleasing to God and to one’s neighbor.

The Organization of The Decalogue and The Book of the Covenant

The organization of the Decalogue was based on absolutes not non-sequiturs. “Apodictic law refers to timeless divine commands and not to ‘law applied.’ Thus, it is ‘necessarily or demonstrably true; incontrovertible; clearly established or beyond dispute’ since it is divinely revealed). This is so because it is not directly related to any necessary historical situation (Thou shalt, Thou shalt not; i.e., the Ten Commandments).”[2] The organization of the Book of the Covenant was based on a caustic model “if and then” statement. The Bible Tools Study website gives a cogent analysis of The Book of the Covenant.

“(1) directions concerning worship, specifying prohibition of images and the form of altar for animal sacrifices (Exodus 20:23-26);

(2) ordinances for protection of Hebrew slaves, including betrothal, for a price, of daughter (Exodus 21:2-11);

(3) laws concerning injuries,

(a) to man by man (Exodus 21:12-27),

(b) to man by beast (Exodus 21:28-32),

(c) to beast by man (Exodus 21:33,14),

(d) to beast by beast (Exodus 21:35,36);

(4) concerning theft (Exodus 22:1-4);

(5) concerning damage to a neighbor’s property, including violence to his daughter (Exodus 22:5-17);

(6) sundry laws against profaning Yahweh’s name, under which are included proper worship, avoidance of oppression and dutiful offering of first-fruits (Exodus 22:18-31);

(7) against various forms of injustice and unbrotherliness (Exodus 23:1-9);

(8) festal occasions, including the Sabbatical year and the three annual feasts: unleavened bread, first-fruits and ingathering (Exodus 23:10-17);

(9) warning against certain wrong practices in their sacrifices (Exodus 23:18,19);

(10) in conclusion, a promise of God’s continual presence with them in the person of His Angel, and the consequent triumph over enemies (Exodus 23:20-33).”[3]

The Decalogue and The Book of the Covenant Applicability to The New Testament

Throughout Christendom there has been rigorous debate over the applicability of Decalogue and the Book of the Covenant to the New Testament. The biblical narrative promotes confluence and harmony. “The law cannot be altogether invalid since the New Testament affirms its abiding applicability. ‘All Scripture is … useful’ (2 Tim. 3:16–17), including Old Testament laws. Jesus came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it (Matt. 5:17–20). The law is the embodiment of truth that instructs (Rom. 2:18–19). It is ‘holy’ and ‘spiritual,’ making sin known to us by defining it; therefore, Paul delights in it (Rom. 7:7-14, 22). A careful examination of the use of the word ‘law’ demonstrates the answer. Certain laws that dealt with Old Testament ceremonial life (‘Ceremonial Laws’) were fulfilled in Christ. Other laws, relating to the time of Moses, when Israel had no king but God, have been called, ‘Civil Laws’ (or, sometimes, ‘Theocratic Laws;’ because Israel was a theocracy, with God as head of the human government). The other category of ‘law’ in the Bible is that critical code of living that is before us in this article: The Ten Commandments. Those commandments form a ‘Moral Law’ that continues to this day.”[4]

Robert Caruth Jr, a native of Peoria, accepted Christ at the age of 14. He had a penchant for learning the word of God early on in his Christian journey. This proved to be the capstone solidifying his walk with the Lord. Pastor Caruth has been married to Melanie Caruth for 35 years. This conjugal union has produced their only child Fallon who is a miracle from the Lord. Pastor Caruth earned a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois. He is currently finishing up his Masters Degree at Moody Theological Seminary. He serves as the teaching pastor and visionary leader of The Church of Living God Community Church in Richmond Heights, Missouri.

REFERENCES

[1] T.D. Alexander, From Paradise to the Promise Land: An Introduction to the Pentateuch 3rd ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2012), 209.

[2] Biblical Studies Foundation,  Can You Describe Apodictic Law As It Applies The OT Law {website},  https://bible.org/question/can-you-describe-apodictic-law-it-applies-ot-law, (accessed 14 February 2020)

[3] James Orr, General Editor. “Entry for ‘COVENANT, BOOK OF THE’“. “International Standard Bible Encyclopedia”. 1915. Covenant, Book Of the {website},  https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/covenant-book-of-the/ ,  (accessed 14 February 2020)

[4] Michael M. Milton, The 10 Commandments: What Are They & Are They Still Relevant? {website},  https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/the-ten-commandments-what-are-they-and-are-they-still-relevant.html ,  (accessed on 15 February 2020)

How Can I Be More Patient?

