7/20/2012

Missionaries At HOME: Going Forth in Spirit and in Power...



CHRIST in us... the hope of Glory

During this ecclesiastical season of evangelism and outreach, we who stay at home with our duties and responsibilities to maintain,  may still be endued with Power from on High to reach others for CHRIST JESUS our LORD.

The LORD is certainly not limited nor restricted in sending forth His+ Power to convert the UNsaved ... regardless of where they may live,  in America or in a Third World country.

Here is a true story of how one brother we personally know evangelizes...

"Brother" runs his own construction-type business in  his own  shop at his home. Depending on the builders' orders, his business prospers, but oftentimes the incoming funds run pretty low between orders.

Not long ago Brother did business with another man. Unfortunately, the other man's plans and building business suffered a major set-back and he had to declare bankruptcy... owing several other businessmen thousands of dollars. Brother was one of those counting on a payment for goods and services to this man.

The "failed" businessman knew Brother was a Christian. Even so, the businessman was not willing to be contacted by any of his creditors during this time. 

Brother tried to telephone this man; he had a difficult time reaching him. Finally, when he saw him, Brother said,

" I understand you've had some hard times. Do NOT worry about your debt of XXXX dollars to me; it is cancelled. I don't want you to worry about it any more. 

"And furthermore, when you see me on the street, I want you to come over to me, greet me, talk with me, and tell me how you are doing. I don't want you to HIDE from me. I know how it is. " 

After sharing a few other comforting words, with him, Brother and he parted... as friends.

CHRIST
in us;
the hope of Glory.

CHRIST
being formed
in us;
the hope of Glory.

CHRIST
being formed in others
the hope of Glory.

Yes, this Brother knows how to "evangelize" effectively !  This Brother knew how to use unrighteous mammon to bring others to CHRIST JESUS. 

He knew how to use
the mammon of unrighteousness
to break down the hinderances in one man's hurting heart... a man who felt like a failure in life...  in order to show him JESUS CHRIST, and Brother  himself
"crucified with CHRIST."  

Therefore,  CHRIST was formed that day in Brother, as he chose to take the loss and join in the sufferings of his business acquaintance...

in order to show him
CHRIST JESUS.

Furthermore, an open door for CHRIST JESUS was made in that "failed" man's heart in such a way that he will never be able to forget what one Follower of CHRIST JESUS did for him in his dark hour of need. 

Yes, this is indeed the season for Evangelism... at home or abroad.  

Glory be to The FATHER,
WHO created us;
and to HIS Only-Begotten SON+
JESUS CHRIST Our LORD,
WHO+ saves us;
and to The Blessed HOLY SPIRIT,
WHO sanctifies us.
Amen


7/05/2012

Going Forth in Spirit and in Power...

He loves me...  He loves me not ... He loves me...
A Monastic Breviary, Anglican
Prayer Book
PROPER 8
pg. 293

ALMIGHTY GOD, THOU hast built Thy Church upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF+ being the CHIEF CORNERSTONE+ :

Grant us so to be joined together
in unity of spirit
by their teaching,
that we may be made a Holy temple
acceptable to THEE;

...through JESUS CHRIST Our LORD, WHO+ lives and reigns with THEE and The HOLY SPIRIT, one GOD, now and forever, world without end. Amen.

 The Secret for Unity of Spirit

If we walk in the Light,
as HE+ is in the Light,

we have fellowship
with one another,

and

the Blood of JESUS CHRIST
 HIS SON+
cleanseth us
from all sin.
I John 1:7 

If we walk in the Light, confessing our sins unto HIM+ Who+ knew no sin, HE+ will help us ... assist us...  to amend our ways. WE CANNOT AMEND OUR WAYS WITHOUT HIS+ HELP.

HE+ will bring conviction when we accuse someone in our hearts or speak in less-than-loving ways to someone. HE+ will bring His+ wonderful conviction to us, saying: " WHERE did that remark COME FROM ?" 

Our part is to respond. In humility and in truth, we can discover exactly WHERE such things originate.

REMEMBER THIS:
if it is not in our hearts,
it won't come out of our lips.

Now practically speaking, what do we do if there is trouble in the camp, trouble in the home, trouble in the church ? 

We take heed to WALK IN THE LIGHT..... OURSELVES. We do not "push" others to confess their sins. We do not "confess" nor "confront" others with their bad attitudes if they do not ASK US TO TELL THEM ABOUT THEIR FAULTS. 

We are not the correctors of the adults in our homes and in our churches IF we are not the pastors or elders. 


The HOLY SPIRIT
IS THE CORRECTOR.

All we have to do is walk in the Light ourselves.

In humility, and in Truth, we walk "as well pleasing unto The LORD."  We give ourselves unto prayer.

If there is trouble between you and some other adult, PRAY. Get your own heart right before The LORD. ASK The LORD to "make" things right between you and the other one. 

Then thank HIM+ and listen. Thank HIM+ and walk with HIM+. Thank HIM+ and pray blessings upon the troublesome one. 

HE+ will work it out. HE+ will bring conviction. HE+ will change the situation .... or HE+ will not.... but you will be in HIS+ Peace if you walk with HIM+, in the Light. 

You will have fellowship: first, with HIM+, then with others. You will not have "fellowship" with others until your fellowship is established with CHRIST JESUS.

Unity... Concord... Peace...

all of which begins when we are UNIFIED with CHRIST... 

It begins when we are in accord with His+ Word, having straightened up our hearts before HIM+...

It begins when HE+ can find nothing in us which makes HIM+ ashamed to call us His+ Brethren. 


O GOD, THOU hast taught us to keep all Thy commandments by loving THEE and our neighbor: 

Grant us the grace of Thy HOLY SPIRIT that we may be devoted to THEE with our whole heart and united to one another with pure affection; 

through JESUS CHRIST our LORD Who+ lives and reigns with THEE and the HOLY SPIRIT, one GOD, for ever and ever. Amen.