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>Burning Our Bridges (and Plows) Behind Us

June 29, 2010 by Fritz

>Elisha, an Old Testament prophet, was plowing his field when his call to service came.1 He killed his oxen and gave a goodbye BBQ party, burning his plow for fuel and letting the neighbors keep the food.

A farmer without an ox or a plow doesn’t do much farming. In burning his plow Elisha was, in effect, burning his bridges behind him to his old life, no turning back – if this prophet stuff failed he had no backup plan.2

God wants that same abandon exhibited in us as we respond to the call to give our lives to Jesus – not holding back part of ourselves in case we change our minds or keeping our decision secret to save face; we are to follow Christ fully engaged in the process.

Years ago a presidential candidate said publically, “Jesus Christ is part of my life.” That really was the problem, Jesus was only a part.

Few are told by God to sell everything and start walking, but all His are called to be willing.

-fritz

1. – 1st Kings 19:19-21
2 – Related Post, My Voice and No Backup Plan

Posted in Experience | Leave a Comment »

>Heavenly Bankers

June 28, 2010 by Fritz

>Jesus tells of a man who gives his servants money to manage until his return. In the story when the man returns he condemns a fearful servant for making no attempt do anything with what he was given. The servant was fired with the statement:

“Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.” – Matthew 25:27

Jesus says the man of the story is, actually, the Kingdom of Heaven. We, as members of that Kingdom through Christ are, probably, the servants of the story.

We know we are to do something to produce results for God’s Kingdom, and some are really good at it, but what about the rest of us? How do we invest in the “Exchangers” or “Bankers” the parable talks about?

Partner with those whom God is using to produce a return of souls for the Kingdom of Heaven – churches, missionaries, and focused groups, like heaven’s bankers, who are successfull at managing pooled resources and who are actually producing results.

As we support them we, too, are participating in their work. Our resources are producing a return for the Kingdom of Heaven.

“you have always been faithful in helping other followers of the Lord, … support people like them, so that we can take part in what they are doing to spread the truth.” – 3rd John 1:5,8

Anyone and everyone can do that!

– fritz

1 – Matthew 25:14-30
2 – 3rd John 1:5, 8 (Contemporary English Version)

Posted in Missionaries, Parables, Support | Tagged | Leave a Comment »

What’s My Calling?

June 27, 2010 by Fritz

There are so many causes and so little me, how do I hear God say, “This is the place!”, and, “Now is the time!”?

The answer can be seen in the little book, Nehemiah. One day Nehemiah had a curious thought – What’s happening back in Jerusalem? He was told the place was a shambles.

“when I heard these words, … I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven” – Nehemiah 1:4 (KJV)1

To me, Nehemiah’s response seems over the top; certainly not everyone had that reaction.

There are certain things that stir our emotions and capture our attention; that’s the “where” and “what” of our calling.

What captures your attention and touches you emotionally? Begin there!

– fritz
1 – Nehemiah 1:3-4

Posted in Calling, Experience | Tagged | 3 Comments »

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