Guest Contributor
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How Can I Be More Patient?

Thought for the week: Have you ever felt impatient? Well, I have and I sometimes still struggle with being patient and waiting on God. But what does that mean, to be patient? Let’s dig in.

Patience means forbearance, long-suffering. We see in the bible that Job showed patience. Job could have given up and throw in the towel, but he didn’t. He put his faith in God and endured his trial. Because of his patience he was blessed with double. Hallelujah!

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-25, speaks of patience as one of the characteristics that believers should have. This, my friend, is called the fruits of the spirit. There’s nine of them, but today I am speaking about PATIENCE.

Question: We have all prayed for patience, but do we really know how to wait? Do we want to wait? If you’re like me, you’re probably pondering about this word. No one likes to wait; especially since our world is so microwaveable. But I’m reminded in James 1:4, “…but patience must have her work.”

I know you’re saying, “What does that mean?” Well think of a fruit. A farmer must plant the seed in the ground, then water it and lastly, fertilize it. Well my friend, when we think of patience or James 1:4, we can relate the natural fruit to the spiritual fruit that works in us. God has to prune us and nurture us just like the farmer nurtures his crops.

I know it sounds easy then done, but we must have faith and patience like Job, Hannah and Abraham.

What are you struggling with today that you cannot wait? Patience my friend, patience. I’m reminded of a quote: “Patience is a virtue.”

Patience is a Virtue!

Why did I say that? Because patience is truly a virtue. Sometimes we move ahead of God; due to the lack of our faith and our impatience. This may cause us to make frivolous mistakes, which may end in a heartbreaking outcome.

I can recall a time when I didn’t have patience. It was several years ago and I wanted to buy a new car; since my other car was giving me trouble.  I searched online and asked friends and relatives which companies had the best deal? Everyone kept referring me to try this place and another. I couldn’t decide.

I finally drove to a dealership 45 minutes away. As I arrived at the car dealership, I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me to leave. Twice the Spirit nudged me!

Did I listen? No.

I wanted a car so bad, I ignored the Spirit and bought the car. I drove off the lot feeling great and overjoyed. Then the car began to shut off and on while I was driving down the interstate. I was a nervous wreck. I prayed the whole 45 minutes back home.

Deep down, I knew I made the wrong choice, but I was impatient and just wanted a car. Prayerfully, I pulled into my yard, thanking God that I didn’t get hurt on the highway.

The next day the car would not start! Yikes! I spent all this money on the car and the car wouldn’t crank. I became angry, frustrated and even aggravated. But, the Spirit had nudged me not to buy it! I wished I would have listened, but I was so adamant about buying the car. My impatience taught me a hard, honest lesson on the importance of waiting and being patient. I have learned to wait now.

Impatience vs God’s Timing

Sometimes we don’t want to wait, and yes—it can be uncomfortable to wait—but God has perfect timing and He knows what’s best for His children. As we look in the Bible, we see figures who struggle to be patient.

For instance, Abraham and Sarah. God promised them they would conceive a child. God didn’t tell them they were going to conceive a child right then and there. It actually took fifteen years. But Sarah became impatient, just like we do, and took matters in her own hands. She told Abraham to take Hagar, her maid and bear a child. Abraham did, but this was not God’s plan. God still blessed Abraham and Sarah with a child, Isaac. Due to their impatience, Hagar bore Ishamel, Sarah bore Isaac, and now these two nations have chaos between them.

Have you ever been impatient and taken matters into your own hands? How did you feel afterwards? Regretful, angry, frustrated and upset? I believe we have all been there. Here are some tips:

  1. “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) We have to stop rushing in impatience.
  2. “Acknowledge God in all His ways.” (Proverbs 3:6) We must acknowledge and ask God according to His will and way. Why do you want me to wait? Is there something else you have for me? These are simple questions to ask yourself before making the choice to move forward.
  3. Don’t complain.  We as people sometimes tend to complain when things aren’t going our way. As in Philippians 2:1-18, “Give thanks without murmuring.”
  4. Meditate on God while being patient. Philippians 4:8 teaches us to meditate on what is true.

I pray these tips will be helpful in becoming patient. May God bless you and keep you, my dear friend.

My name is Shakira Wilkerson. I am a native of New Jersey, but I reside in South Carolina. In South Carolina I am a teacher assistant for sixteen years, teaching children.  In my spare time, I like to read, sing, write, sew and have devotion on Wednesday’s with a group of women to share the message of Jesus Christ.

