Daily Adventures in Compassion

Have you ever started out on an "adventure" only to find that it wasn't all that enjoyable?  I have, in my short lifetime, done many things that were adventurous.  My surprise is that, when I tell the stories to people, they seem to focus more on the the hardship or the danger that was involved.  When I remember those things, I don't remember the danger, only the excitement of venturing into the unknown.

Ironically, some of my greatest adventures have come, not through extreme activities, but rather through responding to the needs of people I meet and being a channel of God's love and mercy.  Ok, I can tell that I've just lost you with that one.  Boring you might say?  As one easily bored, I can tell you that it's not.  Whether it be someone I run into on the street who needs help or some group of people, I have found that to follow Jesus' example is to experience new adventures every day.  How you might ask?

For example, imagine you are going about your day and pass by people on the street or in the store. The adventure starts when you begin to notice the person's needs and respond to them.  It could be as simple as helping a mother of small children carry bags to her car and it could be as courageous as giving someone a ride to where they have to go.  Being closed up in your own world all day might be the normal thing to do, but how adventurous is that?

The adventurous Christian life isn't about thrill seeking, but rather it's about persevering in doing God's will.  James 5:11 says "As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy."

Being adventurous in your faith isn't about seeking extreme spiritual experiences, or going on mission trips to exotic places.  True and long-lasting adventure is asking the Holy Spirit to keep your eyes open to opportunities to show mercy and compassion and to share your faith.  Don't wait for opportunity to come to you, seek it out.  Jesus went from town to town proclaiming that the Kingdom of God is near.  Your adventure begins when you do the same wherever you go.  Proclaim loudly that "The Kingdom of God is near" with your words, your character, your actions and your good deeds for people.  Be adventurous in the way you show love and compassion to those that you meet.

Len Sweet - Jesus doesn't need anything added

Come To Christ from The Work Of The People on Vimeo.

How Jesus Multiplied His Ministry

As I'm reading through Matthew chapters 8 and 9, I'm struck with the rapid pace of the miracles of Jesus.  One after the other keep happening.  In Matthew 9:35, we see the essence of Jesus' earthly ministry.  

And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.

In chapter twelve, Jesus very deliberately calls his twelve disciples and gives them authority to do the very same ministry He was doing.  Jesus' form of leadership was empowering.  He gave authority to men who hadn't yet spent much time in his classroom.  "And proclaim as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'  Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons." Matthew 10:7.

For many of us in leadership, this presents a challenge to our thinking.  Most of the time, we are not in a mode of multiplication, but rather control and preservation of our authority.  This is especially true if we have a divine call from God to do ministry, AND years of seminary training.  How do we get over this, while still maintaining our integrity as overseers who will be held responsible for what is taught to new believers? (Matthew 18:6).

How comfortable are you as a leader in empowering and sending early?