The Status of My Heart

Yesterday, my wife and I attended the Transformed Conference hosted by “The Way of the Master” at the Clay Center.  Going in, I knew I would be challenged to share my faith more frequently and with more intentionality…I certainly wasn’t let down!  However, of all the great things that were said, two in particular shone a light on the darkness that still abides in my heart.  Ray Comfort, when speaking of our lack of desire to witness, made these points: 

1)  How would your witnessing change if you were to receive $1000 each time you shared your faith?  How many times a day would you be willing to speak to others of Christ?  The love of money in my own soul became very apparent when pondering that question.

2)  What would we think of a physician who had developed a cure for cancer, yet felt no need or desire to share it with dying patients?  How heartless could one be?  What then does it say about the condition of our hearts when we must be challenged and shamed to share the greatest news that could ever to be told to lost and dying sinners??

May God be merciful to me. 

JB2

Politics?

What’s the Christian’s responsibility in politics?  That is probably too much of an open ended question.  Politics covers a broad range of more specific issues.  Party platforms, moral issue positions, fiscal policy, foreign policy, social security, labor law, etc…  The list goes on and on.  My personal position is that the Christian’s response/position to issues should be made based on their fear of God rather than their fear of man (even if that man is yourself).

This past weekend, Tim Pauley, State Director for Capitol Ministries, spoke at my church.  To be honest, I was a little concerned that we would have a “political” person speaking at the church.  Tim quickly put me at ease by clearly stating Capitol Ministries purpose was to evangelize government leaders with the Gospel of Christ.  He taught from Acts 22-28 showing Paul’s specific ministry to government leaders with these three points:

1.  God had a sovereign purpose and plan for Paul to share the gospel with the highest government leaders of his day.

2.  God providentially worked in Paul’s life and ministry to provide him the opportunity to share the gospel with the government leaders.

3.  Paul faithfully fulfilled his commission to share the gospel with government leaders regardless of the circumstances or results.

I can say that God’s providential hand was at work with Tim’s message to me.  I often times get discouraged with examples of poor decisions from our government officials and more often fail at praying for and seeking to evangelize those in leadership positions.  I was very convicted and encouraged by Capitol Ministries mission to advance the Kingdom of God through presenting the gospel to God’s elect in government rather than join in the lobbyist mode of politcal agendas.

JB1