Reflections on Habakkuk

Guest Contributor
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Reflections on Habakkuk

Most Christians, when they hear the word ‘Habakkuk,’ can quote parts of Habakkuk 3:17-18:

“Though the fig tree does not bud
 and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
 and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
 and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
 I will be joyful in God my Savior.”

But did you know that there is so much more to the book Habakkuk?

This blog aims to open your eyes to another part of this exceptional Bible book that has a profound message for Christians today.

Who was Habakkuk?

Little is known

Unfortunately, little is known about this prophet. We do know that he was a contemporary of Jeremiah and a man of deep faith. In the book of Habakkuk, the coming Babylonian invasion is predicted, so we can safely say that Habakkuk lived around 600 BC.

(A commentary on the first two chapters of Habakkuk was found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, which shows that the book was popular already during the intertestamental period.)

A unique Bible book

The book itself is unique. It is a dialogue between God and the Habakkuk.

In the first two chapters, Habakkuk argues with God – “Why are your ways so unfathomable?”

He receives an answer and responds with a faith declaration in chapter three, containing the words we all know so well.

The conversation

Habakkuk’s wrestling with God was not supposed to be private.

The book was composed for Israel – to answer the questions of those who were doubting God. God told Habakkuk that he was going to do something – He was going to send in the Chaldeans.

“Why?” Habakkuk asked. “Because my people are immoral,” God answered.

Habakkuk understood this, but then he digs up an argument that withstood the ages and one that some of us may even ask in today’s day and age:

“But God, the Chaldeans are far greater sinners! They are guiltier in terms of bloodthirstiness and oppression. You should punish them! Yes, our nation might be immoral, but these people, they are pure evil!”

A bigger plan

God answered Habakkuk and made it clear that the corrupt destroyer will also be destroyed in the end. Habakkuk (and we) must wait patiently in faith on God. He is sovereign in His doing and righteousness.

Let’s focus on a bit of God’s conversation with Habakkuk:

Habakkuk 2 verses 1-4

“I will stand at my watch
 and station myself on the ramparts;
I will look to see what he will say to me,
 and what answer I am to give to this complaint.

2 Then the Lord replied:

“Write down the revelation
 and make it plain on tablets
 so that a herald may run with it.

3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
 it speaks of the end
 and will not prove false.
Though it lingers, wait for it;
 it will certainly come
 and will not delay.

See, the enemy is puffed up;
 his desires are not upright—
 but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness.”

There are a quite few insights that can be gained from these verses.

“I will stand at my watch.”

A quiet tower

If we call ourselves Christians, we must be willing to go to our ‘tower’ and allow God to teach us, just as he did Habakkuk.

Are you troubled? Wait on the Lord and on what He is saying.

We can know so much more – if only we are willing to listen to God’s whispers! We often don’t hear anything, because there is so much worldly ‘noise’ around us.

God speaks! He speaks to us in His provision every day. He speaks in good times and in bad, in happiness and grief – but only to those with their ears open on their watch-towers.

Real children of God are alert and sit at His feet.

Do you do this enough?

I know I don’t.

We don’t read the Word searchingly; we don’t pray over it. We often proclaim things of our own inventions, not based on what God really said.

Charles Spurgeon wrote beautifully about this. He wrote that we must, “get away to our watch-towers, wrestle with the angel by the brook Jabbok, or go to the top of our mount Carmel.”

“Cry unto the Lord!” he wrote. “Cry, …unto Lord until the heavens are covered with clouds, and the thirsty earth is refreshed with rain.”

“I will look to see what He will say to me.”

Mingled senses

Did you pick up on the first reading of this passage how the different senses are mingled in this verse?

“I will look to see what He is saying.”

When God speaks, we can hear with our eyes, as well as our ears.

There is something magical here, an inner sense that sees the meaning of God’s words. No wonder then, that a prophet was often called ‘a seer.’ We, as saved children of God, must also learn to see.

“Write down the revelation.”

Get it out there!

God does not give us treasure from His Word or from our quiet time just for ourselves. He wants others also to be enriched with it.

Perhaps you were made to see something so that you can make others see also—someone who writes addresses a broader audience. If God speaks to you, make it known to others.

Writing on flesh

‘Write it down’ does not necessarily mean with a pen. Perhaps you have the special gift to write upon someone’s inmost soul and ‘write’ your words with the power of the Holy Spirit. The truth will be engraved deeply in memory, perhaps only to be used later.

