Our theme this month is the verse "Taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him."-Psalm34:8.
You may be wondering what a Buffet has to do with this verse.
It's the food images I get with the "taste and see" part of the verse. The other reason I associate the taste and see part with food is that this is the name of the coffee house Lovely Branches Ministries is starting in Stafford--stay tuned for the opening! Our God is so good, we could all make a "buffet" of all He has done for us and given us to enjoy and use.
The buffet theme also suits the blog this month because I want to "serve" you a smattering, a smorgasbord of ideas. You don't have to read the whole thing at once--but if I don't write it at once, I forget to go back and add more during the month! Just like a buffet, you can pick and choose, and even come back for more.
So, grab your plate and dig in--I've divided my posts into "types" just like a buffet. Help yourself to the main course, side dishes and dessert!
Main Course--the Great Commission, Part II
WARNING--read the following at your own risk --risking your peace of mind and eve
n your lifestyle! While this information is nourishing and should "stick to your ribs", it's hard to swallow!!Last month we talked about the command Jesus gave all of us who follow Him to go and make disciples of all peoples. I talked about some practical and probably fairly painless ways to do that.
THEN I read the book, Radical by David Platt,who pastors a church in Birmingham, Alabama. I was way too easy on us in my last blog! (The subtitle of the book is "Taking back your faith from the American Dream".)
Here are some of the ideas that have seriouly messed up my mind and reconfirm what I already know--I'm a slacker and a shirker!
The American dream of success-nice house, cars, clothes, good job, etc. is not necesarily scriptural or even what God wants for us (Chip Ingram reminds parents that this "dream" is not necessarily what God has for our children, either--or even His definition of success!)
(The following are quotes taken from Radical)
What God's purpose for us is this:"God created humans to enjoy his grace and to extend his glory to the ends of the earth".
- "Jesus commands us to go. He has created each of us to take the gospel to the ends of the earth, and I (DavidPlatt) propose that anything less than radical devotion to this purpose is unbiblical Christianity."(ouch)
- "Every saved person this side of heaven owes the gospel to every lost person this side of hell. We owe Christ to the world."
- We need to quit thinking of our own comfort and think globally. There are 4.5 billion people in the world who do not know Christ. Also according to David Platt, 26,000 children die daily of starvation. (This is appalling)
- For these reasons, if we are followers of Jesus Christ, we cannot keep "doing business as usual". Therefore, we are to give radically and go radically.
Platt gives examples in each chapter and from members of his church who took his challenge to live radically seriously. He also challeges each of us to a 1 year radical living experiment.
1. Pray for the entire world, each country specifically--ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers to these nations. (This may include being willing to help send workers, or go ourselves!)
2. Read through the entire Bible. "If we are going to penetrate our culture and the cultures of the world with the gospel, we desperately need minds saturated with God's word.
3. Sacrifice your money for a specific purpose close to your heart (and God's heart). Set a cap on your spending/level of living, minimize luxuries in your life to give more to spread the gospel and save the dying. Platt suggests we give to those organizations whose purpose is to spread the gospel as well as give aid to those who need it. (Samaritan'sPurse, WorldVision, Compassion, etc. plus other missionaires in your church or other groups) Read the book or website given below to see examples of people who took this to heart--people who put off "wants" to give money away, who cleaned out some savings to help support/adopt children and more.
4. Spend your time in another context. (Above was radical giving, this is radical going)
Sacrifice some time to help those in places you've never served before--inner city, soup kitchen, pregnancy counseling, childrens programs, or in a foreign country. Platt suggests spending at least 1 week away from your life!
5. Commit your life to a multiplying community.
This means as a member of a church or small group whose focus is to go make disciples also.
Platt says," We need community to follow Christ radically-we need to show one another how to give liberally, go urgently and live dangerously. We need our brothers and sisters in Christ to help us to stand."
Had enough? This is pretty tough stuff to "digest". For stories of how people are living radically, go to: http://www.radicalthebook.com/.
Move on down the buffet line to these side dishes.
Have a "helping" of "casting hindrances aside."
Last blog we talked about the running verses in the Bible and how we need to get rid of those things that slow us down or keep us from running the race God has planned for us.
Lighten up (what a terrible choice of words when we're talking buffets!) You've heard it before in my blogs, but get rid of your extra stuff. It takes time and energy to take care of, makes you cranky when you can't find things, and takes up floor/storage space PLUS you could donate/sell it for those who need the things or money! (See # 3 above)
Is your plate too full? Re-evaluate the use of your resources-money,time and energy.
Sometimes we fill our "plates", (lives) with too much of some things and not enough of others.
Do your out-of-the-home committments follow your heart and the talents God has given you?
Do you have time to spend with God and in his word, and with your family?
Are you involved in things that just sap your energy?
Pray for wisdom to make what changes you need to better use what God has given you.
We all have areas of our lives that are a little out of control. It may be physical (health, exercise, diet and sleep). It could be the use of our time-we're over-scheduled, or maybe we waste too much time. Our finances maybe a source of worry and frustration--spend less, save more and pay off debts! (Nothing is worth the cost of loss of peace of mind or being unable to help others)
O.K.,these have been the "meat and potatoes", the substance of our buffet. Now it's time for some fun--desserts!
When I think of the verse "O, taste and see that the Lord is good", I think of sweets! The Bible tells us that the word of God is "sweet like honey". In fact, boys in Jesus' day learned God's words by licking honey off a wax-coated tablet--licking off the honey revealed the words! This is fun way to teach verses to children!
February means Valentine's Day, and this is a great time to teach some of the"love" Bible verses. You can cut hearts out of paper,write verses on them, and put them into a jar. Draw one out to read/memorize.
More Love in a Jar --cut out red construction paper hearts and write something you love about a person. Fold in half, put in a glass jar with some candy kisses and give to someone for a loving, encouraging gift.
Cupcake "Care" packages--make cupcakes, frost. Insert toothpicks or short straws into each with a paper"flag" saying "I love you", or "Jesus loves you". Give to someone who needs to know they're loved, mail with other items in a college student care package, or leave at a neighbor's front door.
The last part of our verse is "...how blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him."(Psalm34:8) I have several friends right now who are hurting and have needs, and only by taking refuge in God are they able to keep going. Our God sets before us so many good things, and then promises our eternal security because He loves us. This is the last tidbit for our buffet--take a heaping helping of refuge in God and in his goodness. It's the only thing that will really "feed"us.