“So, a herald may run with it.”

The message concerns you directly

If you are to receive a message that tells you your house is on fire, won’t you run as soon as you receive it? It is a message that concerns you directly. This is the meaning of this passage here in Habakkuk. God’s message is worth running for!

Charles Spurgeon wrote that he wishes he could always preach this way – so that a man would literally run for his life, away from destruction and toward the glories of Heaven!

Our message must be that if someone hears the good news, he will run toward his Savior and the haven of eternal life. There is no room for ambiguity. It is something to think and pray about!

“It speaks of the end …”

Every knee will bow

The glory of God’s message lies in the future. People often disregard what God is saying because they don’t see results in the there and now.

This is the sieve – the way how God discerns between His people and the wicked.

Someone might say: “Just look at that Christian! What good has his faith bring him? Nothing! We are the same. I just as well might not believe.”

The Christian says: “What God says is true. It will be fulfilled. I will wait. I will trust in Him and watch for the unfolding of his purpose.”

Conclusion

The book of Habakkuk gives us much to think about. In this blog, we only looked at parts of four verses!

It circles back to the richness and the wealth that we can find if we delve into the Word!

Why don’t you make Habakkuk your next Bible study for reflection? There are many more treasures to be found.

My name is Helena Bester. I’ve been writing stories and poems my whole life, but only recently discovered the wonderful world of freelance writing.

I love Jesus – He has been a constant presence in my life thus far. I try to sit at His feet – but often fail so miserably. Luckily, He still loves me, no matter what!

My greatest hope is to be honest in my Christian blogs and to be a vessel that God can use.

When I am not writing, I cook, read, or work in my vegetable patch. I am married to Hennie, a South African wheat farmer, and we have three beautiful children, Christiaan, Hendrie, and Jana.

Resources

https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/intro-to-habakkuk/

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Habakkuk+3&version=NIV

https://www.preceptaustin.org/spurgeon_on_habakkuk

How to Conduct Online Christian Retreats Amid Social Distancing

Matthew Schoenherr
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How to Conduct Online Christian Retreats Amid Social Distancing

How can we make virtual conferences and workshops work?

As of the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, travel-restricted times have changed the way we live. Businesses have been forced to close. Vast amounts of people are now working from home, and the educational space has shifted to homeschooling to the extent that many parents are contemplating homeschool as a new norm for the next school year.

Life as we know it, has changed, and we’ve now entered a season of innovation, creativity, and transition into the digital space.

The Digital Church Age

There is a shift in the way we come together and listen to the Word of God. We have gone from attending church activities, events, worship services, and in-person sermons to being an audience behind a screen. Because the church experience isn’t the same, we find ourselves with a gap between the church and its members.

The question that emerges, “How do we connect with an audience during pandemic, shelter-in-place orders?”

Answer: We build a church culture online by developing an online presence through multiple mediums.

Streaming church services remains feasible and has been taking place for years now, but when we push into dealing with camps and retreats, that’s where the challenge begins.

Together, we can build a digital church culture to plug people all across the earth into the Word of God and provide a spirit-filled experience.

Now, let’s do the same for our Christian retreats.

The Reality About Online Retreats

Say, for whatever reason, it is impossible to retreat from our homes. How can we, as the church, host a retreat that can still provide believers with a fulfilling and spiritually uplifting experience delivered through an online medium. We must turn long-awaited retreats into an intimate, multi-day experience that includes a combination of virtual and printed material such as journals, videos, live sessions, conference calls, pamphlets, e-books, and manuals.

The disadvantage in this scenario? Being restricted to stay home when the purpose of a retreat is to escape our worlds completely.

The advantage, on the other hand, is that the resources that are normally provided during retreats can still be made accessible.

So, if your mission is to help Christians experience a retreat at home, how do you do that?

You provide a combination of live sessions, self-paced online content, and electronic materials so your participants can access it on their own time.

It is important to keep in mind that during this pandemic and season of quarantine, many are dealing with working from home while taking care of children. Add a retreat to this mix and life can become extremely overwhelming, absolutely defeating the purpose of a retreat.

A demanding retreat itinerary that requires participants to log in to multiple services and workshops daily at designated times may not be realistic.

The goal is create a digital layout that provides tools and resources that foster moments to experience divine connection with God, while also creating a culture of fellowship.

Most adults are consumed with busy schedules. We must ensure the entire delivery of the digital retreat experience doesn’t burden as much as it blesses.

Building a Digital Retreat Experience

What is the first step to creating an online retreat experience considering busy home lives? Leverage self-paced work and recorded conference calls.

Let’s face it: Family home life can be chaotic. When do most young parents have time for themselves without interruptions? Often only after they put their children to sleep.

When it comes to providing a digital retreat experience, you must offer a variety of ways to deliver content that participants can access on their own time. This will increase the chances they can cultivate a moment of intimacy with God—free of distraction—connect to the Scriptures and consume the thought-provoking material you’ve lovingly provided.

Mixing Video, Audio and the Written Word

Provided content in ways that can be easily consumed, both in visually, verbally and in written form. We are living in the thriving digital era where all kinds of resources can be provided online at a click of a button, even through your phone. Messages and instructions can be recorded and converted into a podcast or a video and delivered via YouTube, Vimeo or Bitchute.

Additionally, you will want to transcribe some of those videos using a service like Rev.com, and then convert them into digital notes or worksheets.

Now, let’s say that you want to take a step further. If your ministry or church has a website (most do,) you can offer your retreat classes by building an online school, where Christian fellowship groups or individual believers can access the modules on their own time.

Additionally, if your retreat ministry decides to offer multiple live sessions per day, you can by using programs like Zoom.us, where you can create multiple virtual breakout rooms.

Don’t think you have the technical know-how to pull this off on your own? To simplify your efforts while still providing a platform that offers modular, self-paced online workshops, look into online course creation services like Udemy, Teachable, and Thinkific. These platforms enable your church or ministry to create online workshops with multiple topics. All you do is prepare and upload your videos or PowerPoint presentations. Though you have less control using these platforms, they can offer a way for you to get your online retreat started more quickly and inexpensively in the short-term.

Personalize Your Online Retreat Experience

A fantastic way to develop a culture for your online retreat is to host live calls at a designated time. Provide ways for retreat participants to worship, receive the Word and feel connected to their fellow students. Teleconference calls can be hosted on programs like Zoom.us, YouTube Live and Instagram Live. Provide moments for connection by opening a private Facebook group where you can host ongoing conversations on different retreat topics, deliver content for the workshops and breakout sessions and, after the retreat, collect testimonials.

WWW (Worldwide Worship)

How can believers worship together in unison at an online retreat? Host a worship moment on YouTube Live or on any other social media platform that people can easily access. Remember too, the worship experience doesn’t have to be live. You can record live worship and upload it to your ministry website or church YouTube channel where it can be waiting to be delivered at the right time.

Foster Fellowship

Fellowship is key, especially in times of isolation. Your digital retreat’s success will be determined, in part, by how well you build bridges between your participants. Connection is vital. A Holy Spirit-filled church culture thrives when both unity and sense of Gospel mission is high. Social media can be a powerful tool for building connection because it can connect people no matter how far the distance between them by using posts, polls, videos, conversations, recorded messages and more. Even more, the social media connections people make during your retreat will likely last well beyond the retreat experience. Social media is interactive; it is the 21st century’s megaphone.

You must decide how you will provide the printed materials. Will you ship them to the participants’ homes? Or will you offer digital PDF files sent for them to print themselves? Will you use online surveys like SurveyMonkey? Will you mail out journals and goodie bags? All of these are great things to consider before you launch your online retreat.

In Conclusion

The online world is our new podium, and we must learn to be resourceful and continue to plant Kingdom seeds in the hearts of both believers and the lost.

The land on which we are sowing is no longer limited to the walls of our churches. Now, we must reach into people’s homes through their phones, tablets and computers. Forced to using these digital means, we now have an opportunity to reach audiences that would never dare to step into a church building, let alone a Christian retreat. Explore which online and offline mediums you will to use to host retreats, make introductions, conduct pre-retreat preparation, host calls, lead workshops, steep in worship and enter breakout sessions.

Though our options are limited, let your creativity abound. May we never lose sight of our mission to help humanity know the intimacy of God while growing in their relationship with one another. Our goal is to prayerfully lead one another into a deeper walk of faith, even in the face of social distancing.

Praying for the Persecuted Church

Guest Contributor
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Praying for the Persecuted Church

When our Redeemer walked on earth over 2,000 years ago, He had a clear message for His disciples: Reach the world with His message of salvation! No continent, no country, no race, no social status or any other factor was to be an exception or exemption. Jesus came to seek and save lost souls. In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

The King of Glory willingly walked among sinful man. He also willingly gave His life to save mankind from the sins that held their souls captive. Envisioning what He endured when He was crucified, we understand more in depth how much He was willing to pay for the desperate state of the creation He wanted to redeem.

Shortly after His crucifixion, there were those who wanted the gospel and the miracles of Jesus to be silenced. Acts 4:16-19 tells us about the Jewish leaders commanding Peter and John to not speak or teach about Jesus. Their response let the leaders know that Peter and John would listen to and obey God, rather than listen to and obey men.

Our world still attempts to silence men and women who are following the command of Jesus. Reaching the world with the message of our Savior and His gift of salvation is still forbidden in some countries. However, just as we read in the book of Acts, there are still those who choose to listen to and obey God rather than listen to the commands of leaders who want the gospel to vanish.

Many of our brothers and sisters in Christ don’t have Christian liberties or freedom to openly serve God. However, they haven’t let the threats of men stop them from the great commission. The Christian church and missionaries in many foreign fields face hostility for their allegiance to Jesus Christ. Imprisonment, beatings, confiscation of property and even execution are only some of the wrongful treatments our spiritual family suffers in several countries of the world.

For those of us that live in a country where exercising our faith in God is openly allowed, we must never lose our thankfulness for the freedom we have. Furthermore, let’s make sure our perception of personal persecution does not mock those who could lose their lives for committing themselves to Jesus. Ease in this area can cause us to think a simple insult about our Christian faith is persecution, while many countries cannot even mention their relationship with God for fear of severe consequences.

persecuted christian church 2020

These 50 countries bring many millions of Christians onto Open Doors’s 2020 World Watch List of Christian persecution. Every day, 8 Christians worldwide are killed because of their faith. Every week, 182 churches or Christian buildings are attacked. And every month, 309 Christians are imprisoned unjustly. (Christianity Today)

Hebrew 13:3 says, “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.” Reminding ourselves to pray for the persecuted church is a worthwhile call-to-action. We need to feel compassion a deep sense of brotherly love for them. Their burdens are great, and opportunities to live in fear are at every turn. Consider how you can pray for your spiritual family who faces hardships every day:

Pray for Their Protection and Strength

Psalm 34:7 “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”

Many of us cannot even imagine being physically harmed, or even killed because we shared the Gospel with another human being. Our persecuted brothers and sisters display an incredible strength and commitment when no earthly punishment can stop them. Their continual reliance on the power of the Holy Ghost is crucial. And our continual prayer for their daily strength may be what helps them to face another day with courage and focus.

Additionally, they are following what the Lord told them to do. Some of us face situations that aren’t ideal, but most of us are not facing our daily walk with the Lord having constant threats hovering over us. Let us pray for their protection. His strength behind them and His leading will give His children what they need to accomplish His will.

Pray for Them to be Led to Hungry Souls

Acts 16:9 “And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. Verse 10 tells of their certainty that God sent them to preach the gospel.”

(It is possible that the man in Paul’s vision was the jailer that we read about in Acts 16:23-34.)

In countries with Christian freedoms, we can openly talk to others and broach the subject of Jesus without any fear. This isn’t the case for those under threat of persecution. The beautiful thing is that laws and threats cannot stop the leading of the Lord. He is not hindered by any circumstances. He can cause the paths of a hungry soul and a Spirit-filled, Spirit-led child of His to cross. His divine orchestration is amazing. While we aren’t in the physical location to witness to the hungry souls that are crying out for help in countries apart from our own, we can pray for our brothers and sisters who are. Pray for them as they are listening for the voice of God and following the leading of His Spirit to reach each and every desperate soul.

Pray for God to Show Himself Strong on Behalf of His Church

2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.”

The Word of God tells us that He wants to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are completely turned to Him. The persecuted church isn’t like the modern-day churches that are privileged to come and go as they please without threat of punishment. Careful speech and careful planning are part of their Christian walk. Gathering for worship is not easy for them, nor is sharing the goodness of God with others. Yet, they find a way. They make a way. They know they must rely on Him to provide. Pray for God to show His strength for those who are completely His. Pray for Him to move mountains, to deliver and heal as only He can.

Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Make the burden of the persecuted church your personal burden. Pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Josanne Anthony is the pastor’s wife of a home missions work in Pennsylvania, USA. Born again at the age of 15, she has been the recipient of much grace and mercy over the past 35 years. Her desire is to have the heartbeat of God toward a lost and dying world.

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